The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1945-10-18
Sustained Yield of
Forest Resources
By Cooperation

Public Law No. 273, passed by the
Congress of the United States in
1914 was an enabling act 1t enabled
the forest service and other federal
agencies to cooperate with private
timberland owners and operators to
further continuous production of
Forest products. Soon after its
passage, the J. Neils Lumber
Company of Libby submitted to the
forest service a request that the
formation of Kootenai sustained
yield unit be given consideration,
with the j. Neils Company as the
logical private party Negotiations
have been opened with the ]. Neils
Company and plans are being pre-
pared to reach an agreement so
that the j. Neils timberlands and a
portion of the Kootenai National
forest may be managed as one unit.
The principal detectives of the
law are, Cd to cut in accordance
with the ability of the forest to
grow, (2) to offer some incentive to
private cumberland owners to leave
valuable growing stock on the
ground for future crops. CD to
stabilize numbering communities by
making it possible for efficient ex-
listing industries to look forward to
continuous life, (4) to raise the
standard of living economically and
socially in these communities and
(5) to provide continuous amount
of useful timber products for the
nation.
The forest service, and Ats local
representatives, are Interested in
having as large an area on forest
land committed to sustained yield
management as possible. They feel it
is service to the nation as we'll as
to the community to keep timber
lands producing useful crops.
Knowing that most of the public
is unaware of what has been done
in this territory thus far, and that
some of the implications in the law
may be misunderstood, a set OF
questions and answers have been
prepared to explain the program
further. Should additional clarified
ton be needed please contact the
forest supervisor or Iocal forest
ranger.
Question l. What is the usual story
of numbering community without
sufficient timber to guarantee its
future?
Answer |. Private lands are heav-
lily cutover, often practically de:
nuded, after which they become tax
delinquent or are traded to the gov
eminent for more timber. Either
way the tax base is narrowed sub.
jecting the remaining property own
ers to increased tax rates. Business
men of the community forsee the
eventual end. and quite justifiabls
refuse to invest in anything but
temporary structures and improve
ments. In the end there are loss O.
jobs, financial hardships, propert,
depreciation and decline in popu
lation.
] In the woods the valuable spe
cies disappear, fire takes a heavy
toll and the land becomes practical
ly worthless. If anything is left i
is defective, inferior stuff which i:
often worse than nothing at al
since it interiors with the develop
ment of new crop.
Question 2. What size lumber
manufacturing plant, large or small
is most conclusive to community sta
bility?
Answer 2. Almost without excep
ton the larger the industry thu
more satisfactory the working con
ditions and community life. Amonl
the advantages are ID more con
tinuous employment, (2) highel
wages to employees, CD better util
ization Of raw materials and con
versely less waste, (4) more re
manufacturing facilities leading t,
higher valued products and bette
markets and go greater financial
stability enabling the industry t,
override depressions.
ITO be continued)
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