Public Land Use in the USA Natalie Salkowski American Wilderness Science Random Lake High School

Public Lands Historic View of U.S. Land Disposal Development of Agencies managing Federal Lands Development of Policies Governing Key Federal Agencies

Considerations 1. Whose interests should be considered? How? Local residents versus distant interested parties? 2. How to consider present values versus those of future generations? 3. Should “people” be polled? Or just volunteer their input? 4. Should planning be bottom up or top down? 5. Should Congress step in even more, or has it gone too far in prescribing management? 6. Should lands be managed for cost-effectiveness or should non-economic values be the primary basis for management (e.g. an ecosystem perspective)? 7. What other values should be considered?

Government Land Ownership State Owned Land Federally Owned Land Source: https://environmentalgeography.wo rdpress.com/2015/02/25/reflections -on-robbins-et-al-environment-and- society-part-i/

Land Acts

Western Land Ownership US Forest Service Bureau of Land Management

Closing the Frontier The Teddy Roosevelt Era of Conservation Creation of the “National Systems:” USFS and NPS More modern concepts: Wilderness National Recreation Areas National Scenic Areas National Wild and Scenic Rivers

National Park Service

National Park Service Separate mandate for each Park General concept: Visitor use AND preserve the values related to classification. Conflicts in management concept Current attempts by NPS to balance management goals w/visitor use

"Optimism is a good characteristic, but if carried to an excess, it becomes foolishness. We are prone to speak of the resources of this country as inexhaustible; this is not so.” Theodore Roosevelt. Seventh Annual Message to Congress, December 3, 1907 “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” John Muir, Our National Parks (1901) Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir at Yosemite

Land Grant by congress for Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the state of California in 1864. In 1890 California established these areas as a park. Returned to the federal government in 1906 to become Yosemite National Park.

Beginnings Yellowstone Act of 1872- Congress est. Yellowstone National Park "as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and placed it "under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior."  Department of the Interior War Department US Forest Service

After Yellowstone’s establishment, the national park idea was attacked by special interests, stoutly defended by friends in Congress, and successively refined and confirmed. Fourteen more national parks were established in the West between 1872 and 1916, most of them closely following the Yellowstone prototype. 1890– Sequoia National Park (California) 1899-- Mount Rainier National Park (Washington) 1902-- Crater Lake National Park (Oregon) 1903-- Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota) 1906-- Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) 1910 Glacier National Park (Montana) 1915 Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) Crater Lake National Park

Organic Act 1916- President Woodrow Wilson Creating the National Park Service, within the Department of the Interior 35 current national parks and monuments and those yet to be established "the Service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments and reservations…by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

A new era for national parks and monuments opened on August 25, 1916 President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation creating a new federal bureau, the National Park Service, in the Department of the Interior. The act created the National Park Service to: "…conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

-This mission statement, known as the Park Service Organic Act, continues to guide the management of the parks today. -370 areas in the National Park System -83 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. -Include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.

Transferring Lands Executive Order in 1933- transferred 56 national monuments and military sites from the Forest Service and the War Department to the National Park Service. New NATIONAL system that includes areas of historical as well as scenic and scientific importance.

Antiquities Act 1906- The President has authority to proclaim national monuments on lands already under federal jurisdiction. concerns about protecting Native American ruins and artifacts (collectively termed "antiquities") on federal lands President Theodore Roosevelt used the act to declare Devils Tower in Wyoming as the first U.S. national monument. 1978-Jimmy Carter -15 new national monuments in Alaska act also stopped further use of the proclamation authority in Alaska. 1996- Bill Clinton -Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. This action was widely unpopular in Utah.

The first national monument, proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt some three months after he signed the Antiquities Act, was Devils Tower. It was established to protect a prominent Wyoming landmark, an 867-ft massive stone shaft visible for a great distance and a guidepost over the centuries for Indians, explorers, and settlers. Today there are more than 70 monuments in the National Park System.

U.S. Forest Service

beginnings 1876-Special Agent in the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assess the quality and conditions of forests in the United States TR’s Boone and Crockett Club concerned with Yellowstone 1881- expanded the office into the Division of Forestry Forest Reserve Act of 1891- president can designate public lands Department of the Interior 1905 – T.R. transferred care to the Department of Agriculture’s new U.S. Forest Service First Chief Gifford Pinchot

mission Manage land for sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood, and recreation Protection and management of natural resources on lands we manage. Research on all aspects of forestry, rangeland management, and forest resource utilization. Coordinate U.S. support for the protection and sound management of the world's forest resources.

What they manage Manage 25% of Federally owned lands 193 million acres 155 national forests and 20 grasslands National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, Business Operations, and the Research and Development branch

Branches of the u.s. Forest service Law Enforcement National Forest System Enforce federal laws governing national forest lands and resources The 193 million acres of public land 44 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands and comprise about 9% of the total land area in the US. 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands Mission: to protect and manage the forest lands so they best demonstrate the sustainable multiple-use management concept, using an ecological approach, to meet the diverse needs of people.

Branches of the u.s. Forest service State and Private Forestry Research and Development Technical and financial assistance to private landowners, state agencies, tribes, and community resource managers sustain forests and to protect from wildland fires, insects, disease, and invasive plants. 17 sites throughout the country. Part of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service  informing policy and land management decisions invasive insects degraded river ecosystems sustainable ways to harvest forest

Land Use Land can be used for logging, mining, and recreation (skiing, ATV, etc) Areas designated as wilderness by acts of Congress, prohibit logging, mining, road and building construction and land leases for purposes of farming and or livestock grazing. Since 1978, several Presidents have directed the USFS to administer National Monuments inside of preexisting National Forests. Admiralty Island National Monument – Alaska Giant Sequoia National Monument – California Misty Fjords National Monument – Alaska Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument – Washington Newberry National Volcanic Monument – Oregon

Fire Suppression 1880s-1910s – Many fires burned in Yellowstone, Yosemite, Idaho, Montana, and other areas. Suppression as a rule By 1935, the U.S. Forest Service's fire management policy stipulated that all wildfires were to be suppressed by 10 am the morning after they were first spotted. Aided by US Army and Forest Service “smoke jumpers”

Recent Directives Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960 Resources Planning Act of 1974 National Forest Timber Management Act of 1976 Wilderness Act of 1964 Clinton’s “Rule Making “ for Roadless Areas

The Wilderness Act of 1964 Fought bitterly by agencies and industries The result of pressures from environmentalists from the 1930’s. Fought bitterly by agencies and industries Ordered reviews by federal agencies of lands suitable for Wilderness RARE I and RARE II

RARE Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE) 1st report completed in 1972 Controversial wilderness review process evaluated 55.9 million acres of land and 1,449 roadless areas for possible inclusion into the National Wilderness Preservation System. 12.3 million acres selected for possible wilderness designation Lawsuit in California over a roadless area that had not been selected resulted in the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the Forest Service ordering a new study of all roadless areas, called RARE II, in 1977.

Mini Project Make a PSA mini-Poster about an act influenced by the USFS within the past 100 years CHOICES: Forest Service Organic Administration Act (Act of June 4, 1897) Multiple Use and Sustained Yield Act of 1960 Resources Planning Act of 1974 National Forest Timber Management Act of 1976 Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978  Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978  Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008  Endangered Species Act (Act of December 28, 1973)

Bureau of Land Management

beginnings 1812- General Land Office Created to encourage homesteading and westward expansion 1862 -- Homestead Act entitles Western settlers to 160 acres of public land after they reside on and cultivate the land for five years 1946- BLM- Merging of the General Land Office and US Grazing Service 245 million surface acres 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estates manage public land for multiple uses (such as energy development, livestock grazing, mining, timber harvesting, and outdoor recreation) while conserving natural, historical, and cultural resources (such as wilderness areas, wild horse and wildlife habitat, artifacts, and dinosaur fossils)

Goals Our management priorities are consistent with the themes and related goals of the Administration and FLPMA.  The Secretary's 10 Priorities: Create a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt. Sustainably develop our energy and natural resources. Restore trust and be a good neighbor. Ensure tribal sovereignty means something. Increase revenues to support the Department and national interests. Protect our people and the border. Strike a regulatory balance. Modernize our infrastructure. Reorganize the Department for the next 100 years. Achieve our goals and lead our team forward.

BLM Land Use Mining Logging 1955 -- Multiple Surface Use Act withdraws common varieties of minerals from entry as mining claims and allows claim owners to use the surface for mining operation purposes only. 1975 -- Energy Policy and Conservation Act addresses energy demands and establishes a strategic petroleum reserve Permits designate logging sites Legal and sustainable use

Wilderness Land Grazing 1964 -- Wilderness Act protects undeveloped Federal land to preserve its natural condition Wilderness land cannot be mined or logged 1934 -- Taylor Grazing Act authorizes grazing districts, regulation of grazing, and public rangeland improvements in Western states (excluding Alaska) and establishes Division of Grazing (later renamed U.S. Grazing Service) within the Department of the Interior

Public Recreation “Backyard to Backcountry” treasure. Largest acreage available for recreation in America.   Mainly Western States

Land Use by agency

Recreation Trends Source: USFS RPA Assessment

Timber Production Trends

Symbols of Changing Values towards Timber Federal Lands Programs State Lands Programs Regulations on Private Timberland Management & Purchases of Private Timberlands Ecosystem Concerns (Salmon; Interior Ecosystem Programs)

Conflicts over logging by USFS led to this study. Study Team appointed by President Kennedy In 1963. Composed of: Secretary of Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Their Representatives, And a Fifth Member, Who Essentially Arbitrated the Study. It can be a symbol of changes in values towards timber.

Changing Values Toward State Trust Lands Jointly funded by State Legislature and Northwest Ecosystem Alliance

Efforts to Acquire and Manage Private and Public Timberlands

Dramatic Change in growth vs. removals

Case Study

Wisconsin Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 1.5 million acres of boreal woodland in northern Wisconsin

History Waterways were used to transport harvested timber to sawmills farther south. Logging reached peak in1920s. Cleared land was sold over to immigrants as farms and homesteads. Soils poor and farms abandoned. Area prone to uncontrolled blazes, with some of the worst occurring during the 50 years after 1870. The Peshtigo Fire was one such firestorm. 

Buying the land The Federal Government bought foreclosed farmsteads and logging land. Two national forests were established on under in 1933. Nicolet National Forest was established on March of 1933 by President Hoover Chequamegon was established by President Roosevelt in November of 1933. Reforestation efforts by Civilian Conservation Corps. planted thousands of acres of pine trees, built fire lanes, and created recreational facilities across the forest. 1993 National Forests Combined

Current logging The forest is logged today Sustainability

DNR’s Current Reassessment of Timber Harvest Levels 8 396 536 662 411 817 781 Harvest volume by alternative

DNR’s Current Reassessment of Timber Harvest Levels