Ouachita National Forest

ADMINISTRATION

THE keynote of national forest administration is service. The permanency of the work of the national forest system destines it to play an important part as a social and economic stabilizer. It does this through the promotion of good land use, the production of timber, the provision of steady seasonal employment year by year, and by contributing in other ways to the development of the country and the welfare of the people.

These forests are the properties of the people of the United States, and the national forest officials are the guardians or managers of these properties. Every effort is made to perpetuate these resources and to coordinate the uses so that each may go on and none interfere with the other.

As has been mentioned, timber is harvested in such a way as to provide for growing a new crop and for producing as much timber as possible, of the best quality. When timber is cut in the Ouachita Forest according to Government practices it is not necessary to replant the cut-over areas. The shortleaf pine, which predominates, quickly re-seeds the cut-over areas, making artificial planting unnecessary. Forage in the open is grazed by cattle and sheep under permit, and water-power development is permitted under proper regulations.

For the purpose of administering the forest and protecting it from fire, lookout, guard, and ranger stations have been built. These are connected by a telephone, road, and trail system. Other roads and trails are constructed and maintained to make the forest more accessible, thus making it easy to reach any forest fires which occur.

KEEPING WATCH FOR FIRES ON OAK MOUNTAIN These "eyes" of the protective organization are scattered throughout the forest F—261814

COLD SPRINGS GUARD STATION NEAR WALDRON F—314374

The United States Forest Service is making every effort to bring the newest scientific developments into forest fire control in the national forests, and to coordinate the results of the past years of experience and fire control research to effect the desired fire control objectives. The Division of Fire Control of the Forest Service estimates that of the total amount expended annually for administration of the national forests, 37 percent is required for their protection from fire. Without successful protection, forestry cannot restore the American heritage of timber lands, nor can these lands fulfill their role in the control of floods, maintenance of water supplies, and outdoor recreation.

The Arkansas State Forest Service is protecting from fire lands which adjoin the national forest. State and Federal lookout towers are connected by telephone and the two agencies cooperate in detecting and locating fires. The State forester is located at Little Rock.

The forest supervisor, with headquarters at Hot Springs, has direct charge of the administration of the Ouachita National Forest. He is assisted by a staff and clerical assistants, as well as six district rangers, each of whom is responsible for operation of affairs in his district. These district rangers are located at Oden, Norman, Waldron, and Mena, Ark.; and Heavener, Okla. The Jessieville ranger has offices in Hot Springs, Ark.

All forest officers will gladly give visitors information on the resources and attractions of the forest. This national forest belongs to the public to use and enjoy—and to protect.

Additional information regarding the Ouachita National Forest, or other national forests in the southern region, is always available at the regional office, Atlanta, Ga., or at the office of the supervisor at Hot Springs.

THE FOREST AND THE COMMUNITY

IN the Ouachita National Forest there is being developed a public property which should steadily become of greater service to the surrounding region and to each local community within its zone of service.

When the force of the depression struck and the CCC movement was initiated, the national forests offered opportunity for emergency employment on a national scale. The man power and emergency funds available made possible a start in putting our forests in order. A vast amount of public work of lasting benefit has been accomplished. Losses from forest fires have been greatly reduced through the erection of lookout towers and the construction of roads to inaccessible timber tracts.

Work toward rebuilding forests is more than an emergency measure; it is permanently constructive in its value because it helps to lay foundations for lasting economic prosperity and to add continuously to the welfare of families and communities. In addition to its economic features, this program of work is an investment not only in the saving of trees and soil but in its contribution to human welfare through rebuilding men.

The value of the work accomplished during the past few years will be better realized as time goes on and conservation assumes a larger and more important aspect in our national life.

Many forces are working to favor forest management in the South. New methods of using raw products are being developed rapidly and the possibilities of pine appear numerous. New pulpwood and lumber-using industries are moving in. The Forest Service is slowly and carefully working out a conservation program aimed at assisting Federal, State, and private agencies in developing and sustaining a supply of necessary raw materials to support these new industries.

The suppression of fire is vital to our continued forest prosperity and any constructive plan must have the support of the public as a whole in the prevention of woods fires. The vast extent of its forests has helped to make the United States the great industrial nation it is today.

ABANDONED FIELD RESTOCKING Abandoned fields on submarginal farm land are being purchased by the Forest Service. Unless they reseed naturally, as most of them do, they are planted artificially to pine F—261819

Forests are a source of prosperity and it is essential that adequate portions of this national wealth be preserved for all time. It is safe to assume that providing markets for pine wood is going to do a lot to save pine forests from fires. Ready markets and cash for trees will do more than any amount of preaching to secure the cooperation of owners to prevent care lessness with fires.

The rapid growth of trees and the natural advantage of climate in the southern pine belt enhance the position of the Ouachita National Forest as a region of rich timber resources for supplying industrial needs. These resources, if properly managed, offer possibilities of providing material for great operations which will mean employment for workers at good wages and prosperity for the region on a sound basis that will be lasting.

TREES COMMONLY FOUND IN THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST