Forest Reserves in Idaho #247580

The President:<br><br>Pursuant to your recent request that I submit some suggestions in reference to the withdrawal for, and creation of, forest reserves, I have the honor to submit that your order announced on the occasion of my recent interview, that no further withdrawals should be made for forest reserves, or forest reserves created, without first giving notice of such intention, together with the opportunity of being heard, to the Senators and representatives in Congress from the State in which the reserve is proposed to be created, will in future result in much good. It has not been the practice heretofore to do so, and many withdrawals have been made for forest reserve purposes in the State of Idaho that have worked great injury to the State and done much to retard its settlement.<br><br>Under date of February 22, 1897, the Bitter Root Forest Reserve was created, containing an area of 4,147,200 acres. This reservation covers some of the oldest settlements in the State of Idaho, some of the most important mining camps, and many valleys adapted to agricultural settlement, also much land valuable for home-making purposes. It is not confined to the headwaters of streams or watersheds, or mountain divides, but it was created as marked out upon the map, without definite knowledge or investigation as to the character of the country.<br><br>The system as now executed is paralyzing the growth of the State of Idaho. Business men and mining investors will not invest money within a forest reserve. They will not place themselves in a position where they must ask permission to do that which they in other parts of the country may do without permission of officers. American citizens prefer to have their legal rights established by law and not by consent.<br><br>The Priest River Reserve was created on February 22, 1897, and contains 645,120 acres. This reservation contains a vast amount of land fit for home making and settlement.<br><br>Neither of the foregoing reserves are at the headwaters of streams flowing into arid regions, where there is any necessity of conserving the water supply. A large portion of the Bitter Root Reserve is not conserved with timber at all. I am personally acquainted with the character of these reservations, having passed through and over them.<br><br>The Pocatello Forest Reserve was created September 1, 1903, containing 49,920 acres, for the purpose of protecting the sources of streams from which the city of Pocatello derives its water supply.