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Show VEGETAL COVER Northtrn Desert Shrub Conifer RANGELAND FOREST LAND LAND OWNERSHIP a ADMINISTRATION Chaparral Riparian URBAN,ETC. CROPLAND PUBLIC SECTOR PRIVATE SECTOR In 1965f about 2 percent of the Region was in cropland; 6k percent, pasture and range; 33 percent, forest and woodland; and less than 1 percent in urban, transportation, utilities, etc. More than 76 million acres were grazed by domestic livestock on rangeland, forest land, and cropland. Commercial timber was produced on about 5.5 million acres. About 5.5 million acres within the Region were designated for outdoor recreation, almost 3 million acres being in national parks and monuments. More than 0.8 million acres were in designated wilderness areas and 1.9 million acres were managed primarily for fish and wildlife. More than ^.l million acres were within military reservations. Suitable land is available to satisfy almost every purpose or need of the Region, but land development is curtailed, in most areas, by an insufficient supply of water. For example, the Region contains almost kO million acres with soils suited for irrigated agricultural production with 1.5^ million acres developed but, due primarily to a limited water supply, only 1.3 million acres were irrigated in 1965. Except for the limited availability of water supply, the Region is bountifully provided with resources, space, and general environment which will support future growth. Probably the most stimulating single factor on the growth of the Region is the climate which permits activities such as irrigated agriculture, construction, entertainment, tourism, and outdoor recreation during the entire year. |