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Show from the purposes desired by the proponents. Thus what often appears definite policy as written in legislation may be implemented in a manner some- what different from what might have been intended. TABLE 10.-Approximate acreage o£ public lands by major agencies in Colorado Basinl Agencies Acres Percentage of Federal lands Percentage of total basin area FEDERAL Department of Interior..... Department of Agriculture.. Defense ag-encies.......... Other Federal agencies.... 85,440, 000 28,460, 000 5, 800, 000 94, 000 71.3 23.8 4.9 .01 53.2 17.8 3.9 .06 Total............... 119,794,000 100.0 75.0 LOCAL PUBLIC State.................... County and other......... 13, 500, 000 1, 500, 000 ....... 8.5 .9 Total............... 15, 000, 000 9.4 Grand total......... 134, 960, 000 ....... 86.0 1 Does not include highway and institutional land. Such differences in legislation and policy af- fect management and often give rise to divergent approaches to closely related problems. Friction among responsible agencies and between them and the public therefore is not surprising. National forests were set aside "to protect the forest and for the purpose of securing favorable conditions of water flow." With the passage of time, water production and soil stabilization became recognized as the more dominant needs. Conse- quently national forest administration in the basin is gradually tending toward greater emphasis upon these phases of resources development, a desirable policy in view of soil and water problems. To this end certain practices are now being followed de- signed to enhance the water resources at the expense of others. Measures are taken to reduce soil losses and watei: wastages; if operations or uses do not harmonize with those efforts, they are modified from time to time in the effort to meet the water and soil requirements. Although many steps have been taken to resolve conflicts in use and practice, further adaptations are needed. Logging is often done so as to cause ero- sion. Some timber cutting ought not to be per- mitted and often is not done with sufficient regard for water resources. Roads are often constructed with insufficient attention to erosion conditions. Improper use of the range and too heavy stocking adversely affect watershed functions. Big game reaches excessive numbers before action is taken. There are still too many fires. Although these are difficulties which prevent full attainment of all objectives immediately, the movement in the direc- tion of management for watershed values is gaining momentum. Similarly, the Taylor Grazing Act provides for multiple-purpose land administration of the public domain both within and outside of grazing districts. Generally speaking, these lands lie at lower eleva- tions than the land included in the national forests, and are located in less favorable areas climatically. Hence vegetative cover is less effective and manage- ment problems become more difficult. The Bureau of Land Management recognizes the need for water- shed protection, and for reduction of erosion and sedimentation in stream beds and reservoirs. The adjustments in stocking and distribution of livestock on the ranges, the construction of range improve- ments, water facilities, water and moisture control structures, and the revegetation of the range are being planned with recognition of watershed values and carried out insofar as possible. Unfortunately the public domain lands in many cases are more important as sediment contributors to downstream areas than they are as water contrib- utors. Among the reasons which may be cited are the short time the public domain has been under organized administration, the very deteriorated con- dition of the public domain range at the time the Taylor Grazing Act was passed, meager appropria- tions for range improvement, and pressures by interests which profit by overgrazing the range lands. Today, with projects on the Colorado being planned to use all of its potential productive capa- bilities at high cost and in the public interest, all Federal and State lands ought to be so administered and managed that the best interests of water and soil are served. Only by giving erosion control and watershed values due weight can these public lands contribute their share to the full use of the river and the economy of the people dependent on them. 408 |
