dave54 wrote:
The National Forests were created to facilitate rural economic development while protecting forested watersheds.
They were not created to protect from logging, but to increase logging to benefit local communities, under the oversight of professional foresters who would harvest timber while protecting and maintaining the values. Multiple use is mandated by law. Wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation are supposed to be given equal weight.
It's my understanding that logging and rural development was eventually one intended uses of the NF but it was definitely not the sole reason why it was created. It was
created to protect watersheds and forests. The logging was done to help prevent huge forest fires as well as provide economy and help nearby rural communities.
