North Cascades

STEWARDSHIP OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN:
GOVERNMENT IN THE NORTH CASCADES

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE ERA

Overview

"The primary function of all the national forests in the United States . . . is to insure the Nation a permanent wood supply." [11] Wood was but one of four forest "products" of interest to the USFS in its early years. Water, forage, and recreation were equally important resources to be monitored by this federal agency, which ultimately developed an impressive list of achievements in the North Cascades. While ardent conservationists and environmentalists may argue otherwise, positive achievements of the USFS include building roads that opened areas previously accessible only to hikers; constructing lookouts which extended the agency's capability of protecting against forest fires; building and maintaining an extensive network of trails that enabled a broader spectrum of recreationists to enjoy the backwoods; and finally, helping in the monumental task of surveying and mapping the backcountry of the North Cascades. Indeed, the USFS perceived itself as a trustee of the public forests "for the permanent good of the whole people and not for the temporary benefit of individuals or companies." [12] In their efforts to placate recreationists, mining and timber interests, and private land owners within forest boundaries -- all of whom were inevitably in conflict with one another -- the guiding principles of the USFS reflected "fair play to all." [13]