FIGURE 236.—Big Water of Saganaga, Superior wilderness area, Minn.
WILDERNESS Areas in the National Forests Are to Be Preserved
Forty-two wilderness areas have recently been established by the Forest Service in the national forests of Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Minnesota, included in the Rocky Mountain district. Such action, involving 2,551,020 acres, indicates the recognition which is given in planning the administration of these public properties, to the special suitability of certain areas for recreation and for scientific purposes.
In setting aside these units three classes have been specified. Class I is largely for scientific study and use. It comprises natural areas ranging from a few acres to one or more sections, set aside for observation and study in future years. The tracts are so located that they can be protected and exempted from every form of use, including grazing. European scientists have found that areas of this kind kept in their natural state are vital to the checking of observations of current conditions on lands being cultivated for the production of continuous forest crops.
The Class II wilderness areas are made up of rugged tracts difficult of access, the scenic beauty of which is dependent upon their retention in a primeval state. Here all commercial uses are prohibited. In laying out these areas an effort has been made to provide in so far as possible for the needs of big game.
The Class III wildernesses make up by far the larger part of the acreage and are predicated on the premise that the highest social values will be realized from these areas if no cultural developments are permitted. In these areas automobile roads will not be constructed, and resorts, summer homes, and improvements of a similar character will not be permitted. The utilization of the economic resources, such as timber, forage, and water, will be authorized and the improvements necessary to utilization will be permitted, every effort being made in their management to correlate the utilization plans with the controlling policies governing the wilderness areas.
Thirteen areas in Class I have been set aside; 1 area of 100,000 acres in Class II; and 28 areas involving 2,451,020 acres in Class III.
There are certain types of recreation seekers who demand different conditions from those provided for in the usual resorts, automobile camps, or public camp grounds on intensively used highways. In order to enjoy his vacation period fully this type of recreation seeker must be surrounded by pioneer and primitive conditions that demand a display of his woodcraft and a certain amount of hardship accompanied by a marked degree of isolation. With the continuous forward march of intensive recreational development of one sort or another, the Forest Service has found that the wilderness type of recreation should be provided for this hardier type of recreation seeker. The setting aside of the wilderness areas of Class II and Class III was in recognition of his needs. It is believed the action taken by the Forest Service will satisfy a real and important want.
The whole wilderness area idea is an innovation in land economies and represents an attempt to set up barriers against the inroads of civilization and the usual type of recreational development, and to satisfy a demand for natural scientific laboratories and for recreational opportunities under pioneer conditions.