UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE
ADDRESS REPLY TO
REGIONAL FORESTER
AND REFER TO
J 0 Whitney Floyd, Dean
College of Forest, Range and
Wildlife Management
Utah State University
Logan, Utah
Dear Whit:
INTERMOUNTAIN REGION
FOREST SERVICE BUILDING
OGDEN, UTAH
November 28, 1961
Because of your interest in the protection of the multiple resources of the
national forests, we are enclosing a position statement and clipsheet of
news items and editorial comment that we believe will be of interest to you.
The Logan Canyon Highway construction project in Utah raises an important
and basic issue that involves these resources on the Cache National Forest.
Logan Canyon is known throughout America as a major scenic attraction. The
beauty of Logan River and the fine trout fishing and recreation it provides
have similar renown.
The Forest Service recognizes the significant contribution to resource
protection that the highway engineers have made through modification of the
original design for this project . However, after very careful study by
qualified individuals representing a number of different profeSSions, we
have determined that additional changes are needed to meet minimum requirements
for protection of scenic and fisheries valueso The decision has
therefore been made to insist that these modifications be incorporated in
the highway design as a condition for the issuance of a permit for highway
construction through these national forest lands.
Our purpose in furnishing this information to you is to insure full recognition
of the basic issues at stake in this case. Among public land managers
and conservationists throughout the country there is growing awareness of the
adverse resource and scenic impacts of highway construction. Especially is
this the case when the approach has typically reflected a philosophy of single
rather than multiple use. The basic conflict is brought to focus in Logan
Canyon.
Whether the threat be from road construction, as in this case, excessive
livestock use, big game numbers beyond the capacity of the range to support,
or fire, the end result is the same. Deterioration of the vegetation, loss
of soil and destruction of mountain streams is too great a price to pay.
Under a sound multiple-use approach the resources of Logan Canyon can be
protected.
The Logan Canyon Highway should be improved to meet present day traffic
requirements on this section of the Federal aid primary system in Utah.
(Fbr this project the proportionate cost share is 18% Federal and 22% State
funds.) Improvement, however, cannot be allowed to result in resource impacts
that can reasonably be avoided. An informed public, alert to the need for
protection of the basic resources of public lands, will not allow this to
happen - - - in Logan Canyon, or elsewhere in America.
Sincerely yours,
E. M. BACON
Assistant Regional Fbrester
Division of Information
and Education
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