History of Watershed Management in the US Forest Service: 1897-2005
Author: Glasser, Stephen P.1
Source: Journal of Forestry, Volume 103, Number 5, July/August 2005 , pp. 255-258(4)
Abstract:
Legal statutes and scientific research have been essential to the Forest Service mission for the past 100 years. Congressional direction for administration of the forest reserves, now called national forests, began in 1897 with passage of the Organic Administration Act. One of the defined purposes for which federal forest lands were set aside from settlement was “securing favorable conditions of water flow.” Since then, more than 25 other federal statutes have further defined watershed management on these lands. The Research branch began watershed experiments in 1910 and did most of the watershed work by the Forest Service until the 1970s. Contributions of key individuals, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the barometer watershed program of the 1960s, and other programs in the National Forest System and the State and Private Forestry branches are examined.Keywords: watershed management; barometer watersheds; research watersheds; history; environmental management; forest; forest management; forest resources; forestry; forestry research; forestry science; natural resources; natural resource management
Document Type: Regular article
Affiliations: 1: National Water Rights and Program Leader USDA Forest Service, WFW 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 1121 Washington DC 20250-1121, Email: sglasser@fs.fed.us
