PREVIOUS NEXT NEW SEARCH

The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850-1920

View this item

U.S. Statutes at Large, Vol. 35, Part 1, Chap. 143, pp. 626-27. "An Act To create the Calaveras Bigtree National Forest, and for other purposes." S. 1574; Public Act No. 237

U.S. Congress. 60th. 2nd Session.

CREATED/PUBLISHED
United States : District of Columbia : Washington Government Printing Office 1909 02 18

SUMMARY
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire title to lands in California in order "to secure and protect for all time the big trees scientifically known as Sequoia washingtoniana," and to administer and protect this forest "to prolong the existence, growth, and promote the reproduction" of these giant trees.

NOTES
Congressional creation of a national forest for primary purposes of preservation rather than "use."

Details of this Act were amended by a Congressional Act of May 7, 1912 (37 Stat. 108), which also appropriated up to $10,000 for carrying out the provisions of this Act. This Act was the result of a remarkable and lengthy personal lobbying effort by San Francisco conservationist Mrs. Lovell White, who wanted the trees preserved as a national park (see Resolution No. 10, 31 Stat. 711 for an earlier result of her effort). However, Federal efforts to protect these trees faltered once more when no satisfactory arrangement could be reached with the private owner; ultimately, these "big trees" received permanent protection--in 1931 and 1954--as a state park (see Carolyn Merchant, "Women of the Progressive Conservation Movement," Environmental Review, Vol. 8, No. 1 [Spring 1984], pp. 59-60, for further details).

Published 1909.

SUBJECTS
Law--United States
Forest conservation
Landscape protection
Women in conservation of natural resources

MEDIUM
0002

CALL NUMBER
KF 50 .U5

PART OF
United States Statutes at Large

DIGITAL ID
amrvl vl104

PREVIOUS NEXT NEW SEARCH