Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Beginnings Of Range Management: Albert F. Potter, First Chief Of Grazing, U.S. Forest Service, And Photographic Comparison Of His 1902 Forest Reserve Survey In Utah With Conditions 100 Year Later, David A. Prevedel, Curtis M. Johnson

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The period from 1880 to 1900 is regarded as the period of “spoilation” of western rangelands. In Albert Potters own words, “Quick profits and fortunes lead to speculation and incredible numbers of stock were placed upon the range. Cowman was arrayed against sheep man, big owners against small, and might ruled more often than right.” The Government took no action until 1891 when the Creative Act established the Forest Reserve system under the Interior Department’s General Land Office (GLO). Lacking authority and undermined by political appointees, the GLO foundered until the reserves were transferred to the Bureau of Forestry in …