About 16 percent of Oregon's forest land is owned by the various
components of the forest industry. Most of this area lies within the
relatively heavily populated western portion of the state. These
factors, plus the fact that the public seems to have a peculiar attitude
about property rights when forest land is concerned, produce a situation
whereby pressures for recreational use of private forest lands
are being felt by the forest industry.
According to an AFPI questionnaire survey conducted in 1960,
many recreational activities are permitted, subject to various restrictions,
on a high percentage of forest industry lands in Oregon. But
the figures presented in the summation of the survey must be used
with caution, for they may present too optimistic a picture of the
forest industry's contribution to the recreation resources of the state.
The private forest industry is primarily devoted to producing
forest products at a profit; multiple use of these lands must necessarily
be geared to this primary purpose. But there is also a role
which the forest industry could play in the development of recreation
areas and facilities which should not be detrimental to their profit-making potentialities.
The companies which are most likely to be able to meet the
increasing demand for recreational use of their lands are those that
are planning for them now. Unfortunately very little planning has
taken place in the past, nor is enough taking place at the present.
In attempting to plan realistically for the future, or what now
seems likely to occur in the future, many things must be considered.
A few of the more important considerations are:
1. Location of park sites in relation to urban centers and
accessibility should receive serious consideration.
2. Parks and their facilities should be planned and developed
in a manner that would least interfere with timber production,
would provide for future expansion, and eventually
profitable operation.
3. Each large company should consider obtaining the services
of a competent recreation planner. An attempt has been made to convey the idea that there is a
greater role which may be expected of the private forest industry in
providing public recreation areas and facilities. As well as being a
welcome addition to the recreational resources of the state, it would
seem to be to the forest industry's advantage, in the long run, to
assume this role
