Local Governmental Control in Land Utilization and Forestry

Abstract Destruction of forests on land not fit for farming has brought two evils, scattered settlement and tax delinquency. The attempt to establish isolated farms has caused suffering and resulted in unwholesome social conditions, even though excessive taxes have been levied to meet mandatory school requirements. Too often roads and schools have been built, only to fall into disuse after a few years when settlers had given up the hopeless struggle. This article deals with control of the use of lands in private ownership by the application of an entirely new principle in land zoning. A subsequent article will show how a county can establish and provide for the management of county forests, utilizing land acquired by tax deed. Assuming the needed state enabling legislation, the application of the zoning ordinance is nation wide, while the forestry ordinance applies in those states where tax deeds are taken by the county.