Clarke-McNary Act
Encyclopedia
The Clarke–McNary Act of 1924 (ch. 348, , enacted June 7, 1924) was one of several pieces of United States federal legislation which expanded the Weeks Act
of 1911. It was named for Representative
John D. Clarke
and Senator
Charles McNary.
The Weeks Act had allowed the purchase of land to enlarge the National Forest System
. Two years after the Weeks Act had been passed, over 700,000 acres (2,800 km²) had been purchased for the National Forest system in the Eastern United States
. More than 2 million acres (8,000 km²) of land had been purchased by 1920. The Clarke–McNary Act made it easier for the Forest Service
to buy this land. It made it much easier for them to buy land from willing sellers within predetermined national forest boundaries. The Clarke–McNary Act enabled the Secretary of Agriculture
to work cooperatively with State officials for better forest protection, chiefly in fire control
and water resources
. It also provided for continuous production of timber
. Additionally, under the Clarke–McNary Act, the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) began working with private forestland owners in reforestation. This was done by broadening the cooperative efforts to include producing and distributing tree seedlings and providing forestry assistance to farmers. These laws also gave a strong impetus to States to establish and support State forestry agencies. All 50 states now have a state forestry agency or forestry extension agency.
Weeks Act
The Weeks Act is a federal law passed by the US Congress on 1 March 1911 in the United States. The law, introduced by Congressman John W. Weeks of Massachusetts, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to "Examine, locate and recommend for purchase ... such lands within the watersheds of navigable...
of 1911. It was named for Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
John D. Clarke
John D. Clarke
John Davenport Clarke was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.-Biography:...
and Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Charles McNary.
The Weeks Act had allowed the purchase of land to enlarge the National Forest System
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
. Two years after the Weeks Act had been passed, over 700,000 acres (2,800 km²) had been purchased for the National Forest system in the Eastern United States
Eastern United States
The Eastern United States, the American East, or simply the East is traditionally defined as the states east of the Mississippi River. The first two tiers of states west of the Mississippi have traditionally been considered part of the West, but can be included in the East today; usually in...
. More than 2 million acres (8,000 km²) of land had been purchased by 1920. The Clarke–McNary Act made it easier for the Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
to buy this land. It made it much easier for them to buy land from willing sellers within predetermined national forest boundaries. The Clarke–McNary Act enabled the Secretary of Agriculture
United States Secretary of Agriculture
The United States Secretary of Agriculture is the head of the United States Department of Agriculture. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on 20 January 2009. The position carries similar responsibilities to those of agriculture ministers in other...
to work cooperatively with State officials for better forest protection, chiefly in fire control
Fire control
control of fire 'control of fire' is the practice of reducing the heat output of a fire, or reducing the area over which the fire exists, or suppressing or extinguishing the fire by depriving a fire of fuel, oxygen or heat ....
and water resources
Water resources
Water resources are sources of water that are useful or potentially useful. Uses of water include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and environmental activities. Virtually all of these human uses require fresh water....
. It also provided for continuous production of timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
. Additionally, under the Clarke–McNary Act, the United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
(USDA) began working with private forestland owners in reforestation. This was done by broadening the cooperative efforts to include producing and distributing tree seedlings and providing forestry assistance to farmers. These laws also gave a strong impetus to States to establish and support State forestry agencies. All 50 states now have a state forestry agency or forestry extension agency.