and along Lost River. During 1937 about 51,468 acres were irrigated and 50,439 cropped, including pasture.
Oregon's recreational resources are unsurpassed in the United States. The green beauty of the country makes it constantly attractive, while the ever- varying contrasts of mountains, streams, and valleys holds continued surprise. There are in the state more than 1,000 lakes, many in settings that would make them famous for loveliness, were they better known.
The U. S. Forest Service has built trails and roads in all parts of the National Forests and dotted them with pleasant and well-equipped, sanitary camps for the convenience of visitors, campers, and sportsmen.
Conservation with a view to perpetuation of Oregon's natural wealth is the policy of both private and public interests. In the matter of agricultural lands and forest domains, federal and state agencies are working hand in hand with private owners for beneficial regulations as to use and preservation. Farm lands have come under scientific scrutiny as to crop possibilities; the public range has been placed under official control as to grazing; and the method long practiced in National Forests of selective cutting and leaving of seed-trees has been adopted by many private, forest-owning concerns.
A conservation program is being carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps for the forest service. Among the important work completed by the enrollees of some 17 camps in National Forests from April 1933 to July 1937 were: 3,488 miles of truck trails; 3,593 miles of telephone lines; 227 lookout houses and towers; 1,240,681 acres of rodent control work; 327,691 man-days of fighting forest fires; and 764,775 acres of insect pest control.
A conservation plan of the utmost concern to Oregon is the Willamette River Basin Project, authorized by Congress June 28, 1938. Preliminary mapping was done during the years 1935 to 1939, by U. S. Army Engineers. The project embraces flood control, which is vitally needed, the storage of water for irrigation, the development of water power, and the improvement and deepening of stream channels for commerce. Millions of dollars will be expended over a period of six to ten years; reservoirs will be built to insure water for agricultural lands, and modern locks will be constructed at Willamette Falls near Oregon City. Actual work on three storage reservoirs is planned to begin in 1940, and to be completed before the end of 1941.
