One hundred years ago this month, the Weeks Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Taft. It was designed so that the federal government could purchase private land, especially forests in order to protect them. It also helped create the Eastern National Forests which included New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest. One hundred years later, and as you enter the White’s you are greeted by a sign claiming that this is a “Land of Many Uses”. That means that multiple activities are allowed there: from logging to snowmobiling to hiking. But at times, it’s been hard to satisfy everyone. As part of NHPR’s focus on the centennial of the Weeks Act, we’ll look at this concept of “Land of Many Uses” and see how well it’s worked.
Guests
- Tom Wagner, supervisor of the White Mountain National Forest
- Dave Govatski, secretary of the Weeks Act Centennial Coordinating Committee and co-author of a book on the Eastern National Forest.
We’ll also hear from
- Rob Burbank: Director of media and public affairs for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Gorham
- Jasen Stock, executive director of the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association
- Terry Callum, Jr., President of the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association
- Catherine Corkery, director of the New Hampshire chapter of the Sierra Club
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