Forest Reserve Act

The Forest Reserve Act, also known as the Creative Act, was passed by the U.S. Congress on March 3, 1891. This act authorized the president to set aside and preserve federal lands as public reservations, which were initially managed by the Department of the Interior. These lands became the foundation of the national forest system.1

In 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt established the U.S. Forest Service within the Department of Agriculture, consolidating federal management of forest lands. The forest reserves were renamed national forests in 1907. The U.S. Forest Service is responsible for the conservation, stewardship, and management of these national forests and grasslands, aiming to sustain their health, diversity, and productivity for the public's benefit. These areas are managed under the principle of multiple use, balancing the utilization of resources like timber and water with conservation and recreational opportunities.21