Multiple Use–Sustained Yield Act of 1960

The Multiple Use–Sustained Yield Act of 1960 is a United States law that guides the management of national forests. It mandates that these forests be managed for a variety of purposes, not just timber production. This "multiple-use" concept aims to provide the "greatest good for the most people over the long run," as stated by Gifford Pinchot.1

The act ensures that national forests are managed to produce a sustained yield of various resources and services. This includes timber, forage for grazing, watershed protection, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat. This approach contrasts with earlier single-use management principles and requires skilled forest managers to balance competing demands.12