Certified Forester Practice Exam

What power did the Forest Reserve Act grant to the President?

1. The authority to determine logging quotas

2. The authority to set aside forest reserves from public land

3. The authority to approve timber sales on federal land

4. The authority to revoke forest easements

The correct answer is: The authority to set aside forest reserves from public land

The Forest Reserve Act granted the President the authority to set aside forest reserves from public land. This significant power allowed the President to designate certain areas of land as national forests, which helped to protect and preserve vast tracts of forested land for conservation, recreation, and future use. By designating these areas as reserves, the act aimed to curb rampant deforestation and manage valuable natural resources sustainably. The ability to create forest reserves was crucial in the early conservation movement in the United States, as it laid the groundwork for more extensive policies and regulations surrounding land use and resource management. This action directly contributed to the establishment of the United States Forest Service and the expansion of national parks and protected areas. In contrast, the other choices involve responsibilities that were not encompassed by the Forest Reserve Act. Determining logging quotas and approving timber sales would fall under different regulatory frameworks, while the authority to revoke forest easements involves different legal considerations unrelated to the act’s primary intent of land designation. This distinction highlights the specific and impactful nature of the President's powers under the Forest Reserve Act.