[Talk-us] Tagging National Forests

[Mike Thompson]

The definitive characteristic of US "National Forests" is that they are
administered/managed by the US National Forest Service.[5] Thus US
"National Forests" are administrative areas. Areas where the National
Forest Service has some jurisdiction and responsibility. However, "National
Forests are categorized by the US as IUCN Category VI protected areas
(Managed Resource Protected Area)" [2].  Therefore, tagging them as
protected areas is appropriate (not withstanding the fact that not much in
a National Forest seems protected based upon my visit to a section of the
Roosevelt National Forest yesterday).

The common meaning of "forest" is "a large tract of land covered with trees
and underbrush; woodland"[1] However, many parts of US National Forests do
not have trees, and either will never have trees, or will not have them for
many decades, and therefore are not "forested"
* Many ski resorts are within National Forests, e.g. [3]. Areas occupied by
buildings, parking lots and most ski runs do not have trees and are not
likely to for many years.
* Areas above treeline do not have trees and will probably not have trees
for centuries.
* Meadows, prairies, lakes/reservoirs, areas of scree and mines[4] are all
found within National Forests and no or few trees will exist in these areas

Therefore significant parts of National Forests are not being "used" as a
"forest" and tagging them as "landuse=forest" is not appropriate in my
opinion.


Mike


[1] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/forest
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_National_Forest
[3] http://www.skiloveland.com/ - note Forest Service Logo at the bottom of
the page
[4] http://www.mining-law-reform.info/california.htm
[5] Definition: "National Forest System land—all lands, waters, or
interests therein administered by the Forest Service"
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/251.51

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