| Activity | The purpose of this scheme is to encourage the application of systematic management to private woodlands. This is necessary, in the interests of National Security, as the reserves of standing timber have been depleted during the war . By increasing the yield from home woodlands Britain can be made less dependent on overseas supplies of timber in peace and war. The fundamental principles of the Scheme are: the rehabilitation of the woodlands; all planting, and natural regeneration acceptable instead of replanting, must be properly looked after; if an owner is prepared to proceed with the work of rehabilitation he will receive financial assistance form the State; Where no satisfactory assurances are forthcoming within a stated period the State should acquire the land; In War time a system of felling licences must continue until the reserve of standing timber can be adjudged satisfactory; and that some degree of siliviculture of private woodlands is necessary. The basis of the Scheme is that all Woodlands judged to be suitable and necessary for timber production should either be dedicated to that purpose by the Owner or acquired by the State. A covenant of dedication will be entered into by which both the State and the Owner undertake respective obligations. |