For other than protection forests the law provides a number of restrictions, such as the following: Pasture woods may not be decreased in area except by permission of the cantons. Communal forests are not to be subdivided without consent of the cantonal government, except where two or more communities have joint ownership, nor are they to be sold except with such permission. Rights of user in public forests, especially in protection forests, may be forcibly extinguished by the cantonal government, but under appeal to the Bundesrath. Money equivalents are to be the rule, territorial equivalents to be given only by special permission. By 1902, over $300,000 had already been spent in extinguishing 2,842 different rights of user. The establishment of means of transportation, roads, etc., is encouraged by subventions from the Bund and in other ways.
Private forests as far as they fall under the classification of protection forests are subject to the same supervision and rules as the public forests as regards their survey, the prohibition of clearings except by permission of the Federal Government, of diminishing pasture woods, the extinguishment of rights of user, the prevention of damaging use, and assistance in establishing means of transportation. The cantonal government is obliged to insure the execution of these laws.
In addition, while the law encourages co-operative forest management of small holdings as larger units, the Bund paying for the cost of effecting such co-operation, it empowers the canton or the Bund to enforce such co-operative management of protection forest areas in specially endangered localities as at the headwaters of torrential streams. Otherwise, in the non-protective private forests, only the prohibition of clearing except by permission of the cantonal government, the obligation of reforesting felling areas within three years, and of maintaining existing pasture woods is ordered. Wherever on private properties conversion of forest into farm or pasture is permitted (after report of the forest administration of Canton or Bund) an equivalent reforestation of other parts may be ordered. Wherever by the reforestation of bare ground protective forest areas can be created, this may be ordered, the Federal or the Cantonal government contributing towards such work; or else, if the owner prefers, he may insist upon having his ground expropriated by the Canton or other public corporation; the federal government assisting in the first case to the extent of 30 to 50% of the cost, and in establishing new protection forests to the extent of 50 to 80%.
Before 1902, under the law of 1876, some 16,000 acres had been reforested and put in order at an expense of over one million dollars, the federal government contributing just about fifty per cent. In 1910, the area of planted protection forest had grown to 25,000 acres.
Besides the various restrictions with provisions of penalties for disobedience (from $1 to $100 for each transgression) and enforced execution by cantonal government, there are a number of directions in which the Federal Government makes contributions for the purpose of encouraging conservative management. For the salaries of the cantonal higher forest officials 20 to 35 per cent. are contributed, for the higher corporation and co-operative association officials 5 to 25 per cent., for the lower forest service 5 to 20 per cent. The Federation participates to the extent of one-third in the accident insurance of forest officers; a minimum salary of the officials and also their proper education being made conditions. To secure the latter the Federation pays for teachers and demonstration material under prescribed conditions.
In 1901, the federal contributions amounted to $100,000 in all. In 1903, the total appropriation was $126,000, namely, $9,000 for the Inspector-General’s office; $26,000 towards salaries of cantonal foresters; $80,000 towards reboisement; $8,000 towards survey. The cantonal governments contributed about the same amount outside of the cost of their forest administrations. It is estimated that the budget will have to be increased by $50,000 annually for some time to come. By 1910, the federal government had altogether contributed $2 million in the 35 years towards the execution of the law, outside its administrative office.
The organization which is to carry out this forest policy is still the one which originated with the law of 1876, somewhat modified by the law of 1892, namely, a forestry division in the Department of the Interior, with one Superior Forest Inspector and three assistants.
The Cantons have their own administrations, mostly under one forester of higher grade (called variously Oberförster, Forstinspektor, Forstmeister, Oberforstmeister). Bern has three co-ordinate Forstinspektor. The Cantons are or are to be districted into forest circles (Forstkreise), the subdivision to be approved by the Bundesrath, and some are further subdivided into ranges (Unterförsterei). These forest districts, from 7,500 to 45,000 acres each, are to be managed by properly educated and paid foresters elected by the people. The eligibility depends upon an examination, the theoretical part of which is conducted by the forest school, the practical part, after a year’s practical work, is conducted by a commission of foresters, after completion of which the candidate becomes eligible; the election being for three years, and re-election being usual, unless there are good reasons against it.