If you have ever enjoyed the hiking, camping, skiing and scenery that the 780,000 acre White Mountain National Forest has to offer, you have the Weeks Act to thank.

The White Mountains of a hundred years ago would have been almost unrecognizable to those familiar with the area today; it was virtually barren of trees due to deforestation, and the now-clear streams and rivers were then blackened by sawdust and silt from the eroding hillsides.  The situation only appeared to be getting worse, and gradually a broad consensus emerged that something needed to be done.  Outdoor and nature enthusiasts across the political spectrum voiced their concern, as well as businesses hurt by the decline in tourism.  Factories powered by water also got involved, as even they realized forests’ role in balancing the water cycle and helping to prevent both flooding and drought.  Eventually, a small but growing part of Congress turned its eye towards the issue.

Introduced by Massachusetts Congressman John Weeks, the Weeks Act sought to create a large amount of conservation forest in the Eastern United States by using federal funds to buy private land.  This purchasing ability would lead to a vast increase in the Forest Service’s jurisdiction, and the question of whether the Weeks Act was constitutionally permissible quickly arose.

As is the perpetual ailment, or blessing, of United States politics, the issue was debated for an exceedingly long time—roughly a decade.  Eventually a constitutional hook was found by Forest Service attorneys, who argued that the authority for the law came from the Commerce Clause.  Citing past research, they said that protecting forest watersheds benefited commerce.  The logic went that the protection of waterflow protected rivers and streams, which protected navigation, which protected commerce.  Thus deforestation would have to be stopped in designated areas.  After some political maneuvering to win the support of Western state politicians, the bill passed and was signed into law by President Taft in 1911.  $9 million was appropriated for the purchase of 6 million acres of land.

Thanks to the Weeks Act, the White Mountain National Forest was officially established in 1918.  Over forty other national forests were also created.  Many of them, like the White Mountain National Forest, used to be barren and burned lands, but have also since recovered.  Today, the Weeks Act and the White Mountain National Forest stand not only as prime examples of the ecological benefits a healthy forest can provide, but also of the payoff of conservation efforts and environmental concern.  It encourages tourism, does wonders for the environment and hell, if we can get some scenic hiking and great northeast skiing out of the deal, what is there to lose?

To celebrate the upcoming centennial of the passage of the Weeks Act, Plymouth State University is hosting an online interactive exhibit, as well as other learning opportunities. The Forest Service has also begun its celebration online.