** Previously funded by Imper Colorado River Storage Project

For waterfowl production area development appropriated under this account in FY,

This is for specific habitat improvement projects such as fencing, nesting structures, public acces, etc.

Suct improvements may email, it some instances, contracting for jobs in excess of $25, 006,

3. Soil and Moisture Conservation: Fiscal year 1970, $741.000; fiscal year 1971, $741,000: no change.

Program of Work: The estimate of $741,000 will be used for conservation planning and the application of practices on 150 refuges in 42 States. The funds will serve a fivefold objective: (1) continue conservation treatment projects now in progress: (2) initiate treatment on the most severely depleted lands on older refuges which are a source of pollution, or which have desired plant production much below their potential: (3) plan and initiate work on a portion of recently acquired lands with problems requiring urgent treatment; (4) permit revision of previous approved plans outdated now because of recent floods, fires, or rising costs: and (5) permit the Bureau to carry out joint projects involving other Federal, State, and private organizations, particularly Soil and Water Conservation Districts which have urged that the Bureau's conservation program be accomplished at a faster rate.

Examples of Recent Accomplishments: During the past year soil, range, and woodland surveys were completed on 440,000 acres and conservation plans, new or revised were completed on 236,000 acres, both figures down about one-third from the previous year as funds were channeled toward application of practices. Assistance previ- . ously provided through the Job Corps program was considerably lower this past year so units of practices applied were reduced in many categories from that of the previous year, the majority of practices showing an increase or being maintained at previous levels were those which most urgently needed to check erosion or provide immediate benefits. These included contour farming, strip cropping, brush and weed control, grassed waterways, grade stabilization structures, diversion dams, toxic salt reduction, and the use of soil amendments and fertilizers. The most significant of the practices with decreased accomplishments were streambank protection, dam and debris basin construction, range seeding and renovation and dune stabilization. These are all practices which can contribute significantly toward reduction of environmental pollution, but we were unable to attack these problems at the rate desired under current levels of funding.