Of the present 30,800,000 acres in the National Wildlife Refuge System, 10,340,000 is in a planned and implemented soil and moisture conservation program, although application of treatment is at a much slower rate than planned or that we deem adivisable for reduction of depleted conditions and water pollution. Another 140,000 acres is planned, but the plans are not implemented. For the remaining 20,320,000 acres, it is estimated that 4,000,000 acres will require some treatment; 6,320,000 acres will need further appraisal for a determination of needs, and 10,000,000 acres, mostly in Alaska, do not require soil and moisture conservat on

treatment.

Due to additional lands being acquired with attendant erosion problems there is small reduction in our backlog of work at the present rate of funding. Nevertheless, significant increases are being realized in vegetative crop yields and wildlife benefits. Also, management of soil, water, and plant resources has an important influence, economically and otherwise, on cooperators and adjacent private ownerships as well as the public in general. Watershed projects which include refuge lands require that the Federal lands bear their rightful burden of the cost of proper land stewardship. Leadership on our part is an added inducement for public support.

The following tabulation shows the distribution of funds by State and refuges:

4. Management and enforcement: F.Y. 1970, $4,395,000; F.Y. 1971, $4,470,000; increase, $75,000. The increase consists of:

Four permanent positions at an average annual salary of $14,200, including premium pay, $56,800; purchase of four police-type automobiles, $7,200; and other operating expenses, $11,000.

Need for Increase: Congress passed the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 to assist on an international level in the preservation of fish and wildlife species threatened with worldwide extinction. The law prohibits the importation into the United States of any such species, with limited exceptions for certain specific purposes. In addition, in order to assist the States in protecting domestically endangered species of reptiles, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans, this Act amended existing laws to make unlawful the interstate shipment of these species taken contrary to the laws of a State or foreign country.

Since 1600, more than 125 species of birds and mammals have become extinct and today it is estimated that one or two species disappear each year. Internationally, there are approximately 275 species of mammals and 300 birds presently considered rare and endangered. Eighty-nine different forms of fish and wildlife are endangered within the United States alone.

The gradual elimination of different forms of life reduces the richness and variety of our environment and may restrict our understanding and appreciation of natural processes. The protection of an endangered species of wildlife with some commercial value may permit the regeneration of that species to a level where controlled use of that species can be resumed, thereby adding to human benefits. Unregulated or improperly regulated killing and capture of fish and wildlife for commercial or sporting purposes is one of the important basic reasons for the accelerating rate of extermination of our planet's unique forms of life. The provisions of this Act reflect the urgency of increasing protection for those species of fish and wildlife whose continued existence is presently threatened. By restricting both international and domestic trade in endangered species, the greatest benefit will be in protecting those species which are threatened because of their commercial value. Thus, by drying up the international and domestic market for endangered species, poaching of any such species in the country where it is found should be reduced.

As a step in meeting the law enforcement requirements of this Act, $75,000 is requested in fiscal year 1971. It also must be recognized that as the population grows, as more species become endangered and the black market in high-profit wild animal skins increases, as importations of fish and wildlife increase, further increases will be necessary to cope with the complex wildlife law enforcement problems of this society.

Program of work: The purposes of the Management and Enforcement program are to administer and enforce nine Federal wildlife conservation laws, and collect basic information necessary for the management of migratory birds. Basic objectives are to afford adequate protection to, assure the perpetuation of, and provide me ans for the maximum public enjoyment and benefit from wildlife, particularly migratory

birds.