FOR FISCAL YEAR 1971 THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 1970 UNITED STATES SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met at 9:30 a.m., in room 1114, New Senate Office Building, Hon. Alan Bible (chairman) presiding. Present: Senators Bible, Young, and Boggs. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE STATEMENTS OF: CHARLES H. MEACHAM, COMMISSIONER, FISH AND WILDLIFE DR. JOHN S. GOTTSCHALK, DIRECTOR ACCOMPANIED BY: ABRAM V. TUNISON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR NOBLE E. BUELL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS JAMES T. McBROOM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, COOPERATIVE SAMUEL BENJAMIN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION DR. WARREN J. WISBY, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL FISHERIES DR. THOMAS BASKETT, CHIEF, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE WALTER KIRKNESS, ACTING DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FISHERIES ROY E. PELTO, BUDGET OFFICER, DIVISION OF PROGRAM FRANCIS M. WILES, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF BUDGET, OFFICE OF STATEMENT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY GLASGOW Senator BIBLE. The subcommittee will come to order. This is the time set for the hearing on the budget for the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Secretary Glasgow called yesterday and said that he was required to go to Louisiana on some type of emergency and accordingly could not be here. He was kind enough to call. I think this is good administrative policy. I suggest that you men always follow it in your absence. If you leave, at least tell us that you are going so we are advised. It was an emergency and it is perfectly understandable. His statement without objection will be incorporated in full in the record. (The statement follows:) (2577) Two weeks ago I accompanied Secretary Hickel in his appearance ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Recent headlines regarding misuse of pesticides, industrial development, and land abuse are stinging indictments of the callous manner in which we have allowed deterioration in our environment. Such deterioration can no longer be tolerated. We must restore, to the greatest extent possible, America's out-of-doors, the environment, and our use of renewable natural resources to a more balanced state. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has been engaged in environmental protection through pesticides research for more than 25 years. This year, we propose to expand pesticide monitoring, and to broaden our research efforts to determine the impact of a number of environmental pollutants on fish and wildlife. ALASKA PIPELINE Wise resource management dictates the necessity to investigate the effect on fish and wildlife resources in Alaska occasioned by the proposed pipeline. Studies of Arctic and subarctic regions pose an unusual and demanding challenge. We are ready to accept this challenge, not in the sense of an isolated study, but as part of the Department's total environment study effort. Because of the extent of our ignorance about the Arctic habitat, there will be a necessity for followup studies to discover long-range effects on the Alaskan countryside. Indirect annihilation through habitat destruction is at least as effective, though a more subtle means of wiping out a species than direct killing. As the human population increases and demands on land use diversify and intensify, more and more of the earth's surface becomes unfit for our wildlife resources. The oil development in the Arctic is but one manifestation of this principle. The Arctic Slope development also produces many side effects--among them, pollution and pesticide poisoning. Wildlife--the numbers and kinds of the past cannot live in this altered environment. Necessary steps must be taken to preserve the rapidly diminishing wildlife habitat. HABITAT PRESERVATION Use of the Migratory Bird Conservation Account provides one opportunity to acquire now the lands that will not be available in a few years. The rapid escalation of land prices, along with the time lag from preliminary negotiation until final settlement, create additional problems which must be considered. Next year, it will be more difficult to acquire the needed land than it is this year. In fiscal year 1971, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife will place emphasis on continuing the acquisition of lands needed to complete refuges already started, and on the acquisition of waterfowl production areas. INCREASED PROTECTION Environmental abuse is not the only conservation phenomenon we now recognize. Protection of wildlife, particularly endangered species, is requiring more strenuous efforts and law enforcement both of hunting regulations and importation limitations must be adopted to prevent further inroads into our essential resource base. This responsibility, coupled with the regulation of illegally exploited fish and wildlife, will require additional support. Assisting the States in controlling exploitation of species of fish and wildlife threatened with worldwide extinction is directed by the Endangered Species Conservation Act; this is a new challenge added by Congress in 1969 to the Bureau's already multi-faceted mission. In addition, the Bureau is proposing to provide technical assistance to foreign countries and organizations through the special foreign currency program, so these countries can cooperate more effectively in protecting fish and wildlife in danger of extinction. MARINE SPORT FISHING The national demand for recreational marine fishing is tremendous. The Bureau's marine game fishing research programs provide information necessary for the nation's total fishery management capability. Exploitation of marine game in international waters can be regarded only through international agreement; therefore, we have here a direct responsibility that lies with the Federal Government and is carried out by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Americans generally have more time on their hands. Much of this is being devoted to recreational pursuits. Facilities must be provided which can offer the health-promoting recreation desired by these Americans. Wildlife-oriented recreation, though now only a small portion of the nation's total recreational opportunities, will play an increasing role in America's leisure time. Development of wildlife-oriented recreation is a new and natural program for the National Wildlife Refuge System. I believe that in our drive toward progress, Americans can always afford to take a few moments to look back over their shoulders to an earlier period in history. The discovery of the steamboat "Bertrand" on the De Soto National Wildlife Refuge has given us an opportunity to do just that. Cooperation between the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the National Park Service has resulted in the retrieval of over two million artifacts last year from this sunken vessel. Work on the "Bertrand" and its cargo must be continued, so as to insure the maximum historical public benefit and enjoyment from the preserved steamship and its relics. These are programs that I view as special highlights of the Bureau's work proposed for 1971. I appreciate this chance to appear before you in support of all the proposed increases. I hope that the Committee supports the Bureau's total budget, and grants the requested increases. JUSTIFICATION Senator BIBLE. For "Management and investigations of resources in the coming fiscal year the Bureau proposes an appropriation of $56,226,000, $7,066,000 more than has been appropriated in fiscal year 1970. The justification for the request will be printed in the record. (The justification follows:) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS OF RESOURCES Highlight Statement The purpose of the program for management and investigations of resources is the perpetuation, and the use and enjoyment by the people, of the sportfish and wildlife resources of the nation. This is attained through production and distribution of hatchery fish; the maintenance of a nationwide system of wildlife refuges; the regulation of migratory bird hunting; and the management of fish and wildlife populations by scientific research and methods--all conducted in cooperation with the States and private organizations. The 1970 appropriation provided for operational research and exhibit design for the National Fisheries Center and Aquarium, Washington, D.C.; expansion of operations at 3 hatcheries and a fishery research laboratory; relocation planning of a fishery research laboratory and equipment purchases at another; operations at 4 new refuges, a wildlife range, and waterfowl production areas; wageboard costs; and a national inventory and survey of estuaries and Great Lakes. The increase in the 1971 estimates provides funds for operations at 3 new hatcheries and expansion of operations at 4 hatcheries; rehabilitation of canals at a refuge; expansion of wilderness studies; shift in financing from the National Wildlife Refuge Fund appropriation because of increased payments to participating counties where refuges are located; improved service to visitors at refuges and operation at 9 new and 1 old refuges; enforcement of the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969; expansion of operations at 4 fishery research laboratories; expansion of bird banding program; initiating investigations of environmental pollutants on wildlife; standby pay; increased technical assistance to Indians; estuary planning and study permits; and investigations of the effect on fish and wildlife of the Alaska oil pipeline. |