Source: Chart prepared by Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Data from General Services Administration. In studying the legislation, the boundaries are established by specific maps. However, the Department of Interior in asking for an amendment, wants the boundary determining power left with the Department. This removes the decision-making from the elected representatives of the people and places it in the hands of an employee of an executive agency. We are opposed to such abdication of power. If a scenic or wild river project is all that valuable, and in the public interest, it should have to be considered individually on its own merit. On December 22, 1964, a Select Subcommittee of the House Committee on Public Works issued a report entitled, "Study of Compensation and Assistance For Persons Affected By Real Property Acquisition in Federal and Federally Assisted Programs." This report said: The amount of disruption caused by Federal and federally assisted programs is astoundingly large. The accelerated pace of Government activity, supported by broadened concepts of "public use", make any lessening of current activity in the foreseeable future highly unlikely. In each of the next 8 years, Federal and federally assisted programs are expected to require the acquisition of real property from 183,000 separate ownerships, and the displacement of approximately 111,080 households, 17,860 businesses, 2,310 farm operations, and some disruption of an additional 1,350 farms. The report went on to make many recommendations. As yet no legislation has been passed to effectively cope with this most grevious problem. One of the committee's admissions was their inability to determine what effect government programs would have on land ownership over the next few years because of expanded programs. Delegates to our annual meeting said: The power of eminent domain should not be used for national parks, wildlife refuges, riding and hiking trails, or other recreational projects. It should be used with restraint in other cases. It is our opinion that statutory designation of scenic rivers by Congress is not necessary. We would call your attention to the action of the State of Maine in relation to the Allegash River. A state authority was established and funding was supported by the citizens by popular referendum. The shorelines and areas having recreation potential will be developed without the implication of the federal government and all the attendant problems. The management decisions are made within the concept of the best interest of the state, its economic development and by people knowledgeable in the public interest. We see no reason why this approach is not preferable to the bills before this committee. GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN RECREATION In speaking of this subject the delegates to our annual meeting said: Local planning for resource use The development of recreational resources should be primarily the responsibility of state and local units of government and private enterprise. Conflicting demands on land, water, and recreational resources, both public and private, have resulted in demands for, and in some cases establishment of, local and state planning committees and interstate commissions to resolve conflicts on the basis of a coordinated approach. Local control is essential to ensure that planning and projects meet local needs and objectives. Recreation is not the responsibility of the federal government. If, in fact, such facilities are needed they should be provided by local people or private enterprise. Figures 4 and 5 bear upon this consideration and we so direct your attention. NATIONAL TRAVEL-CHARACTERISTICS OF TRIPS: 1963 FIGURE 5.-VOLUME AND CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAVEL: 1963 [Number in millions. Based on interviews with nationwide probability sample of about 6,000 households concerning trips that ended between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 1963. Subject to sampline error] 1 A trip involves 1 or more members of a household going out of town overnight or going to a place 100 miles or more on a 1-day trip. Comprises trips taken for all purposes, including attending school out of town. A traveler is a person on a trip and is counted each time he takes a trip.. & Accommodations shown in traveler-night units, defined as the number of nights each person spent on the trip, exclusive of accommodations used by students while attending school out of town. Not applicable. Source: Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census; 1963 Census of Transportation, vol. I, transportation Survey. From Figures 4 and 5 one can readily determine that less than 22% of the trips taken were in the category of pleasure which might have been associated with some park or other such public recreational facility or service area. Further we note that 74% of the trips taken were under 200 miles and only 22% of the groups had more than two people. There are our 10 largest cities and an indication of their population density per square mile. The rivers which are named in this legislation are not near the large population centers. They are not designed to serve the needs of large numbers of people who don't even have a yard. This legislation is designed to benefit the few who have the time and can afford the expenses associated with such activities. This legislation is patently special interest and violates the multiple use concept in the management of our resource base. CONCLUSION In conclusion, Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, we are greatly concerned with the matters discussed above. We are opposed to this legislation and recommend that this Committee not report this legislation. We thank you for the opportunity to express our views. Mr. TAYLOR. In the absence of objection, I would like to have put in the record at this point a letter to Chairman Aspinall, dated February 23, 1968, from Congressman Hungate, and a letter dated February 21, 1968, addressed to Chairman Aspinall from Congressman William J. Randall. They will be made a part of the record at this point. (The letters referred to follow :) Hon. WAYNE N. ASPINALL, CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., February 23, 1968. Chairman, House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CHAIRMAN ASPINALL: In conjunction with the March Hearings on the Creation of a Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System I would respectfully request that every consideration be given to designating the Eleven Point River from Thomasville, Missouri, downstreams to the Missouri state line in each of the proposals considered. Your courteous attention is appreciated. WILLIAM L. HUNGATE. CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C., February 21, 1968. Hon. WAYNE N. ASPINALL, Chairman, House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: I am in receipt of a copy of the letter written to you by Governor Warren Hearnes of Jefferson City, Missouri, urging that the Eleven Point River from Thomasville, Missouri, downstream to the Missouri state line be included as a stream for immediate designation in the proposals soon to be considered. Since most of this river lies within the boundaries of the Mark Twain National Forest and much of the river and watershed is already in Forest Service ownership, it would seem beneficial to the State of Missouri that the rest of this river should be incorporated into the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System. As Governor Hearnes states, an excellent plan for the preservation of the river has been developed and is available from the Forest Service. I would hope that your Committee will consider these views and give favorable consideration during the hearings. Sincerely, WM. J. RANDALL, Mr. TAYLOR. The subcommittee will stand adjourned. (Whereupon, at 12:30 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, subject to call of the chair.) |