Representative JOHN DINGELL, OAKLAND, CALIF., March 14, 1968. Chairman, House Subcommittee, Fish and Wildlife, Longworth Building, Washington, D.C.: I support wholeheartedly your bill, H.R. 487, to minimize destruction to fish and wildlife by controlling the use of pesticides. ANDRE M. PUYANS. NEW YORK, N.Y., March 15, 1968. Hon. JOHN D. DINGELL, National Audubon Society wishes to be on record as strongly in support of H.R. 487, to prevent or minimize injury to fish and wildlife from the use of chemical pesticides. We urge a favorable report thereon. Please make this message a part of record of hearings. CHARLES H. CALLISON Executive Vice President, National Audubon Society. NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, Hon. JOHN D. DINGELL, Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation, House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Longworth House Office Building, Washington. D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: We have just returned from our annual meeting, held in Houston, Texas, and were interested to learn that the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation had held hearings upon H.R. 487. The National Wildlife Federation long has held a major interest in and concern about the widespread use of potent pesticide poisons. Therefore, we would like to have this letter made a part of the record of the hearing on H.R. 487 in which public comment was invited. Our organization is extremely concerned that the overall amount of poisons used to control pests apparently will grow with the increasing demand for food and fibre. In fact, the President's Science Advisory Committee estimates that the worldwide use of pesticides will grow from 120,000 metric tons per year to 700,000 metric tons. Of course, such massive applications of pesticides will have a profound effect on other living organisms, including fish and wildlife and man himself. Therefore, it is important that every possible precaution be taken to minimize damage to these resources. With this thought in mind, we endorse the principles contained in H.R. 487 and recommend their approval. H.R. 487 would require that certain information be carried on the labels of pesticide containers. It would require that the Secretary of the Interior inform the Secretary of Agriculture on how pesticidal injury to fish and wildlife can be held to a minimum or avoided altogether. And, it authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate potential hazards to living resources. The National Wildlife Federation is aware that effective agreements have been developed on the first two proposed amendments and we commend the departments involved for their cooperation and diligence. And, we also realize that the Interior Department has other authority which permits an evaluation of pesticide hazards. However, the National Wildlife Federation would like to see these provisions incorporated into law which cannot be changed easily-either by agreement or by executive order. In conclusion, we should like to express our concern about the impending termination of the appropriation authorization for pesticides research by the Interior Department and hope it can be continued indefinitely without a financial limitation. Perhaps this extension can be considered in conjunction with H.R. 487, or with new draft legislation as proposed by the Interior Department. Sincerely, THOMAS L. KIMBALL, Executive Director. (Whereupon, at 11:05 a.m., the subcommittee proceeded to other matters.) FISH AND WILDLIFE LEGISLATION Conservation on Military Reservations THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1968 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, The subcommittee met at 11:05 a.m., pursuant to call, in room 1334, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. John D. Dingell (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Mr. DINGELL. The subcommittee will come to order. This morning the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation will hold hearings on H.R. 11026, by Congressman Sikes, which would expand considerably the program of conserving fish and wildlife on military reservations. Let the bill and department report appear at this point. (The bill, H.R. 11026, and Interior Department report follow:) [H.R. 11026, 90th Cong., first sess.] A BILL To amend section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960, for the purpose of facilitating the conduct of the fish and wildlife conservation and rehabilitation program authorized by that Act Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960 (74 Stat. 1053; 16 U.S.C. 670c), is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new sentences: "In addition to such funds, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act, including the enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, the development of public facilities, and the administration of the program authorized by this Act. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such sums as may be necessary to provide technical assistance to the Department of Defense relative to fish and wildlife management, to conduct fish and wildlife research in connection with the program authorized by this Act, and to carry out such other activities in connection with said program as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior jointly deem desirable. Sums authorized to be appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended. It is further provided that services may be made available to and between the Departments involved by the respective Secretaries thereof for carrying out the purposes of this Act." (35) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D.C., March 13, 1968. Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Your Committee has requested the views of this Department on H.R. 11026, a bill to amend section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960, for the purpose of facilitating the conduct of the fish and wildlife conservation and rehabilitation program authorized by that Act. We recommend the enactment of H.R. 11026 in the form of the enclosed draft bill. H.R. 11026 would amend section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960, which provides for cooperative fish and wildlife programs on military reservations, involving the Departments of Defense and Interior and the various State fish and game departments. H.R. 11026 would add the following specific new features to the Act. It would: 1. Authorize to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act, including the enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, the development of public facilities, and the administration of the fish and wildlife program authorized by the Act. 2. Authorize to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such sums as may be necessary to provide technical assistance to the Department of Defense relative to fish and wildlife management, to conduct fish and wildlife research, and to carry out such other activities in connection with the program as the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior jointly deem desirable. 3. Provide that sums authorized to be appropriated shall remain available until expended. 4. Provide that services may be made available to and between departments involved by the respective Secretaries thereof for carrying out the purposes of the Act. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Defense "to carry out a program of planning, development, and maintenance and coordination of wildlife, fish, and game conservation and rehabilitation in military reservations in accordance with a cooperative plan mutually agreed upon by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior and the appropriate State agency designated by the State in which the reservation is located." Special State hunting and fishing permits are authorized with the fees collected to be utilized for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife, including habitat improvement and related activities in accordance with the cooperative plans. There were 189 cooperative plans in effect in 1966 on Department of Defense installations where fish and wildlife management is performed to some degree. Only 34 installations have indicated that they considered the collection of fees as desirable or practical. The fees that are available from this source are used by the Defense installations to supplement the costs of law enforcement, purchase of fertilizers and chemicals, and to support the cost of other measures recommended in the interest of fish and wildlife. None of these funds are made available to this Department to carry out its technical assistance program, because the fees are nominal and certainly not adequate to cover the costs of the work that needs to be done on these areas. The Division of Fishery Service of our Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife made 180 work trips to Defense installations in 1966 to inventory fishery resources and to plan and guide management programs. This entailed about 2 man-years of effort which was grossly inadequate to do justice to the program in meeting the sport fishing needs. It is estimated that 207 installations need substantial help at this time. At the present time most bases can be visited only once annually because of the lack of funds and personnel. They need attention several times each year to assure successful recreational fishing programs. As a minimum effort, 16 fishery biologists are needed to carry out the fishery management programs at Defense installations. The Division of Wildlife Services of the same Bureau, in fiscal year 1967, began its first full year of operation of its enhancement program. Only a portion of the time of its biologists can be devoted to military installations. Preliminary evaluations of wildlife potentials have begun; a start was made on appraising over-all needs, opportunities, and priorities, with planning assistance provided in several instances. Some 250 Defense installations, covering over 30 million acres of land, much of which is adaptable to wildlife production, represent a tremendous unrealized potential for wildlife, and for providing recreational opportunities. Additionally, an urgent problem is that of managing or controlling birds in the vicinity of airports. The Air Force reported 839 bird strikes, 320 of which were damaging, in 1966. The cost of repairing aircraft was estimated at 20 million dollars. This work is being carried out under our existing authorities, such as the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. The minimum level of our effort in assisting in wildlife enhancement at Defense installations would require 14 biologists. The enclosed draft bill would enable the Department of Defense to obtain funds needed to carry out this program and enter into appropriate agreements with this Department to assist them. It is through these agreements that we will expect to carry out the work that is needed to be performed on these areas from the standpoint of fish and wildlife and recreation. Also, we believe that there is substantial recreational potential for these properties. The Department of Defense has identified 226 military installations which have conservation possibilities in addition to fish and wildlife potential. Such public outdoor recreation resources could be enhanced at relatively low cost through additional assistance. We believe that such assistance would be consistent with the recreation resource enhancement responsibilities of this Department. The draft bill provides for such assistance. Time has not permitted securing advice from the Bureau of the Budget as to the relationship of this report to the program of the President. Sincerely yours, STANLEY A. CAIN, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. A BILL To amend the Act of September 15, 1960, for the purpose of developing and enhancing recreational opportunities and improving the fish and wildlife programs at reservations covered by said Act, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960 (74 Stat. 1053; 16 U.S.C. 670c) is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 3. The Secretary of Defense is also authorized to carry out a program for the development, enhancement, operation, and maintenance of public outdoor recreation resources at military reservations in accordance with a cooperative plan mutually agreed upon by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the appropriate State agency designated by the State in which such reservations are located." SEC. 2. The Act of September 15, 1960, is amended by adding at the end thereof a new section to read as follows: "SEC. 6. (a) The Secretary of Defense shall expend such funds as may be collected in accordance with the cooperative plans agreed to under sections 1 and 2 of this Act and for no other purpose. "(b) There is also authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Defense such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, including the enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and the development of public recreation and other facilities. The Secretary of Defense shall, to the greatest extent practicable, enter into agreements to utilize the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities, with or without reimbursement, of the Secretary of the Interior in carrying out the provisions of this Act. Sums authorized to be appropriated under this Act shall be available until expended." Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Reference is made to your request to the Secretary of Defense for the views of the Department of Defense with respect to H.R. 11026, 90th Congress, a bill "To amend section 3 of the Act of September 15, 1960, for the purpose of facilitating the conduct of the fish and wildlife conservation and |