Mr. HARRISON. Now I will say something that I think needs saying. I sit here as a Republican on this committee. You come up and ask for our help in these appropriations and I am glad to give it because I think the Department of the Interior is a good Department and does good work, but to this day I have never been able to get any information out of the Department of the Interior until long after it has been released to other sources, and if you want to play politics in that Department, do not look on me, as a Republican, to look with favor on a lot of the programs you will bring up before us. I think you have gone overboard in your Department. I am not blaming you for it but I think you have gone overboard in the way you are handling these releases and many times I hear of a project in my own State by reading it in a paper printed in Wyoming that comes back to Washington before I get any notification from your Department, and I get a little hot under the collar. I took this off the record before but I think it might as well be on the record. Mr. PARKER. Our Bureau will see to it that you are fully informed. Mr. HARRISON. The Bureau of Land Management said they did not do that either but the fact remains they have done it. I do not wish to be unreasonable. I am well aware of political life, but I think once in a while those of us in the minority who serve here are entitled to a little cooperation. Mrs. HANSEN. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.) Mr. KIRWAN. Mr. Reifel. Mr. REIFEL. In reference to these new positions, how many did you request before? Mr. PARKER. None in the regular budget estimate. This was an agreement signed in April between the three Departments and it is a new program just getting underway. The longer we wait the more problems we will have. Mr. REIFEL. This is not overlapping the Department of Agriculture? Mr. PARKER. No, this will be using the research results. Mr. KIRWAN. Thank you for coming up, gentlemen. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1964. OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH WITNESSES JOHN C. CALHOUN, JR., ACTING DIRECTOR 1 Selected resources as of June 30 are as follows: Undelivered orders: 1965, 5. 1,125 250 155 1,530 5 1,535 1,535 Mr. KIRWAN. The next item is the "Office of Water Resources Research"; $1,535,000 is requested to initiate the new program authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 approved July 17, 1964. We will insert the item from H. Doc. 338, and the jurisdictions in the record. (The matter referred to follows:) "OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH "SALARIES AND EXPENSES "For expenses necessary in carrying out the provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379, approved July 17, 1964), including services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a) when authorized by the Secretary, at rates not to exceed $75 per diem for individuals, and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $1,535,800." On July 17, 1964, the President signed into law the Water Resources Research Act of 1964. This act is designed to stimulate, sponsor, provide for, and supplement present programs for the conduct of research, investigations, experiments, and the training of scientists in the fields of water and of resources which affect water. The program is to be carried out through grants to States for water research institutes and for specific water research projects. The appropriation proposed for 1965 is to initiate the program. OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH Request (for 10 months from Sept. 1, 1964) – PURPOSE AND NEED FOR SUPPEMENTAL FUNDS $1,535, 000 8 The appropriation proposed for fiscal year 1965 will provide for development of procedures and rules for planning with universities and colleges for implementation of the program authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379, approved July 17, 1964), and for partial implementation during the current year. The requested funds will allow for the making of grants approximating 23 percent of the amounts authorized by the act. JUSTIFICATION The Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379, approved July 17, 1964) authorizes financial support for the establishment and maintenance of water resources research centers at land-grant colleges and universities; for water research at other colleges, universities, and centers of competence; and for promotion of a more adequate national program of water research. The act further provides that the Secretary of the Interior is responsible for the proper administration thereof. The Secretary, in the implementation of the act, has established in the Department of the Interior the Office of Water Resources Research, which will report to the Secretary, in order to achieve a proper degree of coordination with other Government agencies and to insure the avoidance of duplication or other unproductive expenditures of money or technical manpower in the total national program for water resources research. For the partial program to be funded by the appropriation now requested, we propose a staff of eight persons (director, associate director, three scientistengineers, an executive officer, and two secretaries). For full-scale initial-stage operation of the program we propose a staff of 22, comprised of a director, associate director, 5 scientist-engineers, 7 supporting program positions, and 8 administrative positions. This staff will (a) review applications to assure that the applicants are eligible to receive financial support consistently with the requirements of the act, that the activities for which the grants are sought have technical merit, that the applicants will be competent to accomplish the programs or projects proposed, that the proposed expenditures have reasonable and proper relationship to the accomplishments expected to result, that the activities are planned and will be carried on with due regard for avoidance of duplication of other research, and of undue displacement of water scientists and engineers elsewhere engaged in water research, and like substantive factors; (b) prepare and process grant and contract agreements, and monitor compliance with such agreements; (c) establish and keep current records and statistics relative to the program; (d) develop advice to water resources research centers and others relative to the research areas most important for additional attention and emphasis, as required by the act; (e) establish and maintain cooperation among the centers and between the centers and Federal and other organizations concerned with water resources, as required by the act; (f) prepare reports and referrals for the Secretary to make to the President and the Congress; and (g) related duties. The Director, pursuant to delegation by the Secretary of the Interior, is responsible for approval of grant, contract, or other applications for financial support. At this time it is anticipated with a high degree of confidence that 15 institutes will apply and will be found to be qualified to receive grants and to be competent to utilize them effectively pursuant to section 100 (a) of the act, and that $250,000 of matching fund grants may be made pursuant to section 101. In the full-scale initial phase of operation, applications may be received from 51 States for university research center grants, and from 150 to 200 or more specific research project applicants. The services of experts and consultants on an intermittent basis will also be utilized in the program. A principal activity of the consultants will be to act, individually or in panels, in advisory review of applications for grants and contracts by making findings relative to the merit of proposed projects, the value of the results expected to be secured from them, the competence of the applicants to accomplish the work, and other relevant factors, which advice will be considered by the Director in making determinations and approvals. In addition, at least annually a special advisory panel of outstanding scientists, engineers, and laymen experienced in public affairs related to water resources will advise relative to the overall program. The Office of Water Resources Research will discharge the responsibility of the Secretary with respect to the water research programs authorized by this act and will administer them pursuant to rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary. The Office will be responsible for the making of (a) allotments in support of one lish necessary safeguards to insure that designated institutes have the capability of effective performance. The Office will furnish such advice and assistance as will best promote the purposes of the act, will participate in coordinating research initiated under this act by the institutes, and will assist in the establishment and maintenance of cooperation by and between the institutes and between them and other research organizations, the Depratment of the Interior, and other Federal establishments. The Office will be responsible for the making of (a) allotment in support of one research center in each State, (b) matching grants for specific research projects at such centers, and (c) grants and contracts, matching or other arrangements with educational institutions, private foundations or other institutions, private firms and individuals, local, State, and Federal Government agencies undertaking research into any aspects of water problems related to the mission of the Department of the Interior, and for the submission of such, proposed grants, contracts, matching, or other arrangements to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Section 100 (a), $1,125,000 This section of the act authorizes allotments in the amount of $75,000 for each of the 50 State and Puerto Rico. State interest and pressures for this legislation have been great. A number of proposals already have been formulated and are ready to be submitted as soon as funds are available. It is expected that at least 15 such applications will be received by October 15, 1964. The authorized amount of $75,000 represents the minimum requirement for initiation of these programs. The act recognizes this as it provides for subsequent increases to $87,500 in the second and third years and $100,000 thereafter. Section 101(a), $250,000 Since this legislation has been under consideration for a considerable length of time, it has been possible for the State university centers to develop both program plans and sources of financing to meet this matching money. Water 36-723-64-pt. 1-16 resources research is presently grossly inadequate so interest is heavy. Therefore, it is imperative that the requested amount be appropriated to meet the need and avoid further loss of time in moving ahead in this important research field. Administration, $160,000 The estimate for administration of this program is based on the best information available at this time and it is firmly believed that the ramifications and contemplated workload of the program will support the proposed staffing and operating expenses. The initial cost of equipping the new office will be high and it is expected that travel expenses will be considerable. During the first year of the program, onsite visits and examinations will have to be made to applicant establishments for consultation and inspection to ascertain that the applicant is capable of fulfilling the requirements of the act. Mr. KIRWAN. Mr. Calhoun, do you have a statement? Mr. CALHOUN. With your permission, I would like to have my statement inserted in the record. Mr. KIRWAN. It will be made a part of the record at this point. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT BY ACTING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, RELATIVE TO FISCAL YEAR 1965 APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR THE WATER RESEARCH PROGRAM (PUBLIC LAW 88-379) Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it is a pleasure to have this opportunity to appear before you and present this budget request which provides for initiation of the program to establish water resources research centers and to promote a more adequate national program of water research as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379). This legislation recognizes the urgent need in every State and region of the United States for increased knowledge and competence in dealing with water resources problems. Intermittent and permanent water shortages exist or threaten many communities and many areas. Water supply deficiencies both of quantity and of quality are serious impediments to the economic development and well-being of people. They constitute a present or potential limit on community growth, and on agricultural, industrial, and recreational development. Authoritative reports estimate that for approximaely one-fifth of the United States, water supply will limit economic and population growth by 1980 unless new and improved methods are developed to increase the usefulness of available water resources. In recognition of this urgency in the water resources field, Secretary Udall acted immediately upon the President's approval of Public Law 88-379 to establish the Office of Water Resources Research to carry on the program which Congress has authorized. The Office of Water Resources Research was established as an operating unit directly responsible to Secretary Udall under my leadership as Acting Director. Mr. E. D. Eaton has been appointed Associate Director. This present request is for funds to initiate the program in fiscal year 1965. The requested amount of $1,535,000 provides for allotments to 15 States for water resources research institutes or centers in the amount of $75,000 per State as authorized in section 100 (a) of the act. It also provides for $250,000 for matching grants to State water research institutes for specific research projects as authorized by section 101(a). The estimate includes $160,000 for nucleus staffing of the Office of Water Resources Research and is the minimum required for program development and administration in fiscal year 1965. The Office of Water Resources Research, to which the Secretary has assigned responsibility for the program, will have a small staff to perform four major functions: (1) To develop the program for the establishment and continued support of competent and qualified centers of water resources research; (2) to develop the program of grants on the basis of the merit of the proposals and the need for the knowledge expected to be produced without duplication of other State or Federal research, or displacement of scientists and engineers; (3) to provide coordination of the research at the research centers of the various States and with other State, Federal, and nongovernmental research; and (4) to administer the program to assure effective utilization of appropriated funds and qualified manpower, to assure proper accountability of the grants, and to |