Public Law 88-609, as amended, provides for a full and complete investigation and study to determine the feasibility of, and the most suitable site for, the construction of a sea level canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is the policy of the Office of Emergency Planning to support peacetime activities which will strengthen any essential portion of the transportation complex of the United States. We therefore supported both the original legislation and the subsequent amendments to facilitate administration of the act. The importance of the canal in question has now come into sharper focus. Recently, all movement through the canal was blocked by the accidental sinking of a single vessel at one of the many critical locations in the canal. While this blockade resulted in only an 18hour stoppage, it is significant that 84 ships were backed up awaiting passage. About 30 percent of our U.S. war shipments to Vietnam originate on the east coast and utilize the Panama Canal. The implications of a long-time stoppage as a result of enemy action-or perhaps a natural disaster such as an earthquake—are obvious. The effect on our ocean shipping program and on transcontinental surface movements would be severe. For the above reasons, we support the Commission established under the act and we favor the early enactment of H.R. 15190 which would extend the life of the Commission and increase the appropriation authorization. From the standpoint of the administration's program, the Bureau of the Budget advises that it has no objection to the submission of this report. Sincerely, MORDECAI M. MERKER U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION, Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. GARMATZ: This is in reply to your request for the views of the Atomic Energy Commission on H. R. 15190, a bill "To amend sections 3 and 4 of the Act, approved September 22, 1964 (78 Stat. 990), providing for an investigation and study to determine a site for the construction of a sea-level canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." On January 2, 1968, Public Law 90-244 was enacted. This legislation amended the act of September 22, 1964, by extending until December 1, 1969, the completion date of the investigation and study authorized by the act. H. R. 15190 would further amend this Act by extending the completion date an additional year until December 1, 1970, and increase the Atlantic-Pacific Interoceanic Canal Study Commission's current appropriation limitation from $17.5 million to $24 million. H.R. 1222 H.R. 15190 is identical in effect to H.R. 6791. On April 27, 1967, we transmitted our views to you on this latter bill. Our position on H.R. 15190 is identical to that transmitted to you with respect to H.R. 6791. The Atomic Energy Commission favors the enactment of H.R. 15190. The Atomic Energy Commission is participating with the Canal Study Commission in the investigation and study authorized by the act. We believe that the amendments, which are provided in this bill, would more effectively accomplish the objectives of this act. The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program. Sincerely yours, R. E. HOLLINGSWORTH, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, Hon. EDWARD A. GARMATZ, BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, Washington, D.C., March 7, 1968. Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request for the views of the Bureau of the Budget on H.R. 15190, a bill "To amend the Act of September 22, 1964 (78 Stat. 990), providing for an investigation and study to determine a site for the construction of a sea-level canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans." For the reasons stated in the agency reports submitted to your committee, the Bureau of the Budget favors enactment of this legislation. Sincerely yours, WILFRED H. ROMMEL, Assistant Director for Legislative Reference CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, as amended, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): PUBLIC LAW 88-609 (78 Stat. 990) AN ACT To provide for an investigation and study to determine a site for the construction of a sea level canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President is authorized to appoint a Commission to be composed of five men from private life, to make a full and complete investigation and study, including necessary on-site surveys, and considering national defense, foreign H.R. 1222 relations, intercoastal shipping, interoceanic shipping, and such other matters as they may determine to be important, for the purpose of determining the feasibility of, and the most suitable site for, the construction of a sea level canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; the best means of constructing such a canal, whether by conventional or nuclear excavation, and the estimated cost thereof. The President shall designate as Chairman one of the members of the Commission. SEC. 2. (a) In order to carry out the purposes of this Act, the Commission may (1) utilize the facilities of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive branch of the United States Government; (2) employ services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a), at rates for individuals not in excess of $100 per diem; (b) The members of the Commission, including the Chairman, shall receive compensation at the rate of $100 per diem. The members of the Commission, including the Chairman, shall receive travel expenses as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 73b-2) for persons employed intermittently." SEC. 3. The Commission shall report to the President for transmittal to Congress on July 31, 1965, with respect to its progress, and each year thereafter until the completion of its duties. The President shall submit such recommendations to the Congress as he deems advisable. The Commission shall continue until the President determines that its duties are completed, but not later than [December 1, 1969] December 1, 1970. SEC. 4. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation, such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, not to exceed [$17,500,000. $24,000.000. H.R. 1222 90TH CONGRESS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session PESTICIDE RESEARCH { REPORT No. 1223 MARCH 29, 1968.-Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed Mr. GARMATZ, from the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 15979] The Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 15979), to amend the act of August 1, 1958, in order to prevent or minimize injury to fish and wildlife from the use of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the bill do pass. The amendments are as follows: On page 3, line 7, strike out "June 30, 1968,", and insert in lieu thereof the following: "June 30, 1969,". On page 3, line 8, strike out "succeeding fiscal year.'", and insert in lieu thereof the following: "of the two fiscal years immediately following such year.' PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of the bill is to prevent or minimize injury to fish and wildlife from the use of insecticides, fungicides, pesticides, and other poisonous chemicals. LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND The bill was introduced March 14, 1968, by Congressman Joseph E. Karth. It is identical to a bill previously introduced on January 10, 1967, by Congressman John D. Dingell. The Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation held hearings on the legislation on March 14, 1968. The Department of Agriculture, in its report on the legislation, indicated that it had no objection to the bill to the extent it would |