The estimate of $5,736,100 is an increase of $600,400 of which $46,300 is needed for Pay Act costs; $460,000 is needed to operate new facilities at existing hatcheries and to place new hatcheries into partial production; and $94,100 is for replacement of equipment.

Need for increase.—(a) Operation of new hatcheries and new facilities being constructed at existing hatcheries, $460,000. The growing popularity of recreational fishing together with the growth of population in recent years has placed increased fishing pressure on waters of the United States. Data on the number of fishing licenses sold indicate there has been a 30-percent increase during a 10-year period. The contribution to the national economy of sport fishing is appreciable, with over $2 billion being spent annually by sport fishermen. In order to help meet the growing demand for fish for stocking purposes, the construction program presently authorized will increase facilities for the propagation of fish. These facilities are located in areas where the demand has far exceeded the production possible at stations serving the areas. The $460,000 increase for new hatcheries and new facilities at existing hatcheries is needed for salaries, fish food, and other expenses of operating these facilities and distributing the increased production of fish. These funds are for use at 14 hatcheries, as shown in the following table:

(b) Replacement of equipment, $94,100:

Automotive equipment (trucks), $27,900: In recent years considerable improvement has been made in replacing overage motor vehicles, but the funds available for this purpose have not permitted a planned program of truck replacement. An optimum, based on Federal vehicle replacement standards, calls for an annual estimate of $99,000 to continue the fleet of trucks in a safe and efficient operating condition. The replacement ages of the trucks in the program are as follows: Pickup and sedan delivery trucks, 7 years; stake, flat bed and dump trucks, 8 years; and heavy-duty trucks, 10 years. Mileage of pickup and sedan delivery trucks exceeds the 60,000 miles which is recognized as standard replacement mileage for these types of vehicles.

The estimate for 1961 includes $71,100 for replacement of automotive equipment. The increase of $27,900 is needed to provide a total of $99,000 in 1962 to replace 49 vehicles. Most of the vehicles to be replaced are used in distributing live fish, which would perish in transit if delayed by transportation breakdowns,

Equipment other than automotive, $66,200: Equipment is an essential component of every station, and hatchery production depends to an extensive degree upon the condition of the equipment being used. There are in use at hatcheries 3,603 items of equipment in 38 major classes with a March 1960 replacement value of $1,695,000. These items include fish-food grinders, mixers, hydrauslicers, power meat saws, mowing machines, power sprayer units, water pumps of all sizes, fish-distribution units for use on trucks, firefighting equipment, and power shop tools. An adequate replacement program based upon average life expectancy of the individual units in operation at all hatcheries requires 7.8 percent of the total value, or $132,200 annually.

Estimates for the past several years have included $66,000 for this program. This amount, together with the requested increase of $66,200, will provide the total amount required.

Plan of work. The $5,736,100 estimate is for salaries and other costs of operation and maintenance of hatcheries and distribution of fish produced. The Bureau works in cooperation with all States in the distribution of hatcheryreared fish to insure that stocking will conform with State management plans and to avoid duplication of effort. The total estimate is broken down, by station,