Hon. JAMES О. EASTLAND,

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 1965.

U.S. Senator, Chairman, Subcommittee on Soil Conservation and Forestry, Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR EASTLAND: The American Automobile Association supports and calls for early enactment of S. 7 by Senators Byrd, Democrat, of West Virginia. and Randolph Democrat, West Virginia, which provides for the establishment of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area in the State of West Virginia.

AAA policy, as established in annual convention calls for an expansion of recreational facilities:

"Development of recreation and vacation areas has not kept pace with the requirements of the American people, nor can these regions continue to meet the needs of an expanding population. The AAA believes that Government-State and Federal-must place increasing emphasis on the creation of new recereational travel resources throughout the country."

The development and preservation of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will provide almost 100,000 acres of scenic land and water for boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, touring, hunting, camping, picnicking, and general scenic enjoyment.

Within a 350-mile radius are the majority of the great metropolitan areas of the East and Midwest of our country. The Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce, estimates that within this 350-mile radius reside over 65 million people or one-third of the entire population of the United States.

In 1964, according to the National Park Service, a total of 102,375,100 people visited U.S. national parks and other areas administered by the National Park Service. Of this total, it is estimated that 96 percent visited these national parks and recreation areas by automobile.

The AAA supports the establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area because we feel it will help fulfill the need for additional recreational service facilities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, hunting, touring, camping, picnicking, etc.

It is requested that this letter be made a part of the official hearings of your subcommittee.

Sincerely,

GEORGE F. KACHLEIN, Jr.,

Executive Vice President, American Automobile Association.

STATEMENT OF CARL GAINER, RICHMOND, W. Va.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will be probably the best natural recreation area available to the fast-growing population of the Maryland-Virginia east coast people. The 57th Legislature of West Virginia recognized the importance of this area in passing SCR Nos. 9 and 10 which I sponsored. SCR No. 9 urges the Federal agencies to establish a “Wild River Area" and SCR No. 10 opposes the construction of any high-level dam on the South Branch of the Potomac River which would flood the Smoke Hole Recreation Area.

The Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, and the Smoke Hole have, for many years, been in the top five natural wonders in West Virginia and with the proper development can become the top attraction for our rapidly increasing tourist business.

O

HEARINGS

BEFORE A

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE

COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
UNITED STATES SENATE

EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

ON

S. 3337, S. 3720,

And a Draft Bill Proposed by the Department of Agriculture

BILLS TO AMEND THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACT OF
1936, AS AMENDED, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SOURCES
OF FINANCING FOR THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
AND RURAL TELEPHONE PROGRAMS, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

AUGUST 15, 16, 17, 18, AND 19, 1966

Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

70-671

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1966

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

ALLEN J. ELLENDER, Louisiana, Chairman

COTYS M. MOUSER, Chief Clerk

SUBCOMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION HERMAN E. TALMADGE, Georgia, Chairman