Development within the National River will adhere fully to the codes of the Federal and State governments regulating health, sanitation, and safeguarding human life and the environment. The proposed thirteen primitive campgrounds, approximately ten river miles apart, should cause little disturbance to the environment. Each such small campground would consist of a latrine, several grills, tables, and trash cans.

Except in the vicinity of Silver Hill, Gilbert, and Buffalo City, no new roads are proposed. In these isolated cases, the roads will be, in good part, following former road or railroad grades, thereby eliminating any major alteration of the topogaphy. Parking areas at the Visitor Center and, in a few instances elsewhere, may cover land now forested or in pasture. The major cave within the National River is Beauty Cave for which there are no current plans for public visitation. Some research by accredited speleologists may be authorized, thus controlling the human use of the cave ecosysteme.

5. Any adverse effects which cannot be avoided.—(A) The greatest adverse environmental effect will occur as the result of lodging and restaurant facilities required outside of the proposed National River boundaries. Last year, for example, a little over 500,000 persons visited the tourist attraction, "Dogpatch", four miles north of the Buffalo River on Highway 7. Most of these visitors came between Memorial Day and Labor Day, during which time Dogpatch was open daily between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. This year, travel to Dogpatch is 20%. above last year's visitation. Dogpatch provides 65 complete camping units and 45 partial units (do not include hookups), plus 64 cabins. Most of the visitors stay at Harrison or nearby towns. It is obvious that these communities will have to expand further their facilities to meet the need of tourists visiting the National River.

(B) Logically, two million people visiting the Buffalo National River will necessitate greater precautions to safeguard human life and property, than lesser numbers. The answer is astute and subtle management by directing where, when, and how these visitors travel the National River, coupled with the variety and diversity of development that instills reasonable and orderly movement of people. Programs and development involving interpretation and resource management, dealing with natural history, history, biology, ecology, and related conservation awareness will distribute visitation so that human safety or physical and mental health will not be adversely affected, provided sufficient National Park Service personnel are assigned to the National River, consistent with the gradual increase in visitation.

(C) The quality of the soil, water, or air within the National River boundary will not be degraded as long as there are adequate Service personnel to carry out resource management and interpretation, coupled with law enforcement, as required. As a matter of fact, an improvement in current conditions should occur in contrast to locations where the river is being channelled, hillsides bulldozed, and forests ruthlessly logged.

(D) As noted in (B) above, in spite of the greater visitor use, plant and animal life would be upgraded by preventing channelization, inept logging, and the poaching of wildlife. In this instance, it is not so much the influx of people, but rather the regulatory control that determines the quality of the soil, the water, or air.

(E) There will be structures erected and a limited amount of road building, but designs will be such as to be unobtrusive as possible, in keeping with National Park Service philosophy.

(F) There are only two Class VI sites within the National River, namely, a discontinued water mill near Boxley, and a few old buildings at the former mining camp at Rush. The Service hopes to restore the mill and possibly, restore or stabilize some of the mining camps.

(G) We can envision some adverse effects because of the need of a potable water supply, sewage, and electric power at the three proposed visitor centers and the limited number of major campgrounds.

6. Short-term use in relation to long-term productivity.-The two shall tie together and neither should adversely affect the environment. The managers and planners will be alert constantly for the need of change, should such be required in order to protect the environment. At this time, such a problem is not envisioned.

7. Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources.-None.

8. Alternatives to the proposed action.—Unless the proposed Buffalo National River is established, housing developments will increase their encroachment on the river environment. In addition, seasonal cottages will appear in ever increas

ing numbers; logging will take place to profit from high timber values; land will be cleared to profit from pasture land with a high return on cattle raising; restrictions will increase on access to the River through private lands; fees will increase in number for such access; and in more instances, the River's course will be straightened by bulldozers, as a theoretical easy means of flood control. Accordingly, the alternate is ever increasing destruction of the pristine qualities for which this River is now noted.

Mr. TAYLOR. The Honorable William E. Henderson.

Mr. KYL. Mr. Chairman, we certainly want to hear from the State people. It is very obvious that with the floor schedule and the time escaping us this morning, it would be physically impossible to hear 38 additional witnesses.

In an effort to accommodate them, I'm wondering if they might not converse among themselves to see if they have a similar point of view and might arrive at some common presentation.

We would certainly include all of your statements in the record. So, perhaps get a common ground so that we can consider them somewhat en block. Otherwise, it's just going to be impossible without having to return to hear all of them.

Mr. TAYLOR. We will have a time problem. The gentleman suggests that if we have a group of property owners in opposition maybe they could agree on one main spokesman or if there are members of certain conservation clubs that they could pick one spokesman. That would be something to work toward. We have that situation before us right

now.

We have Mr. Henderson and four other witnesses representing the State of Arkansas.

So, Mr. Henderson, you will proceed, and we hope that these other statements will not repeat what you say, and then we're going to direct questions to you.

STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM E. HENDERSON, DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM, ACCOMPANIED BY JIMMY DRIFTWOOD, CHAIRMAN, STATE PARKS, RECREATION, AND TRAVEL COMMISSION; L. E. SURLES, DIRECTOR, STATE PARKS; RICHARD W. BROACH, ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION; AND HAROLD E. ALEXANDER, DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, STATE OF ARKANSAS

Mr. HENDERSON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. TAYLOR. We hope we can be as good a host to you here as you were to us down there.

Mr. HENDERSON. First, Mr. Chairman, I would like to report to you that I have a letter from Gov. Dale Bumpers of Arkansas which states that he deeply regrets that a previous longstanding commitment would not allow him to be here personally this morning to testify and requesting that I represent him in presenting his prepared statement.

In consideration of the request for briefness, we will summarize our statements. However, I think I would like to read a portion of the Governor's prepared statement inasmuch as this is his statement.

Mr. TAYLOR. Without objection, a copy of all the statements, will be placed in the record in full.

(The statements referred to follow :)

STATEMENT OF HON. DALE BUMPERS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS

I appreciate the opportunity of presenting my comments on the proposed Buffalo National River to this distinguished committee.

This project has important national significance. The Buffalo River in Arkansas includes natural attractions of outstanding scenic value. Today it can still be preserved in near its natural state.

The opportunities left to us to preserve such a resource for future generations are rare indeed, and, I think this particular opportunity is unequaled today in the central portion of the United States. The victims of the Buffalo River will be adequately described by other witnesses appearing before this committee. The entire nation will be the benefactor if this beautiful free-flowing stream can be preserved.

The State of Arkansas alone does not have the financial resources to preserve and protect the Buffalo River. The only feasible plan is a federal project as proposed in the legislation before this committee. Without action by the Congress in the very near future the opportunity will be lost.

There are some things that the State of Arkansas can do to assist the federal government in bringing the Buffalo National River into existence and in helping to assure the success of the project. These things we will do willingly and enthusiastically.

The proposed acquisition area for the project includes two of our State Parks ... the Buffalo River State Park and Lost Valley State Park . . . including a total of 2400 acres. We in Arkansas will convey these lands to the National Park Service without cost if the Buffalo National Rivert project is approved and funded with the understanding that the State will be compensated for improvements. Official action to accomplish this was taken by the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission on August 20, 1971, and the commission's action has my complete support.

Another 1500 acres of land needed for the Buffalo National River is owned by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. This commission, in session on July 19-20, 1971, voted to donate any of these lands that might be involved to the National Park Service. This action, too, has my enthusiastic support.

I believe that the willingness of the State of Arkansas to convey to the National Park Service these State Parks lands and Game and Fish Commission lands is tangible evidence of our desire to assist to the extent of our abilities. It should provide assurance that we will continue to work and cooperate to make the project successful once it is established.

I think it is important for the members of this committee to know that the State of Arkansas is taking aggressive action of its own to provide additional recreational opportunities for our citizens and our visitors. The 1971 General Assembly, at my request, accomplished the following:

1. Established the Department of Parks and Tourism as one of 13 major departments of state government in the reorganization of the executive branch of our state government.

2. Approved a $22.5 million capital improvements program for our State Parks of which nearly $12 million is programmed for fiscal 1971-72.

3. Appropriated $1,232,000 from dedicated revenues and $2,516,000 from general revenues of the State to help finance the State's direct contribution for parks improvements.

4. Nearly doubled the operating budget for our State Parks System, appropriating from general revenues $1,295,000 for 1971-72 compared with $712,538 for the previous fiscal year.

In addition, a few days ago on October 21, we sold $3.5 million in Department of Parks and Tourism Revenue Bonds to help finance the State Parks improvements which will include at least three fine new parks.

Gentlemen, we in Arkansas are doing all we can to provide the recreational opportunities which are so much in demand by the citizens of all states.

The Buffalo National River, the greatest opportunity of all, is a most appropriate federal project and indeed must be such if it is to be accomplished. In all probability, the present Congress has the last opportunity to save and preserve the Buffalo River for all Americans. I respectfully urge your favorable action.

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM E. HENDERSON, DIRECTOR OF THE ARKANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND TOURISM

I am William E. Henderson of Lttile Rock, Arkansas and I am Director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. This department includes the State Parks Division, the Tourism Division and the History Division.

I wish to strongly endorse legislation before this committee to make the Buffalo River in Arkansas a national river under the ownership and management of the National Park Service.

The Buffalo River has the qualities to merit this designation as will be presented to the committee by specialists with the National Park Service and other witnesses. The national river will be an outstanding natural resources of national importance.

We in the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism recognize, too, the great value of this project as a tourist attraction for our State. We are dedicated to building our travel industry as a means to enhance the economic wellbeing of Arkansas and its inhabitants. The Buffalo National River is located in the same general area with two other significant projects now under development, the Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark Folk Culture Center both located near Mountain View, Arkansas. The three projects would have the ideal proximity of location to attract tourists from long distances, thus providing economic growth through tourism to an area of our State badly in need of such development.

The Department of Parks and Tourism has a close working relationship with the National Park Service. We can pledge to the Congress our complete cooperation in the transfer of State Parks properties at Buffalo River State Park and Lost Valley State Park from the State to the federal government and in the development of the national river.

We can assure the committee, also, that the Tourism Division of our department will through its various advertising and promotional programs call national attention to the Buffalo National River.

Thank you for the opportunity to present this statement to the committee.

STATEMENT OF JIMMY DRIFTWOOD, CHAIRMAN, STATE PARKS, RECREATION AND TRAVEL COMMISSION

I am Jimmy Driftwood of Timbo, Arkansas. I am a farmer and an entertainer. I appear here today in my position as chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission of the State of Arkansas. This commission has jurisdiction over the State Parks system of our State.

The State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission supports legislation to create the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. We will cooperate with officials of the National Park Service in developing the project and do whatever we can to assure the success of the project.

Two of our State Parks are in the proposed acquisition area for the national river. It is our understanding that it is the usual policy for such public lands to be donated to the federal government for a development such as the Buffalo National River.

With this in mind and to demonstrate our support and cooperation, the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission has taken official action to convey these lands, consisting of 2,150 acres in Buffalo River State Park near Yellville, Arkansas and 240 acres in Lost Valley State Park near Ponca, Arkansas to the National Park Service, subject to being reimbursed for the appraised value of improvement in the two parks.

Our request for compensation for improvements does not indicate that we wish to be limiting in our participation within our abilities. However, there are good and sound reasons having to do with the funding of a substantial parks improvements program, partly through the issuance of revenue bonds, for including this requirement. Also, we have planned a $750,000 improvements program at Buffalo River State Park which we will want to implement if there should be an undue delay in the national river project.

I want to state for the committee that I was born and raised in the area near the Buffalo River. I have enjoyed this river all my life and I saw to it that my sons had the same opportunity. I want very much to see the river preserved so that future generations may have the same privilege.

Thank you for allowing me to present the position of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission.

STATEMENT OF LLOYD E. SURLES, STATE PARKS DIRECTOR OF ARKANSAS

I am Lloyd E. Surles, Director of the State Parks Division of the Department of Parks and Tourism. I am a resident of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

We are rapidly approaching the 21st century. As we enter this exciting and uncertain area, we must take positive and decisive actions along the way. Actions in the natural resource field could become some of the most important that we can take. Preservation of natural resources now can only mean a better environment in the future. The preservation of the Buffalo River in Arkansas is no exception.

Illustration of the need for the National River may best be shown by the demands already placed on it, more especially on the Buffalo River State Park. The State operates and maintains a 2150 acre park in the lower reaches of the river. This is a relatively small park as compared to the concept of the national river. It is comprised of a variety of facilities including modern and rustic cabins, 100 campsites, a small dining room, and park headquarters. The park, with its relatively few facilities was second in visitation in our state park system. Approximately 800,000 people visited the park this past season. This is an increase of about 25% over the prior season.

The visitation increase was due to three things. One, there is a booming sport that this river can supply and that is floating and float fishing. The Buffalo River can supply this activity well for the most avid river runner and for the leisure fishermen. The second is the naturalist program that was offered by the state park system. In this program we emphasized the importance of the National River and its relation to protection of the watershed. This program was so popular that a local night club owner complained to his local officials that we were ruining his business. I only point this out to illustrate the demand for the river and related park activities. The third reason for increased visitation is that all of North Arkansas is becoming a tremendous tourist attraction. Without a means of protection and management impact may soon cause damage to the resources of the area. Along with the demand for the National River, I feel it is also necessary to point out some of the damages being done to the river right now. Land is being purchased up and down the river for housing developments. As this occurs, land prices will necessarily accelerate. The watershed is being destroyed by pesticide and insecticides. Timber is being harvested in the watershed areas, resulting in rapid runoff of waters.

The demand for a Buffalo National River and the need for its protection leads me to urge this committee to take positive and decisive action to preserve it as a birthright to our future generations. Its protection now will insure its giving enjoyment in the future.

STATEMENT OF THE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION, SUBMITTED BY RICHARD W. BROACH, FOR ANDREW H. HULSEY, DIRECTOR

Mr. Chairman, the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission is most appreciative of this opportunity to comment on and renew our support for the legislation which would establish a Buffalo National River in our state.

The Commission, as you know, has agreed to give some 1500 acres of game management land-paid for by money from the sale of resident hunting and fishing licenses to the National Park Service for inclusion in the proposed Buffalo National River. The decision to donate this land was based upon the paragraph, on page 21 of a U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service document of 1968 entitled, "Proposed Buffalo National River," Arkansas, which states that:

"Hunting and fishing would be permitted and regulated under the laws of the state of Arkansas and the Federal Migratory Waterfowl Act. Public safety and good wildlife management would require restriction of hunting in some areas. Management would be directed mainly at improving deer and squirrel hunting. Wild turkey populations would also be encouraged wherever possible"

The Buffalo River is a unique mountain stream offering dramatic natural beauty in a remote area of the Ozark plateau.

In the Buffalo River basin, on lands to be included in the proposed National River, are waterfalls, gorges and canyons of outstanding scenic value, limestone caverns, overhanging bluffs and natural bridges. It is the only river in the central United States which possesses so many spectacular natural attractions.