Let's go back to a previous chart-No. 2. I want to point out the declarations that we have had thus far in this fiscal year and, taking an average of what has happened in the last quarter over the last 3 years, that if we get that average, we will have eight more declarations.

PROCEDURE FOR DISASTER RELIEF REQUEST

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman ?

Mr. STEED. Yes.

Mr. EDWARDS. Your request is a request from a Governor or some person in the declaration? When the President declares an emergency it is based on that request?

Mr. LINCOLN. Yes, sir; the request must come from the Governor certifying the need for assistance under the Act. The President makes the declaration on my recommendation. If I do not consider the declaration should be made, I write the Governor and tell him so. Our field organization of eight regional offices with regional directors is very close to the Governors. These OEP field organizations are immediately available to counsel the Governors as to whether the situation might warrant a disaster declaration. When the counseling works, there is usually not a request unless it is warranted.

ASSISTANCE OFFICE WITHOUT A DECLARATION

Mr. ROBISON. The Federal response to a Governor's request is by no means automatic?

Mr. LINCOLN. That is correct, a disaster declaration is not issued automatically.

Mr. ROBISON. There is discretionary authority within your office, or within the Office of the President?

Mr. LINCOLN. Yes, sir.

Oftentimes what the Governor needs in the nature of help can be provided without the necessity of a disaster declaration. Our organization is often in the business of providing that help.

Mr. ROBISON. Thank you.

Mr. LINCOLN. Finally, bringing my comment to focus on today's request for an additional $25 million for fiscal year 1971, I compare obligational authority available this fiscal year, and the total obligations to date. The dotten line for the last quarter reflects the estimates required in fiscal year 1971 for authorized assistance to State and local governments and to reimburse other Federal agencies for relief activities I direct them to perform.

I will say that the administration of the disaster assistance program includes the delegation by the President to me of all of his authorities except the authority to make a disaster declaration. His authorities do include the power to direct any Federal agency to use all their resources in case of a disaster situation. This extends to using these sources without reimbursment. In fact, we do as a general rule reimburse their budget for any expenditures above and beyond what would be normal expenditures.

In terms of particular disasters, there are 38 declared disasters that have been, or will be, funded in fiscal year 1971. For these declared disasters obligations in the first three quarters of the year total $107 million. For the last quarter, $75 million represents the anticipated remaining needs in this fiscal year for these declared major disasters. A $10 million reserve is included for new declarations.

In brief, for a total estimated fiscal year 1971 requirement of $192 million, $167 million in obligational authority is available for fiscal year 1971. It is anticipated that an additional $25 million will be needed this fiscal year.

Several occurrences in the recent past, and some potential disasters, deserve particular attention.

The California earthquake in February took 65 lives. We were fortunate that it occurred in the early morning, before most people were awake, and that its main force was not in the more densely built-up areas of Los Angeles County. The costs of this disaster are incalculable in terms of human suffering. The dollar costs will be the highest of any disaster since the beginning of the program. We currently estimate that before we are through with this disaster, the cost to the President's fund alone will be $135 million.

DESCRIPTION OF EARTHQUAKE AREA

This is a map of the earthquake area, a matter of almost certain interest to this subcommittee. Los Angeles is off the chart down here. This is the northern portion of Los Angeles County. The epicenter of this earthquake was here, or some distance from the populated area. This is the veterans' hospital where one of the three wings collapsed. This is the Olive View Hospital, which for all practical purposes is totally destroyed, although the first time you look at it you don't see it is destroyed. This was the power station intertie that was destroyed. This was the dam that was cracked so it was necessary to evacuate 80,000 people. This is San Fernando, which is the populated section that was most damaged. In this entire area we estimate now that in loans and grants triggered by the various disaster acts, the Federal Government will put in over $430 million.

Of this, $135 million is expected to come from the President's Disaster Relief Fund. Some $20 million will be needed in obligational authority in fiscal year 1971.

Recent tornadoes in Mississippi have added to the needs for disaster assistance, and our people have been on the scene helping the victims.

OPERATION FORESIGHT '71

Flooding has begun in parts of the Far West and Middle West with severe storms and thawing of record snow packs. So far, the States of Washington, Oregon, and Nebraska have experienced major disasters. We can expect to see a great deal more of this before the summer months come.

To help alleviate the effects of spring floods, OEP is coordinating Operation Foresight 1971. This is a program conducted by the Corps of Engineers and several other Federal agencies to build temporary dikes and dams in areas threatened by this flooding, and to take other preparedness measures. A similar operation in 1969 prevented a great deal of damage, in addition to the suffering and deaths avoided.

I might say that the Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with State and local governments, helped protect 400 communities. The protective works include 200 miles of temporary levees, and I encouraged the Chief of Engineers to leave those temporary levees in and to counsel