DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED TESTIMONY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHER 76-788 O U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1972 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS GEORGE H. MAHON, Texas, Chairman JAMIE L. WHITTEN, Mississippi EDWARD P. BOLAND, Massachusetts GEORGE E. SHIPLEY, Illinois ROBERT N. GIAIMO, Connecticut DAVID PRYOR, Arkansas FRANK E. EVANS, Colorado DAVID R. OBEY, Wisconsin EDWARD R. ROYBAL, California WILLIAM D. HATHAWAY, Maine NICK GALIFIANAKIS, North Carolina LOUIS STOKES, Ohio J. EDWARD ROUSH, Indiana K. GUNN MCKAY, Utah FRANK T. BOW, Ohio CHARLES R. JONAS, North Carolina J. KENNETH ROBINSON, Virginia NOTE. This Surveys and Investigations supervisory staff is supplemented by selected personnel borrowed on a reimbursable basis for varying lengths of time from various agencies to staff up specific studies and investigations. The current average annual fulltime personnel equivalent is approximately 42. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1973 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1972. TESTIMONY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS VARIOUS ITEMS WITNESS HON. AL ULLMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OREGON Mrs. HANSEN. The committee will come to order. We have the privilege today of hearing from our very distinguished colleagues, the Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and other interested individuals and organizations, who are appearing in behalf of various items in or relative to the budget for the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies. It is a pleasure to welcome our very distinguished colleague from Oregon, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Ullman. Mr. ULLMAN. This annual pilgrimage to the Interior Committee is a meeting that I look forward to. I am, of course, extremely delighted to come before my distinguished chairman and my friend from across the Columbia River, and the distinguished minority member, my colleague from Oregon, Wendell Wyatt, with whom I have a very close working relationship. Madam Chairman, I do have a prepared statement, which lists the items of special interest. Mrs. HANSEN. Your statement will be inserted in the record. (The statement follows:) Madam Chairman, I welcome the opportunity to appear before you today and to express my appreciation for the subcommittee's past consideration of projects that are so vital to the people of Oregon and the Second District. For your convenience, I have attached a full list of activities with supplementary requests noted. I would also like to mention several projects that have been excluded or seriously reduced in the 1973 budget. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Two vital areas of research in the Pacific Northwest have not received adequate funding in the 1973 budget. The Bend Silviculture Laboratory in Oregon has made an important contribution to forestry research and management, but the facility is presently operating at about two-thirds of its planned level. After concentrating their research efforts on ponderosa pine, the staff now needs to focus attention on the complex upper-slope forest types, including the firs, spruce, larch, and associated species so important in the eastside Cascades, the Blue Mountains, and the Wallowas. An increase in funding of $140,000 would be very timely now to expedite work in this forest zone where the need to coordinate timber production with aesthetics, recreation, wildlife, and water resources is more critical than ever before. The La Grande Range and Wildlife Habitat Laboratory, also in Oregon, requires increased funding. An additional $75,000 is necessary for range research. Farmers in many areas have recently been confronted with the spread of pulmonary emphysema among their cattle. The La Grande Lab has just begun an intensive investigation of the disease, but there is only enough money to finance the study for 3 months. It would indeed be unfortunate if this study were terminated for lack of funds before any meaningful solutions were found. Last year, the subcommittee included $300,000 to initiate development of the Lava Lands Interpretative Area near Bend, Oregon. These funds were used to construct the visitor center and work was started on the nearby Benham Falls campgrounds. But there is no appropriation to continue the project in the coming fiscal year. The Forest Service estimates that it will need $321,800 to complete the Benham Falls campgrounds; to place exhibits in the visitor center and develop the interpretative trails, signs, and tours an additional $221,900 is necessary. The unique volcanic formations of the lava lands have already proven to be a huge success with tourists and camping enthusiasts. The preservation and development of this singular geological area must be continued. You may know that I have introduced a bill to designate as a national scenic area the beautiful Middle Snake River and the Hells Canyon Area in Oregon and Idaho; other bills are pending in the Senate. Although there are differing opinions as to how this area should be preserved, there is unanimous agreement that it must be protected. However, I recently learned that land development interests from other States have been trying to acquire the private property along the river for subdivision. The Forest Service has indicated its willingness to purchase the property as it comes on the market, but its allotment from the land and water conservation fund has been reduced this year. Four million dollars is urgently needed to halt the sale of this land to commercial developers. We must, in my opinion, maintain this area in its natural state. It is too precious to lose. Camping in national forests has become very popular with Americans, and statistics show that there is serious pressure on Federal campgrounds. This heavy use has damaged many campgrounds and surrounding areas, resulting in temporary closure or restricted admissions to the grounds. This situation has become especially serious in the Deschutes National Forest because the camping facilities have not been expanded to meet the growing demand. Forest officials estimate that $157,000 will be necessary for additional camp sites, yet there is no appropriation in the 1973 budget. I have been to the Deschutes National Forest and have talked with the campers. They are concerned that our national priorities do not allow for the preservation of our environment so that future generations can continue to enjoy it. The only way this can be accomplished is if the Congress provides sufficient funds for projects such as the Deschutes camping facilities. This Committee is acquainted with Timberline Lodge in Oregon and is aware of its popularity. The recent State redistricting plan included Timberline Lodge in the Second Congressional District, although I have long supported the facility and share the enthusiasm of the many people who frequent the lodge. As you know, Timberline was constructed in the 1930's. In order to prevent its deterioration and to meet the increasing use, a development program was started. Funds are needed for employee quarters and the day-use lodge building, but there is no allocation in the 1973 budget. I would ask the Subcommittee to examine this project once again and include the necessary funds to update Timberline Lodge. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Madam Chairman, you are familiar with the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. This educational facility, the only one in the Northwest, is painfully overcrowded. Some time ago, the Bureau of Indian Affairs determined that the present campus was outmoded and initiated plans for a new facility. Funds are now needed to undertake architectural designs, but no appropriation was included in the 1973 budget estimate. The City of Salem has worked closely with BIA in order to integrate the school into the surrounding community, and plans for a park and an extension of the interstate highway have been completed. Further work on this project will be stalled until plans for the school go forward. But the serious, long-range effect of this delay will be felt most acutely by the students at Chemawa. In order to succeed in our highly competitive society, these children must have adequate preparation. They can't get that with outdated school equipment, overcrowded classrooms and cramped living conditions. I would again like to thank you for the work of your Subcommittee and for your time and attention today. Mr. ULLMAN. Thank you. My list of needs are not long nor great. Under the Department of Agriculture appropriation, the first and most important item is the Bend Silviculture Laboratory. I have conferred at some length with the Regional Forester and the people in the area east of the Cascades. The Bend Silviculture Laboratory is one of the very fine research laboratories that the Forest Service has, as the gentlelady knows. It has devoted its time up to this point primarily on ponderosa pine. But now there is a very important need to broaden its research program to include the associated species-the spruce, larch, and fir that exist in quite large quantities. As a matter of fact, forestry east of the Cascade Mountains is changing from the ponderosa to the associated species on the upper slopes. There are some real problems with their management for sustaining yield in the future. It's quite important that we do have additional personnel at Bend Silviculture Laboratory so that they can tackle this problem of the associated species. I am asking for $140 thousand in addition to the budgeted request. Mrs. HANSEN. Is that your total request? Mr. ULLMAN. That is a very nominal request, I am sure the Chairlady will agree. In La Grande, of course, we have the Wildlife Habitat Laboratory. We are asking for an additional $75 thousand, to extend their research into range problems. The Lava Lands Interpretative Area is a very important development. Last year you made it possible to build an information center. It's very important in a long-range program that we continue with the development of this Interpretative activity area. We are asking for $543 thousand. Much of this will go to the development of camp sites in association with the visitor complex. This forest has more pressure for recreational use than any other forest in the State and the lowlands project will increase this pressure. It's quite important that we do get additional camp site development there. |