H.R. 8382, H.R. 9119, AND S. 7-BILLS TO PROVIDE FOR

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1971

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS AND RECREATION

OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS,

Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room 1324, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Roy A. Taylor (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Present: Representatives Taylor (presiding), Aspinall (chairman of the full committee), Johnson of California, Lloyd, Burlison, Melcher, Roncalio, Kyl, Sebelius, Skubitz, Begich, Ruppe, Saylor, McClure, and Mink.

Mr. TAYLOR. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation will come to order.

We have before us today legislation to establish the Buffalo National River in Arkansas. Comparable legislation has been introduced in the past years, but this is the first time that this committee has considered it. In addition to the two bills introduced by our colleagues from Arkansas-Representatives Hammerschmidt and Alexander-we have a bill, S. 7, which has been considered and approved by the other body. These bills are not all identical, but they all seek to accomplish the same objective, which is to preserve for all time the natural values present along the Buffalo River.

After skimming some of the comments which we have been receiving from many people on both sides of this proposal, I have learned that practically everyone wants to retain and protect this scenic, natural resource. The problem comes in trying to determine how this objective can best be accomplished.

Having had a brief opportunity to visit this area earlier this year, in the first part of June, I can see why so many people want to make it a part of the national park system. On the other hand, I can also understand why the people who live in this beautiful country want to re

main there.

Now, we do have a limited amount of time. We have 2 days, but this afternoon there will be important legislation on the House floor, so I hope we can do most of our work this morning and tomorrow. I hope that the witnesses will summarize their statements as best they can and not spend a great amount of time repeating what someone has already said.

I yield to the gentleman from Colorado.

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Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, I want to comment. I'm glad to see that this legislation is approaching enactment.

I would like to know personally how many people there are here from Arkansas. I would like them to hold up their hands.

That's enough.

Mr. TAYLOR. Without objection, a copy of H.R. 8382, H.R. 9119, and S. 7, a copy of the departmental report of the Department of the Interior dated September 13, 1971, and a copy of the report of the Department of Agriculture dated October 28, 1971, will be made a part of the record at this point.

(The documents referred to follow :)

92D CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

H. R. 8382

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 13, 1971

Mr. HAMMERSCHMIDT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs

A BILL

To provide for the establishment of the Buffalo National River

Ι

in the State of Arkansas, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That for the purposes of conserving and interpreting an 4 area containing unique scenic and scientific features, and pre5 serving as a free-flowing stream an important segment of 6 the Buffalo River in Arkansas for the benefit and enjoyment 7 of present and future generations, the Secretary of the In8 terior (hereinafter referred to as the "Secretary") may 9 establish and administer the Buffalo National River. The 10 boundaries of the national river shall be as generally depicted

11 on the drawing entitled "Proposed Buffalo National River”

I

Mr. ASPINALL. Mr. Chairman, I want to comment. I'm glad to see that this legislation is approaching enactment.

I would like to know personally how many people there are here from Arkansas. I would like them to hold up their hands.

That's enough.

Mr. TAYLOR. Without objection, a copy of H.R. 8382, H.R. 9119, and S. 7, a copy of the departmental report of the Department of the Interior dated September 13, 1971, and a copy of the report of the Department of Agriculture dated October 28, 1971, will be made a part of the record at this point.

(The documents referred to follow :)