Hon. JAMES E. MURRAY, MISSOURI FARMERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you for your kind invitation to appear before the Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs on January 28 and 29, at which time hearings on S. 2549 will be held. Unfortunately, prior commitments make it impossible for me to be in attendance. However, I have read with great interest S. 2549, the Resources and Conservation Act of 1960, and am in full accord with the four important principles stated in the policy of the bill, and am certainly in support of the plan of action set forth to implement the statement of policy. You, Senator Murray, as well as the other distinguished Senators who have joined with you in sponsorship of S. 2549, are to be congratulated on your foresight in introducing such a bill, which can be a great step forward in the field of natural resources development. I shall appreciate it if you can cause this letter to be inserted in the hearing record as a statement of my views and for whatever benefit it may be to the committee. With kind regards and best wishes, FRED V. HEINKEL, President. CHESTERTOWN, MD., January 16, 1960. DEAR SENATOR MURRAY: With reference to the Resources and Conservation Act of 1960, I indeed favor the creation of an appropriate commission to study, plan, and coordinate the Nation's efforts to conserve and develop our natural resources. This is a subject which, as you well know, affects every individual now alive and to be born in the United States, and it is high time that a body of experts should be formed to examine it on a national scale. As a member of the National Planning Association, I am aware of the urgent need for a sound overall plan, and I make so bold as to offer my sincere congratulations to you, Mr. Senator, for sponsoring our act. Sincerely yours, DAVID WILLIAMSON. MONTANA COOPERATIVE WILDLIFE RESEARCH UNIT, MSU, Hon. JAMES E. MURRAY, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR MURRAY: I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify before your Senate Select Committee on Water Resources in Missoula, Mont., on October 12. I think the testimony which came out in the hearings should prove very valuable in the future planning of water resource development in Montana. You are certainly to be congratulated for the foresight you have shown in getting these hearings underway. I recently had the pleasure of reading Senate bill 2549 and Senate bill 2511. Both of these bills, I feel, are extremely important and will go a long way toward fulfilling the responsibility of the Federal Government with regard to resource management. For a long time there has been a need for a council of resource and conservation advisers to the President-advisers who could take an impartial and unbiased view of the policies and accomplishments of the Federal and State organizations responsible for the management of our natural resources. Too often there has been little coordination and no attempt to work cooperatively toward common objectives. I believe that the Council and the Joint Committee on Resources and Conservation can perform a very vital function in seeing that all aspects of resource management get full consideration and that no special interests, either within or without the Government, are able to promote and sustain a narrow shortsighted policy with regard to resource development. Your bill providing for outdoor recreation research units, if enacted into law, will provide much of the basic scientific data we need to coordinate the management of our land and water for recreation needs as well as for agriculture and industry. I can strongly support both bills and I am sure that many conservation-minded people in Montana are firmly behind you. Sincerely, Hon. JAMES E. MURRAY, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. JOHN J. CRAIGHEAD. REMINGTON FARMS, Chestertown, Md., October 15, 1959. DEAR SENATOR MURRAY: Thank you for sending me the reprint from the Congressional Record which carried your speech, "Meeting Our Nation's Resource Needs," and the text of a bill to create a Resources and Conservation Act of 1960. In my opinion this could well be one of the significant pieces of legislation in our time. I hope you will press for an early enactment. As a Montanan, it is a particular satisfaction to see such a bill authorized by one of the Montana delegation. Twenty years of dedication to resource management at the Federal level has convinced me that correction is long overdue of our policy of reckless exploitation. I compliment you for your foresight in recognizing our needs over the long pull and in offering a solution as embodied in the bill which you have introduced. Very truly yours, J. P. LINDUSKA, Director of Public Relations and Wildlife Management. UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, Hon. JAMES E. MURRAY, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: In reference to your speech of August 17 on the Resources and Conservation Act that you introduced, you have and are making an outstanding contribution to the Nation and its future through your efforts in the field of wise resource use, and in this bill as a specific item. Deeper understanding of multiple use of forested land on the part of those in a position to formulate national policies on conservation is important at this time. Timber, wildlife, water, grazing, and recreational uses are compatible in varying degrees. This assumes that an intelligent decision has been made as to the primary or dominant use of a particular land area. If recreation is the dominant use, as it could be in parts of the Flathead of your beautiful home State, or in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, then some of these other uses are either possible for full utilization of the land resource or (as probably grazing in this instance) would have to be ruled out for the specific area. controlled grazing could be possible in an area in which timber growth is the dominant use, as in pondersoa pine timber, and could even be of benefit in furthering ponderosa pine reproduction. But There is need not only for clear thought on maximum utilization of land as a management function, but in correlation of effort on the part of all agencies in the effort. Certainly your bill is a contribution toward this end. Sincerely yours, PAUL E. BRUNS, Chairman, Forestry Department. Senator JAMES E. MURRAY, HAMILTON, MONT., August 5, 1959. DEAR SENATOR MURRAY: Your letter of July 31, with copy of tentative resource council bill, has been received. The proposal meets everything that I envisioned. In my opinion it meets all other requirements. You and your staff merit the highest of public commendation for initiating this bill. It would indeed be a real achievement if passed before Congress adjourns. I have only one minor suggestion. You may wish to consider including private conservation organizations in line 1, page 2. There are a number of such organizations on the State and national level. The Montana Conservation Council, for example. Sincerely, G. M. BRANDborg. SOUTH DAKOTA WILDLIFE FEDERATION, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, DEAR SIR: The officers and directors of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation and its 12,000 affiliated members urge your full support on the attached resolution. Sincerely yours, ELLSWORTH BROWN, President. RESOLUTION BY COUNCIL OF CONSERVATION ADVISERS Whereas the wealth of this Nation is lodged in such basic natural resources as soil, water, forests, minerals, and fish and wildlife; and Whereas the Federal Government of the United States of America has a vital responsibility for the conservation, or wise use, of all natural resources; and Whereas there is a distinct need for coordinated and sustained national policies on preservation, management, development and research on natural re sources in view of demands, including recreational, of an expanding human population: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the South Dakota Wildlife Federation hereby recommends the 86th Congress provide a permanent mechanism for continuing study and development of comprehensive natural resource programs as embodied in S. 2549 and H.R. 8661, measures proposing a Council of Resources and Conservation Advisers to the President and a Joint Congressional Committee on Resources and Conservation. RESOLUTION OF THE MID-WEST ELECTRIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION Whereas the Nation is entering a period of great increase in population and economic production that will at least double the requirements for natural resources; and Whereas the development and conservation of water, electric power, forest, grazing, mining, and other resources are now far short of providing for this increase in population and production; and Whereas conservation of natural resources is also inadequate to maintain a sufficient base for future generations, especially under the pressures of increased uses; and Whereas recreation and wildlife developments, which constitute an important human use and source of income for the Western States, also are inadequately provided for; and Whereas the sound development and conservation of natural resources is essential to the health of the economy and the well-being of the people and also is revenue producing for Federal, State and local governments; and Whereas legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate under the sponsorship of Senator James E. Murray, of Montana, and 30 additional Senators as cosponsors, which legislation is designated the proposed Resources and Conservation Act (S. 2549): Now, therefore be it Resolved, That the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association endorse said legislation (S. 2549) and urge its early enactment; be it further Resolved, That copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress representing the States of the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association area. APPENDIX II. LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE STUDY, "NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION AGENCIES" (By John Kerr Rose, Senior Specialist in Conservation and Tom V. Wilder, Chief, Natural Resources Division) I. INVENTORY OF FEDERAL EXECUTIVE AGENCIES ACTIVE IN SPECIFIC It appears that not since 1950 has a full-fledged attempt been made to put down most of the story on natural resources activities of the Federal Government. Some of the task force reports of the Hoover Commission, of course, explored most phases of this field; the Kestnbaum Commission explored some aspects. Further, we may note that the Government Manual' for each year provides much information on the organization of the Federal Government and the functions of particular offices with respect to broad resource fields. Moreover, the Bureau of the Budget, in its Special Analysis C, provides a six-fold functional breakdown of natural resource activities, with agency designations under each. It should be noted that the Bureau of the Budget classification of natural resource is likely to prove too restricted and narrow for some purposes. However, the budget information, when tied in with the information available in the manual, would seem to provide a quick inventory of Federal agency activities with respect to specific natural resource fields. A. Forest resources The conservation and development of forest resources falls predominantly on three Federal agencies: (1) The Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture which, as a major activity among others, administers national forests comprising over 180 million acres. This Service in fiscal 1959 expended $189,506,000. According to a recent Government Manual, its more important functions are as follows:* "The Forest Service is charged with the responsibility for promoting the conservation and best use of the Nation's forest lands, aggregating approximately a third of the total land area of the United States. "National forests.-The Service administers approximately 150 national forests, together with land utilization project lands, experimental forests, and other land aggregating about 188 million acres. The national forests, comprising over 180 million acres, are located in 40 States and Puerto Rico. The Forest Service improves them, protects them from fire, insects, and disease, and manages their resources for orderly and continuous service and for the maintenance of stable economic conditions in national forest communities. Technical methods of forestry are applied to the growing and harvesting of timber. Livestock grazing is scientifically regulated to obtain range conservation along with use of the annual growth of forage. Watersheds are managed for the regulation of streamflow, reduction of flood danger and soil erosion, and the protection of sources of water for power, irrigation, navigation, and municipal and domestic supply. Provision is made for popular outdoor recreation. Scientific management is applied to the development and maintenance of wildlife resources. 1 See Mahoney, J. R., "Natural Resources Activity of the Federal Government”Historical. Descriptive, analytical Public Affairs Bulletin No. 76, Legislative Reference Service, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 1950, 249 p. 2 U.S. Government Organization Manual 1959-60, Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration, p. 237. 3 The Budget of the United States Government for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 1961. "Analysis of Budget by Function and Agency," pp. 907-913. 4U.S. Government Manual, 1959-60, op. cit., p. 262. "Forest research. In nine regional forest and range experiment stations, in research units in Alaska and Puerto Rico, and in the Forest Products Laboratory at Madison, Wis., the Forest Service conducts investigations in the entire field of forestry and wild land management, including the growth and harvesting of timber, protection of forests from fire, insects, and diseases, management of range lands, efficient and economical utilization of forest products, and research in forest economics and taxation and watershed management. It is conducting a forest survey of the United States. This is a study of the Nation's present and potential forest resources. "Cooperation in forestry.-States and private owners of forest lands and forest industries receive cooperation from the Forest Service. Assistance is provided in the application of sound forest management practices, in the mainte nance of organized protection of forest lands against fire, in forest pest control, in flood prevention and river basin programs, and in the distribution of trees for planting woodlands, windbreaks, and shelterbelts. The service cooperates with States to stimulate development, proper administration, and management of State forests, and with communities, counties, and organizations in the development and management of community forests. It also administers the naval stores conservation program and assists in the administration of the forestry practices involved in the agricultural conservation program, and the conservation reserve phase of the Soil Bank Act." (2) The Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior carries out sustained-yield forest management of all timbered lands under its jurisdiction. Expenditures in fiscal 1959 of $11,112,000, tied by the Bureau of the Budget to conservation and development of forest resources, were largely associated with payments made on Oregon and California grant lands and Coos Bay wagon road grant lands. The forestry activities of the Bureau are stated in somewhat greater detail as follows: "The Bureau carries out sustained-yield forest management of all timbered lands under its jurisdiction for the purpose of obtaining continuous timber pro duction at the highest possible level, thereby promoting economic stability of dependent communities. The management of watershed, recreational, and other resources is integrated with timber management for the greatest total public benefit. It carries out a program for the protection of all surface resources from fire and of timber resources from insects and disease." " (3) With respect to natural resources, the Bureau of Indian Affairs occupies, legally, and in actual operation, a different position than other Federal agencies concerned with resources. Its main function in this respect is: To act as trustee with respect to Indian lands and moneys held in trust by the United States and to assist the owners in making the most effective use of their lands and other resources; • Of some 55,282,362 acres total Indian trust property in the United States (including Alaska), as of June 30, 1955, something like 6,965,000 acres were classed as commercial forest land area, of which only 20,000 acres were in Alaska. It would appear that the commercial forest total is now undergoing reduction with the sale of some of the Klamath timber lands. Appropriation hearings have mentioned 16 million acres of Indian forest land. Activities of technical management and protection are mentioned, for which, in fiscal 1958, the amount available was $1,675,618; a like amount was requested for fiscal 1959. It is indicated that a major portion of the expenditures is related directly to an active timber-sale program, to fire prevention and presuppression, as well as sustained-yield management, maintenance of watershed values, etc. A part of this program is directed toward assisting the Indians in preparing for the time when the Federal trusteeship will be terminated. Some other Federal agencies, for example the National Park Service, administer lands which contain forest resources. Such resources are managed, not so much with the usual forestry objectives, but as essential to, or contributory to, other uses of the area. Ibid., p. 237. Ibid., p. 236. "Timber Resources for America's Future," Forest Resources Report No. 14, Forest Service, U.S.D.A., Washington, 1958, p. 507. Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations for 1959, hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, 85th Cong., 2d sess., p. 285. |