CONTENTS Page H.R. 16543, a bill to amend section 32(e) of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, as amended, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish financial assistance in carrying out plans for works of im- provement for land conservation and utilization, and for other purposes. Anderson, Hon. William R., a Representative in Congress from the Black, Claude A., retired Army engineer, Washington, D.C. Fisher, Hon. O. C., a Representative in Congress from the State of 7 Zimmermann, Gordon K., executive secretary, National Association of COST-SHARING IN WATER-BASED RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THURSDAY, JUNE 4. 1970 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSERVATION AND CREDIT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in room 1301, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. W. R. Poage (the chairman) presiding. Present: Representatives Poage, Stubblefield, Teague of California, and Mayne. Also present: Christine S. Gallagher, chief clerk; and Lacey C. Sharp, general counsel. The CHAIRMAN. The subcommittee will please come to order. We have met here today to discuss a large number of similar or identical bills for cost sharing in resource conservation and development projects for public water-based fish and wildlife or recreational development. (H.R. 14793 by Messrs. Zwach, Hastings, Hathaway, Kleppe, Langen, McKneally, Montgomery, O'Konski, Sebelius, St. Onge, Stubblefield, Waggonner, and Wampler; H.R. 14901 by Mr. Hammerschmidt; H.R. 16507 by Mr. Dellenback; H.R. 16543 by Messrs. Poage, Johnson of California, Evans of Colorado, Landrum, Burlison of Missouri, Albert, Scherle, Nichols, Burleson of Texas, Edmondson, Fisher, Skubitz, Alexander, Dickinson, McDade, Evins of Tennessee, Zion, Stratton, Melcher, Hays, Wold, Whitten, Blatnik, Shriver, and Hansen of Idaho; H.R. 16544 by Messrs. Poage, Matsunaga, Kyl, Burton of Utah, Preyer of North Carolina, Baring, Kyros, Hamilton, Steiger of Arizona, Vigorito, Staggers, Ullman, Conte, Mills, Pickle, Byrnes of Wisconsin, Foley, Obey, and Robison; H.R. 16552 by Mr. Nelsen; H.R. 16596 by Mr. Sikes; H.R. 16220 by Messrs. Bevill, Andrews of Alabama, Buchanan, Edwards of Alabama, Nichols, and Flowers: H.R. 16664 by Mr. Long of Louisiana: H.R. 16845 by Mr. Anderson of Tennessee: H.R. 17299 by Mr. Thomson of Wisconsin: H.R. 17815 by Mr. Wyman; H.R. 18065 by Mr. Mayne; and S. 3598 by Mr. Aiken and 73 other Senators are all bills similar to H.R. 16543, the text of which follows:) [H.R. 16543, 91st Cong., second sess.] A BILL To amend section 32(e) of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, as amended, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish financial assistance in carrying out plans for works of improvement for land conservation and utilization, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That section 32 (e) of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1011), as amended, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: "In providing assistance for carrying out plans developed under this title, the Secretary shall be authorized to bear such pro portionate share of the costs of installing any works of improvement applicable to public water-based fish and wildlife or recreational development as is determined by him to be equitable in consideration of national needs and assistance authorized for similar purposes under other Federal programs: Provided, That all engineering costs relating to such works of improvement may be borne by the Secretary: Provided further, That when a State or other public agency or local nonprofit organization participating in a plan developed under this title agrees to operate and maintain any reservoir or other area included in a plan for public water-based fish and wildlife or recreational development, the Secretary shall be authorized to bear not to exceed one-half of the costs of (a) the land, easements, or rights-of-way acquired or to be acquired by the State or other public agency or local nonprofit organization for such reservoir or other area, and (b) minimum basic facilities needed for public health and safety, access to, and use of such reservoir or other area for such purposes: Provided further, That in no event shall the Secretary share any portion of the cost of installing more than one such work of improvement for each seventy-five thousand acres in any development area; and that any such public water-based fish and wildlife or recreational development shall be consistent with any existing comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plan found adequate for purposes of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (78 Stat. 897); and that such costsharing assistance for any such development shall be authorized only if the Secretary determines that it cannot be provided under other existing authority.” The CHAIRMAN. We have a number of statements to be submitted for the record-Mr. Zion, Mr. Wold, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Hathaway, Mr. Pickle, Mr. Robison, and Mr. Wyman have submitted statements. I ask that these statements, without objection, be included in the record. (The statements of Members referred to above and others filed with the subcommittee subsequent to the hearing follow :) STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER ZION, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF INDIANA Mr. Chairman: I am pleased to be able to submit a statement to this honorable subcommittee in support of H.R. 16543, which has been authored by Chairman Poage and co-sponsored by this Member. This bill would permit the Secretary of Agriculture to provide land conservation and fish and wildlife development to R. C. & D. projects. This legislation would provide the same sporting and recreational opportunities now available in small watershed projects. We have, in my congressional district, one of the outstanding R. C. & D. projects in the nation. Lincoln Hills has been a national award winner and is an outstanding example of the team effort possible between local, state, and federal agencies in meeting the economic and recreational needs of an impoverished area. Our area is characterized by small industry and marginal farms. Only the far-sighted approach of organizations and leadership such as that found in the Lincoln Hills project has made the difference between abject poverty for many families and our present marginal economy. And yet, Southern Indiana, one of the most beautiful sections of the nation, has a great deal of potential for the future. Our natural resources are manifold, our human resources are ready for the challenges of the '70s. With the right quality and quantity of assistance from Washington, in this case the Department of Agriculture, our great potential can be realized. No project is better able to "carry the ball" in utilizing this assistance than the Lincoln Hills R. C. & D. The Department of Agriculture should be able to provide comparable fish and wildlife and recreational development assistance in R.C. & D. projects as it now provides other project-type programs. Multiple-purpose water developments emphasizing recreation and fish and wildlife should be integral to any area's resource development plan. Local finance sources are just not sufficient to do this job in my District. We must necessarily look to Washington for this help. Mr. Chairman, the benefits that will stem from the enactment of H.R. 16543 will be immense. The social and economic impact will extend far beyond the Lincoln Hills project itself. It will be another step toward really "putting Southern Indiana on the map" providing major future incentive for tourists and sportsmen to visit us in unparalleled numbers. I would urge prompt action by this subcommittee in helping make our dream a reality. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN S. WOLD, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WYOMING Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the opportunity to offer my support for H.R. 16543. It is a special privilege to be associated with Chairman Poage as a cosponsor of this measure. Small watershed projects in my District, the State of Wyoming, have been especially useful in controlling flooding in rural areas and in contributing to the stability and capacity of watersheds. In 1962 extension to these projects of financial assistance for the purpose of public fish and wildlife and public recreation development, was a significant step in broadening the scope of the measure. It was also a sign that we were beginning to see that revitalization of our rural areas required more than basic agriculture commodity programs. The inclusion of sporting and recreation assistance has been vital to the survival of the small farmers and ranchers that operate in small watershed districts. We all know the economic pressures to which he is subject-rising costs, constant or even decreasing prices for his projects and constantly increasing capital investment costs. His ability to pick up cash income from other sources-from using his farm for recreational purposes, his streams for fisheries, has often meant the difference between able to continue to operate and being forced off his land. At the moment, there are two authorized Resource Conservation and Development projects in Wyoming. Another four-county area in the Big Horn basin of the State has applied for R.C. & D. designation. In my judgment the benefits that derive from extending financial assistance to small watershed projects for sport and recreation purposes would also apply to R.C. & D. projects. Therefore, I wholeheartedly support H.R. 16543. Passage of this measure is a commitment on the part of Congress to the development and revitalization of the Nation's rural area I urge your committee to appprove this bill. STATEMENT OF HON. O. C. FISHER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS Mr. Chairman: I want to express my support for the Poage Bill (HR 16543), which broadens the scope of the Resource Conservation and Development projects program. This legislation by my fellow colleague from Texas would fill a growing need in the development of rural communities in America by giving the Secretary of Agriculture authority to financially assist in the installation of public waterbased fish and wildlife or recreational units in R.C. & D. projects. Development of these water-based resources would not only provide additional recreational benefits, but could be expected to contribute materially to the economic improvement of the areas involved. These recreational advantages undoubtedly would attract numerous visitors from nearby urban areas. Enactment of this legislation would enable citizens in many localities to finance these improvements. I hope the bill will be approved. STATEMENT OF HON. G. V. MONTGOMERY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I appreciate being given the opportunity to present this statement in support of H.R. 14793 of which I am a co-sponsor. As you all know, this piece of legislation would amend section 32(e) of title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish financial assistance in carrying out plans for works of improvement for land conservation and utilization. This measure will stimulate and accelerate economic development in rural America and create new outdoor recreational opportunities for all Americans. It will encourage the people in rural America to plan and develop recreational and fish and wildlife facilities in the most efficient and expedient manner. |