The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in May 1964. It is an outstanding example of citizen concern for preserving selected portions of our natural heritage. The national wildlife refuge came into being as a result of a local committee which, through the interest and efforts of a great number of volunteers, raised more than a million dollars to acquire nearly 3,000 acres, which were donated to the Federal Government. This cooperative project is nationally known as a splendid example of how local people and their Government have joined together to preserve a segment of natural America for the continued enjoyment and inspiration of all citizens. In accordance with the requirements of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (78 Stat. 890), a public notice was issued on December 14, 1966, of the proposed wilderness, and a public hearing was held in Morristown, N.J., on February 17, 1967. The hearing record was held open to provide additional opportunity for written expression by interested citizens until June 30, 1967. Sixty-two persons testified at the public hearing and 6,655 statements, including 164 presented for the hearing record, were received. These views are summarized in the enclosed synopsis of the proposal. In accordance with the requirements of the Wilderness Act, local officials, Gov. Richard J. Hughes and all interested elected officials, as well as Federal and State agencies, were notified of the proposal. Their views are also summarized in the enclosure to this letter. The U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines have examined the proposal and have determined that the overall mineral resource of the area is poor, with only peat and clay occurring in sufficient volume to be of possible economic significance. Reserves of these minerals are available in the general area outside the proposal. A complete record has been compiled including written statements and oral testimony received in response to our announcement of public hearings. This record is, of course, available for inspection. The proposed wilderness units within the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge are eminently qualified for designation as wilderness. I recommend submission to the Congress of the enclosed draft legislation to incorporate about 3,750 acres into the National Wilderness Preservation System. Respectfully yours, Enclosures. STEWART L. UDALL, A BILL To designate certain lands in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Morris County, New Jersey, as wilderness Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in accordance with section 3(c) of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (78 Stat. 890, 892; 16 U.S.C. 1132(c)), certain lands in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey, which comprise about 3,750 acres and which are depicted as wilderness units on a map entitled "M. Hartley Dodge Wilderness and Harding Wilderness-Proposed" and dated September 1967 are hereby designated as wilderness. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of the Interior. SEC. 2. The area designated by this Act as wilderness shall be known as "Great Swamp Wilderness" and shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Wilderness Act. SEC. 3. Except as necessary to meet minimum requirements in connection with the purposes for which the area is administered (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no commercial enterprise, no temporary or permanent roads, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of motorized transport, and no structure or installation within the area designated as wilderness by this Act. SYNOPSIS OF GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE WILDERNESS A. Background PROPOSALS The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is situated in Chatham, Harding and Passaic Townships, Morris County, north-central New Jersey. Morristown, the county seat of Morris County, is 7 miles to the north, and New York City is 25 miles to the east. In 1959 the Port Authority of New York proposed an international jetport in Great Swamp. Residents and landowners quickly formed the Jersey Jetport Association and initiated a campaign to counter the threat. At the same time conservationists were alerted by the activities of the Great Swamp Committee of the North American Wildlife Foundation, which was trying to preserve the area for a wildlife refuge. The threat of the jetport gave added impetus to the work of the committee. It was able to muster the efforts and interest of a great number of volunteers who raised more than a million dollars to acquire nearly 3,000 acres for donation to the Federal Government. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, established in May 1964, will eventually total approximately 5,800 acres, including the lands donated by private interests. The threatened loss of the area for airport purposes continues to be a very real problem, involving not only the proposed wilderness units, but the entire Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge as well. Initially, a single wilderness unit, M. Hartley Dodge, was selected for study and review. Subsequent investigations and analyzation of the public hearing record on the M. Hartley Dodge Wilderness proposal indicated sufficient citizen interest and support for another unit as an adjunct to the original proposal. Two wilderness units, therefore, are proposed herein-M. Hartley Dodge and Harding-both within the exterior boundaries of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The national wildlife refuge lies in the center of "Megalopolis U.S.A.” The human population density in New Jersey is over 833 persons per square mile. Individuals seeking the peaceful seclusion of nature may find solitude in this proposed wilderness. The swamp, with its abundant wildlife, its ridges and knolls of laurel and old trees, all accessible by convenient foot trails, is unique and the last of its kind in northern New Jersey. B. Description Great Swamp can best be described as a shallow bowl, 7 miles long and 3 miles wide. The M. Hartley Dodge proposal consists of about 2,400 acres and encompasses the east end of the national wildlife refuge. The boundary of the proposed M. Hartley Dodge Unit generally follows the refuge boundary on the north, then continues west to the Meyersville Road, and then continues south along the east side of the Meyersville Road. On the southeast it follows the northwest side of an existing utility right-of-way. On the northeast it follows the southwest side of an existing utility right-of-way. The Harding Wilderness proposal consists of about 1,250 acres encompassing a westerly extension of the M. Hartley Dodge Unit from Meyersville Road to Long Hill Road. Recognized in the wilderness proposal are the sill dikes necessary to restore the swamp to its original ecology and for wildlife management purposes. The area is a brush and timbered swamp interspersed with low ridges or knolls rising from 5 to 15 feet above the surrounding swamp. In several places the swamp opens into small marshes. Bottom land vegetation is composed of red maple, elm, azalea, withe rod, high bush blueberry, swamp rose, alder, willow, and a wide variety of ground cover types. Many of the scattered low ridges support a forest association of beech, white oak, scarlet oak, chestnut oak, northern red oak, sweet birch, sugar maple, black gum, white ash, and shagbark hickory. A few remote "island" ridges support magnificant stands of beech. Some trees measure 14 feet in girth and are believed to be between 300 and 500 years old. A white oak over 95 feet high and 4 feet 9 inches in diameter has been found. Other ridges support spectacular stands of mountain laurel and rhododendron which attract many visitors when these plants are in bloom. C. Management requirements The M. Hartley Dodge unit will continue to be managed as a natural area. The sole existing building will be removed. No other manmade structures exist. The road and trails will be restricted to foot travel only. Nature trails will be maintained to encourage continued use for education and recreation. Research and field study by schools, universities, and scientific groups will be encouraged. The wilderness aspects of the Harding unit can best be accomplished by reestablishing pristine conditions through restoration of the natural swamp and marsh. Planned management objectives encourage the use of the refuge by fall and spring migrations of dabbling ducks, and include emphasis on local duck production. Attainment of these objectives will require construction of low plugs to retain floodwaters, overcoming the effects of previous drainage. Wilderness classification must recognize these minor management requirements which eventually will blend in with the landscape. The Department of the Army is now studying the feasibility of constructing a dam and reservoir for flood control and related purposes downstream from the proposed wilderness area which if authorized, would have the effect of increasing floodwater levels in the lower reaches of the swamp about 6 inches during major floods. The wilderness proposal would not preclude the planning and construc tion of this project. The Department would expect to work closely with the Department of the Army in connection with this project if it is authorized. D. The wilderness record In accordance with section 3(d) (1) (B) of the Wilderness Act, a public hearing was held in Morristown, N.J., on February 17, 1967. Mr. Paul H. Cullinan, of the Office of the Solicitor, Department of the Interior, was hearing officer. Mr. Richard E. Griffith, Regional Director, Boston, Mass., represented the Bureau of Sport Fisheries. and Wildlife. 1. Public hearing transcript. The public hearing transcript contains 350 pages, consisting of a list of hearing registrants, the oral testimony of 62 persons and 164 written statements in the form of telegrams, letters, and cards. Hearing testimony and statements were all in favor of the wilderness proposal, except one from a representative of the local chapter of the AFL-CIO labor union. Testimony in favor of the proposal included the statement of Commissioner Robert A. Roe, who represented the Governor of New Jersey, a letter from U.S. Senator Clifford P. Case, a statement from Congressman Peter H. B. Frelinghuysen, a statement of U.S. Senator Harrison A. Williams, a statement from Mayor James H. Plante of Chatham, N.J. Statements were also received from numerous other individuals and organizations. Arguments favoring the wilderness proposal were generally in one or more of the following categories: (a) The need for the solitude of wilderness by man in a densely populated urban area. (b) The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge provides a last remaining natural wilderness, outdoor laboratory, and classroom for the use of scientists, college, and high school students in the growing New York metropolitan area of some 30 million inhabitants. (c) The Great Swamp is a major water source for the Passaic River. It serves a vital function as a watershed overflow basin, and by releasing the water gradually it serves as a natural regulator of water supply. Without the swamp, the Passaic River would be far more subject to excessive fluctuation in water level, and this in turn upsetting other natural processes, would increase the problems of pollution and flood damage to manmade developments in the downstream basin. (d) Need of permanent protection for a natural wildlife refuge for feeding and resting waterfowl and other birds during migration. Many species of birds, including wood duck, nest there; and along with mammals, all need permanent protection from encroaching megalopolis. Local support from public officials, educational institutions, civic groups and residents was exceptionally strong. The testimony of the president of Bell Telephone Laboratories sums up very well the feelings of the bulk of the people at the public hearing (page 180 of hearing transcript). The only person to speak at the public hearing in opposition to the proposal was Mr. Joel R. Jacobsen, president of the Jersey Council AFL-CIO (pafe 169 of hearing transcript), who favored the jet airport *** because "***the establishment of an airport in New Jersey would mean providing a total of 60,000 jobs *** with an annual payroll in excess of $300 million." 2. Communications from citizens.-Communications from indivduals totaled 6,212. Only two statements were opposed to the proposal. Those in favor generally supported the proposal for one or more of the reasons presented in "1" above. Statements in opposition were: (a) "The sudden interest in conservation is exhibited by selfish and affluent landholders near the Great Swamp who *** want the jetport somewhere else." (Statement No. 2090.) * (b) "There seems to be no doubt that another jetport is needed in the metropolitan area many individuals want both metropolitan and rural advantages * *""People living near a metropolis should not block the needs of the metropolis.' (Statement No. 1528.) 3. Communications from organizations.-Communications from organizations totaled 245, ranging from the Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, and other National, State, and local conservation organizations to chambers of commerce, educational institutions, school boards, clubs, civic and social groups, large and small companies, and private conservation groups. All such communications were in favor of wilderness classification. 4. Comments of elected officials.-Elected officials commented strongly in support of the project. None are on record as opposed. Included are: Commissioner Robert A. Roe, State of New Jersey, Department of Conservation, representing Governor Hughes, New Jersey. U.S. Senator Clifford P. Case. U.S. Senator Harrison A. Williams. U.S. Congressman Peter H. B. Frelinghuysen. State Senator Thomas Hillery. James C. Pitney, acting mayor, Harding Township. James H. Plante, mayor, Chatham Township. A total of 30 communications were reviewed from elected and appointed officials of counties and towns, all of which favored the wilderness proposal. 5. State agencies.-The New Jersey Department of Conservation and Division of Fish and Game supported the proposal at the public hearing. 6. Federal agencies.-The Honorable Orville Freeman, Secretary of Agriculture, responded to the public hearing notice by letter, noting that nothing in the proposal would conflict with Department of Agriculture programs. Mr. George W. Davis, Assistant Regional Director, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, appeared at the public hearing and read a statement for the record in support of the proposal. A communication from the National Park Service, northeast region, supported the proposal. Results of a mineral appraisal by Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines was placed in the hearing record (p. 66 of public hearing record). This statement states that of the mineral resources known |