We, in Connecticut, therefore strongly support the proposal to amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund which is contained in S. 1401. The addition of the new sources of income proposed in this measure would make it possible for the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to carry out the program of federal land and water acquisition which has been planned and should be carried out. It will also permit a substantial increase in the amount of funds annually allocated to the several states to help in the prosecution of municipal and statewide plans for acquisition. We respectfully urge the honorable Committee to give its favorable consideration to S. 1401. STATEMENT OF LYLE W. BENTZEN, PRESIDENT OF THE WYOMING RECREATION COMMISSION The Wyoming Recreation Commission is pleased to have the opportunity to support the amendment to the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. Although our State agency is somewhat young in the field of outdoor recreation, we do have the support and justification for seeking such an amendment as proposed. Basically, existing revenue provided by the fund does not fulfill the financial projections anticipated at the outset of the program. State programs were planned around these projections and political subdivisions of State government were informed that increases in the fund were to be forthcoming. We now find ourselves in the position of discouraging acquisition and development of outdoor recreation areas and facilities instead of encouraging as the act specifically outlines. Grass root programs have sprung up at an enormous rate in Wyoming. The program was sold to Wyoming communities as follows: We encouraged towns, cities, and counties to organize recreation planning boards and to begin financial programs to offset the operation and maintenance costs which would be so evident once the development program was concluded. Our State presently has seventyfive percent of the total number of communities participating in the fund program. Our projected needs to fulfill the applications presently existing will deplete the Wyoming apportionment for the next five years. As a result, our Recreation Commission is continually reevaluating the applications and assigning priorities to only those which qualify to urban and high use. We are, therefore, discouraging those smaller communities who cannot compete with the larger and who primarily need the recreation facilities to a higher degree per capita. Unfortunately, the take by the Federal Government for acquisition and development is expended east of the 100th meridian. We, therefore, cannot call on those Federal agencies administering lands within Wyoming borders to speed up their programs. The outcome is rather evident. Wyoming's prime recreation areas are just not receiving the attention so desperately needed. The out-of-state visitor use-made up of other State's urban population-is estimated to be close to 8 million in 1967. The extra burden to provide the needed facilities falls on a resident population of 315,000 people. It is financially impossible and clearly unfair to expect these Wyoming residents to singularly provide for the multitudes who visit our great State each year. The dilemma could partially be rectified by the increased revenue requested in the amendment of the act. However, the total program as needed in Wyoming will be largely dependent upon the ability of the Wyoming citizens to meet the financial burdens placed upon them. Local communities in most cases are willing to provide for their own citizens. But to provide the necessary facilities that are demanded by the visitors will necessitate outside help from other sources of revenues. We in Wyoming believe that the passage of an amendment to the fund act would be helpful in meeting these demands. Wyoming communities have often stated that the land and water conservation fund program was the only Federal grant program working. Let's not discourage the grass roots programs but rather let's encourage them to greater heights. Although other grant programs are available and are being administered in Wyoming, such as the Highway Trust Fund and the Pitman-RobinsonDingell-Johnson programs, the realization remains that the land and water conservation fund program is the only one in which towns and cities are experiencing help to acquire and develop recreation areas and facilities. It has been brought to the attention of the Committee in numbers of other statements that the brief history of the fund act shows beyond a doubt that this program is working. The ability of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to become organized and set up to administer this program certainly brings forth the fact that Federal-State relationships are heading in the right direction. We would like to call the committee's attention to the fact that each of Wyoming's 23 counties have proposals approved by the Wyoming Recreation Commission. One hundred twenty-four projects had been submitted to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation as of January 19, 1968. Nearly 40 more have either been approved by the Wyoming Recreation Commission or are awaiting approval. These projects represent only political subdivisions and nearly $2 million in total costs. The State agency requests are anticipated to be nearly $7 million over the next 3-year period for acquisition and development of State park and recreation areas and facilities. We cannot expect the land and water conservation fund program to fulfill the total needs in Wyoming. Private enterprise also has a role to play along with other Federal agencies such as the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. We currently are enjoying cooperative working relationships with these agencies and others. But we do feel strongly that the committee should look with favor upon allocating more funds to be expended by the Federal agencies west of the 100th meridian to help take care of the multitudes of visitors originating in the metropolitan centers with destinations in Wyoming and at Federal recreation areas, Federal historical sites, Federal park areas and Federal forests. The Wyoming Recreation Commission also foresees problems in the future of the possible diversion of these trust funds to other areas of concern. We, therefore, express to the committee that they also look to an additional amendment to the effect that these land and water conservation funds cannot be diverted for any other cause and that the States retain sole authority for their distribution. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION, Trenton, N.J., February 8, 1968. Senator HENRY M. JACKSON, DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: The Delaware Rriver Basin Commission supported enactment of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965. I am writing to convey our further support to S. 1401 which I understand is now before your Committee. Experience in the Delaware River Basin, particularly with the Delaware Water Gap National recreation area project, has already demonstrated how the cost of land acquisition can increase substantially between the time a project is authorized and funds become available for land purchases. Similar experience around the country has placed a burden upon the Land and Water Conservation Fund far beyond its resources. Establishment of new revenue sources; allowance for advance acquisition; and the lease-back and sell-back provisions, as authorized by S. 1401, would all contribute significantly to the solution of this problem. I am pleased to lend our support to this legislation and hope it receives favorable support in the Congress. Sincerely, JAMES F. WRIGHT. TOCKS ISLAND REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL, February 7, 1968. Senator HENRY M. JACKSON, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: The purpose of this letter is to inform your Committee of this organization's support for S. 1401 and to request that this letter be placed in the official record of the hearings your Committee recently conducted on this bill. 89-619-68-21 The Tocks Island Regional Advisory Council (TIRAC) is a rather unique council of county governments which was formed in response to the Federal legislation authorizing (1) the Tocks Island dam and reservoir project and (2) the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA). The Council, which consists of representatives from the seven counties in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania which are touched by the above-named projects, has two primary purposes: First, to identify the problems and opportunities which will be generated by the Federal development of the Tocks Island reservoir project and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; and Second, to marshal the resources needed to effectively cope with the problems and opportunities. Since it was formed in 1965, TIRAC has developed (1) what should, in the next few years, be a comprehensive regional environmental protection system (this involves water, sewer, solid waste and vector control studies and/or programs) and (2) the rudiments of regional planning program which should protect this region from any honky-tonk type of development. When I first joined the organization in 1965, the most urgent problem we faced was that of land speculation within the authorized boundaries of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. We dealt with this problem through taking a long series of actions at the local or regional level. These included: (1) working with the FHA and other Federal agencies to stop Federal mortgage assistance on construction within the DWGNRA's boundaries; (2) working with local realtors and bankers to discourage sale of land and properties within the DWGNRA; (3) working with New Jersey electric utilities to adjust tariff structures (result: builders and/or property owners have to pay to have power lines brought in and taken out when the U.S. acquires the property) on lands within the authorized boundaries; (4) publicity campaigns to discourage persons from buying lots within the authorized boundaries; and numerous other steps. While these actions helped considerably, they became truly effective only when the U.S. Government finally appropriated funds for the first land purchases for the DWGNRA. Indeed, in our experience, prompt Federal acquisition of land is the only effective way of preventing land speculation associated with the Federal development of water resource and other projects. For this reason, we are pleased to join with other interested groups in complete support of S. 1401. Respectfully, FRANK W. DRESSLER. Hon. HENRY M. JACKSON, STATE OF NEW YORK CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Old Senate Office Building, DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: As the Liaison Officer of the State of New York, I wish to advise your Committee of our endorsement and support of the principles and objectives of the proposed amendments of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act as set forth in Senate 1401. New York has experienced a tremendous demand for expanded outdoor recreational opportunities reflecting the deep concern and vital need of its residents. Since the inception of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, formal applications requiring in excess of $22 million in matching funds have been received from municipal and state agencies. Unfortunately, only $12.8 million of federal assistance funds have been made available to the State of New York which has caused the postponement of many desirable projects to some future time. Delays of this nature can only produce higher ultimate costs to the public as a result of the rising trend in land and construction costs. We must also recognize the serious potential for loss of beneficial public use of these deferred facilities and the destruction of irreplaceable natural resources through diversion to other uses. This State has made a firm commitment towards providing funding for its natural resource and outdoor recreation programs through two substantial bond issues. The success of our new $400 million Next Step Program representing a blending of State, Federal and local funds is greatly dependent upon the availability of Federal funds to help meet the original projections for the Land and Water Conservation Fund allocations to the States. In view of the above, I strongly urge your Committee to favorably report this bill. Sincerely, R. STEWART KILBORNE, Commissioner. Hon. HENRY M. JACKSON, STATE PLANNING BOARD, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, Harrisburg, February 6, 1968. Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: We are pleased to recommend the enactment of 1. It would allow, for a five-year period, additional sources of revenue for Federal and State land acquisition and development purposes. 2. It would facilitate the earlier acquisition of property, helping to deal with the land price escalation problem and a stretched-out rate of land acquisition due to lack of funds. The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been a most useful program. It has served to stimulate and support state and local efforts in outdoor recreation planning, acquisition and support. With Pennsylvania's $70 million PROJECT 70 program and the more recent $500 million Land and Water Conservation and Reclamation Program, it has been instrumental in meeting the outdoor recreation needs of the Commonwealth. We consider S. 1401 to be in the public interest and recommend its every consideration. Very truly yours, IRVING HAND, Executive Director. THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION, Hon. HENRY M. JACKSON, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: This letter is written to indicate support for Senate Bill 1401 to increase the authorized income of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This Bill is of utmost importance to park jurisdictions throughout the country and especially to those concerned with the expansion of major metropolitan cities such as Washington, D.C. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is responsible for acquisition, development, maintenance and operation of a park system in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties covering a 1000 square mile area with a population of one million persons anticipated to develop within the next twenty years. Our present park program indicates a need within this period of time of public open space in the amount of 52,000 acres. The Commission has acquired approximately 20,000 acres. However, it will be most difficult to fulfill our Master Plan unless assistance is authorized by such Acts as the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Unless suitable and adequate funding is provided soon many potential public park and recreation areas will be seriously impaired or lost completely. I earnestly endorse Senate Bill 1401 for the hundreds of thousands of people living within the Maryland portion of the Metropolitan District of Washington, D.C. Sincerely, JOHN P. HEWITT, Director of Parks. Hon. ALAN BIBLE, STATE OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Old Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR BIBLE: I would like to take this opportunity to stress my endorsement of S. 1401 which would provide an additional source of matching funds to the states for the acquisition of land and the development of outdoor recreational facilities under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. At present, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources plus a number of our local units of government are utilizing Ohio's current apportionment of the Land and Water Conservation Act funds to help acquire land and create outdoor recreational facilities at some 34 different sites. Unfortunately, however, the present level of funding under this program, even coupled with the funds made available through our state and local bond issues, has not permitted us to meet the current demand for these types of facilities due to an ever expanding population plus more leisure time presently being enjoyed by most segments of our population. An additional source of Federal matching funds could serve as a much needed stimulus for initiating many of Ohio's outdoor recreation projects that are currently being held in abeyance because of a lack of funds. I respectfully request your favorable consideration and support of the aims of S. 1401 in order that all levels of government-federal, state and local, be in a position to more adequately and rapidly meet the needs for providing additional outdoor recreational opportunities. Sincerely, FRED E. MORR, Director. ARKANSAS PLANNING COMMISSION, Hon. J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR FULBRIGHT: As you are fully aware, the Arkansas Planning Commission is responsible for administering the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the Department of Interior, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, in the State of Arkansas. Since the beginning of this program, our state has been allocated approximately $2.6 million and our current year's allocation is $798,431. These funds have been used to finance significant improvements on several of our state parks and in the acquisition of land and development of outdoor recreation facilities in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Heber Springs, Bentonville, Magnolia, and Fort Smith. We have several other applications with the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation at the present time. Senator Jackson has introduced Senate Bill 1401 which would set aside revenue accruing from the "Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act" for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for a period of five years. I understand that hearings before the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee are scheduled for February 5 and 6. I feel very strongly that additional revenue for the Land and Water Conservation Fund is desirable. I feel that additional funds would help the communities of Arkansas acquire suitable land for outdoor recreation facilities before it is committed to other uses and becomes prohibitively expensive. Also, many of our state and city parks are in dire need of development to bring them up to minimum standards for outdoor recreation uses. I sincerely request that you support Senate Bill 1401 at every opportunity. Thank you for your continuing cooperation. Sincerely, WINSTON C. BEARD, Executive Director. STATE OF INDIANA, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, Senator HENRY M. JACKSON, Chairman, Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: We strongly urge affirmative consideration of Senate Bill No. 1401 by the Senate Interior and Insular Affairs Committee and its com |