(b) The laboratory studies, preservation, and cataloging of hundreds of thousands of field specimens available from previous work. (c) Additional archaeological exploration at sites now under publie ownership or control made available by joint agreement with owners. 3. Could you estimate the number of man-years of work which might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future? We could develop and profitably sponsor, on an immediate basis, projects which would provide for 500 man-years of employment. With additional planning time this figure could be increased to employ between 1,000 and 2,000 workers full time. I would be glad to furnish examples of some of the accomplishments of this program including a bibliography of reports published and photographs of Mound State Monument which was developed almost entirely as an employment-assistance project, if you so desire. If I can furnish further information or if I can be of additional help, I hope you will call upon me. Sincerely, DAVID L. DEJARnette, Curator and Associate Professor. CITY OF FLORENCE, PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I am very much interested in the legislation that you are drafting at the present time. I am looking forward to reading more relative to utilizing the unemployed workers on the projects such as you have suggested. We could utilize men in our park and recreation program under this system. Our long-range plans call for two parks to be developed, with a starting time of 1965. Our plans further call for these parks being fully developed over a period of 19 years. Under this unemployed workers program, these projects could probably be completed in one-third of the time. I would estimate that approximately 100 man-years of work could be usefully undertaken in the immediate future. Thank you very much for your concern with our areas of work, as well as the concern for the unemployed. Sincerely, JAMES M. SPAIN, Florence Recreation Department. PARK AND RECREATION BOARD, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, Birmingham, Ala., June 22, 1964. Senator GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your letter of June 17 concerning funds to utilize unemployed workers on park development projects. I have talked with some gentlemen from the Federal agency on this matter recently. This department can use as many as 300 unskilled laborers. We could use many skilled workers, particularly brickmasons and stonecutters. Specific projects are as follows: Clearing underbrush from parks, banking ditches and creeks with stone, building permanent stone bridges over ditches and creeks. building barbeque pits and shelters. We estimate we could use 24,000 man work hours per year. I would envision that such a program could be carried on from 5 to 7 years. This sounds very much like the old WPA days which were before my time. While there has been many bad things said about WPA, nevertheless, they made a wonderful contribution to park development in that era. Wishing you success with this legislation, I am, Sincerely, FRANK A. WAGNER, Superintendent. CITY OF MOBILE, Mobile, Ala., July 8, 1964. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I received your letter concerning legislation being introduced to provide funds to municipalities to utilize unemployed workers on conservation and recreation projects; such as, park development, roadside improvements, et cetera, and I appreciate the same very much. At the recent conference of mayors, Secretary of Labor Mr. Wertz discussed the possibility of programs being set up to attack the unemployment problem which would provide matching funds for this purpose with 90 percent Federal matching and 10 percent local funds. I feel a program of this type is of utmost importance in order to endeavor to provide full employment within our Nation. Today the number of people required to provide food, shelter, and clothing for our Nation has been greatly reduced through automation. We, therefore, need to utilize the productive capacities of our people to the fullest extent possible, for in the final analysis this is the true wealth of a nation-the productive capacities of its people. I feel that there are many projects in the area of conservation which could be undertaken which would make our country a richer and better place in which to live. If all of our waterways could be fully developed, both for commercial and recreational uses, it would certainly be a tremendous boon to our Nation. Also, the full development of our highway systems, the expansion of our educational system development, of health centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and many other facilities throughout our Nation will do much to provide a better life for all of our people, as well as giving gainful and useful occupations to our people. We, here in Mobile, have been acquiring considerable land for park development within the neighborhoods that comprise the city of Mobile. We are now working on nine such parks, but are limited, due to the lack of funds, to do much of the work that could and should be done. We have some very pretty lakes in some of these parks which need to have the sides encased with concrete piling to prevent erosion and help clear up the water in these streams and lakes. Also, we have a tremendous amount of drainage work throughout our city which due to its very sandy soil is often heavily eroded with our heavy rains. Much work in the area of repairing of banks, providing piling along these streams and other work can be done. We also need reforestration work and conservation work in our forest and in our parks. I feel we could use a minimum of 200 additional employees in this type of work should a program be set up where a high percentage of the cost of this employment could be borne by the Federal Government. Many of these projects could be put underway within a very short time and I feel that we would have in the city of Mobile at least 4 or 5 years of work for between 200 and 300 men in order to carry out the programs that we need at the present time. Wishing you every success in this undertaking, I remain, Sincerely yours, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, JOSEPH N. LANGAN, Mayor. ALASKA RESPONSES PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In response to your letter of June 17, the city of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department would welcome the opportunity to participate in a program as you outlined. We could definitely utilize workers in our programs; especially at this time since emergency funds are not available for parks and recreation facilities damaged in the quake plus the fact that the general budget was cut for emergency needs. We could use assistance with such projects as the development of picnic areas, trails (hiking, horseback riding, skiing), campsites; plus general park improvement and maintenance, and reclamation projects. During the winter months manpower could be utilized to construct playground and park equipment, make signs, and assist with ice rink maintenance. An estimate as to the number of man-years of work which might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future would be 60 man-years. This is based on 12 workers for a period of 5 years. I am sure we could easily utilize more workers, and, on a continuing basis, if they were available. This program could well extend boroughwide and statewide. We are presently working with the State on a trail system that will extend all the way from Cook Inlet to the Chugach Mountains. Also, park facilities are quite badly needed outside of the city limits, but, as yet, the new borough has not had funds available for any such a program. I do hope that this information will be of value to you. If there is any other information or help that we can give you, please let us know. Sincerely, ALICE M. RHODEN, Director, Parks and Recreation Department. STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Appreciate very much receiving your letter of May 29 regarding the utilization of unemployed workers on conservation projects. As soon as I have obtained additional ideas from several others here I'll be in contact with you. This legislation could develop into a significant boost to the general economies of smaller communities who need help in this type of improvement assistance. You can be sure we'll be very much with this idea-you'll hear from us soon. Yours sincerely, HENRY ROLOFF, Commissioner. STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, DIVISION OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, Juneau, June 4, 1964. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Thank you for your letter of May 29, inquiring whether this agency could utilize unemployed workers on conservation projects. We do not directly administer projects or employ such workers in the categories you mention such as park development, roadside improvement, timber stand improvement, etc. On the other hand, as a public agency charged with specific and significant responsibilities in areas of manpower services, and labor supply and demand, we are certainly interested in any proposals to assist unemployed workers. A short time ago we made, as did all other States, a survey in connection with the "Hometown Youth Opportunity" aspect of the President's poverty bill. The results were sent to Mr. Robert Goodwin, Administrator, Bureau of Employment Security, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. We found scores of job opportunities which could be developed on conservation projects if Federal financial support was provided. For example, Alaska is in need of conservation projects such as the restoration and rehabilitation of many historical sites, Indian totem poles, war canoes, community tribal houses. We also have, as you may be aware, many underdeveloped rural areas in Alaska where conservation projects would be extremely desirable and would serve to benefit the conservation of natural resources, as well as to provide jobs for the local unemployed. These include the improving of drainage systems, ditches, culverts; the rehabilitation and construction of adequate community water supply systems; the preparation of playground areas; the developing of wayside parks and trails; the creation of sanitary land fills; cemetery improvements; flood control work; survey and preparation of streams for the conserva tion of our spawning salmon and other anadromous fishes; appropriate forestry conservation work. The list of potential projects, it appears to us, is only limited by the funds made available for these purposes. This agency would be pleased to participate in the selection and referral of our unemployed for conservation projects of the type you have in mind. Sincerely yours, ROBERT W. JAMES, Director. STATE OF ALASKA, DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME, Anchorage, Alaska, June 4, 1964. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: Your letter of May 29, 1964, requesting information on desired conservation projects in Alaska is being forwarded to Mr. James Brooks, director of our division of game. for answer. I am certain that we do have many worthwhile projects which would fit into a program such as you described. Mr. Brooks, I am sure, can furnish you with the specific information you requested. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In drafting legislation to provide funds for conservation projects, as indicated by your letter of May 29, I hope the enclosed information will provide some helpful guideposts. The enclosed paper, "The Arizona Watershed Program; Objectives, Genesis, and Citizen Participation," outlines a conservation program that has far-reaching economic benefits. As indicated in the introduction, the watershed program is aimed at achieving such multiple-use objectives as: Increasing water yields; increasing production of high-quality timber products; increasing forage and browse for livestock and game; improving conditions for recreation; reducing erosion; and reducing destructive wildfires. These objectives are being realized to some degree on small research and pilot projects. Over and above the primary objectives, the watershed program is having other important economic benefits. It has provided the climate favoring the establishment of a new pulp-and-paper industry for the State. It has created new demands for heavy equipment, chemicals, seeds, aircraft, and powersaws. It has created demands for more highly skilled professionals which have resulted in establishing new courses and departments in our State college and universities. In the near future, these economic benefits will no doubt spread to neighboring States that show increasing interest in getting similar programs started. Within this State the watershed program is about to expand to large-scale applications because the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association is presently negotiating a plan with the U.S. Forest Service to help finance tested treatments on a cooperative basis. Reference to this pending cooperation can be found on page 979 of the hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Interior Department and Related Agencies Appropriations for 1965. Success of our watershed program is attributable to the combined support of the Arizona Water Resources Committee and the State's Representatives in Congress. As indicated on pages 5 and 6 of the previously mentioned report, the Arizona Water Resources Committee is a group of citizens representative of the major economic interests of the State. After scrutinizing the conservation programs of various executive agencies, the committee makes its recommeniations to the State's Senators and Representatives. Senators Hayden and Goldwater and Congressmen Rhodes, Udall, and Senner have been particularly helpful in obtaining funds needed to apply watershed conservation practices to federally owned lands. From the enclosed tabulations, you will note that Federal- and State- administered lands make up more than 80 percent of Arizona. The departments and agencies listed will have to be contacted to determine the number of man-years required to accomplish planned conservation objectives. As a sample of a prejected work program for one agency, I am enclosing a brief summary which the Forest Service has graciously sent me at my request. Also enclosed is a letter from the Bureau of Land Management enumerating needed conservation prac tices on public domain lands. Note the large acreage within Indian reservations. As for State-owned lands, the bulk of which are used for grazing livestock. vegetative treatments and other land conservation practices are applied by the individual lessees. Many of these conservation practices are financed with cooperative funds made available through the agricultural conservation program. The Arizona watershed program is about to expand to large-scale operational projects, since one of our downstream water users' association has expressed a willingness to help share the costs of proven upstream treatments. This will no doubt result in providing more jobs. Agencies like the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and so forth, let out a great deal of the work to private contractors and should be encouraged to do so on an expanded scale. On reservations, watershed projects provide increasing employment for Indians. Furthermore, increasing opportunities for employment will be expanded as the watershed program here in Arizona spreads to adjoining States. To avoid overwhelming you with published material on our watershed program, I am limiting the attached enclosures. But for more details, we are mailing you proceedings of our annual watershed symposia under separate cover. These provide a means of assessing annually the progress made by various agencies involved in the management of our natural resources. In summary, we do have a conservation program underway, which will provide more employment as it expands with more adequate financing. We will be most happy to furnish you with any additional information you may need. Sincerely yours, DEAR MR. ARNOLD: In accordance with your telephone conversation with Mr. Fred Weiler, we are submitting the following information on the types of work that could be accomplished in Arizona if funds and manpower were available, through initiation of a job corps or similar organization. The Bureau of Land Management in Arizona administers approximately 13 million acres. It is one of the largest Federal land administering agencies within the State. In the State of Arizona, 44.72 percent of the entire State is federally owned. The Bureau of Land Management administers approximately 18 percent. The Bureau has much work that can be done on public lands, requiring tens of thousands of man-days of work. Appropriations have not been sufficient to accomplish many of the projects that are needed to benefit the public lands. For example, the types of work that could be done if funds and manpower were available would include 1. Road construction to provide better access to public lands. 2. Fence construction to properly utilize and gain better management on the public ranges. 3. Cattleguard installations to provide easier access and livestock control. 4. Post cutting for fence construction. 5. Water development for wildlife and livestock use. 6. Brush control through the use of mechanical, chemical, and controlled burning methods. |