authorities believe this reduction should be made by means of trapping and shipping deer to ranges elsewhere in the country. In line with this thought during the past two seasons fawns from the Kaibab herd have been trapped and transported by truck to the south rim, where they have done splendidly and been of great interest to visitors. It is planned to continue the transportation of fawns again this winter, and free transportation by airplane for these little animals has been offered by the airplane company operating a sight-seeing line across the canyon.

The antelope imported from Nevada several years ago and placed on the Tonto Plateau of the canyon are holding their own.

STUDIES OF WILD-ANIMAL PROBLEMS CONDUCTED

A number of interesting studies of the wild-animal situation in the national parks were inaugurated during the past year through the cooperation of interested organizations and individuals. A comprehensive 2-year survey of the wild life of all the national parks has been made possible through the generosity of George Wright, who has been connected with the national parks for several years. Mr. Wright is personally bearing the entire cost of this investigation, the object of which is to study first such outstanding problems as those of the bear and deer in Sequoia and Yosemite Parks, the elk situation in Yellowstone and Yosemite, and the mountain sheep, caribou, wolf, and coyote problems in Mount McKinley. Special emphasis will be laid on the relation of predatory animals to other members of the park fauna, and problems arising through the increasing human occupancy of our national parks and the resultant effect upon the native fauna and flora will also be studied. Joseph Dixon, of the California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, is directing the survey.

With funds provided through the generosity of another park friend, Mr. Thomas Cochran, of New York, a special survey of the Yellowstone elk herds and the life habits of these animals was conducted by William Rush, of the Forest Service. Studies of both winter and summer conditions were made. Dr. O. J. Murie, of the Bureau of Biological Survey, also conducted extensive investigations of elk conditions in the Jackson Hole. Both Mr. Rush and Doctor Murie, as well as park rangers, met with representatives of the Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho fish and game commissions at Mammoth Hot Springs last July and gave accounts of their investigations to the commissioners. Many valuable points relative to better management of the elk herds were brought out during the discussions.

The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of the University of California continued a survey of the animal life of Lassen Volcanic National Park under the direction of Dr. Joseph Grinnell, the results of whose work are soon to be published by the University of California.

PREDATORY ANIMAL CONTROL

Animals that prey upon the deer, elk, antelope, and other animals that add so much to the pleasure of park visitors are classed as predatory. This includes particularly the coyote, wolf, and mountain lion. While no species of animal indigenous to a park is ever

exterminated, those that prey too heavily upon the weaker animals are reduced in number, in an endeavor to retain as nearly as possible the balance of nature. Coyotes are the especial bane of the Yellowstone animals, and it was necessary to destroy 288 during the year. In Mount Rainier both cougar and coyote were apparently less numerous, with the bobcat and lynx about holding their own. The campaign against the wild burros which have been destroying the flora of the Tonto Plateau at the Grand Canyon, begun in 1924, was continued. A marked improvement in the plant life, not only of the Tonto Plateau but in the entire area within the Canyon proper, has benefited greatly by the elimination of over a thousand burros during this time.

FISH-CULTURE WORK

The first step in coordinating fish-culture work in the national parks was taken last summer when, through a cooperative arrangement effected between the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior, a fish culturist was detailed by the Bureau of Fisheries to supervise fish-culture operations in the national parks and monuments. Under the plan of cooperation the fish culturist will devote his time during the summer to piscatorial problems in the national parks, and during the winter months will direct fishcultural operations at hatcheries of the Bureau of Fisheries located at points outside the parks. His salary will be borne by the Bureau of Fisheries, but his expenses while engaged in national park work will be paid by the National Park Service.

The work of this expert, so far as it relates to the national parks, consists of general supervision of fish-cultural studies and operations, including detailed studies of park waters to determine suitability for fish, a study of native or related fish species suitable for stocking or restocking, and the preparation of permanent management plans for all park waters. Studies will be made of the life history of native species and the desirability of their propagation and of the abundance or lack of fish food in waters considered for stocking.

The fish culturist spent the greater part of last summer in Yellowstone National Park, where a new fish hatchery station has just been completed. This structure was commenced last summer through the generosity of W. E. Corey, of New York, in donating $15,000 for the work, and the cooperation of the Bureau of Fisheries in meeting his gift with an equal allotment of funds. The hatchery has a capacity of 30,000,000 eggs. An aquarium is being built in connection with it. Plants of fish fry, eyed eggs, and fingerlings amounting to 7,304,900 were made in Yellowstone waters.

Fish propagation in Glacier National Park, which was also visited by the fish culturist, received a new impetus during 1929 with the installation of fish racks and traps on creeks on the west side of the park, from which spawn was taken for the Federal hatchery at Glacier Park Station. Eight rearing ponds were also constructed for use in conjunction with the Glacier Park hatchery, through cooperation furnished park authorities by the Bureau of Fisheries and the Glacier Park Hotel Co. By rearing the fry to fingerling size in these ponds the survival to maturity of a large percentage of the plant is assured. During the year there were more than 2,000,000 fish planted in the waters of this park, and

21,000 fry were furnished to the adjacent Lewis and Clark National Forest for planting.

The Bureau of Fisheries also cooperated in furnishing eggs from Yellowstone National Park for planting in Mount Rainier National Park, and hatchery facilities were furnished by the Pierce County Game Commission.

The California State Fish and Game Commission continued to operate the hatchery in Yosemite Valley. An increase in fish planting is necessary in the streams and lakes of this park to provide adequate sport for the great numbers of visitors. The State commission also furnished fish plants for Sequoia and Lassen Volcanic National Parks.

The Grand Canyon offers an interesting desert oasis for fishing. Bright Angel Creek, on the north side of the canyon, was stocked several years ago, and during the past season fishing there was excellent, trout being found all the way down to the mouth of the stream. As a result the limit of catch was raised from 5 to 10.

The Estes Park hatchery outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, operated by the State of Colorado, is the chief source of supply of fish for the park lakes and streams. This hatchery has been completely rebuilt within the past year and is now one of the most up-to-date in the country.

SANITATION IN THE PARKS

The National Park Service has before it no more serious obligation to the public than that of protecting the health of visitors to the various parks and monuments. In order that the best advice on the subject might be available, the Public Health Service of the Treasury Department several years ago was asked to assist the Park Service in this matter. The whole-hearted response of that bureau in detailing one of its ablest sanitary engineers to devote his entire time to matters of national-park sanitation has resulted in excellent service to the public. An assistant surgeon of the Public Health Service has also been assigned to Yellowstone National Park to assist in safe-guarding the health of employees and visitors.

Sanitary inspections of the various parks were made during the year, with especial reference to the public camp grounds. Designs and plans were drawn up for sanitation development in the Yakima Park section of Mount Rainier National Park and also for the improvement of the sanitary arrangements of the older camps.

The activated sludge plant on the south rim of the Grand Canyon continued to function to a high degree and to attract the attention. of sanitary engineers throughout the country. Continuous analyses, both chemical and bacteriological, are made of the treated effluent at this disposal plant, and tests are also made on the raw sewage and on samples taken from tanks during various stages of treatment. The operator in charge of the treating plant also conducts frequent tests on various drinking water supplies. The reclaimed water from this plant is used only for nondomestic purposes. The sewage disposal system on the north rim, constructed by the Union Pacific System in connection with the hotel development, also proved to be highly effective during the year.

In Yosemite National Park, where nearly half a million people congregate in the course of a year, weekly analyses were made of samples of the Yosemite Valley water supply and demonstrated its uniform potability. Tests were also made of Merced River water. Surveys were made for sewer system extensions and for removal of the disposal plants to new sites several miles down the valley.

Mosquito control work was carried on in several of the national parks, notably Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Rocky Mountain. Grand Lake Lodge, in the latter park, the citizens of the village cooperated by bearing half the cost of the control work, since part of the area necessary for treatment in order to control the mosquito evil is outside of park boundaries. In the Yellowstone 700 gallons of oil were sprayed upon swamps and pools adjacent to the public automobile camps.

At Hot Springs National Park special sanitary precautions were taken in connection with the free public bathhouse and clinic. Inspections of these institutions and of other bathhouses permitted to use the hot waters were made during the year. Bathhouse employees coming in personal contact with bathers were examined monthly. The park administration assisted the city of Hot Springs in the physical examination and vaccination of all persons engaged in handling foodstuffs in the city.

WINTER USE OF THE NATIONAL PARKS

Winter travel to the national parks has shown a decided increase during the past few years and has brought with it many varied problems of park administration. Road building and general construction have been especially affected by the wintertime use of the parks. For instance, roads built for traffic use during the dry summer must now be improved by hard surfacing to enable them to withstand the ravages of heavy traffic after severe storms. Water lines that formerly were drained before freezing weather set in must now be improved to carry a steady supply during periods of low temperature; sewer lines must be kept from freezing; disposal systems must function; camp grounds must be planned with reference to the possibility of their being used throughout the year; and telephone lines, for which previously there had been no need during the winter, must now be in condition for regular and emergency duty. Buildings also must be constructed with the idea of being practicable for winter use. All this has placed added responsibilities on every line of park endeavor.

Twelve of the national parks and several of the national monuments of the Southwest were accessible to the public during the winter of 1928-29. Hawaii, Grand Canyon, Hot Springs, and Platt National Parks serve as interesting winter resorts of mild temperature. Yosemite Valley, in Yosemite National Park, has become increasingly popular during the past three seasons, with the completion of the all-year highway, which makes it accessible by motor throughout the year from coast and valley towns. Conditions here are ideal for winter sports, as the weather is seldom severe and snow conditions are usually excellent. Skiing, tobogganing, skating, snowshoeing, and sleighing are among the popular modes of winter recreation. While long-distance skiing is limited in Yosemite

Valley itself, in near-by parts of the park, particularly on the Wawona Road and up at Glacier Point, 3,000 feet above the valley, the visitor may indulge in skiing that cannot be equalled anywhere in the country. An innovation last winter was the keeping open of the Mountain House at Glacier Park, visitors being taken to it up the 4-mile trail by special Swiss guides.

Winter travel to Sequoia and General Grant National Parks is also increasing by leaps and bounds as roads are improved. The roads into Giant Forest, in the heart of the big trees, are kept open by the use of tractors immediately after each snowfall. Winter use of Mount Rainier National Park continued heavy. There was a falling off of travel during January, however, because of the fact that an unusually long stretch of cold weather and heavy snows throughout the Puget Sound country made it possible for the local people to get their winter sports at home instead of going into the park for them. Usually the park is the winter-sport mecca of the Puget Sound region.

The Colorado Mountain Club held its annual winter outing at Fern Lodge in Rocky Mountain National Park last February, and found snow conditions excellent. About 50 members of the club attended the outing.

Again last winter Crater Lake Park was the objective of the ski race held in connection with the annual winter carnival held at Fort Klamath. The total distance from Klamath to the rim of the lake and back, more than 40 miles, was made in less than six hours.

Although no regular winter lodge accommodations were provided in Zion National Park during the winter, meals were served to motorists desiring them at the Union Pacific construction camp. Winter travel to this park is expected to grow rapidly in the future.

The Casa Grande and Tumacacori National Monuments, in southern Arizona, experience their heaviest travel during the winter months.

Acadia and Wind Cave Parks, although offering no special winter inducements, may be visited throughout the year.

SERVICE BY THE PUBLIC UTILITY OPERATORS

The constant growth in travel to the national parks has made neecssary the expansion of facilities for the accommodation of visitors. The operators of the various public utilities have endeavored to meet this need through the enlargement of hotel, lodge, and store accommodations, and the expansion of transportation facilities. Especially interesting has been the growth in popularity of the housekeeping cabins and cafeterias established by the operators in connection with the public camp grounds. I believe the public appreciates the services rendered along this line, for complaints are few. It is recognized, of course, that there is still room for improvement along some lines of public-utility service, but we are working steadily toward the elimination of all unsatisfactory service, and the operators show a praiseworthy spirit of willingness and cooperation.

76008-29-3