NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. NELSON: As director of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, I am definitely interested in your proposed legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers on the various phases indicated in your letter. My direct responsibility here in the developing of the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is spread over no less than 500 acres, of which we have developed to date about 150. The kind of land improvement we envision is mainly along horticultural endeavors, including a wildlife and flower preserve-most of which can utilize hand labor and skills. I would estimate that, given the opportunity, we could use at least 50 men over the next 10 years, or 500 man-years. We are well equipped to carry on an educational program along those lines simultaneously, and I am enclosing brochures and information that may help to emphasize this fact. We have applied to date for a practical gardening 2-year training school program under the U.S. Vocational Educational Act, awaiting the pending appropriations. So we will be delighted to provide a means to further your wonderful program. Sincerely, FREDERIC HEUTTE, Director. CITY OF DANVILLE, VA., July 1, 1964. Re utilization of unemployed workers on conservation projects. U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.: If funds were available, the City of Danville Parks & Recreation Department would be able to utilize a number of workers in our program. At the present time, I have several tracts of park land that nothing has been done to because we do not have sufficient funds to employ additional laborers to clear underbrush, thin timber, and other manual tasks that must be accomplished prior to development. Any timber that has to be cut is sawed into lumber. These workers could build bridges over streams and ravines for our nature trails and bridle paths. We could use these workers in roadside beautification and improvement. We have several areas we are presently working on; however, we do not have enough man-hours to do the job. We could work these men in our regular schedule. Most of the planning has been done for many of our pending projects-three park sites, 134 acres, and six roadside parks. I am currently working on these projects when we can pull a crew from routine maintenance. Most of the work must be done during the winter months this way. I would have sufficient equipment and supervising personnel to utilize 25 to 30 man-years of work at this time. The City of Danville Parks & Recreation Department would like to have the opportunity to participate in such a program. W. H. LUTHER, Director, Parks & Recreation Department. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I regret to inform you that I am not in a position to speak for the city of Newport News concerning use of unemployed workers on various projects. Speaking strictly for myself, however, I would say that I am sure that many cities, counties, etc., would be interested in this type program, especially where development of parks and recreation areas could be accomplished. We are currently trying to develop an 8,000-acre watershed area for parks and recreation in Newport News, through the use of city prison farm laborers and public works crews, whenever they are available. A project with this scope would take a number of years to accomplish with our present forces. As a comment, I would say that the immediate reaction of many local authorities to the word "unemployed" workers means "riffraff" and I am certain that this should be carefully handled in order to keep these authorities from being afraid of this program. The economy of our locality has been very good and, consequently, most of the unemployed in this area are not interested in work. Again speaking strictly for myself, I think there would be a sufficient number of projects within the city of Newport News to utilize a large group of these workers over a period of from 3 to 5 years, just in recreation park and beach development. I, also, feel that this work could be done without etensive new preparation. Our biggest problem would be in providing supervisors who would be well enough acquainted with the proposed plans that they could direct these crews. I hope that this information will prove to be of some value to you and, if it is at all possible, would you please keep me informed as to the progress of this program? Please feel free to call upon me again. Very truly yours, HARRY D. KNIGHT, Director. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: This will acknowledge your letter of June 12, 1964. I operate the parks and recreation department for the city of Winchester, Va. We have approximately 221 acres of land that is being utilized quite extensively in the playing of all types of ball, picnic areas, picnic shelters, small swimming facilities, scouting, utilized by senior citizens and teenage club, outdoor play courts and a National Guard armory located in our park as well as war memorial building, that serves as a community center. There are areas in our park that are undeveloped, where extra workers would certainly be welcomed to speed up development so that areas could be utilized more readily. One area I have in mind would serve greatly in scouting locally and for Scout troops passing through. I am familiar with the need of park development in Frederick County, Va., and I certainly feel that funds to take care of unemployed workers in the development of wholesome recreation and park facilities would be money well spent. It would be quite difficult to estimate the man-years of work needed to develop well-rounded facilities, without some sort of survey. I have been in park and recreation work for 12 years and from actual experience I believe the field of recreation and development of park facilities (to be used by the general public) is one of our greatest ways for preparing youth to handle many situations for the future, and to satisfy young adults, adults, and senior citizens, and to make their lives a little more enjoyable. I sincerely hope that I have been of some help with this letter. If I can be of any further help I would be more than glad to do so. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I am indeed glad to learn that you are drafting legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies for unemployed workers to be working on park development and roadside improvement. If funds were available, we in the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Harrisonburg, Va., could put a number of workers on a new park site which is in development. This park site consists of approximately 100 acres and probably will be 5 man-years of work. Please keep in touch with me as the State of Virginia has just appointed a 15-man study commission to study recreation and park sites in the State of Virginia and I have had the privilege of being asked to serve on this commission. Sincerely, CECIL F. GILKERSON, Director. WASHINGTON RESPONSES WASHINGTON STATE POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I have given considerable thought to your letter of June 3 regarding utilization of unemployed workers, and at the present time am unable to visualize where this agency could utilize to any advantage any substantial number of unemployed people. We could use a limited number, not to exceed 10, provided they had sufficient technical background to fit into our program. We do not have any on our field staff who are not engineers, biologists, or chemists, nor do we have any substantial requirement for people who are not technically trained. Usually technically trained people are not numerous among the unemployed workers. Your plan to provide Federal funds to utilize unemployed workers on park development and other conservation projects is, I believe, highly desirable and I wish you success in developing this idea. Very truly yours, ROY M. HARRIS, Director. WASHINGTON STATE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION, Mr. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In regard to your request for information on the possible utilization of unemployed workers, please be advised that since 1962 we have been engaged in a program utilizing welfare recipients. As of this date we have used a total of 49,398 man-hours. We find the program highly successful and have accomplished many worthwhile projects that ordinarily would not be accomplished with our present limited budget. An agreement has been reached with the State department of public assistance whereas we will adhere to the following regulations: 1. All welfare recipients working on projects will be under immediate park personnel supervision. 2. Adequate first aid equipment will be on hand at all times. 3. Welfare recipients working on projects will do only projects that ordinarily would not be done by contract or by park personnel. 4. Welfare recipients will only be used on projects during the off season when they can be given adequate supervision by permanent park personnel. Problem areas: 1. Lack of transportation for the welfare recipient from nearby cities to the park project. 2. Lack of finances to furnish proper work gear such as boots and rain gear, and many of the workers normally do not have such gear. 3. A continuous turnover of welfare workers; the average recipient worked no more than 6 days per month, making it almost impossible to set up any training program for them. This last season, ending May 1964, we utilized 28,312 man-hours. It is estimated that we could use an addition 70,000 hours in areas where there is a dire need. However, due to location and the lack of available welfare recipients, we are at present not able to realize our full needs. As to specific projects, the welfare workers have undertaken grubbing and clearing of fire trails; bank stabilization; culvert and ditch cleaning; clearing and removing dead and down timber; trail and footpath clearing; reforestation. I do hope the above information will be of some assistance. Should you desire any further detailed information, please do not hesitate to call upon us. Sincerely yours, CHARLES H. ODEGAARD, Director. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, STATE OF WASHINGTON, Olympia, Wash., June 24, 1964. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In order to be of assistance to you in the drafting of legislation identified in your letter of June 3, 1964, I have taken the liberty of circularizing those State agencies here in Washington which would be most directly concerned with the activities authorized under the proposed Federal program. The agencies to which I am referring are (1) the parks and recreation commission, (2) Washington State Department of Highways, and (3) the department of natural resources under the authority of our State land commissioner, Mr. Bert Cole. The response received from the parks and recreation commission is contained in their June 18 letter to you which directed itself to the issues you are considering. This office heartily endorses the attitudes of our parks programs and should additional Federal aid be available to supplement the activities already underway, it would appear that the goals and objectives of our outdoor recreational program could be realized more adequately than is now the case. Our department of highways has replied in a similar vein werein the development of roadside rest areas and weed and brush control projects could utilize substantial numbers of unemployed workers under the program your legislation would authorize. An estimated 500 man-years over a 5-year period has been offered as a measurement of the utilization of such services. In the absence of a specific reply from our department of natural resources at this time, I would merely mention the reforestation projects and sustained yield programs that are continually being carried out on our State forest lands. The possibility of a blending of additional man-years in programs already being carried out in cooperation with out department of institutions, juvenile correction programs could reasonably be another area where unemployed workers could be utilized. I appreciate this opportunity to offer the above information for your consideration. Should additional study appear desirable, please contact this office at your convenience for whatever assistance we may be able to render. Meanwhile, as additional facts on this subject are called to my attention I shall forward them on to you. Sincerely, ROBERT E. ROSE, Director. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF GAME, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I am in receipt of your letter of June 3, regarding legislation to provide funds to State agencies utilizing unemployed workers in conservation projects. The Washington State Department of Game could use and would welcome a substantial number of workers under such a program. It is readily estimated that we could utilize 40 man-years or more of employment without extensive or new preparation of our present staff. This agency, as many, is definitely faced with budgetary limitations and would be able to utilize additional labor for the further development and improvement of conservation facilities and programs. Specifically, these programs could be as listed below: 1. Maintenance and enlargement of existing public fishing and public hunting areas. 2. Road improvement and maintenance allowing better utilization of public-owned areas. 3. Upland game bird habitat development on private and public lands. 4. Waterfowl marsh development on private and public lands. 5. Fencing projects for the control of big game damage to private crops, and the protection of wildlife foods in wintering areas. Such a project would allow us to maintain larger wildlife populations for the benefit of the people of this State. 6. Range improvement, primarily for big-game species through browse production and reseeding. 7. Timber improvement on department-owned lands. Thinning and clearing heavy timber stands, increasing timber production and related wildlife range improvement. 8. Trail improvement allowing greater utilization of the recreational areas. If the labor force was available, any one of these projects could be embarked upon immediately. Projects such as those we have outlined in this letter are always limited by the availability of funds. The use of an additional labor force in these areas would enhance the recreational opportunities for the general public and would be of unlimited value to the State of Washington. It has been brought to my attention that several individuals in this department received similar letters, and would you please consider this reply as the State of Washington Department of Game's answer to your query. If we can provide you with any further information, please contact us. I wish to compliment you on your interest in conservation activities and wish you success in obtaining the proposed legislation. Sincerely, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. WESLEY A. HUNTER, Administrative Officer. SPOKANE COUNTY, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: Reference is made to your correspondence of June 12, 1964, relating to proposed legislation and its possible effect on the programs of our park and recreation department. We presently are utilizing welfare recipients in our labor program. These individuals, provided to us by the Washington State Department of Public Assistance, are required by statute to work on a public project to the extent of funds they are receiving from the State. They are credited for their labor at the rate of $1.75 per hour. The only cost to our department is for medical coverage through the State department of labor and industries. This program has been very effective over the last 2 years. We have averaged approximately 10 men per day throughout the majority of the year. These men basically are involved in any or all projects not normally assumed by our regular crew or on projects of a construction nature. I am sure that with the tremendous growth of park and recreation programs from the Federal level down, that the legislation you are drafting would be of tremendous help in furthering public projects. However, I also feel that, insofar as this department is concerned, the present program through our State department of public assistance is handling our needs. This statement would apply to the present. The future could be an entirely different story. I trust this has been of help to you in formulating your thoughts on this subject. Very sincerely, ROY B. GUNDERSON, Superintendent. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, Senator GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: In reference to your letter of June 12, 1964, regarding utilizing unemployed workers on conservation projects. We could use up to 10 to 15 37-181-64-20 |