SALMON LEGISLATION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1962 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., in room 219, House Office Building, Hon. John D. Dingell (acting chairman) presiding. Present: Representatives Hagen of California, Van Pelt, Pelly, and Gross. Also present: Representative Tollefson. Staff present: Bernard J. Zincke, chief counsel; and William B. Winfield, chief clerk. Mr. DINGELL. The Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation will come to order. This morning we are considering a series of bills by distinguished members of this body, including H.R. 11343 by Mr. Hagen of California, and identical bills 11352 by Mr. McFall of California, 11356 by Mr. Clem Miller of California, 11357 by Mr. George Miller of California, 11361 by our colleague, Mr. Shelley of California, 11366 by Mr. Cohelan of California, and 11371 by Mr. Johnson of California. We also will hear witnesses on H.R. 9547 by our friend and colleague, Mr. Pelly, a member of this committee. The committee will hear initially H.R. 11343 and identical bills. (The bill referred to and departmental reports follow:) [H.R. 11843, 87th Cong., 2d seas.] A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to initiate a salmon and steelhead development program in California Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, is authorized and directed to take such action in cooperation with the California Fish and Game Commission as is necessary to preserve and develop the salmon and steelhead trout and other fishery resources of the streams entering the Pacific Ocean from the State of California. SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Interior is further authorized and directed (1) to conduct such investigations and such engineering and biological surveys and research as may be necessary to direct and facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act; (2) to construct, install, and maintain devices and structures necessary for the improvement of feeding and spawning conditions for fish, for the protection of migratory fish, and for facilitating migration of fish; (3) to establish, operate, and maintain such fish-cultural stations as are necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act; (4) to purchase, lease, or receive by donation or otherwise acquire lands and interests therein necessary to this 1 program; (5) to perform all other activities necessary for the conservation and development of the fishery resources in accordance with law. SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Hon. HERBERT C. BONNER, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, D.C., August 16, 1962. Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, DEAR MR. BONNER: Your committee has requested a report on H.R. 11343, a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to initate a salmon and steelhead development program in California. This report is of equal applicability to H.R. 11352, H.R. 11356, H.R. 11357, H.R. 11361, H.R. 11366, and H.R. 11371. We recommend the enactment of this proposed legislation, if amended in conformance with the enclosed revision thereof. Our draft contains various technical and other changes that we consider desirable. It contains a new section 3 that is designed to facilitate interagency cooperation. It also contains a new section 5 that will permit appropriate sharing of costs by the State in carrying out the program. This proposed legislation will help to save an important fishery resource. It will provide a means of assisting in the preservation and development of the salmon and steelhead (sea-run rainbow trout) and other fishery resources of those streams that enter the Pacific Ocean from the geographic region contained within the State of California. This proposed legislation, if amended as we suggest, will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to take appropriate action in cooperation with the State of California to preserve and develop the salmon and steelhead trout of the streams entering the Pacific Ocean from the State. The Secretary would be authorized by section 2 of the bill to conduct investigations and to carry out such engineering and biological surveys and research as may be necessary for the purposes of the act. He would be authorized to construct and maintain devices and structures for the improvement of feeding and spawning conditions for the protection of and facilitating the migration of salmon and steelhead trout. He would be authorized to establish, operate, and maintain fish cultural stations, and to acquire the necessary land for accomplishment of these purposes. Since 1850, the salmon of California have supported an important commercial fishery, contributing to the commercial catches of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, as well as California. Manmade obstacles, however, have gradually reduced the runs of salmon, particularly since the 1920's. The California Department of Fish and Game estimates that approximately 15 million pounds of salmon are contributed to the commercial catches each year from the Central Valley streams of California only. This figure for the commercial catch is minimal inasmuch as it does not include the extensive contributions made by streams and large river systems of the coast. During the period 1959 to 1961, an average of about 7.2 million pounds of salmon has been landed annually at California ports. It is estimated that even at dockside prices, without inclusion of increased prices resulting from processing and retail distribution, the value of the total commercial catch is in excess of $8 million annually for the Central Valley contribution alone. During the past 30 years, sport fishing for salmon and steelhead has increased in importance. It is estimated that the net economic benefits to the region from sportsmen's expenditures in fishing for salmon, steelhead, shad, and striped bass is about $17.5 million a year. The anadromous fishes-salmon and steelhead trout, and other speciesare national and international in importance. Adult salmon returning to the streams of California are taken in commercial and sport fisheries of major importance off the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California. Salmon and steelhead caught in the sport fishery of California streams and coastal waters provide an important recreational research for the region. These sport-caught fish, as well as those caught commercially, provide valuable protein food for the people of the Pacific Coast States and the Nation. There is great danger that this important resource, consisting not only of salmon and steelhead, but also of striped base, sturgeon, and shad, may decline beyond a point of salvation unless remedial measures are undertaken soon to prevent substantial decimation of the runs. In recent years, water resource developments constructed or licensed by Federal agencies and other water-use projects have had serious effects upon these fishery resources by blocking passage to spawning grounds, by the flooding of production areas, and by changes in environment. Diversion of water for irrigation, industrial, and municipal use has resulted in losses of fish and has affected the quality of the water. Even more important, however, is the accelerated rate at which water-use projects will continue to be developed with the resultant serious consequences to migratory fish runs. While actions previously taken have been harmful, the planned total water development in the future in this region will be capable of virtually destroying all of the fishery resource. We believe the future of this fishery resource, therefore, will be secured by well-planned conservation actions undertaken in connection with Federal and federally licensed water development projects. Failure to plan on a broad scale for the preservation and development of this essential fishery now, and to integrate such planning with the total, vast water development programs of Federal, State, and other agencies, will most surely result in the destruction of most of this important recreational and commercial fishing. On the other hand, we believe that proper planning, coordination, and development of a comprehensive program can result in protection and enhancement of the anadromous fisheries. In the event the Congress enacts this proposed legislation, it would be our intention to provide for the full use of artificial propagation at hatcheries and for the maintenance and development of salmon and steelhead populations in this region. The Coleman National Fish Hatchery that we operate would be enlarged, as well as the Nimbus and Trinity Hatcheries constructed by this Department and operated by the California Department of Fish and Game. Based upon present information, the construction of additional hatcheries is contemplated at Keswick Dam, Mad River, Russian River, and Clear Creek, The cost of fish screens to exclude migrating fish from irrigation canals and other water diversions is estimated at about $1.7 million and fish passage facilities at about $550,000. Fish hatchery costs are estimated at $3.5 million. The balance of the estimated total cost of $11,440,000 over a 5-year period would involve expenditures for salmon spawning channels, habitat improvement, improvements of streamflow for fish, planning and administrative costs. These activities will enhance and protect this important fishery resource despite major additional water-use projects in the region. Much of the investigative and operational activities of this program can be handled efficiently by agreement or contract with State agencies, universities, and colleges, as well as with other Federal agencies. We would expect to carry out our responsibilities in this manner so far as practicable. An investigative and development program, as set forth in this proposal, is highly desirable. The program of action that is contemplated is similar in many ways to the successful Columbia River fishery development program authorized several years ago whereby hatcheries have been constructed and operated, fish screens have been installed at points of irrigation diversions, fishways have been constructed at natural obstacles, stream clearance activities have been promoted, and research has been conducted. We enclose a statement concerning anticipated personnel and fiscal requirements of this proposed legislation in accordance with the provisions of the act of July 25, 1956 (75 Stat. 652). The Bureau of the Budget has advised that there is no objection to the presentation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's program, Sincerely yours, Enclosures. FRANK P. BRIGGS, Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Estimated additional man-years of civilian employment and expenditures for the first 5 years of proposed new or expanded programs A BILL To authoize the Secretary of the Interior to initiate a salmon and steelhead trout preservation and development program in cooperation with the State of California Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That for the purpose of conserving the Nation's vital salmon and steelhead trout resources, that are subject to depletion from water developments and utilization or with respect to which the United States has undertaken conservation commitments pursuant to international agreement, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to take such action in cooperation with the State of California as is necessary to preserve and develop the salmon and steelhead trout of the streams entering the Pacific Ocean from the State of California. SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Interior is further authorized (1) to conduct such investigations and such engineering and biological surveys and research as may be necessary to direct and facilitate the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act; (2) to construct, install, and maintain devices and structures necessary for the improvement of feeding and spawning conditions for the protection of and facilitating the migration of salmon and steelhead trout; (3) to establish, operate, and maintain such fish-cultural stations as are necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act; (4) to purchase, lease, or receive by donation, lands and interests therein necessary to this program. The Secretary is authorized to enter into such agreements or contracts with Federal agencies, State agencies, universities, and public or private institutions as he may deem advisable and in the public interest for the accomplishment of the provisions of this Act. SEC. 3. Any activities under this Act to be performed on lands of other Federal executive departments or agencies shall be carried out only with the approval of such departments or agencies. SEC. 4. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. SEC. 5. The Secretary shall take appropriate steps to assure, before initiating the various stages of work under this Act, that the State, together with any other non-Federal interests, will bear such share of the costs of carrying out the provisions of this Act as he considers appropriate in the light of comparable and related cooperative programs. |