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Proposal" of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
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Digitized from Box 26 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
DOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS
Table of Contents
Tab
Proposal
A
Letter to Speaker Transmitting Proposed Legislation (Draft)
B
Proposed Legislation (Draft)
C
Proposed Press Release (Draft)
D
Press Release Support Material
Fact Sheet
E
Table - Doubling of Parkland and Recreation Areas
F
National Park Service (Land Acquisition, Construction
and Maintenance)
G
Fish and Wildlife Service (Land Acquisition,
Construction and Maintenance)
H
Alaska - National Interest (D-2) Lands
I
A
DOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS
PROPOSAL: Establish a 10-year program to double America's heritage of
national parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, urban parks, and
historic sites.
OBJECTIVE: To double the Nation's parklands, wildlife refuges, and
recreation areas. This new commitment will be a Bicentennial gift
that the American people will give to this and future generations of
Americans.
BACKGROUND: Because of the vision of our forefathers, today's citizens
have inherited vast and irreplaceable gifts of parks, historic sites, wild-
life sanctuaries, and recreation areas. The National Park Service's
287 units comprise 31.0 million acres, of which 7.5 million acres are in
Alaska. The Wildlife Refuge System's 378 units comprise 32.2 million
acres, of which 22.3 million acres are in Alaska. Yet, with our Nation's
growth, these resources are often overcrowded and overused. At the same
time, many areas which would make superb parks, sanctuaries, or recreation
areas are being lost forever because land values often make other uses
more attractive in the short term.
The proposed commitment of $1.5 billion over 10 years would be a sound
investment in America's priceless natural resources and avoid loss
forever of an American heritage that cannot be replaced. It would mark
again this Nation's commitment to preserve the best of our vast and
beautiful continent. It would expand permanently the natural treasures
future generations of Americans will inherit before these resources are
priced out of the public domain. This program includes proposed addi-
tions in Alaska, inasmuch as the Administration has already proposed
to the Congress a major conservation initiative to protect in perpetuity
83 million acres of the public domain in that State. The President
reiterates the need for Congress to act quickly on the Alaska proposals
before the temporary protection afforded by the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act expires in December 1978.
DESCRIPTION: Legislation will be submitted to establish a $1.5 billion
10-year program to:
-- provide $141 million to be used to acquire lands for parks,
wildlife refuges, and recreation areas, and historic sites.
--- provide $700 million to develop new and existing parklands
and refuges into recreation and conservation resources
ready to serve the public.
2
-- provide $459 million for upgrading and increased staffing
of current system of national parks and wildlife refuges.
-- provide $200 million for one-time grants to cities to upgrade
present park areas in disrepair.
DOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS:
1. Acquistion of new parks, wildlife refuges, recreation areas and
historic sites. ($141 million immediate appropriation from the Land and
Water Conservation Fund to remain available for 10 years).
Additions to the National Park System - $110 million for parks,
national rivers, recreation areas, and historic sites.
Additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System - $31 million
for the preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife including
endangered species.
The National Park Service currently purchases approximately 60,000 acres
annually utilizing approximately $77 million form the Land and Water
Conservation Fund. At this time, 559,608 additional acres and $449,631,713
are required to acquire lands in congressionally authorized park and
recreation areas and historic sites of the National Park System.
The Fish and Wildlife Service currently acquires approximately 85,000
acres annually utilizing funds available from the Migratory Bird
Conservation Account ($19.5 million 1976) and the Land and Water
Conservation Fund ($9.4 million 1976). At this time, approximately
5 million additional acres estimated at $2.5 billion are necessary for
the preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife including
endangered species.
2. Development of these new and existing parklands and refuges into
recreation and conservation resources ready to serve the public.
($700 million immediate appropriation to remain available for 10. years
over and above existing development programs and funding for units already
in the National Park and Wildlife Refuge System.)
Such funds are generally to be used to implement park and refuge
master plans, which include visitor facilities, road and trails, resource
management tools, and such additional improvements as may be necessary
for effective park and refuge management. National park units -- $400
million. National wildlife refuges -- $300 million.
5
2
3, Upgrading and increased staffing of current systems of national parks
and wildlife refuges. ($459 million of which $259 million immediate
appropriation to remain available for ten years for upgrading and $200
million over ten years to be appropriated approximately $20 million
annually for increased staffing.)
2
Up grading --- $259 million for rehabilitation of deteriorated
facilities with $194.3 million for national parks and $64.7 million for
wildlife refuges with emphasis to be given to those areas where public
use opportunities are greatest.
Increased staffing -- $200 million and approximately 1,500
permanent positions with 1,000 for national parks and 500 for wildlife
refuges to bring the present field employment up to a level that will
insure the protection of the natural resource and meet the increasing
public demand. ($20 million annually for ten years -- $13 million for
the National Parks Service and $7 million for the Fish and Wildlife
Srrvice).
4. One-time grants to cities to upgrade present park areas in disrepair.
($200 million for fiscal year 1977.
To be apportioned among the major cities (utilizing the Standard
Metropolitan Statistical Areas) on the basis of population and need
with no city entitled to more than 3 percent.
OF
THE INTERIOR
United States Department of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
3
1849
WASHINGTON D.C. 20240
March
Honorable Carl Albert
Speaker of the House of Representatives
number Reaident Be
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Speaker:
By direction of the President, transmitted herewith is a bill "To
provide assistance to cities for the rehabilitation and improvement
of urban parks and outdoor recreation facilities.
We recommend that the bill be referred to the appropriate committee
and that it be enacted.
The bill is an essential part of an overall package which would serve
as a Bicentennial legacy from this generation of Americans to future
generations. This bill addresses the growing concern over the inade-
quacy and deterioration of recreation facilities available to urban
residents. In order to alleviate these problems, the bill would
establish an Urban Recreation Fund in the amount of $200 million.
The Secretary of the Interior would make grants from the Fund to
cities for the rehabilitation, repair, or improvement of urban recre-
ation facilities.
In related actions the President is submitting a supplemental budget
request for appropriations totalling $1,320,000 for FY 1977. These
funds would be made available until expended to the National Park
Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service in recognition of the rapid
rate at which natural areas, open spaces, and valuable wildlife habitat
are being altered and developed. These funds if appropriated would
play a major role in accelerating the acquisition of land throughout
the country devoted to parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges and
historic sites. $141, million is requested for these purposes. $700
million in funds are requested to develop new and existing parklands
and refuges into recreation and conservation resources ready to serve
the public.
In addition $279 million are requested for upgrading and increased
staffing of the current system of national parks and wildlife refuges.
We will be requesting an additional $20 million dollars for the
next nine years in order to provide for the increases in man-
power requirements of these agencies. It is necessary for the
Congress to expedite the enactment of the attached bill in order
to insure that the $200 million grant to the cities can be made
available in FY 1977. In anticipated of a favorable response we
have included these funds in our supplemental request.
The Office of Management and Budget has advised that the enactment
of the enclosed legislation would be in accord with the program of
the President.
Sincerely yours,
Secretary of the Interior
Enclosure
A BILL
To provide assistance to cities for the rehabilitation and improvement
of urban parks and outdoor recreation facilities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled. That, in order to assist in
rehabilitating and repairing urban outdoor recreation facilities, there
is established, out of general revenues and other monies which may be
made available for this purpose, an Urban Recreation Fund in the
Treasury of the United States.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make
grants from the Urban Recreation Fund for the rehabilitation, repair, or
improvement of urban parks or other outdoor recreation facilities. Such
grants may be made through the States to any city or county upon appli-
cation to the Secretary of the Interior, and may be applied to any park
or other outdoor recreation facility which is within the city or county
or primarily used by and readily accessible to residents of the city or
county: Provided, however, that no more than three percent of the monies
granted pursuant to this section shall be granted to any standard metro-
politan statistical area.
Sec. 3. For the purposes of this Act, the term-
(a) "City" means an incorporated community within any
standard metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States
Bureau of Census;
(b) "County" means a county within any standard metropolitan
statistical area, as defined by the United States Bureau of Census.
Sec. 4. There is authorized to be appropriated to the fund estab-
lished in Sec. 2 of this Act not to exceed $200 million for fiscal year
1977. Such funds are to be available until expended.
(Draft Press Release)
BICENTENNIAL LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM
A Bicentennial gift to the Nation--a doubling of the Nation's national
parks and wildlife refuges--has been proposed as the Bicentennial Land
Heritage Program. In addition, this program will provide badly needed
funds for the improvement, rehabilitation, and maintenance of parks
and refuges.
A proposal for appropriations to establish a ten-year, $1.5 billion
program was submitted today by President Ford. A key element of the
proposal would provide $141 million to the National Park Service and
the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire more than 300,000
acres of lands for parks and refuges. This money would enable both
Services to accelerate land acquisition efforts and purchase important
areas now in danger of destruction or damage.
In announcing this new Program, President Ford also expressed his
disappointment that the 94th Congress has failed to take action on the
proposed Alaska Conservation Act, and his hope that the 95th Congress
will take early positive action on this important conservation measure,
which would add more than 68 million acres of land to the National Park
System and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
"I am urging that the Alaska proposals, representing an opportunity
for this Nation to protect permanently some of the last great wildlands
in North America, be adopted promptly. The 32 million acres of new
national parks and 34 million acres of wildlife refuge lands included
in this Bill represent the last great opportunity to provide a legacy
of natural areas for the future,' the President said. "The park and
refuge proposals in the proposed Alaska Conservation Act will be
complemented by the Bicentennial Land Heritage Program, but future
generations will not have been served well if we do not act now to
take advantage of the opportunity to establish new national parks and
wildlife refuges in Alaska. I am confident the Congress recognizes
the importance of their consideration, and I look forward to its
cooperation in this exciting venture."
In addition to providing funds for prompt acquisition of important
lands, the Bicentennial Land Heritage Program would make available
funds for improvements, facilities rehabilitation, maintenance, and
increased staffing. It would:
-- provide $700 million to make improvements on new and recently
acquired parks and wildlife refuges, and to provide improved facilities
and management for parks and refuges which have been in Federal owner-
ship but never properly improved to make them useful to the public or
to provide their full potential for benefit to wildlife;
2
-- provide $459 million for proper maintenance and adequate
staffing of the present systems of national parks and national
wildlife refuges;
-- provide $200 million for one-time grants to cities for
present park areas which are in need of general repair and
maintenance.
"These lands are as much a part of the American heritage as is the
Declaration of Independence, President Ford said in announcing this
Program, "and we are fortunate that past generations of Americans
made them available for us to enjoy. Therefore, it is my desire
that additional lands be acquired or set aside as this generation's
bequest to the future.
"I am disturbed that many of our national parks and wildlife refuges
are deteriorating because the funds have not been made available to
protect and maintain these priceless resources. We cannot allow this
deterioration to proceed further," the President said. "Our growing
Nation has overused and overcrowded many of these lands. At the same
time, many areas that deserve to be protected as parks and refuges
are being lost forever because alternative uses are made of the land,
and their lasting, real values are lost for short-term profit."
President Ford went on to say, "This Program will reaffirm our Nation's
commitment to preserve the best of our vast and beautiful country and
the wildlife inhabiting it. It will be a sound investment in America
that will pay off handsomely by permanently insuring and enriching the
natural treasures that will be inherited by future generations of
Americans.
"
The Bicentennial Land Heritage Program will significantly influence the
future of the 31 million acre National Park System. The System, with
its 287 areas, contains outstanding natural features and historical
sites. These areas suffer from overuse or deficient maintenance, and
areas with high recreation potential often lack adequate access roads
and visitor facilities. Many of the nationally significant historical
and archeological sites are deteriorating from lack of adequate protec-
tion and suitable resource management planning and execution. The
addition of lands to the System, coupled with effective resource manage-
ment, will increase opportunities for outdoor recreation, as well as
insure the protection and perpetuation of these resources for future
generations. Their inclusion would also help to alleviate overcrowding
problems at areas currently in the System, where sharply accelerated
visitation during recent years has seriously impacted park resources.
3
Under the new program, the National Park System would receive:
-- $110 million to acquire new parks and recreation areas and
historic sites;
-- $500 million for facilities installation and improvement;
-- $194.3 million for repairs to facilities and for continuing
maintenance, as well as $13 million each year to pay for an addi-
tional 1,000 personnel. Many of the facilities in the National Park
System were built 20 years or more ago and have not been properly
maintained because of the need to provide funds for other pressing
park programs, particularly in new areas which have not been properly
funded or staffed.
The Bicentennial Land Heritage Program will also be important to the
National Wildlife Refuge System. The 378 National Wildlife Refuges
which encompass 32 million acres, provide habitat for a wide variety
of the Nation's fish and wildlife. The Refuge System, like the
National Park System, has deteriorated seriously. In the last two
decades, the System has doubled in size, and public visitation has
quadrupled to 30 million visitors a year. Yet, staffing has not been
increased in the last ten years. Many facilities such as roads,
buildings, and water management structures have deteriorated for lack
of maintenance. Many of the refuges are not staffed or are operated
at a custodial level. Such refuges are managed by personnel from
distant refuges, who make only occasional visits.
Other refuges with severe manpower shortages are underproductive or
completely undeveloped, so that their full potential benefits for
wildlife are not realized. Flooding an area to provide additional
waterfowl feeding areas, or leveling a field for planting, cannot be
done. Protection of natural areas from fire or vandalism is virtually
impossible.
Of even more concern is the daily destruction of essential wildlife
habitat which is being bought, developed, polluted, or otherwise
altered. Almost five million more acres are needed to complete the
Refuge System to protect the highest priority land for endangered
species and migratory birds, and to protect unique and unspoiled
ecosystems.
Under the new Program, the National Wildlife Refuge System would
receive:
4
-- $31 million so that land acquisition would be accelerated to
quickly add 111, 880 acres of land to the System. Most of the acqui-
sition would be over the next five years. Of key interest are coastal
and inland wetlands and other unique habitats, which by virtue of their
natural biological productivity provide enormous benefits to wildlife;
-- $200 million for the improvement of new and existing refuges
and such facilities as water management structures, trails, roads,
visitor centers, administrative facilities, or to create desirable
wildlife habitat;
-- $64.7 million for improved maintenance of refuges, plus an
annual appropriation of $7 million to provide 500 additional positions
to manage and maintain refuges. Physical facilities on most national
wildlife refuges were constructed during the 1930's and are poorly
maintained. The rapid growth of the System has made it impossible
to keep pace with maintenance and staffing needs over the years.
To assist in badly needed maintenance of urban park areas, the Presi-
dent proposed a one-time grant to cities. "As America has developed
into the world's leading industrial nation, President Ford said,
"her people have migrated to the cities. Today we are an urban nation.
The need for outdoor recreation opportunities for city dwellers is
acute. Many of our cities cannot keep up the parks which they have
created, and their usefulness and attractiveness is rapidly fading.
In order to help make urban parks attractive and useful resources
once again, I propose to help cities get their parks cleaned up and
made attractive to the people for whom they are intended. I believe
support from the Federal Government will help restore pride in urban
parks and instill in urban dwellers the desire to keep their own parks
clean, well maintained--and used," President Ford said.
The President concluded, "There is a need for Federal funds to help
cities, just as there is a major need for immediate attention to the
well-being of the Nation's priceless legacy of National Parks and
National Wildlife Refuges.'
JTL Talking Points:
1. I want you to know -- and I think Jim Cannon's and Nat
Reed's people will confirm this -- that we have worked
very hard to come up with a defensible proposal, which
is as free of bugs as possible.
2. I have reviewed all of this work in detail and am
satisfied that- given the objective -- the Bicentennial parks
initiative is as good as we can do.
3. The problem is, however, that we started out with the
objective of making a big "splash". The result of this
exercise was going to be the sort of thing that will
show that the Ford Administration can come up with bold
initiatives, contrary to Carter's assertions.
4.
That objective has resulted in a proposal that is
manifestly contrary to the principal thrusts of your
Administration -- fiscal restraint, simplification of
categorical programs, consistency in policy direction.
5. The only time we have deviated from those principles --
which I think are going to sell big with the American
people -- is with respect to matters of overriding
importance such as defense, energy and research. While
we can argue that those matters are simply too important
to be subject to across-the-board fiscal restraint, I
doubt very seriously whether the same argument can be
made with respect to parks and outdoor recreation.
6. I fear that the initiative will be characterized as no
more than a campaign tactic -- and will serve to
seriously undercut the perception that you are con-
sistent and determined to see the Nation through our
most serious economic troubles since the Depression.
7. We have been telling the American people "you can't
have your cake and eat it too." This initiative will
inevitably lead people to question whether you really
mean it.
Some specific points to make about the urban parks proposal,
if you want:
-- is likely to be perpetual;
-- mayors probably think police and security more
necessary to park usage than fix-up;
2
-- nearly $8 billion of other Federal funding is available
for jobs to accomplish fixing un parks;
-- the justification that cities will find this useful
because of their fiscal crisis can be used to justify
any takeover of a municipal function -- there is
nothing special about parks;
-- will set a terrible precedent -- will lead to
drinking water funding, increased waste treatment
plant funding, solid waste disposal funding, etc.;
-- reminds me of the old HUD open space program --
which we worked like hell to fold into the community
development block grant program.
Response to -- "all right, let's cut it way down -- what
do I say at Yellowstone?"
-- increase personnel
C
lings
-- increase maintenance - deferred and current
-- push Congress on dozens unenacted Administration
Federal transfer proposals
-- talk about management study
C.
Land and Water Conservation Fund
The President's Bicentennial Land Heritage Program
will initially more than double the Nation's total acreage
of parks, recreation areas, and wild life refuges. Over
the ten year period it will continue to add acreage by
building upon a growing Land and Water Conservation Fund.
This highly regarded fund currently provides federal
financing for acquisition of land for recreation purposes.
The President looks toward annually working with the
Congress to determine each year the most responsible
increases possible in this Fund. The Bicentennial Land
Heritage Program will over these ten years be annually
coordinated with the increases in the Fund so as to best
supplement, support and develop acreage added by expansions
in the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FACT SHEET
DOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS
The President is proposing to establish a 10-year program to double America's
heritage of national parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, urban parks,
and historic sites. This new commitment will be a Bicentennial gift that
the American people will give to this and future generations of Americans.
BACKGROUND
Because of the vision of our forefathers, today's citizens have inherited
vast and irreplaceable gifts of parks, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries,
and recreation areas. The National Park Service's 287 units comprise 31.0
million acres, of which 7.5 million acres are in Alaska. The Wildlife Refuge
System's 378 units comprise 32.2 million acres, of which 22.3 million acres
are in Alaska. Yet, with our Nation's growth, these resources are often
overcrowded and overused. At the same time, many areas which would make
superb parks, sanctuaries, or recreation areas are being lost forever because
land values often make other uses more attractive in the short term.
The proposed (initial) commi tment of $1.5 billion over 10 years would be
a sound investment in America's priceless natural resources and avoid loss
forever of an American heritage that cannot be replaced. It would mark
again this Nation's commitment to preserve the best of our vast and
beautiful continent. It would expand permanently the natural treasures
future generations of Americans will inherit before these resources are
priced out of the public domain. This program does include Alaska, inasmuch
as the Administration has already proposed to the Congress a major conser-
vation initiative to protect in perpetuity 83 million acres of the public
domain in that State. The President reiterates the need for Congress to
act quickly on the Alaska proposals before the temporary protection afforded
by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act expires in December 1978.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
An appropriation request will be submitted to establish a $1.5 billion
10-year program to:
provide $141 million to be used to acquire new parks, wildlife
refuges, and recreation areas and historic sites.
-- provide $700 million to develop new and existing parklands and
refuges into recreation and conservation resources ready to
serve the public.
provide $459 million for upgrading and increased staffing of
current system of national parks and wildlife refuges.
provide $200 million for one-time grants to cities to upgrade
present park areas in disrepair.
A. PROGRAMS INCLUDED AND FUNDING
1. Acquisition of new parks, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and
historic sites. ($141 million immediate appropriation from the Land and
Water Conservation Fund to remain available for 10 years).
Additions to the National Park System - $110 million for parks,
national rivers, recreation areas, and historic sites.
Additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System - $31 million
for the preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife, including
endangered species.
more
SUPPORTIVE MATERIAL
1. ELEMENTS OF FUNDING - PROPOSED NEW PROGRAM
($ in millions)
NPS
FWS
BOR
Total
1. Acquisition
$110.0
$ 31.0
-0-
$ 141.0
2. Development of New and
Existing Areas
500.0
200.0
-0-
700.0
3. Upgrading Existing Areas
Funding
194.3
64.7
-0-
259.0
Staffing
130.0 1/
70.0 2/
-0-
200.0
324.3
134.7
459.0
New full-time permanent
positions
(1,000)
(500)
-0-
(1,500)
4. Grants to Cities
-0-
-0-
200.0
200.0
TOTALS
$934.3
$365.7
$200.0
$1,500.0
1/ $13 million annually for FY 1977-1986
2/ $7 million annually for FY 1977-1986
0
SUPPORTIVE MATERIAL (NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)
2. Potential of Total Public Land Involvement (National Park Service)
An enormous potential exists in the public lands of the United States
for expanding and improving opportunities for outdoor recreation and
for the preservation of outstanding natural features and historical
landmarks.
In order to insure a balanced growth of the National Park System, the
National Park Service has developed a systematic program of natural
and historical themes which identify those sites that should be
represented by areas in the System. Using these themes, gaps and
inadequacies within the present System have been identified. In
many instances, these gaps can be filled from available public lands
under Federal administration.
These public lands under their present management are often suffering
from overuse or deficient preservation. Areas with high recreation
potential often lack adequate access roads and visitor facilities.
Most of the nationally significant historical and archeological sites
are deteriorating from lack of adequate protection and suitable resource
management plans. Many outstanding natural areas are suffering from
invasion of exotic plants and animals, uncontrolled visitor use, or
resource exploitation.
The addition of these lands to the National Park System, coupled with
effective resource management programs and the provision of visitor
facilities, would vastly increase opportunities for outdoor recreation
as well as insure the protection and perpetuation of these resources
for future generations. Their inclusion would also help to alleviate
overcrowding problems at areas currently in the System where sharply
accelerated visitation during recent years seriously impacted park
resources. Furthermore, strong public support for, and interest in,
diverse outdoor recreation opportunities indicates the need to provide
additional recreation space for these pursuits.
Now, and in the future, the United States is faced with the dilemma
of balancing resource utilization with preservation. Allocation of
a portion of these lands now in the Federal domain to the National
Park System would provide Americans with a better proportion of
natural resources set aside for recreational enjoyment and preser-
vation of this country's heritage.
SUPPORTIVE MATERIAL (NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE)
3. Permanent Employment (Authorized Positions) - (National Parks Service)
FY 1976
8,215
FY 1977
8,763
Proposed New Appropriation:
a. Upgrading of existing areas (Federal)
(1) Headquarters
-0-
(2) Field
1,000
Total NPS
1,000
b. Upgrading of existing areas (Private Sector)
2,400
Rehab and maintenance by contracts
SUPPORTIVE MATERIAL ( NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)
CRITIQUE WITH MISSION 66
1. Purpose of MISSION 66
MISSION 66 was a conservation program designed in 1956 to staff, equip,
and develop the national parks and other areas administered by the
National Park Service in a manner which would meet the anticipated
visitor load of 1966. The program was to be accomplished within the
framework of the Service's primary mission to preserve and protect
park values for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.
MISSION 66 derived its name from the year of its scheduled completion
--1966, Golden Anniversary year of the National Pakk System.
It was the heavy public demand on the national parks in the 1950's
that led to MISSION 66. Fifty million visitors appeared in 1955.
The Park System's 181 areas were equipped to handle less than half
that number. Both personnel and facilities were insufficient. There
was a serious loss of park values and much public discontent.
2. Description of MISSION 66 Program Plan
The program's primary goal was to staff and equip the areas so they
could provide the best possible service to visitors--estimated to
number 89,600,000 by 1966. In so doing, however, there was to be no
diminution of park values which the Park Service was pledged to pre-
serve for future generations.
The MISSION 66 plan directed each superintendent to prepare a prospectus
of objectives and proposals for his park. Proposals were to cover all
phases of park management, usage, and physical development.
3. Description of Accomplishments and Failures
Between April 2, 1956, and November 5, 1966, 77 additional units of the
National Park System were established, bringing the total to 258.
Visits increased during that same period of time from 61.5 million to
124.1 million in 1966, 38 percent more than the predicted number of
89.6 million.
Development cost estimates, originally placed at $459 million were
updated during the program to $649 million, taking into account
development needs at new parks and cost increases. Actual develop-
ment appropriations during those years totaled $556 million, resulting
in a lag of 14 percent or $93 million.
Operating programs totaling $20.8 million immediately prior to the
start of the MISSION 66 program had increased to $61 million by 1966.
Continuing addition of new areas to the National Park System, combined
with increasing use of the park, resulted in a continued increase of
development requirements.
The highly successful MISSION 66 program terminated before the
development and operational requirements brought about by the rapid
growth of the '60's could be met.
Additional responsibilities assigned to the Service, external to the
National Park System, absorbed a large proportion of future increases.
The result has been a gradual deterioration of park facilities, as
well as irreplaceable historical and natural resources. There is
a need today for operational funding increases and additional staff
to protect and manage these park resources and visitor use facil-
ities, and for significant increases in development funding to
provide essential facilities and preserve resources.
Of particular significance for the new program to double the nation's
parklands, experience with MISSION 66 would dictate that funding
for the new program be "front end loaded" - the funds needed for land
acquistion, construction, and rehabilitation and repair of facilities
should be appropriated the first year. Some early supporters of
MISSION 66 were lost in later years before adequate operating and
maintenance needs could be funded and staffed. Additionally, while
inflation was a minor problem to the MISSION 66 program because of
the relatively stable rate, unless the major portion of funding for
the new program is front end loaded inflation will be costly. With
the current annual rate of 10-15 percent, cost increases could result
in delays, overruns, extensive reprogramming, and eventually in a
significant shortfall in the total effort.
SUPPORT INFORMATION (NPS)
5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SPECIFIC ITEMS
Question - What is the total dollar backlog for acquisition in
authorized areas of the National Park System?
Answer - $449,631,731 after the Transition Quarter.
Question - Approximately how much money has been spent annually for
parkland, on an average, in each of the past 10 years?
Answer
- $51,253,913 per year average for the past 10 years, but
in the past two fiscal years it has been $83,351,000 annually.
Question - What is the backlog of acres to be acquired in areas already
authorized for the National Park System?
Answer
- 559,608 acres.
Question - What are some candidate areas for addition to the National
Park System which have not been authorized?
Answer
- New areas should be primarily of five kinds?
- Urban recreation areas, like Golden Gate National
Recreation Area in San Francisco, to preserve the best
of our near-urban environments where the need for use
is most pressing.
- Historic areas that record our national heritage.
- Superlative natural areas, now primarily in the public domain,
that should be set aside for future generations. Such parks
would balance the need for increased resource development
for the Nation's energy needs.
- Wild and scenic rivers to assure that these unique areas of
high recreational value are available for the inspirational
use of the American public.
- Outstanding wildlife areas to assure adequate protection
to the full range of our Nation's wildlife.
Question - Would the program include money for urban parks?
Answer
- Yes. Money would be set aside to upgrade inner city
parks and places in the central cities where parkland
is deficient.
Question - What is the level of need for urban parks?
Answer
- Studies by GAO, HUD, and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
all agree that the largest need for outdoor recreation is
in and near urban areas. Where more than 75 percent of
the people live, only 3 percent of the parkland is present.
Many people--without cars, the aged, handicapped, and the
poor--have little chance of visiting remote rural parks.
Nearby parks, accessible by public transit, are the primary
need.
Question - What is the total acquisition backlog for the National
Wildlife Refuge System?
Answer
- A backlog of about five million acres exists which would
cost an estimated $2.5 billion at today's prices to acquire.
Question - Approximately how much money has been spent annually for
refuges?
Answer
- An average of $18.65 million has been spent annually over
the past 10 years, but in the past two fiscal years (not
including the Transition Quarter), total appropriations for
land acquisition have averaged $25.5 million annually. This
level of funding has resulted in the acquisition of an
average of 128,000 acres annually over the ten year period.
Although funding has been greater over the past two years,
an average of only 76,000 acres have been acquired due,
primarily, to rapidly inflating land values during this
period.
Question - What are some candidate areas for addition to the National
Wildlife Refuge System which have not been acquired in the
past?
Answer
- In addition to accelerated acquisition of threatened
wildlife habitat and waterfowl production areas,
additions to existing units and to provide public recreation
opportunities to acquire habitat for endangered species.
Urban wildlife areas, such as the San Francisco Bay NWR,
will be emphasized. These include the best and most
threatened habitat remaining in the nation which is
easily accessible to large urban areas.
Question - Would the program include money for urban refuges?
Answer
- Yes, a major emphasis of the program would be the purchase
of new refuges in and near urban areas where the
opportunity to use and enjoy wildlife is now deficient.
Question - What kinds of facilities would be provided in these parks?
Answer
- These new parks will fall into three broad categories:
natural, historical and recreational. These categories largely
determine the management of these areas including the
provision of new facilities. Natural areas including national
rivers and wild and scenic rivers: emphasis in parks of
this category is on preservation of natural resources.
New facilities will be limited to those that permit the
visitor to use the park without endangering the resource.
Historical areas: emphasis in parks of this category is
largely on preservation of significant historic resources.
Facilities often are designed to explain the park story.
Recreational areas: Development for recreational use will
receive greater emphasis at these areas, many of which will
serve large urban populations. Hiking trails, picnic areas,
beaches and campgrounds, for example, would be provided.
Question - Would these funds help to protect the resources of these
new areas?
Answer
- Yes. In several ways.
- In historic parks, there is always an immediate need
for stabilization of historic structures to avoid
deterioration.
- In urban areas, existing recreational facilities
will need upgrading and expansion. Environmental
restoration is always necessary in these areas which have
been subjected to a variety of uncontrolled uses in the
past. Demand for recreation opportunities is very heavy
in these areas and continual maintenance of the park
environment is essential.
- The natural areas are established primarily to
preserve outstanding natural features. Wildlife management,
protection against pollution and overall restoration of
damaged environments are all needed.
Question - What kind of facilities would be provided at these refuges?
Answer
- These new refuges will serve three broad purposes:
resource management (primarily migratory birds and endangered
species), natural area protection, and provision of wildlife-
oriented recreation. More than one of these purposes can
be served at many of these new refuges. The purpose(s) for
establishing each refuge largely determines the level of
development and management required including the provision
of new facilities.
- Natural areas - emphasis is on preservation of a
diversity of habitats and wildlife. Management,
including construction of new facilities, will be
limited to those that permit the visitor to enjoy
these areas without endangering the resource.
- Resource management areas - habitat development and
manipulation are required in many instances in order
to produce populations and/or use levels necessary
to achieve program objectives. Extensive development
is often necessary, for instance, to allow manipulation
of water levels essential to the maintenance of water
and marsh habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
- Recreational areas - development for recreational
use will be emphasized at these areas. Many of
these areas will serve large urban populations.
The focus of development will, however, be on
facilities necessary to interpret the natural
environment for visitors rather than on provision
of more intensive recreational opportunities such as
swimming and boating.
Question - Would these funds help to protect the resources of these
new areas?
Answer
- Yes. Since many of the sites to be acquired for the
protection of natural areas and provision of wildlife-
oriented recreation opportunities will be in urban areas where
extensive use is expected, substantial development will be
required to prevent improper use of these environments as
well as to correct any previous abuses. In addition, such
heavy use requires continual maintenance of the natural
environment. Elimination of existing as well as protection
against additional pollution and overall restoration of
damaged environments will be needed on these new units of
the Refuge System.
Question - Who would benefit from the program for grants to cities?
Answer
- Mostly the less mobile residents of our cities, who must
rely on close-in parks for their recreation. From
New York's Prospect Park to Jackson Park in Chicago, to
Griffith Park in Los Angeles new investments can make old
areas usable again and open new opportunities for literally
millions of people.
Question - But aren't city parks unsafe?
Answer
- Yes, some are. One reason they have become unsafe is
because they have been allowed to run down, maintenance has
been delayed for too long, and facilities have become outmoded.
Well-maintained parks, with modern facilities can be used
by many people. Well-used parks are the safest parks.
Question - What sorts of things would the money be spent for?
Answer
- New playground equipment, lighting, landscaping, and repairs
for older but usable facilities. New recreation centers,
and devices to make the parks accessible to senior citizens
and handicapped persons.
Question - Who would do the work?
Answer
- Local people, usually under the direction of the park and
recreation agency.
Question - What are the pressing needs for upgrading existing parks?
Answer - Acute deterioration of roads, buildings, and campgrounds
exists in both established areas and those areas newly
added to the system because of inadequate funding and staffing.
There is a pressing need to provide major repair, as well
as regularly scheduled maintenance so that visitors are
provided a clean, safe, enjoyable park experience.
Well-organized cyclic maintenance program provides a most
efficient use of this funding, and requires a minimum of
permanent positions where seasonal or contracted work
is possible.
An additional pressing need is upgrading the many old and
heavily used water and sewerage systems in the parks.
Another public health hazard, such as the one that closed
Crater Lake National Park, must be avoided.
Question - How would this increase in funds and staffing help protect
the natural and historic resources of the parks?
Answer
- Over half the parks in the System preserve our historic heritage.
Maintaining the integrity of the historic scene is essential
to help the American people understand the importance of
these historic shrines.
Increased visitation in the natural parks is damaging the
resources that initially attracted people to the parks.
Resource management programs are required to direct and
control this use in order to preserve these resources for
the enjoyment of future generations.
Question - How would these additional personnel improve the public use
of the parks?
Answer
- The upgrading and the continuous maintenance of facilities
and resources in the parks are activities critically
understaffed. A disturbing consequence has resulted from
diverting staff from older established areas to over 60
newer areas not yet fully operational; the quality of the
park experience has been diminished in all areas. Many
programs have been curtailed, and many necessary visitor
services are all but nonexistent in newer parks. Visitor
safety, protection of park resources, and interpretation
of the park story are all acutely in need of additional
funds and personnel, particularly since visitation is
increasing rapidly each year.
Existing park employees just cannot meet these additional
workload requirements.
Question - What are the pressing needs for upgrading existing refuges?
Answer - Acute deterioration of water control facilities, roads,
buildings, and fences exists at both older units and areas
recently added to the system. There is a pressing need to
provide major repair of deteriorated facilities as well as
to substantially increase regularly scheduled maintenance
to prevent accelerated deterioration of sound facilities in
order to carry on efficient operation of important resource
management programs and provide safe, enjoyable experiences
for visitors.
In addition, there are unique opportunities to provide
substantial additional benefits to the nation at a very
favorable benefit-cost ratio by expanding operations at
existing national wildlife refuges. Many of these
opportunities exist in close proximity to urban areas.
Question - How would this increase in funds and staffing help protect
the natural resources of the refuges?
Answer
- Virtually all existing refuges contain outstanding examples
of our natural heritage. Maintaining the integrity of these
environments is essential to help the American people
understand the ecological significance of these habitats.
Increased visitation is damaging the values that attracted
people to the refuges in the first place. Resource management
programs are required to direct and control this use in order
to preserve these resources for the enjoyment of future
generations.
Question - How would these additional personnel improve the public use
of the refuges?
Answer
- Activities required to upgrade and continuously maintain
facilities necessary to manage the system's wildlife and
wildland resources and accommodate increasing public use are
critically understaffed. Areas have been acquired in
recent years without commensurate increases in personnel
and this has necessitated diverting staff from older areas
to the new areas. As a direct result, the quality of refuge
management has been diminished at all areas. Many resource
management programs have been curtailed and necessary
visitor services are all but nonexistent in newer refuges.
Visitor safety, protection of wildlife and wildland resources,
and interpretation of the natural environment are all
acutely in need of additional funds and personnel,
particularly since visitation is increasing each year.
DOUBLING OF PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS
($ and acres in millions)
Estimated Acquisition
From Public
Other
Existing
Lands
Total
Acreage
(Acreage)
Acreage
$
Acreage
National Park Service
31.0
+32.3
+.2
110
63.5
Fish and Wildlife Service
32.3
+31.6
+.1
31
64.0
Total
63.3
+63.9
+.3
141
127.5
NPS PRIORITIES FOR EXPENDING ADDITIONAL LAND
ACQUISITION FUNDS IN FISCAL YEAR 1977
Acres
Amount
Inholdings
2,809
$ 5,000,000
Recently Authorized Areas
Appalachian Trail
N/A
627,000
Big Cypress National Preserve
128,727
30,000,000
Big Thicket National Preserve
49,534
37,391,000
Canaveral National Seashore
118
1,500,000
Cuyahoga Valley NRA
12,056
18,700,000
Delaware Water Gap NRA
2,684
2,495,000
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
400
1,000,000
Klondike National Historical Park
824
2,565,000
Lake Mead NRA
596
500,000
Lower St. Croix Nat. Scenic River
1,380
4,000,000
Valley Forge Nat. Historical Park
156
6,222,000
199,284
$ 110,000,000
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENANO
Acadia NP, Maine
192
1,293
Agate Fossil Beds NM, Nebraska
637
Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS,
2,037
Pennsylvania
Amistad RA, Texas
2,685
Andersonville NHS, Georgia
1,928
Antie am NBS, Maryland
1,136
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
6,917
Appomattox Court House NHP,
668
Virginia
Arches NP, Utah
590
Badlands NM, So. Dakota
3,552
Bents Old Fort, Colorado
192
Big Bend NP, Texas
4,564
Big Hole NBP, Montana
16
Bighorn Canyon NRA, Montana/Wyoming
91
Biscayne NM, Florida
4,291
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM,
1,957
Colorado
Blue Ridge Pkwy, No. Carolina/
11,788
5,840
Virginia/Georgia
Booker T. Washington NM, Virginia
384
Boston NHP, Massachusetts
16,610
Bryce Canyon NP, Utah
1,904
Buck Island Reef NM, Virgin Is.
87
Buffalo National River, Arkansas
4,223
2
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENANC
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NP,
10,546
Maryland/District of Columbia/
West Virginia
Cabrillo NM, California
816
192
Canyon de Chelly NM, Arizona
2,139
Canyonlands NP, Utah
17,240
Cape Cod NS, Massachusetts
325
249
Cape Hatteras NS, No. Carolina
5,408
Cape Lookout NS, No. Carolina
2,075
Capitol Reef NP, Utah
576
Carl Sandburg Home NHS,
1,675
North Carolina
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
3,500
Casa Grande NM, Arizona
432
Castillo de San Marcos NM, Florida
1,418
Catoctin Mt. Park, Maryland
1,538
3,635
Chaco Canyon NM, New Mexico
1,041
Chalmette NHP, Louisianna
269
Channel Islands NM, California
2,938
Chiricahua NM, Arizona
24
898
Colonial NHP, Virginia
2,224
3,468
Colorado NM, Colorado
560
Coronado NM, Arizona
3
Coulee Dam NRA, Washington
960
Cowpens NB, So. Carolina
2,916
Crater Lake NP, Oregon
18
1,696
3
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENANCE
Craters of the Moon NM, Idaho
64
Cumberland Gap NHP, Kentucky/
14
Virginia/Tennessee
Cumberland Island NS, Georgia
17,923
Cuyahoga Valley NRA, Ohio
10,000
Custer Battlefield NM, Montana
179
De Soto NM, Florida
7
Death Valley NM, California/
2,635
12,369
Nevada
Delaware Water Gap NRA,
1,109
New Jersey/Pennsylvania
Dinosaur NM, Colorado/Utah
1,008
Edison NHS, New Jersey
778
Effigy Mounds NM, Iowa
181
Everglades NP, Florida
321
Federal Hall NM, New York
80
Fire Island NS, New York
8
413
Florrissant Fossil Beds NM,
1,189
Colorado
Foothills Parkway, Tennessee
240
1,440
Fort Bowie NHS, Arizona
240
Fort Caroline NM, Florida
42
Fort Clatsop MN, Oregon
165
Fort Davis NHS, Texas
285
Fort Donelson NMP, Tennessee
525
Fort Jefferson NM, Florida
3,000
7,395
Fort Laramie NHS, Wyoming
886
4
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENAN
Fort Larned NHS, Kansas
45
2,832
Fort McHenry NM & Historic Shrine,
21
Maryland
Fort Necessity NB, Pennsylvania
178
Fort Point NHS, California
114
Fort Pulaski NM, Georgia
16
Fort Raleigh NHS, No. Carolina
93
680
Fort Stanwix NM, New York
880
216
Fort Sumpter NM, So. Carolina
2,182
Fort Vancouver NHS, Washington
109
32
Fossil Butte NM, Wyoming
2,080
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania
21
County Battlefields Memorial
NMP, Virginia
Fort Scott NHS, Kansas
1,323
Gateway NRA, New York/New Jersey
17,508
General Grant NM, New York
144
Geo. Washington Birthplace NM,
739
Virginia
Geo. Washington Carver NM,
127
Missouri
Geo. Washington Mem. Pkwy,
232
3,585
Maryland/Virginia
George Rogers Clark NHP, Indiana
24
Gettysburg NMP, Pennsylvania
1,042
Gila Cliff Dwellings NM,
112
New Mexico
Glacier Bay NM, Alaska
32
451
5
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENA
Glacier NP, Montana
10,000
5,454
Glen Canyon NRA, Arizona/Utah
10,000
275
Gloria Dei Church NHS,
451
Pennsylvania
Golden Gate NRA, California
18,902
Grand Canyon NP, Arizona
12,785
6,957
Grand Portage NM, Minnesota
19
Grand Teton NP, Wyoming
554
Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, Montana
3,262
Great Sand Dunes NM, Colorado
247
Great Smoky Mt. NP, No. Carolina/
10,312
1,316
Tennessee
Greenbelt Park, Maryland
176
Guadalupe Mt. NP, Texas
13,962
Gulf Islands NS, Florida/
16,039
Mississippi
Haleakala NP, Hawaii
1,452
Hamilton Grange NHP, New York
587
Harpers Ferry NHP, W. Virginia
608
7,171
Hawaii Volcanoes NP, Hawaii
2,363
1,537
Herbert Hoover NHS, Iowa
848
Hohokam Pima NM, Arizona
75
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt
312
NHS, New York
Homestead NM of America, Nebraska
8
Hopewell Village NHS, Pennsylvania
2,981
Hot Springs NP, Arkansas
37
6
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENANO
Hubbell Trading Post NHS,
16
841
Arizona
Ice Age National Science
727
Reserve, Wisconsin
Independence NHP, Pennsylvania
1,760
3,639
Indiana Dunes NL, Indiana
11,826
Isle Royal NP, Michigan
634
384
Jefferson NEM NHS, Missouri
1,1980
Jewel Cave NM, So. Dakota
224
Johnstown Flood N Mem.,
38
Pennsylvania
Joshua Tree NM, California
3,297
5,741
Katmai NM, Alaska
96
Knife River Indian Village,
827
No. Dakota
Lake Mead NRA, Arizona
14,467
640
Lake Meridith RA, Texas
319
264
Lassen Volcanic NP, California
1,486
96
Lava Beds NM, California
11
Lehman Caves NM, Nevada
235
Lincoln Boyhood NM, Indiana
304
Lincoln Home NHS, Illinois
1,444
Longfellow NHS, Massachusetts
288
Lower St. Croix River,
340
Minnesota/Wisconsin
Manassas NBP, Virginia
423
Mesa Verde NP, Colorado
10,880
179
Minute Man NHS, Massachusetts
18
7
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENAN
Montezuma Castle NM, Arizona
74
Morristown NHP, New Jersey.
72
Mound City Group NM, Ohio
918
Mt. McKinley NP, Alaska
128
594
Mt. Ranier NP, Washington
2,162
Mt. Rushmore NM, So. Dakota
1,009
Natchez Trace Parkway,
34,935
4,800
Mississippi/Tennessee/Alabama
Natural Bridges NM, Utah
1,075
Navajo NM, Arizona
170
88
National Capital Parks,
39,415
2,570
Nez Perce NHP, Idaho
3,442
North Cascades NP, Washington
3,489
Ocmulgee NM, Georgia
144
160
Olympic NP, Washington
70
2,072
Ozark NS Riverways, Missouri
4,500
2,475
Padre Island NS, Texas
208
Pea Ridge NMP, Arkansas
140
195
Pecos NM, New Mexico
2,550
Perry's Victory & International
528
4,851
Peace Memorial NM, Ohio
Petersburg NB, Virginia
13
853
Petrified Forest NP, Arizona
416
1,481
Pictured Rocks NL, Michigan
4,390
Pinnacles NM, California
59
Point Reyes NS, California
3,824
942
8
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENA
Prince Wm. Forest Park, Virginia
1,718
10,350
Rainbow Bridge NM, Utah
152
Redwood NP, California
234
Richmond NBP, Virginia
30
Rocky Mt. NP, Colorado
10,000
4,024
Roger Williams NM, Rhode Island
277
Sagamore Hill NHS, New York
115
Saguaro NM, Arizona
70
St. Croix NSR, Wisconsin
1,147
St. Croix Is. NM, Maine
922
Saint-Gaudens NHS, Hew Hampshire
274
Salem Maritime NHS, Massachusetts
1,234
66
San Juan Is. NHP, Washington
1,078
San Juan NHS, Puerto Rico
6,512
1,730
Saratoga NHP, New York
107
40
Saugus Iron Works NHS,
1,727
Massachusetts
Scotts Bluff NM, Nebraska
648
Sequoia NP, California
11,536
6,016
Shadow Mt. NRA, Colorado
1,464
Shenandoah NP, Virginia
9,136
279
Shiloh NMP, Tennessee
237
Sitka NHP, Alaska
397
Sleeping Bear Dunes NL,
4,384
Michigan
9
($ 000)
NEW OR RECENTLY
OLDER
AREA
AUTHORIZED
PARKS
MAINTENAN
Statue of Liberty NM, New York
667
2,312
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace
456
NHS, New York
Theodore Roosevelt NM, No. Dakota
5,015
2,374
Timpanogos Cave NM, Utah
189
Tonto NM, Arizona
64
Tumacacori NM, Arizona
480
Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, New York
2,149
Vicksburg NMP, Mississippi
3,589
173
Virgin Is. NP, Virgin Islands
415
Voyageurs NP, Minnesota
4,419
Whiskeytown NRA, California
279
White Sands NM, New Mexico
182
Wm. Howard Taft NHS, Ohio
1,335
Wilsons Creek NB, Missouri
2,469
Wind Cave NP, So. Dakota
1,328
Wolf Trap Farm Park, Virginia
455
3,107
Wright Brothers NM, No. Carolina
339
Wupatki NM, Arizona
1,112
Yellowstone NP, Wyoming/Idaho/Montana
10,000
6,996
Yosemite NP, California
4,347
2,979
Zion NP, Utah
827
Klondike Gold Rush NHS, Alaska/
1,000
Washington
Valley Forge NHP, Pennsylvania
500
Old Ninety Six Star Fort, So. Carolina 738
Big Thicket NP, Texas
1,500
200,000
300,000
194,300
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bicentennial Land Heritage Program
Background Information
PROPOSAL
A program to provide:
$31 million for accelerated acquisition of 111,000 acres of
unique and valuable wildlife habitat
$200 million for improvements, facilities construction, and
habitat development
$64.7 million for upgrading both existing and new refuges, with
$7 million each year increased for personnel for these refuges
PURPOSES
Prevent the loss of important wildlife habitat
Assure that these ecosystems are protected and their potential
realized
Make the natural heritage included in the National Wildlife
Refuge System available to all Americans, now and in the future.
ANNUAL RESULTS
Acquisition/
Development
Rehabilitation/
Development
of Existing
Upgrading Exist-
Benefits
of New Areas
Areas
ing Facilities
Waterfowl Production
0.6
3.8
0.2
(Birds millions)
Waterfowl Maintenance
1.5
3.2
0.4
(Use Days-billions)
Endangered Species
Unavailable
92.0
15.0
(Use Days-millions)
Environmental Education
8.0
6.0
Unavailable
(Activity Hours-millions)
Wildlife Interpretation
56.0
58.0
Unavailable
(Activity Hours-millions)
Other Wildlife-oriented
40.0
106.0
Unavailable
FORD
is
Public Use (Activity
Hours-millions)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Acquisition
Based on current information, the following acquisition is proposed:
Acquisition at 6 new refuges, totaling 66,725 acres at a cost of
$16.25 million
Major additions to 11 existing refuges totaling 40,405 acres at
a cost of $12.8 million
Acquisition of inholdings at 15 refuges totaling 4,750 acres
at a cost of approximately $2.55 million
The total acquisition backlog for the National Wildlife Refuge System
is about five million acres which would cost an estimated $2.5 billion
to acquire at today's prices. Over the past 10 years, an average of
$18.65 million has been spent annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service for land acquisition. This funding has resulted in the
acquisition of an average of 128,000 acres annually. In the past two
fiscal years (not including the Transition Quarter) total appropriations
for land acquisition have averaged $25.5 million, an average of only
76,000 acres have been acquired due, primarily, to significant and very
rapid inflation of land values.
Development of Newly Acquired Refuges
The new refuges as well as the additions and inholdings will serve
three broad purposes: wildlife resource management (emphasis on
migratory birds and endangered species), natural area protection, and
provision of wildlife-oriented recreation. More than one of these
purposes can be served at many of these new refuges. The purposes for
establishing each refuge determine the level of development and
management required at each area including the provision of new facilities.
Natural areas - emphasis is on preservation of existing natural
resources. Management, including construction of new facilities,
will be limited to those that permit the visitor to enjoy these
areas without endangering the resource.
Resource management areas - habitat development and manipulation is
required in many instances in order to produce populations and/or use
levels necessary to achieve program objectives. Extensive development
is often necessary, for instance, to allow manipulation of water
levels essential to the maintenance of waterfowl habitat.
Public use - development for wildlife-related recreational use
will be emphasized at virtually all of these new areas and
additions. Many will serve large urban populations. The focus
of development will, however, be on facilities necessary to
interpret the natural environment for visitors rather than on
provision of more intensive recreational opportunities such as
swimming and boating.
These funds will help to protect the wildlife resources and other natural
values of the land acquired. Since several of the sites to be acquired
for natural area protection and provision of wildlife-oriented public use
will be in urban areas where extensive use is expected, substantial
development will be required to prevent improper use of these environments
as well as to correct any previous abuses. In addition, such heavy use
requires continual maintenance of the natural environment. Elimination
of existing as well as protection against additional pollution and
overall restoration of damaged environments will also be required.
Development of Existing Refuges
Acute deterioration of water control facilities, roads, buildings, and
fences exists at older units because of inadequate funding and staffing
in the past. In addition, sufficient funds have not been available to
allow development of units added to the system in recent years necessary
to protect and manage these units adequately. There is a pressing need
to provide major repair of deteriorated facilities to insure efficient
operation of important resource management programs and provide safe,
enjoyable experiences for visitors. Of equal importance, a substantial
increase in regularly scheduled maintenance to prevent accelerated
deterioration of sound facilities is essential to prevent the development
of facility rehabilitation backlogs in the future.
In addition, there are unique opportunities to provide substantial
additional benefits to the nation at a very favorable benefit-cost ratio
by expanding operations at existing national wildlife refuges. Many of
these opportunities exist in close proximity to urban areas.
Upgrading, Including Increased Staff at New and Existing Refuges
Virtually all existing refuges contain outstanding examples of our
natural heritage. Maintaining the integrity of these environments is
essential to help the American people understand the ecological signi-
ficance of these habitats. Increased visitation is damaging the
resources that initially attracted people to the refuges. Resource
management programs are required to direct and control this use in
order to preserve these resources for the enjoyment of future
generations.
Activities required to upgrade and continuously maintain facilities
necessary to manage the System's wildlife and wildland resources and
accommodate increasing public use are critically understaffed. Addi-
tional new areas in recent years without commensurate increases in
personnel have necessitated diverting staff from older areas to the
new areas. As a direct result, the quality of the refuge management
has been diminished at all areas. Many resource management programs
have been curtailed, and necessary visitor services are all but
nonexistent at newer refuges. Visitor safety, protection of wildlife
and wildland resources, and interpretation of the natural environment
are all acutely in need of additional funds and personnel, particu-
larly since visitation is increasing rapidly each year.
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Proposed FY 1977 Land Acquisition
Estimated Cost
Project
State
(in millions)
Acres
Endangered Species
California Condor
CA
$ 8.0
56,000
Hawaiian Waterbirds
HI
.75
165
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
MD
1.3
2,450
Mississippi Sandhill Crane
MS
5.0
6,000
Dusky Seaside Sparrow
FL
1.0
1,700
Indiana Bat
KY/WV
.2
410
Subtotal
16.25
66,725
Additions to Existing Refuges
Havasu
AZ
2.5
1,160
San Pablo Bay
CA
0.6
900
Florida Keys
FL
1.0
1,743
J.N. Ding Darling
FL
1.0
175
Okefenokee
GA
0.8
16,600
Meredosia
IL
0.6
325
Great Swamp
NJ
1.5
400
Great Dismal Swamp
VA/NC
2.0
10,000
Columbia
WA
0.8
4,000
Upper Mississippi
WI
1.0
4,900
National Elk
WY
1.0
202
Subtotal
12.8
40,405
Inholdings
Humbolt Bay
CA
0.2
635
Chassahowitzka
FL
0.2
235
Crab Orchard
IL
0.3
300
Lacassine
LA
0.08
81
Great Meadows
MA
0.2
150
Rachel Carson
ME
0.15
470
Great Swamp
NJ
0.1
30
Supawana Meadows
NJ
0.2
355
Wertheim
NY
0.12
72
Mackay Island
NC/VA
0.15
125
Ottawa
OH
0.17
108
Klamath Forest
OR
0.23
1,176
Lewis and Clark
OR
0.1
108
Nisqually
WA
0.2
335
Willapa
WA
0.15
570
Subtotal
2.55
4,750
TOTAL
$31.60
111,880
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
ALABAMA
Choctaw
4,225
308
4,533
Eufaula
1,650
163
1,813
Wheeler
1,320
638
1,958
State Total
(8,304)
ALASKA
Aleutian Islands
1,480
989
2,469
Arctic
520
26
546
Clarence Rhode
891
62
953
Izembeck
85
22
107
Kenai
5,428
2,031
7,459
Kodiak
2,716
82
2,798
State Total
(14,332)
ARKANSAS
Big Lake
497
1,006
1,503
Holla Bend
69
247
316
Wapanocca
325
937
1,262
White River
2,018
580
2,598
State Total
(5,679)
ARIZONA
Imperial
2,990
1,602
4,592
Kofa
143
42
185
Cabeza Prieta
81
257
338
State Total
(5,115)
2
XI Areas established before 1965
21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
CALIFORNIA
Humboldt Bay
425
425
Kern
322
322
Sacramento
585
1,625
2,210
Salton Sea
278
454
732
San Francisco Bay
10,452
10,452
San Luis
1,912
1,912
Klamath Basin
358
832
1,190
Cibola
325
376
701
Havasu
325
788
1,113
State Total
(19,057
COLORADO
Alamosa
697
478
1,175
Arapaho
125
125
Monte Vista
1,707
324
2,031
Browns Park
680
680
State Total
(4,011)
DELAWARE
Bombay Hook
269
52
321
Prime Hook
248
21
(-269
State Total
(590)
FLORIDA
Chassahowitzka
13
30
43
Hobe Sound
369
369
J.N. Ding Darling
1,071
176
1,247
Lake Woodruff
1,827
286
2,113
Loxahatchee
3,353
880
4,233
Merritt Island
946
377
1,323
National Key Deer
629
39
668
Pelican Island
650
5
655
St. Johns
2
2
St. Marks
1,661
732
2,393
St. Vincent
1,396
232
1,628
State Total
(14,674)
2
I/ Areas established before 1965
-21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
GEORGIA
Blackbeard Island
47
147
194
Harris Neck
140
8
148
Okefenokee
1,850
1,937
3,787
Piedmont
922
299
1,221
Wassaw
125
125
State Total
(5,475)
HAWAII
Hawaiian Islands
556
1
557
State Total
(557)
IDAHO
Camas
257
519
776
Deer Flat
26
195
221
Grays Lake
395
395
Kootenai
117
93
210
Minidoka
13
12
25
State Total
(1,627)
ILLINOIS
Crab Orchard
5,190
1,618
6,808
Mark Twain
4,334
1,942
6,276
State Total
(13,084)
INDIANA
Muscatatuck
6,692
6,692
State Total
(6,692)
IOWA
DeSoto
2,743
171
2,914
Union Slough
78
37
115
State Total
(3,029)
2
1/ Areas established before 1965
1 21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
KANSAS
Flint Hills
533
533
Kirwin
49
75
124
Quivira
1,268
611
1,879
State Total
(2,536)
LOUISIANA
Catahoula
98
205
303
Delta
13
69
82
Lacassine
915
594
1,509
Sabine
3,152
1,017
4,169
State Total
(6,036)
MAINE
Moosehorn
20
50
70
State Total
(70)
MARYLAND
Blackwater
1,824
511
2,335
Martin
49
119
168
Eastern Neck
163
107
270
State Total
(2.773)
MASSACHUSETTS
Great Meadows
371
21
392
Parker River
117
845
962
State Total
(1,354)
MICHIGAN
Seney
273
345
618
Shiawassee
1,092
1,008
2,100
State Total
(2,718)
2
+1/ Areas established before 1965
I
21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
MINNESOTA
Agassiz
143
1,161
1,304
Big. Stone
65
65
Hamden Slough
260
260
Rice Lake
316
151
467
Sherburne
6,604
6,604
Tamarac
486
61
547
Upper Mississippi River
34
666
700
Minnesota Wetlands
Complex
10,317
10,317
State Total
(20,946)
MISSISSIPPI
Miss. Sandhill Crane
1,950
1,950
Hillside
203
203
Noxubee
347
1,353
1,700
Yazqo
2,637
116
2,753
State Total
(6,606)
MISSOURI
Mingo
189
113
302
Squaw Creek
164
273
437
Swan Lake
156
122
278
State Total
(1,017)
MONTANA
Benton Lake
65
27
92
Charles M. Russell
3,701
2,032
5,733
Medicine Lake
3,142
3,142
National Bison Range
553
138
691
Ravalli
85
116
201
Red Rock Lakes
190
150
340
UL Bend
273
273
State Total
(10,472)
2
71 Areas established before 1965
21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
State/Refuge
Facility
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
NEBRASKA
Crescent Lake
208
486
694
Fort Niobrara
59
120
179
Hastings WMD
2,010
2,010
Valentine
280
280
State Total
(3,163)
NEVADA
Desert
381
63
444
Ruby Lake
468
126
594
Stillwater
358
65
423
State Total
(1,461)
NEW JERSEY
Brigantine
363
380
743
Great Swamp
2,078
479
2,557
State Total
(3,300)
NEW MEXICO
Grulla
95
95
Bitter Lake
26
124
150
Bosque Del Apache
663
663
San Andres
25
25
Sevilleta
852
852
Las Vegas
1,141
1,141
Maxwell
645
645
State Total
(3,571)
NEW YORK
Iroquois
39
85
124
Montezuma
39
130
169
Target Rock
116
116
State Total
2
(409)
+/ Areas established before 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
1
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
NORTH CAROLINA
Mattamuskeet
1,633
222
1,855
Cedar Island
712
712
Pea Island
194
46
240
Pee Dee
920
269
1,189
Pungo
386
618
1,004
State Total
(5,000)
NORTH DAKOTA
Arrowwood
1,859
657
2,516
Audubon
1,582
242
1,824
Des Lacs
1,525
1,525
Devils Lake WMD
1,712
1,712
J. Clark Salyer
2,665
299
2,964
Kulm WMD
1,457
1,457
Tewaukon
1,404
115
1,519
Upper Souris
510
3,197
3,707
State Total
(17,224)
OHIO
Ottawa
2,766
482
3,248
State Total
(3,248)
OKLAHOMA
338
338
Optima
Salt Plains
104
205
309
Sequoyah
602
602
213
213
Tishomingo
35
52
87
Washita
Wichita Mountains
551
2,826
3,377
State Total
(4,926)
2
+1/ Areas established before 1965
21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
OREGON
Malheur
337
571
908
Sheldon-Hart Mountain
130
528
658
Umatilla
1,325
1,325
William F. Finley
42
391
433
State Total
(3,324)
PENNSYLVANIA
Erie
78
48
126
Tinicum
2,135
2,135
State Total
(2,261)
HODE ISLAND
Ninigret
149
149
State Total
(149)
SOUTH CAROLINA
Cape Romain
1,190
664
1,854
Carolina Sandhills
1,430
2,269
3,699
Santee
117
164
281
Savannah
23
84
107
State Total
(5,941)
SOUTH DAKOTA
Lacreek
169
432
601
Lake Andes
1,000
450
71
1,521
Madison WMD
1,079
1,079
Sand Lake
1,000
576
592
2,168
Waubay
1,000
601
313
1,914
State Total
(7,283)
2
I/ Areas established before 1965
/
21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
TENNESSEE
Cross Creeks
1,160
1,160
Hatchie
485
168
653
Reelfoot
316
166
482
Tennessee
5,594
1,984
7,578
State Total
(9,873)
TEXAS
Anahuac
459
521
980
Aransas
1,160
2,050
3,210
Brazoria
416
416
San Bernard
393
393
Laguna Atascosa
1,625
662
2,287
Santa Ana
585
411
996
Attwater
680
680
Buffalo Lake
1,882
1,882
Hagerman
161
161
Muleshoe
65
216
281
State Total
UTAH
Bear River
358
468
826
Fish Springs
594
33
627
Ouray
218
295
513
State Total
(1,966)
VERMONT
Missisquoi
39
65
104
State Total
(104)
2
I/ Areas established before 1965
1 21 Areas established after 1965
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Bicentennial Land Heritage Act
Potential Improvement and Restoration Projects
($ in thousands)
Improvements
Recently Acquired
Facility
State/Refuge
Areas
1/
Older Areas 2/
Restoration
Total
VIRGINIA
Back Bay
226
345
571
Fishermans Island
9
9
Mackay Island
202
215
417
Chincoteague
390
329
719
Great Dismal Swamp
3,552
3,552
Mason Neck
670
670
Presquile
87
31
118
State Total
(6,056)
WASHINGTON
Columbia
701
38
739
McNary
8
219
227
Nisqually
555
555
Toppenish
265
163
428
Lower Columbia River
3,020
3,020
Turnbull
259
259
State Total
(5,228)
WISCONSIN
Horicon
85
524
609
Nechedah
79
169
248
State Total
(857)
WYOMING
National Elk
3,653
1,059
4,712
Seedskadee
7,259
7,259
State Total
(11.971)
TOTAL
86,145
113,855
64,700
264,700
2
I/ Areas established before 1965
21 Areas established after 1965
ALASKA - NATIONAL INTEREST D-2 LANDS
ISSUE: Interior's plan to designate 83.47 million acres of Federal
lands in Alaska (22% of Alaska) as National Parks, National Wildlife
Refuges, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Forests (the
"four systems") is presently before the Congress for consideration.
ACTION AGENCY: Interior (by Act of Congress), cooperation with
Agriculture
STATUS: Senate Interior Committee held oversight hearings in November
and December, 1975; with witnesses from the Administration, the State
of Alaska, and the private sector. No action as of yet in the House.
MAJOR CONTROVERSY: Environmental coalition is backing legislation that
would add some 120 million acres to the "four systems" (mostly Parks
and Refuges). Congressman Young would designate some 60 million acres
(most in Forest and BLM management). The delegation generally feels
that the Interior plan would "lock-up" too much of the State and wants
multiple use management. Governor Hammond is supporting a broader land
use planning approach involving cooperative management of Federal and
State lands. Environmentalists want more land in National Park desig-
nation closed to mining, logging, etc., especially in the spectacular
Wrangell-St. Elias area.
KEY POINTS TO BE MADE: The Department has indicated to the Congress
that we are open to refinement of our proposals, once the Congressional
consideration begins, and we will consider all specific suggestions.
Several concessions have been made in the proposals in response to
those who charge "lock-up". Major mineral deposits have been left out
of proposals; a new concept for parks, sport hunting, has been pro-
posed in Alaska; all proposals would allow subsistence uses by Natives.
Most charge that Refuges are a lock-up, not true; the Refuges will be
open to mineral leasing and mining by permit. All areas except prime
National Parks will be open to leasing. As to size, Assistant Secretary
Reed testified (11/75) that Alaska's cold, short growing seasons, and
thin soils combine to make survival of living resources difficult or
impossible on small land and water areas.
BACKGROUND: Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 awarded Alaska
Natives (Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts) $962.5 million in cash plus 40
million acres of Federal lands in settlement of aboriginal land claims.
It also directed Secretary of the Interior, in the Act's Section 17 (d)
(2), to withdraw from other uses up to 80 million acres of "national
interest" lands for possible inclusion by Congress in the four named
systems. In December 1973 Secretary Morton formally identified 83.47
million acres, and sent an Omnibus bill to Congress to make 32.26
million of these acres part of the National Park System; 31.59 million
acres part of the National Wildlife Refuge System; 18.8 million acres
as part of the National Forest System; and 20 rivers or river segments
additions to National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Under the Act,
most of the areas remain withdrawn from new settlement, new mining
claims and mineral leasing, and from State or Native land selection
until December 1978, to give Congress time to decide on this package.
Using existing Departmental authority accounts for more than 80 million
acres being recommended in Interior's proposal. These outstanding
proposals would double the existing size of both the National Park
System and National Wildlife Refuge System.
Proposals
Authorized by
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act P. L. 92-203
December 18, 1973
Millions
of
National Park System
Acres
1. Gates of the Arctic National Park
8.36
2. Kobuk Valley National Monument
1.85
3. Cape Krusenstern National Monument
0.35
4. Aniakchak Caldera National Monument
0.44
5. Katmai National Park
1.87
6. Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Monument1/
0.30
7. Lake Clark National Park
2.61
8. Mt. McKinley National Park Additions
3.18
9. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
8.64
10. Yukon-Charley National Rivers
1.97
11. Chukchi-Imuruk National Reserve /
2.69
Subtotal 32.26 million acres
National Wildlife Refuge System
12. Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
3.59
13. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Additions
3.76
14. Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge
4.43
15. Selawik National Wildlife Refuge
1.40
16. Coastal National Wildlife Refuges
0.07
17. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
5.16
18. Togiak National Wildlife Refuge
2.74
19. Noatak National Arctic Range 2/
7.59
20. Iliamna National Resource Range 2/
2.85
Subtotal 31.59 million acres
National Forest System
21. Porcupine National Forest
5.50
22. Yukon-Kuskokwim National Forest
7.30
23. Wrangell Mountain National Forest
5.50
24. Chugach National Forest Additions
0.50
Subtotal 18.80 million acres
National Wild and Scenic River System
3/
25. Fortymile National Wild and Scenic River
0.32
26. Birch Creek National Wild River
0.20
27. Beaver Creek National Wild River
0.20
28. Unalakleet National Wild River
0.10
Subtotal 0.82 million acres
Total 83.47 million acres
1/ Joint administration by National Park Service and Fish and
Wildlife Service.
2/ Joint administration by Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of
Land Management.
3/
In addition, 16 Wild and Scenic Rivers also proposed within
parks, refuges, and forests.
Page data
- Page
- 1
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- Type
- document
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- e694198c59afd293
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Document data
- ID
- 1515909
- Core
- doc
- Type
- document
DTO data
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"ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 26, folder \"Parks and Recreation - President's\nProposal\" of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 26 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nDOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS\nTable of Contents\nTab\nProposal\nA\nLetter to Speaker Transmitting Proposed Legislation (Draft)\nB\nProposed Legislation (Draft)\nC\nProposed Press Release (Draft)\nD\nPress Release Support Material\nFact Sheet\nE\nTable - Doubling of Parkland and Recreation Areas\nF\nNational Park Service (Land Acquisition, Construction\nand Maintenance)\nG\nFish and Wildlife Service (Land Acquisition,\nConstruction and Maintenance)\nH\nAlaska - National Interest (D-2) Lands\nI\nA\nDOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS\nPROPOSAL: Establish a 10-year program to double America's heritage of\nnational parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, urban parks, and\nhistoric sites.\nOBJECTIVE: To double the Nation's parklands, wildlife refuges, and\nrecreation areas. This new commitment will be a Bicentennial gift\nthat the American people will give to this and future generations of\nAmericans.\nBACKGROUND: Because of the vision of our forefathers, today's citizens\nhave inherited vast and irreplaceable gifts of parks, historic sites, wild-\nlife sanctuaries, and recreation areas. The National Park Service's\n287 units comprise 31.0 million acres, of which 7.5 million acres are in\nAlaska. The Wildlife Refuge System's 378 units comprise 32.2 million\nacres, of which 22.3 million acres are in Alaska. Yet, with our Nation's\ngrowth, these resources are often overcrowded and overused. At the same\ntime, many areas which would make superb parks, sanctuaries, or recreation\nareas are being lost forever because land values often make other uses\nmore attractive in the short term.\nThe proposed commitment of $1.5 billion over 10 years would be a sound\ninvestment in America's priceless natural resources and avoid loss\nforever of an American heritage that cannot be replaced. It would mark\nagain this Nation's commitment to preserve the best of our vast and\nbeautiful continent. It would expand permanently the natural treasures\nfuture generations of Americans will inherit before these resources are\npriced out of the public domain. This program includes proposed addi-\ntions in Alaska, inasmuch as the Administration has already proposed\nto the Congress a major conservation initiative to protect in perpetuity\n83 million acres of the public domain in that State. The President\nreiterates the need for Congress to act quickly on the Alaska proposals\nbefore the temporary protection afforded by the Alaska Native Claims\nSettlement Act expires in December 1978.\nDESCRIPTION: Legislation will be submitted to establish a $1.5 billion\n10-year program to:\n-- provide $141 million to be used to acquire lands for parks,\nwildlife refuges, and recreation areas, and historic sites.\n--- provide $700 million to develop new and existing parklands\nand refuges into recreation and conservation resources\nready to serve the public.\n2\n-- provide $459 million for upgrading and increased staffing\nof current system of national parks and wildlife refuges.\n-- provide $200 million for one-time grants to cities to upgrade\npresent park areas in disrepair.\nDOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS\nDESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS:\n1. Acquistion of new parks, wildlife refuges, recreation areas and\nhistoric sites. ($141 million immediate appropriation from the Land and\nWater Conservation Fund to remain available for 10 years).\nAdditions to the National Park System - $110 million for parks,\nnational rivers, recreation areas, and historic sites.\nAdditions to the National Wildlife Refuge System - $31 million\nfor the preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife including\nendangered species.\nThe National Park Service currently purchases approximately 60,000 acres\nannually utilizing approximately $77 million form the Land and Water\nConservation Fund. At this time, 559,608 additional acres and $449,631,713\nare required to acquire lands in congressionally authorized park and\nrecreation areas and historic sites of the National Park System.\nThe Fish and Wildlife Service currently acquires approximately 85,000\nacres annually utilizing funds available from the Migratory Bird\nConservation Account ($19.5 million 1976) and the Land and Water\nConservation Fund ($9.4 million 1976). At this time, approximately\n5 million additional acres estimated at $2.5 billion are necessary for\nthe preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife including\nendangered species.\n2. Development of these new and existing parklands and refuges into\nrecreation and conservation resources ready to serve the public.\n($700 million immediate appropriation to remain available for 10. years\nover and above existing development programs and funding for units already\nin the National Park and Wildlife Refuge System.)\nSuch funds are generally to be used to implement park and refuge\nmaster plans, which include visitor facilities, road and trails, resource\nmanagement tools, and such additional improvements as may be necessary\nfor effective park and refuge management. National park units -- $400\nmillion. National wildlife refuges -- $300 million.\n5\n2\n3, Upgrading and increased staffing of current systems of national parks\nand wildlife refuges. ($459 million of which $259 million immediate\nappropriation to remain available for ten years for upgrading and $200\nmillion over ten years to be appropriated approximately $20 million\nannually for increased staffing.)\n2\nUp grading --- $259 million for rehabilitation of deteriorated\nfacilities with $194.3 million for national parks and $64.7 million for\nwildlife refuges with emphasis to be given to those areas where public\nuse opportunities are greatest.\nIncreased staffing -- $200 million and approximately 1,500\npermanent positions with 1,000 for national parks and 500 for wildlife\nrefuges to bring the present field employment up to a level that will\ninsure the protection of the natural resource and meet the increasing\npublic demand. ($20 million annually for ten years -- $13 million for\nthe National Parks Service and $7 million for the Fish and Wildlife\nSrrvice).\n4. One-time grants to cities to upgrade present park areas in disrepair.\n($200 million for fiscal year 1977.\nTo be apportioned among the major cities (utilizing the Standard\nMetropolitan Statistical Areas) on the basis of population and need\nwith no city entitled to more than 3 percent.\nOF\nTHE INTERIOR\nUnited States Department of the Interior\nOFFICE OF THE SECRETARY\n3\n1849\nWASHINGTON D.C. 20240\nMarch\nHonorable Carl Albert\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives\nnumber Reaident Be\nWashington, D.C. 20515\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nBy direction of the President, transmitted herewith is a bill \"To\nprovide assistance to cities for the rehabilitation and improvement\nof urban parks and outdoor recreation facilities.\nWe recommend that the bill be referred to the appropriate committee\nand that it be enacted.\nThe bill is an essential part of an overall package which would serve\nas a Bicentennial legacy from this generation of Americans to future\ngenerations. This bill addresses the growing concern over the inade-\nquacy and deterioration of recreation facilities available to urban\nresidents. In order to alleviate these problems, the bill would\nestablish an Urban Recreation Fund in the amount of $200 million.\nThe Secretary of the Interior would make grants from the Fund to\ncities for the rehabilitation, repair, or improvement of urban recre-\nation facilities.\nIn related actions the President is submitting a supplemental budget\nrequest for appropriations totalling $1,320,000 for FY 1977. These\nfunds would be made available until expended to the National Park\nService and the Fish and Wildlife Service in recognition of the rapid\nrate at which natural areas, open spaces, and valuable wildlife habitat\nare being altered and developed. These funds if appropriated would\nplay a major role in accelerating the acquisition of land throughout\nthe country devoted to parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges and\nhistoric sites. $141, million is requested for these purposes. $700\nmillion in funds are requested to develop new and existing parklands\nand refuges into recreation and conservation resources ready to serve\nthe public.\nIn addition $279 million are requested for upgrading and increased\nstaffing of the current system of national parks and wildlife refuges.\nWe will be requesting an additional $20 million dollars for the\nnext nine years in order to provide for the increases in man-\npower requirements of these agencies. It is necessary for the\nCongress to expedite the enactment of the attached bill in order\nto insure that the $200 million grant to the cities can be made\navailable in FY 1977. In anticipated of a favorable response we\nhave included these funds in our supplemental request.\nThe Office of Management and Budget has advised that the enactment\nof the enclosed legislation would be in accord with the program of\nthe President.\nSincerely yours,\nSecretary of the Interior\nEnclosure\nA BILL\nTo provide assistance to cities for the rehabilitation and improvement\nof urban parks and outdoor recreation facilities.\nBe it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United\nStates of America in Congress assembled. That, in order to assist in\nrehabilitating and repairing urban outdoor recreation facilities, there\nis established, out of general revenues and other monies which may be\nmade available for this purpose, an Urban Recreation Fund in the\nTreasury of the United States.\nSec. 2. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make\ngrants from the Urban Recreation Fund for the rehabilitation, repair, or\nimprovement of urban parks or other outdoor recreation facilities. Such\ngrants may be made through the States to any city or county upon appli-\ncation to the Secretary of the Interior, and may be applied to any park\nor other outdoor recreation facility which is within the city or county\nor primarily used by and readily accessible to residents of the city or\ncounty: Provided, however, that no more than three percent of the monies\ngranted pursuant to this section shall be granted to any standard metro-\npolitan statistical area.\nSec. 3. For the purposes of this Act, the term-\n(a) \"City\" means an incorporated community within any\nstandard metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States\nBureau of Census;\n(b) \"County\" means a county within any standard metropolitan\nstatistical area, as defined by the United States Bureau of Census.\nSec. 4. There is authorized to be appropriated to the fund estab-\nlished in Sec. 2 of this Act not to exceed $200 million for fiscal year\n1977. Such funds are to be available until expended.\n(Draft Press Release)\nBICENTENNIAL LAND HERITAGE PROGRAM\nA Bicentennial gift to the Nation--a doubling of the Nation's national\nparks and wildlife refuges--has been proposed as the Bicentennial Land\nHeritage Program. In addition, this program will provide badly needed\nfunds for the improvement, rehabilitation, and maintenance of parks\nand refuges.\nA proposal for appropriations to establish a ten-year, $1.5 billion\nprogram was submitted today by President Ford. A key element of the\nproposal would provide $141 million to the National Park Service and\nthe U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire more than 300,000\nacres of lands for parks and refuges. This money would enable both\nServices to accelerate land acquisition efforts and purchase important\nareas now in danger of destruction or damage.\nIn announcing this new Program, President Ford also expressed his\ndisappointment that the 94th Congress has failed to take action on the\nproposed Alaska Conservation Act, and his hope that the 95th Congress\nwill take early positive action on this important conservation measure,\nwhich would add more than 68 million acres of land to the National Park\nSystem and the National Wildlife Refuge System.\n\"I am urging that the Alaska proposals, representing an opportunity\nfor this Nation to protect permanently some of the last great wildlands\nin North America, be adopted promptly. The 32 million acres of new\nnational parks and 34 million acres of wildlife refuge lands included\nin this Bill represent the last great opportunity to provide a legacy\nof natural areas for the future,' the President said. \"The park and\nrefuge proposals in the proposed Alaska Conservation Act will be\ncomplemented by the Bicentennial Land Heritage Program, but future\ngenerations will not have been served well if we do not act now to\ntake advantage of the opportunity to establish new national parks and\nwildlife refuges in Alaska. I am confident the Congress recognizes\nthe importance of their consideration, and I look forward to its\ncooperation in this exciting venture.\"\nIn addition to providing funds for prompt acquisition of important\nlands, the Bicentennial Land Heritage Program would make available\nfunds for improvements, facilities rehabilitation, maintenance, and\nincreased staffing. It would:\n-- provide $700 million to make improvements on new and recently\nacquired parks and wildlife refuges, and to provide improved facilities\nand management for parks and refuges which have been in Federal owner-\nship but never properly improved to make them useful to the public or\nto provide their full potential for benefit to wildlife;\n2\n-- provide $459 million for proper maintenance and adequate\nstaffing of the present systems of national parks and national\nwildlife refuges;\n-- provide $200 million for one-time grants to cities for\npresent park areas which are in need of general repair and\nmaintenance.\n\"These lands are as much a part of the American heritage as is the\nDeclaration of Independence, President Ford said in announcing this\nProgram, \"and we are fortunate that past generations of Americans\nmade them available for us to enjoy. Therefore, it is my desire\nthat additional lands be acquired or set aside as this generation's\nbequest to the future.\n\"I am disturbed that many of our national parks and wildlife refuges\nare deteriorating because the funds have not been made available to\nprotect and maintain these priceless resources. We cannot allow this\ndeterioration to proceed further,\" the President said. \"Our growing\nNation has overused and overcrowded many of these lands. At the same\ntime, many areas that deserve to be protected as parks and refuges\nare being lost forever because alternative uses are made of the land,\nand their lasting, real values are lost for short-term profit.\"\nPresident Ford went on to say, \"This Program will reaffirm our Nation's\ncommitment to preserve the best of our vast and beautiful country and\nthe wildlife inhabiting it. It will be a sound investment in America\nthat will pay off handsomely by permanently insuring and enriching the\nnatural treasures that will be inherited by future generations of\nAmericans.\n\"\nThe Bicentennial Land Heritage Program will significantly influence the\nfuture of the 31 million acre National Park System. The System, with\nits 287 areas, contains outstanding natural features and historical\nsites. These areas suffer from overuse or deficient maintenance, and\nareas with high recreation potential often lack adequate access roads\nand visitor facilities. Many of the nationally significant historical\nand archeological sites are deteriorating from lack of adequate protec-\ntion and suitable resource management planning and execution. The\naddition of lands to the System, coupled with effective resource manage-\nment, will increase opportunities for outdoor recreation, as well as\ninsure the protection and perpetuation of these resources for future\ngenerations. Their inclusion would also help to alleviate overcrowding\nproblems at areas currently in the System, where sharply accelerated\nvisitation during recent years has seriously impacted park resources.\n3\nUnder the new program, the National Park System would receive:\n-- $110 million to acquire new parks and recreation areas and\nhistoric sites;\n-- $500 million for facilities installation and improvement;\n-- $194.3 million for repairs to facilities and for continuing\nmaintenance, as well as $13 million each year to pay for an addi-\ntional 1,000 personnel. Many of the facilities in the National Park\nSystem were built 20 years or more ago and have not been properly\nmaintained because of the need to provide funds for other pressing\npark programs, particularly in new areas which have not been properly\nfunded or staffed.\nThe Bicentennial Land Heritage Program will also be important to the\nNational Wildlife Refuge System. The 378 National Wildlife Refuges\nwhich encompass 32 million acres, provide habitat for a wide variety\nof the Nation's fish and wildlife. The Refuge System, like the\nNational Park System, has deteriorated seriously. In the last two\ndecades, the System has doubled in size, and public visitation has\nquadrupled to 30 million visitors a year. Yet, staffing has not been\nincreased in the last ten years. Many facilities such as roads,\nbuildings, and water management structures have deteriorated for lack\nof maintenance. Many of the refuges are not staffed or are operated\nat a custodial level. Such refuges are managed by personnel from\ndistant refuges, who make only occasional visits.\nOther refuges with severe manpower shortages are underproductive or\ncompletely undeveloped, so that their full potential benefits for\nwildlife are not realized. Flooding an area to provide additional\nwaterfowl feeding areas, or leveling a field for planting, cannot be\ndone. Protection of natural areas from fire or vandalism is virtually\nimpossible.\nOf even more concern is the daily destruction of essential wildlife\nhabitat which is being bought, developed, polluted, or otherwise\naltered. Almost five million more acres are needed to complete the\nRefuge System to protect the highest priority land for endangered\nspecies and migratory birds, and to protect unique and unspoiled\necosystems.\nUnder the new Program, the National Wildlife Refuge System would\nreceive:\n4\n-- $31 million so that land acquisition would be accelerated to\nquickly add 111, 880 acres of land to the System. Most of the acqui-\nsition would be over the next five years. Of key interest are coastal\nand inland wetlands and other unique habitats, which by virtue of their\nnatural biological productivity provide enormous benefits to wildlife;\n-- $200 million for the improvement of new and existing refuges\nand such facilities as water management structures, trails, roads,\nvisitor centers, administrative facilities, or to create desirable\nwildlife habitat;\n-- $64.7 million for improved maintenance of refuges, plus an\nannual appropriation of $7 million to provide 500 additional positions\nto manage and maintain refuges. Physical facilities on most national\nwildlife refuges were constructed during the 1930's and are poorly\nmaintained. The rapid growth of the System has made it impossible\nto keep pace with maintenance and staffing needs over the years.\nTo assist in badly needed maintenance of urban park areas, the Presi-\ndent proposed a one-time grant to cities. \"As America has developed\ninto the world's leading industrial nation, President Ford said,\n\"her people have migrated to the cities. Today we are an urban nation.\nThe need for outdoor recreation opportunities for city dwellers is\nacute. Many of our cities cannot keep up the parks which they have\ncreated, and their usefulness and attractiveness is rapidly fading.\nIn order to help make urban parks attractive and useful resources\nonce again, I propose to help cities get their parks cleaned up and\nmade attractive to the people for whom they are intended. I believe\nsupport from the Federal Government will help restore pride in urban\nparks and instill in urban dwellers the desire to keep their own parks\nclean, well maintained--and used,\" President Ford said.\nThe President concluded, \"There is a need for Federal funds to help\ncities, just as there is a major need for immediate attention to the\nwell-being of the Nation's priceless legacy of National Parks and\nNational Wildlife Refuges.'\nJTL Talking Points:\n1. I want you to know -- and I think Jim Cannon's and Nat\nReed's people will confirm this -- that we have worked\nvery hard to come up with a defensible proposal, which\nis as free of bugs as possible.\n2. I have reviewed all of this work in detail and am\nsatisfied that- given the objective -- the Bicentennial parks\ninitiative is as good as we can do.\n3. The problem is, however, that we started out with the\nobjective of making a big \"splash\". The result of this\nexercise was going to be the sort of thing that will\nshow that the Ford Administration can come up with bold\ninitiatives, contrary to Carter's assertions.\n4.\nThat objective has resulted in a proposal that is\nmanifestly contrary to the principal thrusts of your\nAdministration -- fiscal restraint, simplification of\ncategorical programs, consistency in policy direction.\n5. The only time we have deviated from those principles --\nwhich I think are going to sell big with the American\npeople -- is with respect to matters of overriding\nimportance such as defense, energy and research. While\nwe can argue that those matters are simply too important\nto be subject to across-the-board fiscal restraint, I\ndoubt very seriously whether the same argument can be\nmade with respect to parks and outdoor recreation.\n6. I fear that the initiative will be characterized as no\nmore than a campaign tactic -- and will serve to\nseriously undercut the perception that you are con-\nsistent and determined to see the Nation through our\nmost serious economic troubles since the Depression.\n7. We have been telling the American people \"you can't\nhave your cake and eat it too.\" This initiative will\ninevitably lead people to question whether you really\nmean it.\nSome specific points to make about the urban parks proposal,\nif you want:\n-- is likely to be perpetual;\n-- mayors probably think police and security more\nnecessary to park usage than fix-up;\n2\n-- nearly $8 billion of other Federal funding is available\nfor jobs to accomplish fixing un parks;\n-- the justification that cities will find this useful\nbecause of their fiscal crisis can be used to justify\nany takeover of a municipal function -- there is\nnothing special about parks;\n-- will set a terrible precedent -- will lead to\ndrinking water funding, increased waste treatment\nplant funding, solid waste disposal funding, etc.;\n-- reminds me of the old HUD open space program --\nwhich we worked like hell to fold into the community\ndevelopment block grant program.\nResponse to -- \"all right, let's cut it way down -- what\ndo I say at Yellowstone?\"\n-- increase personnel\nC\nlings\n-- increase maintenance - deferred and current\n-- push Congress on dozens unenacted Administration\nFederal transfer proposals\n-- talk about management study\nC.\nLand and Water Conservation Fund\nThe President's Bicentennial Land Heritage Program\nwill initially more than double the Nation's total acreage\nof parks, recreation areas, and wild life refuges. Over\nthe ten year period it will continue to add acreage by\nbuilding upon a growing Land and Water Conservation Fund.\nThis highly regarded fund currently provides federal\nfinancing for acquisition of land for recreation purposes.\nThe President looks toward annually working with the\nCongress to determine each year the most responsible\nincreases possible in this Fund. The Bicentennial Land\nHeritage Program will over these ten years be annually\ncoordinated with the increases in the Fund so as to best\nsupplement, support and develop acreage added by expansions\nin the Land and Water Conservation Fund.\nEMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL\nOffice of the White House Press Secretary\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nFACT SHEET\nDOUBLE THE NATION'S PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS\nThe President is proposing to establish a 10-year program to double America's\nheritage of national parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, urban parks,\nand historic sites. This new commitment will be a Bicentennial gift that\nthe American people will give to this and future generations of Americans.\nBACKGROUND\nBecause of the vision of our forefathers, today's citizens have inherited\nvast and irreplaceable gifts of parks, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries,\nand recreation areas. The National Park Service's 287 units comprise 31.0\nmillion acres, of which 7.5 million acres are in Alaska. The Wildlife Refuge\nSystem's 378 units comprise 32.2 million acres, of which 22.3 million acres\nare in Alaska. Yet, with our Nation's growth, these resources are often\novercrowded and overused. At the same time, many areas which would make\nsuperb parks, sanctuaries, or recreation areas are being lost forever because\nland values often make other uses more attractive in the short term.\nThe proposed (initial) commi tment of $1.5 billion over 10 years would be\na sound investment in America's priceless natural resources and avoid loss\nforever of an American heritage that cannot be replaced. It would mark\nagain this Nation's commitment to preserve the best of our vast and\nbeautiful continent. It would expand permanently the natural treasures\nfuture generations of Americans will inherit before these resources are\npriced out of the public domain. This program does include Alaska, inasmuch\nas the Administration has already proposed to the Congress a major conser-\nvation initiative to protect in perpetuity 83 million acres of the public\ndomain in that State. The President reiterates the need for Congress to\nact quickly on the Alaska proposals before the temporary protection afforded\nby the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act expires in December 1978.\nDESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM\nAn appropriation request will be submitted to establish a $1.5 billion\n10-year program to:\nprovide $141 million to be used to acquire new parks, wildlife\nrefuges, and recreation areas and historic sites.\n-- provide $700 million to develop new and existing parklands and\nrefuges into recreation and conservation resources ready to\nserve the public.\nprovide $459 million for upgrading and increased staffing of\ncurrent system of national parks and wildlife refuges.\nprovide $200 million for one-time grants to cities to upgrade\npresent park areas in disrepair.\nA. PROGRAMS INCLUDED AND FUNDING\n1. Acquisition of new parks, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and\nhistoric sites. ($141 million immediate appropriation from the Land and\nWater Conservation Fund to remain available for 10 years).\nAdditions to the National Park System - $110 million for parks,\nnational rivers, recreation areas, and historic sites.\nAdditions to the National Wildlife Refuge System - $31 million\nfor the preservation of natural areas and habitat for wildlife, including\nendangered species.\nmore\nSUPPORTIVE MATERIAL\n1. ELEMENTS OF FUNDING - PROPOSED NEW PROGRAM\n($ in millions)\nNPS\nFWS\nBOR\nTotal\n1. Acquisition\n$110.0\n$ 31.0\n-0-\n$ 141.0\n2. Development of New and\nExisting Areas\n500.0\n200.0\n-0-\n700.0\n3. Upgrading Existing Areas\nFunding\n194.3\n64.7\n-0-\n259.0\nStaffing\n130.0 1/\n70.0 2/\n-0-\n200.0\n324.3\n134.7\n459.0\nNew full-time permanent\npositions\n(1,000)\n(500)\n-0-\n(1,500)\n4. Grants to Cities\n-0-\n-0-\n200.0\n200.0\nTOTALS\n$934.3\n$365.7\n$200.0\n$1,500.0\n1/ $13 million annually for FY 1977-1986\n2/ $7 million annually for FY 1977-1986\n0\nSUPPORTIVE MATERIAL (NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)\n2. Potential of Total Public Land Involvement (National Park Service)\nAn enormous potential exists in the public lands of the United States\nfor expanding and improving opportunities for outdoor recreation and\nfor the preservation of outstanding natural features and historical\nlandmarks.\nIn order to insure a balanced growth of the National Park System, the\nNational Park Service has developed a systematic program of natural\nand historical themes which identify those sites that should be\nrepresented by areas in the System. Using these themes, gaps and\ninadequacies within the present System have been identified. In\nmany instances, these gaps can be filled from available public lands\nunder Federal administration.\nThese public lands under their present management are often suffering\nfrom overuse or deficient preservation. Areas with high recreation\npotential often lack adequate access roads and visitor facilities.\nMost of the nationally significant historical and archeological sites\nare deteriorating from lack of adequate protection and suitable resource\nmanagement plans. Many outstanding natural areas are suffering from\ninvasion of exotic plants and animals, uncontrolled visitor use, or\nresource exploitation.\nThe addition of these lands to the National Park System, coupled with\neffective resource management programs and the provision of visitor\nfacilities, would vastly increase opportunities for outdoor recreation\nas well as insure the protection and perpetuation of these resources\nfor future generations. Their inclusion would also help to alleviate\novercrowding problems at areas currently in the System where sharply\naccelerated visitation during recent years seriously impacted park\nresources. Furthermore, strong public support for, and interest in,\ndiverse outdoor recreation opportunities indicates the need to provide\nadditional recreation space for these pursuits.\nNow, and in the future, the United States is faced with the dilemma\nof balancing resource utilization with preservation. Allocation of\na portion of these lands now in the Federal domain to the National\nPark System would provide Americans with a better proportion of\nnatural resources set aside for recreational enjoyment and preser-\nvation of this country's heritage.\nSUPPORTIVE MATERIAL (NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE)\n3. Permanent Employment (Authorized Positions) - (National Parks Service)\nFY 1976\n8,215\nFY 1977\n8,763\nProposed New Appropriation:\na. Upgrading of existing areas (Federal)\n(1) Headquarters\n-0-\n(2) Field\n1,000\nTotal NPS\n1,000\nb. Upgrading of existing areas (Private Sector)\n2,400\nRehab and maintenance by contracts\nSUPPORTIVE MATERIAL ( NATIONAL PARK SERVICE)\nCRITIQUE WITH MISSION 66\n1. Purpose of MISSION 66\nMISSION 66 was a conservation program designed in 1956 to staff, equip,\nand develop the national parks and other areas administered by the\nNational Park Service in a manner which would meet the anticipated\nvisitor load of 1966. The program was to be accomplished within the\nframework of the Service's primary mission to preserve and protect\npark values for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.\nMISSION 66 derived its name from the year of its scheduled completion\n--1966, Golden Anniversary year of the National Pakk System.\nIt was the heavy public demand on the national parks in the 1950's\nthat led to MISSION 66. Fifty million visitors appeared in 1955.\nThe Park System's 181 areas were equipped to handle less than half\nthat number. Both personnel and facilities were insufficient. There\nwas a serious loss of park values and much public discontent.\n2. Description of MISSION 66 Program Plan\nThe program's primary goal was to staff and equip the areas so they\ncould provide the best possible service to visitors--estimated to\nnumber 89,600,000 by 1966. In so doing, however, there was to be no\ndiminution of park values which the Park Service was pledged to pre-\nserve for future generations.\nThe MISSION 66 plan directed each superintendent to prepare a prospectus\nof objectives and proposals for his park. Proposals were to cover all\nphases of park management, usage, and physical development.\n3. Description of Accomplishments and Failures\nBetween April 2, 1956, and November 5, 1966, 77 additional units of the\nNational Park System were established, bringing the total to 258.\nVisits increased during that same period of time from 61.5 million to\n124.1 million in 1966, 38 percent more than the predicted number of\n89.6 million.\nDevelopment cost estimates, originally placed at $459 million were\nupdated during the program to $649 million, taking into account\ndevelopment needs at new parks and cost increases. Actual develop-\nment appropriations during those years totaled $556 million, resulting\nin a lag of 14 percent or $93 million.\nOperating programs totaling $20.8 million immediately prior to the\nstart of the MISSION 66 program had increased to $61 million by 1966.\nContinuing addition of new areas to the National Park System, combined\nwith increasing use of the park, resulted in a continued increase of\ndevelopment requirements.\nThe highly successful MISSION 66 program terminated before the\ndevelopment and operational requirements brought about by the rapid\ngrowth of the '60's could be met.\nAdditional responsibilities assigned to the Service, external to the\nNational Park System, absorbed a large proportion of future increases.\nThe result has been a gradual deterioration of park facilities, as\nwell as irreplaceable historical and natural resources. There is\na need today for operational funding increases and additional staff\nto protect and manage these park resources and visitor use facil-\nities, and for significant increases in development funding to\nprovide essential facilities and preserve resources.\nOf particular significance for the new program to double the nation's\nparklands, experience with MISSION 66 would dictate that funding\nfor the new program be \"front end loaded\" - the funds needed for land\nacquistion, construction, and rehabilitation and repair of facilities\nshould be appropriated the first year. Some early supporters of\nMISSION 66 were lost in later years before adequate operating and\nmaintenance needs could be funded and staffed. Additionally, while\ninflation was a minor problem to the MISSION 66 program because of\nthe relatively stable rate, unless the major portion of funding for\nthe new program is front end loaded inflation will be costly. With\nthe current annual rate of 10-15 percent, cost increases could result\nin delays, overruns, extensive reprogramming, and eventually in a\nsignificant shortfall in the total effort.\nSUPPORT INFORMATION (NPS)\n5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SPECIFIC ITEMS\nQuestion - What is the total dollar backlog for acquisition in\nauthorized areas of the National Park System?\nAnswer - $449,631,731 after the Transition Quarter.\nQuestion - Approximately how much money has been spent annually for\nparkland, on an average, in each of the past 10 years?\nAnswer\n- $51,253,913 per year average for the past 10 years, but\nin the past two fiscal years it has been $83,351,000 annually.\nQuestion - What is the backlog of acres to be acquired in areas already\nauthorized for the National Park System?\nAnswer\n- 559,608 acres.\nQuestion - What are some candidate areas for addition to the National\nPark System which have not been authorized?\nAnswer\n- New areas should be primarily of five kinds?\n- Urban recreation areas, like Golden Gate National\nRecreation Area in San Francisco, to preserve the best\nof our near-urban environments where the need for use\nis most pressing.\n- Historic areas that record our national heritage.\n- Superlative natural areas, now primarily in the public domain,\nthat should be set aside for future generations. Such parks\nwould balance the need for increased resource development\nfor the Nation's energy needs.\n- Wild and scenic rivers to assure that these unique areas of\nhigh recreational value are available for the inspirational\nuse of the American public.\n- Outstanding wildlife areas to assure adequate protection\nto the full range of our Nation's wildlife.\nQuestion - Would the program include money for urban parks?\nAnswer\n- Yes. Money would be set aside to upgrade inner city\nparks and places in the central cities where parkland\nis deficient.\nQuestion - What is the level of need for urban parks?\nAnswer\n- Studies by GAO, HUD, and the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation\nall agree that the largest need for outdoor recreation is\nin and near urban areas. Where more than 75 percent of\nthe people live, only 3 percent of the parkland is present.\nMany people--without cars, the aged, handicapped, and the\npoor--have little chance of visiting remote rural parks.\nNearby parks, accessible by public transit, are the primary\nneed.\nQuestion - What is the total acquisition backlog for the National\nWildlife Refuge System?\nAnswer\n- A backlog of about five million acres exists which would\ncost an estimated $2.5 billion at today's prices to acquire.\nQuestion - Approximately how much money has been spent annually for\nrefuges?\nAnswer\n- An average of $18.65 million has been spent annually over\nthe past 10 years, but in the past two fiscal years (not\nincluding the Transition Quarter), total appropriations for\nland acquisition have averaged $25.5 million annually. This\nlevel of funding has resulted in the acquisition of an\naverage of 128,000 acres annually over the ten year period.\nAlthough funding has been greater over the past two years,\nan average of only 76,000 acres have been acquired due,\nprimarily, to rapidly inflating land values during this\nperiod.\nQuestion - What are some candidate areas for addition to the National\nWildlife Refuge System which have not been acquired in the\npast?\nAnswer\n- In addition to accelerated acquisition of threatened\nwildlife habitat and waterfowl production areas,\nadditions to existing units and to provide public recreation\nopportunities to acquire habitat for endangered species.\nUrban wildlife areas, such as the San Francisco Bay NWR,\nwill be emphasized. These include the best and most\nthreatened habitat remaining in the nation which is\neasily accessible to large urban areas.\nQuestion - Would the program include money for urban refuges?\nAnswer\n- Yes, a major emphasis of the program would be the purchase\nof new refuges in and near urban areas where the\nopportunity to use and enjoy wildlife is now deficient.\nQuestion - What kinds of facilities would be provided in these parks?\nAnswer\n- These new parks will fall into three broad categories:\nnatural, historical and recreational. These categories largely\ndetermine the management of these areas including the\nprovision of new facilities. Natural areas including national\nrivers and wild and scenic rivers: emphasis in parks of\nthis category is on preservation of natural resources.\nNew facilities will be limited to those that permit the\nvisitor to use the park without endangering the resource.\nHistorical areas: emphasis in parks of this category is\nlargely on preservation of significant historic resources.\nFacilities often are designed to explain the park story.\nRecreational areas: Development for recreational use will\nreceive greater emphasis at these areas, many of which will\nserve large urban populations. Hiking trails, picnic areas,\nbeaches and campgrounds, for example, would be provided.\nQuestion - Would these funds help to protect the resources of these\nnew areas?\nAnswer\n- Yes. In several ways.\n- In historic parks, there is always an immediate need\nfor stabilization of historic structures to avoid\ndeterioration.\n- In urban areas, existing recreational facilities\nwill need upgrading and expansion. Environmental\nrestoration is always necessary in these areas which have\nbeen subjected to a variety of uncontrolled uses in the\npast. Demand for recreation opportunities is very heavy\nin these areas and continual maintenance of the park\nenvironment is essential.\n- The natural areas are established primarily to\npreserve outstanding natural features. Wildlife management,\nprotection against pollution and overall restoration of\ndamaged environments are all needed.\nQuestion - What kind of facilities would be provided at these refuges?\nAnswer\n- These new refuges will serve three broad purposes:\nresource management (primarily migratory birds and endangered\nspecies), natural area protection, and provision of wildlife-\noriented recreation. More than one of these purposes can\nbe served at many of these new refuges. The purpose(s) for\nestablishing each refuge largely determines the level of\ndevelopment and management required including the provision\nof new facilities.\n- Natural areas - emphasis is on preservation of a\ndiversity of habitats and wildlife. Management,\nincluding construction of new facilities, will be\nlimited to those that permit the visitor to enjoy\nthese areas without endangering the resource.\n- Resource management areas - habitat development and\nmanipulation are required in many instances in order\nto produce populations and/or use levels necessary\nto achieve program objectives. Extensive development\nis often necessary, for instance, to allow manipulation\nof water levels essential to the maintenance of water\nand marsh habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.\n- Recreational areas - development for recreational\nuse will be emphasized at these areas. Many of\nthese areas will serve large urban populations.\nThe focus of development will, however, be on\nfacilities necessary to interpret the natural\nenvironment for visitors rather than on provision\nof more intensive recreational opportunities such as\nswimming and boating.\nQuestion - Would these funds help to protect the resources of these\nnew areas?\nAnswer\n- Yes. Since many of the sites to be acquired for the\nprotection of natural areas and provision of wildlife-\noriented recreation opportunities will be in urban areas where\nextensive use is expected, substantial development will be\nrequired to prevent improper use of these environments as\nwell as to correct any previous abuses. In addition, such\nheavy use requires continual maintenance of the natural\nenvironment. Elimination of existing as well as protection\nagainst additional pollution and overall restoration of\ndamaged environments will be needed on these new units of\nthe Refuge System.\nQuestion - Who would benefit from the program for grants to cities?\nAnswer\n- Mostly the less mobile residents of our cities, who must\nrely on close-in parks for their recreation. From\nNew York's Prospect Park to Jackson Park in Chicago, to\nGriffith Park in Los Angeles new investments can make old\nareas usable again and open new opportunities for literally\nmillions of people.\nQuestion - But aren't city parks unsafe?\nAnswer\n- Yes, some are. One reason they have become unsafe is\nbecause they have been allowed to run down, maintenance has\nbeen delayed for too long, and facilities have become outmoded.\nWell-maintained parks, with modern facilities can be used\nby many people. Well-used parks are the safest parks.\nQuestion - What sorts of things would the money be spent for?\nAnswer\n- New playground equipment, lighting, landscaping, and repairs\nfor older but usable facilities. New recreation centers,\nand devices to make the parks accessible to senior citizens\nand handicapped persons.\nQuestion - Who would do the work?\nAnswer\n- Local people, usually under the direction of the park and\nrecreation agency.\nQuestion - What are the pressing needs for upgrading existing parks?\nAnswer - Acute deterioration of roads, buildings, and campgrounds\nexists in both established areas and those areas newly\nadded to the system because of inadequate funding and staffing.\nThere is a pressing need to provide major repair, as well\nas regularly scheduled maintenance so that visitors are\nprovided a clean, safe, enjoyable park experience.\nWell-organized cyclic maintenance program provides a most\nefficient use of this funding, and requires a minimum of\npermanent positions where seasonal or contracted work\nis possible.\nAn additional pressing need is upgrading the many old and\nheavily used water and sewerage systems in the parks.\nAnother public health hazard, such as the one that closed\nCrater Lake National Park, must be avoided.\nQuestion - How would this increase in funds and staffing help protect\nthe natural and historic resources of the parks?\nAnswer\n- Over half the parks in the System preserve our historic heritage.\nMaintaining the integrity of the historic scene is essential\nto help the American people understand the importance of\nthese historic shrines.\nIncreased visitation in the natural parks is damaging the\nresources that initially attracted people to the parks.\nResource management programs are required to direct and\ncontrol this use in order to preserve these resources for\nthe enjoyment of future generations.\nQuestion - How would these additional personnel improve the public use\nof the parks?\nAnswer\n- The upgrading and the continuous maintenance of facilities\nand resources in the parks are activities critically\nunderstaffed. A disturbing consequence has resulted from\ndiverting staff from older established areas to over 60\nnewer areas not yet fully operational; the quality of the\npark experience has been diminished in all areas. Many\nprograms have been curtailed, and many necessary visitor\nservices are all but nonexistent in newer parks. Visitor\nsafety, protection of park resources, and interpretation\nof the park story are all acutely in need of additional\nfunds and personnel, particularly since visitation is\nincreasing rapidly each year.\nExisting park employees just cannot meet these additional\nworkload requirements.\nQuestion - What are the pressing needs for upgrading existing refuges?\nAnswer - Acute deterioration of water control facilities, roads,\nbuildings, and fences exists at both older units and areas\nrecently added to the system. There is a pressing need to\nprovide major repair of deteriorated facilities as well as\nto substantially increase regularly scheduled maintenance\nto prevent accelerated deterioration of sound facilities in\norder to carry on efficient operation of important resource\nmanagement programs and provide safe, enjoyable experiences\nfor visitors.\nIn addition, there are unique opportunities to provide\nsubstantial additional benefits to the nation at a very\nfavorable benefit-cost ratio by expanding operations at\nexisting national wildlife refuges. Many of these\nopportunities exist in close proximity to urban areas.\nQuestion - How would this increase in funds and staffing help protect\nthe natural resources of the refuges?\nAnswer\n- Virtually all existing refuges contain outstanding examples\nof our natural heritage. Maintaining the integrity of these\nenvironments is essential to help the American people\nunderstand the ecological significance of these habitats.\nIncreased visitation is damaging the values that attracted\npeople to the refuges in the first place. Resource management\nprograms are required to direct and control this use in order\nto preserve these resources for the enjoyment of future\ngenerations.\nQuestion - How would these additional personnel improve the public use\nof the refuges?\nAnswer\n- Activities required to upgrade and continuously maintain\nfacilities necessary to manage the system's wildlife and\nwildland resources and accommodate increasing public use are\ncritically understaffed. Areas have been acquired in\nrecent years without commensurate increases in personnel\nand this has necessitated diverting staff from older areas\nto the new areas. As a direct result, the quality of refuge\nmanagement has been diminished at all areas. Many resource\nmanagement programs have been curtailed and necessary\nvisitor services are all but nonexistent in newer refuges.\nVisitor safety, protection of wildlife and wildland resources,\nand interpretation of the natural environment are all\nacutely in need of additional funds and personnel,\nparticularly since visitation is increasing each year.\nDOUBLING OF PARKLANDS AND RECREATION AREAS\n($ and acres in millions)\nEstimated Acquisition\nFrom Public\nOther\nExisting\nLands\nTotal\nAcreage\n(Acreage)\nAcreage\n$\nAcreage\nNational Park Service\n31.0\n+32.3\n+.2\n110\n63.5\nFish and Wildlife Service\n32.3\n+31.6\n+.1\n31\n64.0\nTotal\n63.3\n+63.9\n+.3\n141\n127.5\nNPS PRIORITIES FOR EXPENDING ADDITIONAL LAND\nACQUISITION FUNDS IN FISCAL YEAR 1977\nAcres\nAmount\nInholdings\n2,809\n$ 5,000,000\nRecently Authorized Areas\nAppalachian Trail\nN/A\n627,000\nBig Cypress National Preserve\n128,727\n30,000,000\nBig Thicket National Preserve\n49,534\n37,391,000\nCanaveral National Seashore\n118\n1,500,000\nCuyahoga Valley NRA\n12,056\n18,700,000\nDelaware Water Gap NRA\n2,684\n2,495,000\nIndiana Dunes National Lakeshore\n400\n1,000,000\nKlondike National Historical Park\n824\n2,565,000\nLake Mead NRA\n596\n500,000\nLower St. Croix Nat. Scenic River\n1,380\n4,000,000\nValley Forge Nat. Historical Park\n156\n6,222,000\n199,284\n$ 110,000,000\nNATIONAL PARK SERVICE\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENANO\nAcadia NP, Maine\n192\n1,293\nAgate Fossil Beds NM, Nebraska\n637\nAllegheny Portage Railroad NHS,\n2,037\nPennsylvania\nAmistad RA, Texas\n2,685\nAndersonville NHS, Georgia\n1,928\nAntie am NBS, Maryland\n1,136\nApostle Islands, Wisconsin\n6,917\nAppomattox Court House NHP,\n668\nVirginia\nArches NP, Utah\n590\nBadlands NM, So. Dakota\n3,552\nBents Old Fort, Colorado\n192\nBig Bend NP, Texas\n4,564\nBig Hole NBP, Montana\n16\nBighorn Canyon NRA, Montana/Wyoming\n91\nBiscayne NM, Florida\n4,291\nBlack Canyon of the Gunnison NM,\n1,957\nColorado\nBlue Ridge Pkwy, No. Carolina/\n11,788\n5,840\nVirginia/Georgia\nBooker T. Washington NM, Virginia\n384\nBoston NHP, Massachusetts\n16,610\nBryce Canyon NP, Utah\n1,904\nBuck Island Reef NM, Virgin Is.\n87\nBuffalo National River, Arkansas\n4,223\n2\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENANC\nChesapeake & Ohio Canal NP,\n10,546\nMaryland/District of Columbia/\nWest Virginia\nCabrillo NM, California\n816\n192\nCanyon de Chelly NM, Arizona\n2,139\nCanyonlands NP, Utah\n17,240\nCape Cod NS, Massachusetts\n325\n249\nCape Hatteras NS, No. Carolina\n5,408\nCape Lookout NS, No. Carolina\n2,075\nCapitol Reef NP, Utah\n576\nCarl Sandburg Home NHS,\n1,675\nNorth Carolina\nCarlsbad Caverns, New Mexico\n3,500\nCasa Grande NM, Arizona\n432\nCastillo de San Marcos NM, Florida\n1,418\nCatoctin Mt. Park, Maryland\n1,538\n3,635\nChaco Canyon NM, New Mexico\n1,041\nChalmette NHP, Louisianna\n269\nChannel Islands NM, California\n2,938\nChiricahua NM, Arizona\n24\n898\nColonial NHP, Virginia\n2,224\n3,468\nColorado NM, Colorado\n560\nCoronado NM, Arizona\n3\nCoulee Dam NRA, Washington\n960\nCowpens NB, So. Carolina\n2,916\nCrater Lake NP, Oregon\n18\n1,696\n3\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENANCE\nCraters of the Moon NM, Idaho\n64\nCumberland Gap NHP, Kentucky/\n14\nVirginia/Tennessee\nCumberland Island NS, Georgia\n17,923\nCuyahoga Valley NRA, Ohio\n10,000\nCuster Battlefield NM, Montana\n179\nDe Soto NM, Florida\n7\nDeath Valley NM, California/\n2,635\n12,369\nNevada\nDelaware Water Gap NRA,\n1,109\nNew Jersey/Pennsylvania\nDinosaur NM, Colorado/Utah\n1,008\nEdison NHS, New Jersey\n778\nEffigy Mounds NM, Iowa\n181\nEverglades NP, Florida\n321\nFederal Hall NM, New York\n80\nFire Island NS, New York\n8\n413\nFlorrissant Fossil Beds NM,\n1,189\nColorado\nFoothills Parkway, Tennessee\n240\n1,440\nFort Bowie NHS, Arizona\n240\nFort Caroline NM, Florida\n42\nFort Clatsop MN, Oregon\n165\nFort Davis NHS, Texas\n285\nFort Donelson NMP, Tennessee\n525\nFort Jefferson NM, Florida\n3,000\n7,395\nFort Laramie NHS, Wyoming\n886\n4\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENAN\nFort Larned NHS, Kansas\n45\n2,832\nFort McHenry NM & Historic Shrine,\n21\nMaryland\nFort Necessity NB, Pennsylvania\n178\nFort Point NHS, California\n114\nFort Pulaski NM, Georgia\n16\nFort Raleigh NHS, No. Carolina\n93\n680\nFort Stanwix NM, New York\n880\n216\nFort Sumpter NM, So. Carolina\n2,182\nFort Vancouver NHS, Washington\n109\n32\nFossil Butte NM, Wyoming\n2,080\nFredericksburg & Spotsylvania\n21\nCounty Battlefields Memorial\nNMP, Virginia\nFort Scott NHS, Kansas\n1,323\nGateway NRA, New York/New Jersey\n17,508\nGeneral Grant NM, New York\n144\nGeo. Washington Birthplace NM,\n739\nVirginia\nGeo. Washington Carver NM,\n127\nMissouri\nGeo. Washington Mem. Pkwy,\n232\n3,585\nMaryland/Virginia\nGeorge Rogers Clark NHP, Indiana\n24\nGettysburg NMP, Pennsylvania\n1,042\nGila Cliff Dwellings NM,\n112\nNew Mexico\nGlacier Bay NM, Alaska\n32\n451\n5\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENA\nGlacier NP, Montana\n10,000\n5,454\nGlen Canyon NRA, Arizona/Utah\n10,000\n275\nGloria Dei Church NHS,\n451\nPennsylvania\nGolden Gate NRA, California\n18,902\nGrand Canyon NP, Arizona\n12,785\n6,957\nGrand Portage NM, Minnesota\n19\nGrand Teton NP, Wyoming\n554\nGrant-Kohrs Ranch NHS, Montana\n3,262\nGreat Sand Dunes NM, Colorado\n247\nGreat Smoky Mt. NP, No. Carolina/\n10,312\n1,316\nTennessee\nGreenbelt Park, Maryland\n176\nGuadalupe Mt. NP, Texas\n13,962\nGulf Islands NS, Florida/\n16,039\nMississippi\nHaleakala NP, Hawaii\n1,452\nHamilton Grange NHP, New York\n587\nHarpers Ferry NHP, W. Virginia\n608\n7,171\nHawaii Volcanoes NP, Hawaii\n2,363\n1,537\nHerbert Hoover NHS, Iowa\n848\nHohokam Pima NM, Arizona\n75\nHome of Franklin D. Roosevelt\n312\nNHS, New York\nHomestead NM of America, Nebraska\n8\nHopewell Village NHS, Pennsylvania\n2,981\nHot Springs NP, Arkansas\n37\n6\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENANO\nHubbell Trading Post NHS,\n16\n841\nArizona\nIce Age National Science\n727\nReserve, Wisconsin\nIndependence NHP, Pennsylvania\n1,760\n3,639\nIndiana Dunes NL, Indiana\n11,826\nIsle Royal NP, Michigan\n634\n384\nJefferson NEM NHS, Missouri\n1,1980\nJewel Cave NM, So. Dakota\n224\nJohnstown Flood N Mem.,\n38\nPennsylvania\nJoshua Tree NM, California\n3,297\n5,741\nKatmai NM, Alaska\n96\nKnife River Indian Village,\n827\nNo. Dakota\nLake Mead NRA, Arizona\n14,467\n640\nLake Meridith RA, Texas\n319\n264\nLassen Volcanic NP, California\n1,486\n96\nLava Beds NM, California\n11\nLehman Caves NM, Nevada\n235\nLincoln Boyhood NM, Indiana\n304\nLincoln Home NHS, Illinois\n1,444\nLongfellow NHS, Massachusetts\n288\nLower St. Croix River,\n340\nMinnesota/Wisconsin\nManassas NBP, Virginia\n423\nMesa Verde NP, Colorado\n10,880\n179\nMinute Man NHS, Massachusetts\n18\n7\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENAN\nMontezuma Castle NM, Arizona\n74\nMorristown NHP, New Jersey.\n72\nMound City Group NM, Ohio\n918\nMt. McKinley NP, Alaska\n128\n594\nMt. Ranier NP, Washington\n2,162\nMt. Rushmore NM, So. Dakota\n1,009\nNatchez Trace Parkway,\n34,935\n4,800\nMississippi/Tennessee/Alabama\nNatural Bridges NM, Utah\n1,075\nNavajo NM, Arizona\n170\n88\nNational Capital Parks,\n39,415\n2,570\nNez Perce NHP, Idaho\n3,442\nNorth Cascades NP, Washington\n3,489\nOcmulgee NM, Georgia\n144\n160\nOlympic NP, Washington\n70\n2,072\nOzark NS Riverways, Missouri\n4,500\n2,475\nPadre Island NS, Texas\n208\nPea Ridge NMP, Arkansas\n140\n195\nPecos NM, New Mexico\n2,550\nPerry's Victory & International\n528\n4,851\nPeace Memorial NM, Ohio\nPetersburg NB, Virginia\n13\n853\nPetrified Forest NP, Arizona\n416\n1,481\nPictured Rocks NL, Michigan\n4,390\nPinnacles NM, California\n59\nPoint Reyes NS, California\n3,824\n942\n8\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENA\nPrince Wm. Forest Park, Virginia\n1,718\n10,350\nRainbow Bridge NM, Utah\n152\nRedwood NP, California\n234\nRichmond NBP, Virginia\n30\nRocky Mt. NP, Colorado\n10,000\n4,024\nRoger Williams NM, Rhode Island\n277\nSagamore Hill NHS, New York\n115\nSaguaro NM, Arizona\n70\nSt. Croix NSR, Wisconsin\n1,147\nSt. Croix Is. NM, Maine\n922\nSaint-Gaudens NHS, Hew Hampshire\n274\nSalem Maritime NHS, Massachusetts\n1,234\n66\nSan Juan Is. NHP, Washington\n1,078\nSan Juan NHS, Puerto Rico\n6,512\n1,730\nSaratoga NHP, New York\n107\n40\nSaugus Iron Works NHS,\n1,727\nMassachusetts\nScotts Bluff NM, Nebraska\n648\nSequoia NP, California\n11,536\n6,016\nShadow Mt. NRA, Colorado\n1,464\nShenandoah NP, Virginia\n9,136\n279\nShiloh NMP, Tennessee\n237\nSitka NHP, Alaska\n397\nSleeping Bear Dunes NL,\n4,384\nMichigan\n9\n($ 000)\nNEW OR RECENTLY\nOLDER\nAREA\nAUTHORIZED\nPARKS\nMAINTENAN\nStatue of Liberty NM, New York\n667\n2,312\nTheodore Roosevelt Birthplace\n456\nNHS, New York\nTheodore Roosevelt NM, No. Dakota\n5,015\n2,374\nTimpanogos Cave NM, Utah\n189\nTonto NM, Arizona\n64\nTumacacori NM, Arizona\n480\nVanderbilt Mansion NHS, New York\n2,149\nVicksburg NMP, Mississippi\n3,589\n173\nVirgin Is. NP, Virgin Islands\n415\nVoyageurs NP, Minnesota\n4,419\nWhiskeytown NRA, California\n279\nWhite Sands NM, New Mexico\n182\nWm. Howard Taft NHS, Ohio\n1,335\nWilsons Creek NB, Missouri\n2,469\nWind Cave NP, So. Dakota\n1,328\nWolf Trap Farm Park, Virginia\n455\n3,107\nWright Brothers NM, No. Carolina\n339\nWupatki NM, Arizona\n1,112\nYellowstone NP, Wyoming/Idaho/Montana\n10,000\n6,996\nYosemite NP, California\n4,347\n2,979\nZion NP, Utah\n827\nKlondike Gold Rush NHS, Alaska/\n1,000\nWashington\nValley Forge NHP, Pennsylvania\n500\nOld Ninety Six Star Fort, So. Carolina 738\nBig Thicket NP, Texas\n1,500\n200,000\n300,000\n194,300\nU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service\nBicentennial Land Heritage Program\nBackground Information\nPROPOSAL\nA program to provide:\n$31 million for accelerated acquisition of 111,000 acres of\nunique and valuable wildlife habitat\n$200 million for improvements, facilities construction, and\nhabitat development\n$64.7 million for upgrading both existing and new refuges, with\n$7 million each year increased for personnel for these refuges\nPURPOSES\nPrevent the loss of important wildlife habitat\nAssure that these ecosystems are protected and their potential\nrealized\nMake the natural heritage included in the National Wildlife\nRefuge System available to all Americans, now and in the future.\nANNUAL RESULTS\nAcquisition/\nDevelopment\nRehabilitation/\nDevelopment\nof Existing\nUpgrading Exist-\nBenefits\nof New Areas\nAreas\ning Facilities\nWaterfowl Production\n0.6\n3.8\n0.2\n(Birds millions)\nWaterfowl Maintenance\n1.5\n3.2\n0.4\n(Use Days-billions)\nEndangered Species\nUnavailable\n92.0\n15.0\n(Use Days-millions)\nEnvironmental Education\n8.0\n6.0\nUnavailable\n(Activity Hours-millions)\nWildlife Interpretation\n56.0\n58.0\nUnavailable\n(Activity Hours-millions)\nOther Wildlife-oriented\n40.0\n106.0\nUnavailable\nFORD\nis\nPublic Use (Activity\nHours-millions)\nADDITIONAL INFORMATION\nAcquisition\nBased on current information, the following acquisition is proposed:\nAcquisition at 6 new refuges, totaling 66,725 acres at a cost of\n$16.25 million\nMajor additions to 11 existing refuges totaling 40,405 acres at\na cost of $12.8 million\nAcquisition of inholdings at 15 refuges totaling 4,750 acres\nat a cost of approximately $2.55 million\nThe total acquisition backlog for the National Wildlife Refuge System\nis about five million acres which would cost an estimated $2.5 billion\nto acquire at today's prices. Over the past 10 years, an average of\n$18.65 million has been spent annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife\nService for land acquisition. This funding has resulted in the\nacquisition of an average of 128,000 acres annually. In the past two\nfiscal years (not including the Transition Quarter) total appropriations\nfor land acquisition have averaged $25.5 million, an average of only\n76,000 acres have been acquired due, primarily, to significant and very\nrapid inflation of land values.\nDevelopment of Newly Acquired Refuges\nThe new refuges as well as the additions and inholdings will serve\nthree broad purposes: wildlife resource management (emphasis on\nmigratory birds and endangered species), natural area protection, and\nprovision of wildlife-oriented recreation. More than one of these\npurposes can be served at many of these new refuges. The purposes for\nestablishing each refuge determine the level of development and\nmanagement required at each area including the provision of new facilities.\nNatural areas - emphasis is on preservation of existing natural\nresources. Management, including construction of new facilities,\nwill be limited to those that permit the visitor to enjoy these\nareas without endangering the resource.\nResource management areas - habitat development and manipulation is\nrequired in many instances in order to produce populations and/or use\nlevels necessary to achieve program objectives. Extensive development\nis often necessary, for instance, to allow manipulation of water\nlevels essential to the maintenance of waterfowl habitat.\nPublic use - development for wildlife-related recreational use\nwill be emphasized at virtually all of these new areas and\nadditions. Many will serve large urban populations. The focus\nof development will, however, be on facilities necessary to\ninterpret the natural environment for visitors rather than on\nprovision of more intensive recreational opportunities such as\nswimming and boating.\nThese funds will help to protect the wildlife resources and other natural\nvalues of the land acquired. Since several of the sites to be acquired\nfor natural area protection and provision of wildlife-oriented public use\nwill be in urban areas where extensive use is expected, substantial\ndevelopment will be required to prevent improper use of these environments\nas well as to correct any previous abuses. In addition, such heavy use\nrequires continual maintenance of the natural environment. Elimination\nof existing as well as protection against additional pollution and\noverall restoration of damaged environments will also be required.\nDevelopment of Existing Refuges\nAcute deterioration of water control facilities, roads, buildings, and\nfences exists at older units because of inadequate funding and staffing\nin the past. In addition, sufficient funds have not been available to\nallow development of units added to the system in recent years necessary\nto protect and manage these units adequately. There is a pressing need\nto provide major repair of deteriorated facilities to insure efficient\noperation of important resource management programs and provide safe,\nenjoyable experiences for visitors. Of equal importance, a substantial\nincrease in regularly scheduled maintenance to prevent accelerated\ndeterioration of sound facilities is essential to prevent the development\nof facility rehabilitation backlogs in the future.\nIn addition, there are unique opportunities to provide substantial\nadditional benefits to the nation at a very favorable benefit-cost ratio\nby expanding operations at existing national wildlife refuges. Many of\nthese opportunities exist in close proximity to urban areas.\nUpgrading, Including Increased Staff at New and Existing Refuges\nVirtually all existing refuges contain outstanding examples of our\nnatural heritage. Maintaining the integrity of these environments is\nessential to help the American people understand the ecological signi-\nficance of these habitats. Increased visitation is damaging the\nresources that initially attracted people to the refuges. Resource\nmanagement programs are required to direct and control this use in\norder to preserve these resources for the enjoyment of future\ngenerations.\nActivities required to upgrade and continuously maintain facilities\nnecessary to manage the System's wildlife and wildland resources and\naccommodate increasing public use are critically understaffed. Addi-\ntional new areas in recent years without commensurate increases in\npersonnel have necessitated diverting staff from older areas to the\nnew areas. As a direct result, the quality of the refuge management\nhas been diminished at all areas. Many resource management programs\nhave been curtailed, and necessary visitor services are all but\nnonexistent at newer refuges. Visitor safety, protection of wildlife\nand wildland resources, and interpretation of the natural environment\nare all acutely in need of additional funds and personnel, particu-\nlarly since visitation is increasing rapidly each year.\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nProposed FY 1977 Land Acquisition\nEstimated Cost\nProject\nState\n(in millions)\nAcres\nEndangered Species\nCalifornia Condor\nCA\n$ 8.0\n56,000\nHawaiian Waterbirds\nHI\n.75\n165\nDelmarva Fox Squirrel\nMD\n1.3\n2,450\nMississippi Sandhill Crane\nMS\n5.0\n6,000\nDusky Seaside Sparrow\nFL\n1.0\n1,700\nIndiana Bat\nKY/WV\n.2\n410\nSubtotal\n16.25\n66,725\nAdditions to Existing Refuges\nHavasu\nAZ\n2.5\n1,160\nSan Pablo Bay\nCA\n0.6\n900\nFlorida Keys\nFL\n1.0\n1,743\nJ.N. Ding Darling\nFL\n1.0\n175\nOkefenokee\nGA\n0.8\n16,600\nMeredosia\nIL\n0.6\n325\nGreat Swamp\nNJ\n1.5\n400\nGreat Dismal Swamp\nVA/NC\n2.0\n10,000\nColumbia\nWA\n0.8\n4,000\nUpper Mississippi\nWI\n1.0\n4,900\nNational Elk\nWY\n1.0\n202\nSubtotal\n12.8\n40,405\nInholdings\nHumbolt Bay\nCA\n0.2\n635\nChassahowitzka\nFL\n0.2\n235\nCrab Orchard\nIL\n0.3\n300\nLacassine\nLA\n0.08\n81\nGreat Meadows\nMA\n0.2\n150\nRachel Carson\nME\n0.15\n470\nGreat Swamp\nNJ\n0.1\n30\nSupawana Meadows\nNJ\n0.2\n355\nWertheim\nNY\n0.12\n72\nMackay Island\nNC/VA\n0.15\n125\nOttawa\nOH\n0.17\n108\nKlamath Forest\nOR\n0.23\n1,176\nLewis and Clark\nOR\n0.1\n108\nNisqually\nWA\n0.2\n335\nWillapa\nWA\n0.15\n570\nSubtotal\n2.55\n4,750\nTOTAL\n$31.60\n111,880\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nALABAMA\nChoctaw\n4,225\n308\n4,533\nEufaula\n1,650\n163\n1,813\nWheeler\n1,320\n638\n1,958\nState Total\n(8,304)\nALASKA\nAleutian Islands\n1,480\n989\n2,469\nArctic\n520\n26\n546\nClarence Rhode\n891\n62\n953\nIzembeck\n85\n22\n107\nKenai\n5,428\n2,031\n7,459\nKodiak\n2,716\n82\n2,798\nState Total\n(14,332)\nARKANSAS\nBig Lake\n497\n1,006\n1,503\nHolla Bend\n69\n247\n316\nWapanocca\n325\n937\n1,262\nWhite River\n2,018\n580\n2,598\nState Total\n(5,679)\nARIZONA\nImperial\n2,990\n1,602\n4,592\nKofa\n143\n42\n185\nCabeza Prieta\n81\n257\n338\nState Total\n(5,115)\n2\nXI Areas established before 1965\n21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nCALIFORNIA\nHumboldt Bay\n425\n425\nKern\n322\n322\nSacramento\n585\n1,625\n2,210\nSalton Sea\n278\n454\n732\nSan Francisco Bay\n10,452\n10,452\nSan Luis\n1,912\n1,912\nKlamath Basin\n358\n832\n1,190\nCibola\n325\n376\n701\nHavasu\n325\n788\n1,113\nState Total\n(19,057\nCOLORADO\nAlamosa\n697\n478\n1,175\nArapaho\n125\n125\nMonte Vista\n1,707\n324\n2,031\nBrowns Park\n680\n680\nState Total\n(4,011)\nDELAWARE\nBombay Hook\n269\n52\n321\nPrime Hook\n248\n21\n(-269\nState Total\n(590)\nFLORIDA\nChassahowitzka\n13\n30\n43\nHobe Sound\n369\n369\nJ.N. Ding Darling\n1,071\n176\n1,247\nLake Woodruff\n1,827\n286\n2,113\nLoxahatchee\n3,353\n880\n4,233\nMerritt Island\n946\n377\n1,323\nNational Key Deer\n629\n39\n668\nPelican Island\n650\n5\n655\nSt. Johns\n2\n2\nSt. Marks\n1,661\n732\n2,393\nSt. Vincent\n1,396\n232\n1,628\nState Total\n(14,674)\n2\nI/ Areas established before 1965\n-21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nGEORGIA\nBlackbeard Island\n47\n147\n194\nHarris Neck\n140\n8\n148\nOkefenokee\n1,850\n1,937\n3,787\nPiedmont\n922\n299\n1,221\nWassaw\n125\n125\nState Total\n(5,475)\nHAWAII\nHawaiian Islands\n556\n1\n557\nState Total\n(557)\nIDAHO\nCamas\n257\n519\n776\nDeer Flat\n26\n195\n221\nGrays Lake\n395\n395\nKootenai\n117\n93\n210\nMinidoka\n13\n12\n25\nState Total\n(1,627)\nILLINOIS\nCrab Orchard\n5,190\n1,618\n6,808\nMark Twain\n4,334\n1,942\n6,276\nState Total\n(13,084)\nINDIANA\nMuscatatuck\n6,692\n6,692\nState Total\n(6,692)\nIOWA\nDeSoto\n2,743\n171\n2,914\nUnion Slough\n78\n37\n115\nState Total\n(3,029)\n2\n1/ Areas established before 1965\n1 21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nKANSAS\nFlint Hills\n533\n533\nKirwin\n49\n75\n124\nQuivira\n1,268\n611\n1,879\nState Total\n(2,536)\nLOUISIANA\nCatahoula\n98\n205\n303\nDelta\n13\n69\n82\nLacassine\n915\n594\n1,509\nSabine\n3,152\n1,017\n4,169\nState Total\n(6,036)\nMAINE\nMoosehorn\n20\n50\n70\nState Total\n(70)\nMARYLAND\nBlackwater\n1,824\n511\n2,335\nMartin\n49\n119\n168\nEastern Neck\n163\n107\n270\nState Total\n(2.773)\nMASSACHUSETTS\nGreat Meadows\n371\n21\n392\nParker River\n117\n845\n962\nState Total\n(1,354)\nMICHIGAN\nSeney\n273\n345\n618\nShiawassee\n1,092\n1,008\n2,100\nState Total\n(2,718)\n2\n+1/ Areas established before 1965\nI\n21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nMINNESOTA\nAgassiz\n143\n1,161\n1,304\nBig. Stone\n65\n65\nHamden Slough\n260\n260\nRice Lake\n316\n151\n467\nSherburne\n6,604\n6,604\nTamarac\n486\n61\n547\nUpper Mississippi River\n34\n666\n700\nMinnesota Wetlands\nComplex\n10,317\n10,317\nState Total\n(20,946)\nMISSISSIPPI\nMiss. Sandhill Crane\n1,950\n1,950\nHillside\n203\n203\nNoxubee\n347\n1,353\n1,700\nYazqo\n2,637\n116\n2,753\nState Total\n(6,606)\nMISSOURI\nMingo\n189\n113\n302\nSquaw Creek\n164\n273\n437\nSwan Lake\n156\n122\n278\nState Total\n(1,017)\nMONTANA\nBenton Lake\n65\n27\n92\nCharles M. Russell\n3,701\n2,032\n5,733\nMedicine Lake\n3,142\n3,142\nNational Bison Range\n553\n138\n691\nRavalli\n85\n116\n201\nRed Rock Lakes\n190\n150\n340\nUL Bend\n273\n273\nState Total\n(10,472)\n2\n71 Areas established before 1965\n21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nState/Refuge\nFacility\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nNEBRASKA\nCrescent Lake\n208\n486\n694\nFort Niobrara\n59\n120\n179\nHastings WMD\n2,010\n2,010\nValentine\n280\n280\nState Total\n(3,163)\nNEVADA\nDesert\n381\n63\n444\nRuby Lake\n468\n126\n594\nStillwater\n358\n65\n423\nState Total\n(1,461)\nNEW JERSEY\nBrigantine\n363\n380\n743\nGreat Swamp\n2,078\n479\n2,557\nState Total\n(3,300)\nNEW MEXICO\nGrulla\n95\n95\nBitter Lake\n26\n124\n150\nBosque Del Apache\n663\n663\nSan Andres\n25\n25\nSevilleta\n852\n852\nLas Vegas\n1,141\n1,141\nMaxwell\n645\n645\nState Total\n(3,571)\nNEW YORK\nIroquois\n39\n85\n124\nMontezuma\n39\n130\n169\nTarget Rock\n116\n116\nState Total\n2\n(409)\n+/ Areas established before 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\n1\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nNORTH CAROLINA\nMattamuskeet\n1,633\n222\n1,855\nCedar Island\n712\n712\nPea Island\n194\n46\n240\nPee Dee\n920\n269\n1,189\nPungo\n386\n618\n1,004\nState Total\n(5,000)\nNORTH DAKOTA\nArrowwood\n1,859\n657\n2,516\nAudubon\n1,582\n242\n1,824\nDes Lacs\n1,525\n1,525\nDevils Lake WMD\n1,712\n1,712\nJ. Clark Salyer\n2,665\n299\n2,964\nKulm WMD\n1,457\n1,457\nTewaukon\n1,404\n115\n1,519\nUpper Souris\n510\n3,197\n3,707\nState Total\n(17,224)\nOHIO\nOttawa\n2,766\n482\n3,248\nState Total\n(3,248)\nOKLAHOMA\n338\n338\nOptima\nSalt Plains\n104\n205\n309\nSequoyah\n602\n602\n213\n213\nTishomingo\n35\n52\n87\nWashita\nWichita Mountains\n551\n2,826\n3,377\nState Total\n(4,926)\n2\n+1/ Areas established before 1965\n21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nOREGON\nMalheur\n337\n571\n908\nSheldon-Hart Mountain\n130\n528\n658\nUmatilla\n1,325\n1,325\nWilliam F. Finley\n42\n391\n433\nState Total\n(3,324)\nPENNSYLVANIA\nErie\n78\n48\n126\nTinicum\n2,135\n2,135\nState Total\n(2,261)\nHODE ISLAND\nNinigret\n149\n149\nState Total\n(149)\nSOUTH CAROLINA\nCape Romain\n1,190\n664\n1,854\nCarolina Sandhills\n1,430\n2,269\n3,699\nSantee\n117\n164\n281\nSavannah\n23\n84\n107\nState Total\n(5,941)\nSOUTH DAKOTA\nLacreek\n169\n432\n601\nLake Andes\n1,000\n450\n71\n1,521\nMadison WMD\n1,079\n1,079\nSand Lake\n1,000\n576\n592\n2,168\nWaubay\n1,000\n601\n313\n1,914\nState Total\n(7,283)\n2\nI/ Areas established before 1965\n/\n21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nTENNESSEE\nCross Creeks\n1,160\n1,160\nHatchie\n485\n168\n653\nReelfoot\n316\n166\n482\nTennessee\n5,594\n1,984\n7,578\nState Total\n(9,873)\nTEXAS\nAnahuac\n459\n521\n980\nAransas\n1,160\n2,050\n3,210\nBrazoria\n416\n416\nSan Bernard\n393\n393\nLaguna Atascosa\n1,625\n662\n2,287\nSanta Ana\n585\n411\n996\nAttwater\n680\n680\nBuffalo Lake\n1,882\n1,882\nHagerman\n161\n161\nMuleshoe\n65\n216\n281\nState Total\nUTAH\nBear River\n358\n468\n826\nFish Springs\n594\n33\n627\nOuray\n218\n295\n513\nState Total\n(1,966)\nVERMONT\nMissisquoi\n39\n65\n104\nState Total\n(104)\n2\nI/ Areas established before 1965\n1 21 Areas established after 1965\nU.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE\nBicentennial Land Heritage Act\nPotential Improvement and Restoration Projects\n($ in thousands)\nImprovements\nRecently Acquired\nFacility\nState/Refuge\nAreas\n1/\nOlder Areas 2/\nRestoration\nTotal\nVIRGINIA\nBack Bay\n226\n345\n571\nFishermans Island\n9\n9\nMackay Island\n202\n215\n417\nChincoteague\n390\n329\n719\nGreat Dismal Swamp\n3,552\n3,552\nMason Neck\n670\n670\nPresquile\n87\n31\n118\nState Total\n(6,056)\nWASHINGTON\nColumbia\n701\n38\n739\nMcNary\n8\n219\n227\nNisqually\n555\n555\nToppenish\n265\n163\n428\nLower Columbia River\n3,020\n3,020\nTurnbull\n259\n259\nState Total\n(5,228)\nWISCONSIN\nHoricon\n85\n524\n609\nNechedah\n79\n169\n248\nState Total\n(857)\nWYOMING\nNational Elk\n3,653\n1,059\n4,712\nSeedskadee\n7,259\n7,259\nState Total\n(11.971)\nTOTAL\n86,145\n113,855\n64,700\n264,700\n2\nI/ Areas established before 1965\n21 Areas established after 1965\nALASKA - NATIONAL INTEREST D-2 LANDS\nISSUE: Interior's plan to designate 83.47 million acres of Federal\nlands in Alaska (22% of Alaska) as National Parks, National Wildlife\nRefuges, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Forests (the\n\"four systems\") is presently before the Congress for consideration.\nACTION AGENCY: Interior (by Act of Congress), cooperation with\nAgriculture\nSTATUS: Senate Interior Committee held oversight hearings in November\nand December, 1975; with witnesses from the Administration, the State\nof Alaska, and the private sector. No action as of yet in the House.\nMAJOR CONTROVERSY: Environmental coalition is backing legislation that\nwould add some 120 million acres to the \"four systems\" (mostly Parks\nand Refuges). Congressman Young would designate some 60 million acres\n(most in Forest and BLM management). The delegation generally feels\nthat the Interior plan would \"lock-up\" too much of the State and wants\nmultiple use management. Governor Hammond is supporting a broader land\nuse planning approach involving cooperative management of Federal and\nState lands. Environmentalists want more land in National Park desig-\nnation closed to mining, logging, etc., especially in the spectacular\nWrangell-St. Elias area.\nKEY POINTS TO BE MADE: The Department has indicated to the Congress\nthat we are open to refinement of our proposals, once the Congressional\nconsideration begins, and we will consider all specific suggestions.\nSeveral concessions have been made in the proposals in response to\nthose who charge \"lock-up\". Major mineral deposits have been left out\nof proposals; a new concept for parks, sport hunting, has been pro-\nposed in Alaska; all proposals would allow subsistence uses by Natives.\nMost charge that Refuges are a lock-up, not true; the Refuges will be\nopen to mineral leasing and mining by permit. All areas except prime\nNational Parks will be open to leasing. As to size, Assistant Secretary\nReed testified (11/75) that Alaska's cold, short growing seasons, and\nthin soils combine to make survival of living resources difficult or\nimpossible on small land and water areas.\nBACKGROUND: Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 awarded Alaska\nNatives (Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts) $962.5 million in cash plus 40\nmillion acres of Federal lands in settlement of aboriginal land claims.\nIt also directed Secretary of the Interior, in the Act's Section 17 (d)\n(2), to withdraw from other uses up to 80 million acres of \"national\ninterest\" lands for possible inclusion by Congress in the four named\nsystems. In December 1973 Secretary Morton formally identified 83.47\nmillion acres, and sent an Omnibus bill to Congress to make 32.26\nmillion of these acres part of the National Park System; 31.59 million\nacres part of the National Wildlife Refuge System; 18.8 million acres\nas part of the National Forest System; and 20 rivers or river segments\nadditions to National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Under the Act,\nmost of the areas remain withdrawn from new settlement, new mining\nclaims and mineral leasing, and from State or Native land selection\nuntil December 1978, to give Congress time to decide on this package.\nUsing existing Departmental authority accounts for more than 80 million\nacres being recommended in Interior's proposal. These outstanding\nproposals would double the existing size of both the National Park\nSystem and National Wildlife Refuge System.\nProposals\nAuthorized by\nAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act P. L. 92-203\nDecember 18, 1973\nMillions\nof\nNational Park System\nAcres\n1. Gates of the Arctic National Park\n8.36\n2. Kobuk Valley National Monument\n1.85\n3. Cape Krusenstern National Monument\n0.35\n4. Aniakchak Caldera National Monument\n0.44\n5. Katmai National Park\n1.87\n6. Harding Icefield - Kenai Fjords National Monument1/\n0.30\n7. Lake Clark National Park\n2.61\n8. Mt. McKinley National Park Additions\n3.18\n9. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park\n8.64\n10. Yukon-Charley National Rivers\n1.97\n11. Chukchi-Imuruk National Reserve /\n2.69\nSubtotal 32.26 million acres\nNational Wildlife Refuge System\n12. Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge\n3.59\n13. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Additions\n3.76\n14. Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge\n4.43\n15. Selawik National Wildlife Refuge\n1.40\n16. Coastal National Wildlife Refuges\n0.07\n17. Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge\n5.16\n18. Togiak National Wildlife Refuge\n2.74\n19. Noatak National Arctic Range 2/\n7.59\n20. Iliamna National Resource Range 2/\n2.85\nSubtotal 31.59 million acres\nNational Forest System\n21. Porcupine National Forest\n5.50\n22. Yukon-Kuskokwim National Forest\n7.30\n23. Wrangell Mountain National Forest\n5.50\n24. Chugach National Forest Additions\n0.50\nSubtotal 18.80 million acres\nNational Wild and Scenic River System\n3/\n25. Fortymile National Wild and Scenic River\n0.32\n26. Birch Creek National Wild River\n0.20\n27. Beaver Creek National Wild River\n0.20\n28. Unalakleet National Wild River\n0.10\nSubtotal 0.82 million acres\nTotal 83.47 million acres\n1/ Joint administration by National Park Service and Fish and\nWildlife Service.\n2/ Joint administration by Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of\nLand Management.\n3/\nIn addition, 16 Wild and Scenic Rivers also proposed within\nparks, refuges, and forests."
}