CHICAGO, ILL., June 8, 1956. Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, Chairman, House Interior Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Will be unable to be present, personally, but Michael Hudoba, a life member of the Izaak Walton League, will represent our organization at hearings scheduled for June 11 and 12. J. W. PENFOLD, Conservation Director. Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA, INC. Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ENGLE: You are acquainted, I am sure, with the deep interest which the Izaak Walton League has always had with respect to the public domain lands of the West and the wise use and management of their multiple resources. Lately we have become very much concerned about the rate at which the military seeks to withdraw public lands for a variety of military training purposes to the exclusion or damage of important resource uses such as wildlife, grazing of domestic livestock, mining, timber harvest and the like. We are not satisfied that these withdrawals are always necessary nor that adequate consideration is given to the importance of the uses curtailed or eliminated by them. We understand that your committee will hold public hearings within the next 30 days or so to consider the problem and to seek a proper solution. The Izaak Walton League will wish to attend the hearing and to offer testimony. Hence, we would very much appreciate your having us advised as to the dates of the hearings, when scheduled, and to place us on the list of groups wishing to be heard. Chairman, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ENGLE: The Massachusetts Conservation Council at its May meeting voted in favor of H. R. 10389 and H. R. 10371 relative to hunting and fishing on military reservations, and trust that these measures will be passed to put the necessary curbs on military withdrawals of public lands, and to require that State game and fish laws be observed on lands under the control of the armed services. Very truly yours, Representative CLAIR ENGLE. C. RUSSELL MASON, Secretary. MICHIGAN NATURAL AREAS COUNCIL, DEAR CONGRESSMAN: During the last few years various units of the Armed Forces have requested the withdrawals of large acreages of land from recreational tracts, wildlife refuges and other conservation projects, stating that the requisition of these lands was vital to the national defenses. In many instances, later investigation has shown that the acquisition of these particular lands was not vital to the national defense program and the public has lost valuable lands which were originally dedicated for a very important and significant use. To remedy this situation the Michigan Natural Areas Council urges that Congress pass H. R. 10371, proposed by Representative Clair Engle. The council would further urge that the important Wichita Mountain refuge be kept intact, that the Army be denied any further use of this area and that H. R. 9665 and S. 3360 be defeated. It is regrettable that the Army has so grossly misrepresented the character and usage of this valuable wildlife reservation and their own needs in respect to this tract. To prevent further unwarranted raids on public lands dedicated for a specific purpose, it is suggested that Congress might consider the drafting and passage of a bill as proposed by Mr. Howard Zahniser of the Wilderness Society and as discussed by Hon. Hubert Humphrey recently in the Congressional Record. An established basic policy in regard to the preservation of such lands would do much to protect public interest. Respectfully submitted. PAUL W. THOMPSON, Chairman.. KINGMAN, ARIZ., June 9, 1956. HOUSE INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, New House Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Respectfully request committee to report favorable on H. R. 10371 to forbid any defense withdrawals of public lands in Western States without congressional sanction. Imperative that Congress restrain further wholesale appropriations of western public lands which have at times jeapordized continuing private property rights through condemnation. Commitee approval respectfully urged. MOHAVE COUNTY, ARIZ., BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. BILLINGS, MONT., June 11, 1956. HOUSE INTERFOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE GARDEN CLUBS, Chairman, House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ENGLE: My heartiest congratulations for your introduction of bill H. R. 10371 to curb the appetite of the huge Department of Defense and its more rapacious children: Army, Navy, and Air Force for more and more of the public domain. I note that this bill provides that except in time of war or national emergency no area of public land or water exceeding 5,000 acres can be withdrawn or reserved for defense purposes except by Congress. Also that another major provision would require observance of State conservation laws if any hunting or fishing is done on the reservation, etc., etc. I hope that your bill will meet with the quick approval of the majority of our representatives and that a similar bill will also be introduced in the Senate for speedy action. Sincerely yours, MRS. M. H. STARKWEATHER. NATIONAL LUMBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ENGLE: H. R. 10371, which is now before your committee, would provide that withdrawals or reservations of more than 5,000 acres of public lands of the United States for defense purposes shall not become effective until approved by act of Congress. The withdrawal or reservation of public lands by the military establishment for national defense purposes has been a continuing process for many years. This has resulted in more or less permanent reservation of many millions of acres and in substantial curtailment of public use, including timber use, on such areas. It is recognized that the requirements of national defense for land are important and must be fully considered. There is good reason to believe, however, that future demands for land withdrawals must be very carefully examined if public use benefits and resource values are not to be unnecessarily jeapordized. We believe that the Congress of the United States, in keeping with the intent of H. R. 10371, should hereafter examine such demands. This would restore to Congress its basic constitutional responsibility for such matters and would provide for a much needed review and analysis of the problem. We would suggest that provision be made in the bill for notice to Congress whenever a withdrawal or rservation has served its purpose and the lands have been restored to their former status or have otherwise been removed from the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. The Chamber of Commerce of the United States has recommended that the proposed legislation be amended to provide for public hearings in each State affected by such withdrawals or reservations to permit county, State, and local citizens to give their views. We concur in this recommendation believing that such procedure would materially aid the Congress in its consideration of applications for the withdrawal or reservation of public lands. It would be appreciated if this letter could be made a part of the record of the hearings on H. R. 10371. Sincerely, A. Z. NELSON, Forest Economist. NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION, Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ENGLE: By formal resolution, the board of trustees stated the support of the National Parks Association for your bill, H. R. 10371 and other similar bills, which would return to the Congress the control over withdrawals and reservations made for military purposes, at its annual meeting on May 10. The resolution reads as follows: "The increasing numbers of proposals made by the military departments of the Government that these departments be assigned jurisdiction over lands that are under the administrative control of other departments, including national parks and monuments, national wildlife refuges, reserved wilderness areas, and other areas that have been especially dedicated to protect values of paramount significance, requires the close concern of the American people. In almost every instance, investigation has revealed no factor relating to the national security is involved, and that the justification is merely to serve the convenience of the military agency. "The board of trustees of the National Parks Association endorses legislation now pending before the Congress that would require the consent of Congress for any military withdrawal or reservation exceeding 5,000 acres. "The board strongly opposes H. R. 9665 and S. 3360, which would require transfer of 10,700 acres within the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. Okla., to the Department of the Army. Abundant evidence demonstrates these lands are essential to rare wildlife and to the enjoyment of the people, and that no aspect of the national security requires the enactment of this legislation." When hearings are called on H. R. 10371, we should appreciate opportunity to testify in favor of the legislation. It is requested this letter be made a part of the official record. Yours sincerely, FRED M. PACKARD, Executive Secretary. CARSON CITY, NEV., June 11, 1956. CLERK, INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, In reference to H. R. 10371 please be advised that Nevada Association of County Commissioners is in favor of this legislation. Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, MARTIN C. DUFFY, President. NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN ENGLE: Enclosed you will find copy of a resolution adopted at a recent quarterly meeting of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association in Roswell. As we know your committee is currently making a careful investigation of the Army Department's use of public lands in the West, we felt confident that you would desire to have a copy of this resolution for the record. We sincerely hope that it will be possible for you to keep us advised of activities of your committee as this problem has become one of the most serious facing the livestock industry in New Mexico. With best wishes, I am, Very truly yours, SHERWOOD CULBERSON, President. RESOLUTION No. 8-MILITARY LAND ACQUISITION Whereas various branches of the Department of Defense have acquired more than 4 million acres of land in New Mexico for various military projects; and Whereas it is apparent that the Army Department, Navy Department, and numerous other branches of the Defense Department will not cooperate with each other in the most efficient utilization of these lands; and Whereas this lack of cooperation is leading to increased demands by the Department of Defense for more lands in New Mexico and other Western States; and Whereas commanding officers of these military projects under the plea of national security forbid the joint use of these lands for the production of essential national commodities such as livestock, minerals, and oil-but at the same time are developing huge big game hunting grounds to please the military personnel: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That we petition Congress to appoint committees of reliable State officials, and industry leaders representing agriculture, oil, minerals, and wildlife in each State in which this military-land acquisition is taking place to fully investigate the use to which the Defense Department is making of their present land holdings. Attest: This is a true copy of resolution No. 8 adopted by the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association in Roswell, December 7, 1955. HORACE H. HENING, Executive Secretary. NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, Chairman, Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN ENGLE: Enclosed you will find copy of a resolution adopted at the 42d Annual Convention of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association in Albuquerque on March 27. Some 2,000 cattlemen throughout New Mexico and the Southwest attended this convention. Any consideration you can give the recommendation of our organization will be very greatly appreciated. We certainly have appreciated the excellent manner in which you have conducted hearings concerning the problem mentioned in this resolution. You may be sure that you have our full support and cooperation in the work you are doing. With best wishes, I am, PUBLIC LANDS WITHDRAWALS DICK SNYDER, President. Whereas withdrawals from the public domain inventory by the defense agencies exceed in area the combined acreage of Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Delaware; and Whereas if present application for similar withdrawals in Nevada, California, New Mexico, and Arizona are approved, an additional land mass equal to New Jersey and Rhode Island plus 50 Districts of Columbia will have also been taken for exclusive use; and Whereas withdrawals by the defense agencies are equivalent to a strip of land 11 miles wide extending from New York City to San Francisco and pending applications, if approved, will increase the width of such a corridor to 14 miles; and Whereas the withdrawals represent the lowest form of natural resource utilization because citizen entry into such areas for the purpose of creating wealth by the application of capital and labor to the natural resources as well as citizen entry for recreational purposes is forbidden; and Whereas many such withdrawals duplicate each other and there is no orderly rotation of their use or a multiple use thereof by the various defense agencies for like purposes; and Whereas the public interest requires: 1. That pending applications for withdrawals from the public domain inventory be denied; (2) That existing withdrawals be studied to the end that every possible waste of natural resources, through duplication, be stopped; (3) A congressional policy of rotation of use of air reservations and training areas for ground troops and proving grounds be established; (4) A procedure be established for a periodic review of the continued need for such military reservations; (5) An inventory be made of the entire public lands inventory, reserved and unreserved, and said acreage classified by the Secretary of the Interior to the end that the acres containing the least valuable natural resources shall be used by the defense agencies; (6) That the Department of State institute negotiations with the Republic of Mexico to see if Mexico can contribute acres adjacent to our south border for use by our defense agencies, as that nation's contribution toward the defense of our North American Hemisphere, inasmuch as the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America are contributing manpower, electrical and atomic energy, money and equipment as well as a substantial real property inventory: Therefore be it Resolved, That we authorize and direct our officers and committee members to appear before the current session of Congress and advocate legislation which will carry the foregoing proposed statements of public policy into being. Attest this is a true copy of Resolution No. 4 adopted unanimously at the 42d Annual Convention of the New Mevico Cattle Growers' Association in Albuquerque, N. Mex., on March 27, 1956. HORRACE H. HENING, Hon. CLAIR ENGLE, NEW MEXICO CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., Chairman, House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, United States House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN ENGLE: We certainly appreciated receiving your telegram of June 6 advising that you plan to conduct hearings on H. R. 10371 on June 11 |