STATEMENT OF PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS PROPOSED BY THE WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION To be completed within 3 to 5 years immediately following the present war emergency. Post-war planning-Wyoming Game and Fish Commission 1 The cost per hour for labor has been figured at $0.75 per hour. 1 man-day has been figured at 8 hours. 3 The percent of the total cost of each project allotted for labor varies with each project. Therefore, the percentages have been listed in the last column of the chart. The percent of the total cost allotted for labor on each project is only an estimate; however, it is believed that it is fairly accurate. 66189-45- -32 WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSIONERS, Hon. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, Chairman, Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Enclosed you will find copies of resolution Nos. 2, 8, and 10, adopted by the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners during its twenty-fourth annual conference at Phoenix, Ariz., April 18-20, 1944. We are also enclosing a copy of the order of the Secretary of the Interior mentioned in resolution No. 2. The matters referred to in these resolutions involve far-reaching policies that may affect all the States in the Union insofar as their right to manage their wildlife resources is concerned. We, therefore, refer these resolutions to you for your careful consideration. Very truly yours, GORDON H. TRUE, JR., Secretary. RESOLUTION No. 2 Whereas under the guise of operating and maintaining irrigation project works, the Department of the Interior and Truckee-Carson irrigation district claim the authority and are attempting to control, regulate, commercialize, or prohibit hunting, fishing, and trapping upon the public domain within so-called custodial areas in the States of Nevada and California, and Whereas by virtue of resolutions promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior December 7, 1942, which are entitled "Regulations Governing Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing on Custodial Lands Under the Control of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, Newlands Project, Nevada," and Whereas such claims and attempts result in unfair discrimination in favor of, and special privileges to, a few and against the general public, and Whereas proper control of hunting, fishing, or trapping lies within the jurisdiction of the several States, and Whereas such claims and attempts operate to the detriment of the general public and the equal rights of all citizens and members thereof, and Whereas there arises from such attempts and practices invasion and denial of rights of the several States and the citizens thereof: Now therefore be it Resolved, That the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners hereby expresses its unalterable opposition and objection to the continuance of any such claims or attempts by the Department of the Interior or TruckeeCarson irrigation district, and earnestly petitions that every effort be made to secure the immediate cessation or discontinuance of all such practices and the immediate cancelation of all activities in connection therewith, or in furtherance thereof. RESOLUTION No. 8 Whereas the exclusive authority to regulate and control fish, game, and other wildlife is vested in the several States, and Whereas the problem of claimed overpopulations of wildlife in National Park areas is of immediate concern to the citizens of the several States, and Whereas the primary purpose of the development and proper control of wildlife resources is to assure adequate and continued hunting and fishing to the general public, and Whereas we are unalterably opposed to any commercialization of wildlife or other natural resources within the boundaries of any national park, and Whereas, the reduction in numbers of wildlife in any over-populated area by paid employees of any governmental authority is not in accord with the primary purpose of providing wildlife for public recreation and diversion, and Whereas permission to the general public for the taking of game in overpopulated areas will serve the purpose of reduction and realize the primary concept of public enjoyment of hunting and fishing: Now therefore be it Resolved, That the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners earnestly recommends and urges the immediate passage of congressional legislation providing that all over-stocking problems in national-park areas shall be met only by public hunting under permits issued by and under the jurisdiction of the several States in conformity with recommendations made by national park officials for the reduction of surplus wildlife populations. RESOLUTION No. 10 Whereas it has come to the attention of the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners that there is a constant increase in the acquisition of lands by purchase, gift, and exchange by a number of Federal agencies within the boundaries of the several States represented by this association, and Whereas it is the belief of this association that these acquisitions are becoming a serious menace to the constitutional rights and authority of the various States in that they affect the fishing, hunting, and trapping rights of these States, and Whereas, in many instances the Federal agencies involved are attempting to usurp the sovereign rights of the States on the lands under their control: Now therefore be it Resolved, That the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners vigorously resist these encroachments and that any Federal agency be prohibited from acquiring additional lands in these western States, except where specific approval of a State legislature has been given, and then only when there is reserved to the people the right to hunt, fish, and trap as provided by the legislative authority of the various States; And be it further Resolved, That no opposition be made to the acquisition by the National Park Service of privately owned lands within the present boundaries of national_parks; And be it further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be mailed to each and every member of Congress. Adopted by the Western Association of State Game and Fish Commissioners, Twenty-fourth Annual Conference, Phoenix, Ariz., April 18, 19, 20, 1944. EXHIBIT X [Promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior December 7, 1942] REGULATIONS GOVERNING HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING ON CUSTODIAL LANDS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TRUCKEE-CARSON IRRIGATION DISTRICT NEWLANDS PROJECT, NEVADA 1. Pursuant to the contract of December 18, 1936, between the United States and the Truckee-Carson irrigation district (hereinafter referred to as the district), the care, operation, and maintenance of all lands and works used for operative purposes in connection with the Newlands project were transferred to the district; these lands, commonly referred to as "custodial lands," being more particularly described in a letter dated May 22, 1930, from the First Assistant Secretary of the Interior to the district a list of the custodial lands, identified as exhibit A, is attached to and made a part of these regulations. 2. In order to provide for the proper control and administration of hunting, trapping, and fishing on the custodial lands, the district will designate the particular lands or areas upon which hunting, trapping, and fishing privileges will be granted in accordance with these regulations. The district, in its discretion and as may be necessary from time to time, may designate which of the custodial lands are to be available: (a) To the general public for hunting and fishing. (b) To sportsmen's organizations or groups of recognized standing, for hunting under special use permits or leases recommended by the district and approved by the Department. (c) To an individual or individuals for the trapping or taking of muskrats or other fur-bearing animals. 3. Hunting privileges. (a) The privileges of hunting and taking game upon the lands designated by the district as being available to the general public will be only upon the issuance by the district of the necessary individual licenses or permits. (b) The rates or fees at which such individual hunting licenses or permits will be issued by the district are as follows: One-day permit__ Season permit... $2 5 Season permits shall be for such period of time as the district will fix and may be for a shorter period than the open season during which game is authorized to be taken under applicable county, State, or Federal laws or regulations if considered desirable by the district for the proper control and administration of the custodial lands. The season or day will be clearly indicated on each individual license or permit. (c) Rates or fees lower than those prescribed in (b) may be established by the district for hunting permits issued to persons qualified to vote at district elections and residing upon Newlands project farms and to dependent members of their families residing with them upon said project. (d) No such licenses or permits shall be transferable but shall authorize the person named therein to hunt upon such lands as the district will designate as being available and open to the general public, during the period for which the license or permit shall have been issued. (e) As a condition precedent to the issuance of a license or permit, each applicant for a hunting permit must be in the possession of and exhibit a State hunting license with duck stamp attached. (f) Any permit or license issued by the district may be canceled by the district immediately and without notice in event the licensee or permittee: (1) Shall violate any county, State, or Federal statute or regulation applicable to hunting, or any of the conditions (designations of lands, etc.), and regulations of the district; (2) Shall interfere with any grazing privileges granted on the designated lands or molest or interfere with animals grazing upon such lands; (3) Shall harm, capture, or unnecessarily disturb any muskrat inhabiting the lands where hunting is permitted; (4) Shall conduct himself in an obnoxious or unsportsmanlike manner; (5) Shall injure or destroy any property; or (6) Shall perform any other act which, in the judgment of the district, is not in keeping with the purposes for which hunting privileges are contemplated or granted under these regulations. 4. Trapping privileges. The privileges of trapping or taking of muskrats or other fur-bearing animals from any of the lands designated by the district to be available for such purposes shall be leased by the district in one or several separate tracts to the best-qualified applicant or applicants for a period not to exceed 5 years. In determining the best qualified applicant or applicants the district shall consider the applicant's experience, ability to exercise proper care in the interests of conservation, and reputation and business standing in the community. The privileges under each such lease shall be exclusive. All leases shall be executed on the lease form identified as exhibit B, attached to and made a part of these regulations, and said lease or leases shall not become effective until approved by the general supervisor, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colo. A true copy of each lease effected by the district shall be furnished promptly to the general supervisor. 5. Fishing privileges. The privilege of fishing by the general public from waters on any of the lands designed by the district for such purpose will be granted and conducted under such conditions, rules, or regulations as the district may prescribe, which conditions, rules, or regulations shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. 6. All revenue received by the district on account of leases, licenses, and permits made and issued pursuant to these regulations shall be placed in a special account for disposition as the Secretary of the Interior may determine appropriate under the Federal Reclamation Laws. 7. Upon the close of each hunting and trapping season, and as soon thereafter as the records are available, the district shall report (in triplicate) to the General Supervisor, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, Colo., the following information: (A) The number of 1-day and season hunting permits issued and the total receipts from each class. (B) In connection with muskrats or other fur-bearing animals and for each lease in effect, the total number of animals taken, and the total revenue therefrom; the district's share or shares of the pelts and revenue therefrom; the revenue paid to the district as rental for use of the land if in any form other than in pelts or from the sale of pelts; a statement of the nature and value of improvements contemplated and made by the lessee; a statement of the future prospects for trapping (extent by which animals are increasing or decreasing under trapping operations); and a statement as to the condition of the leased area at the end of the season. 8. These regulations are issued and approved subject to hunting, trapping and fishing, and all operations in connection therewith being conducted in accordance with all applicable county, State, and Federal statutes and regulations. 9. These regulations are approved on the express understanding that such regulations may be changed, modified, or extended by the Secretary of the Interior as in his judgment may be required for the best administration of the custodial lands. THE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS, The Honorable A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, House Office Building, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. ROBERTSON: Upon the direction of representatives from the northeastern region who attended the Seventh Annual Eastern States Conservation Conference in Boston last week, I am enclosing a copy of a statement which includes conference findings and recommendations. This statement was drafted and unanimously approved by the conference, and represents what the States in this region seem to feel is a declaration of sound principles and proposed policies in the somewhat complicated field of water resources conservation and development. We should be very pleased to have your comment. Respectfully yours, DAVID W. ROBINSON, ATTENDANCE LIST, SEVENTH ANNUAL EASTERN STATES CONSERVATION CON FERENCE Hotel Statler, Boston, April 14-15, 1944 CONNECTICUT Charles W. Cooke, engineer, Hartford Flood Commission. Senator Henry H. Hunt.1 Richard Martin, deputy director, State water commission. Gen. Sanford H. Wadhams, director, State water commission; chairman, commission on intergovernmental cooperation. 1 DELAWARE Richard C. Beckett, State sanitary engineer; secretary, commission on interstate cooperation. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Edwin R. Cotton, engineer-secretary, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. F. O. Hagie, secretary-manager, National Reclamation Association. Clifford H. Stone, director, Colorado Water Conservation Board; chairman, National Reclamation Association. William H. Webb, executive vice president, National Rivers and Harbors Congress. MAINE Frank L. Baker,1 State representative. Burton M. Cross, State representative. John G. Marshall, Assistant Attorney General. M. R. Stackpole, district engineer, United States Geological Survey. 1 David H. Stevens, State tax assessor; chairman, commission on interstate cooperation. MASSACHUSETTS Francis H. Allen, member, Massachusetts Conservation Council. John E. Allen, Chief of Engineering Division, United States Engineer Office, Boston. Milton C. Allen, secretary, agricultural committee, New England Council. David A. Aylward, secretary, Massachusetts Fish and Game Commission. A. B. Beaumont, extension soil conservationist, Massachusetts State College. James B. Culliton, director, Massachusetts Committee on Post-war Readjustment. 1 Member, Commission on Interstate Cooperation. |