18. Electric planers for workshops. 19. Trucks for fish and game stocking. 20. Trail builders for pcnd construction. 21. Earth movers for pond construction. 22. Truck trailer for handling of pond-construction equipment. 23. Portable window exhaust fans for administrative offices. 24. Chain hoists for fish hatchery purposes and marine runways. 25. Photographic file. 26. Electric drills. 27. Electric extension lines. 28. Microscopes. 29. Marchant calculators. 30. Map cases. 31. File cases. 32. Interoffice communication system. 33. Bookcases. 34. Typewriters. 35. First-aid kits. 36. Washtubs for fish hatcheries. 37. Outboard motors for trapping and waterfcwl work. 38. Telephone poles. 39. Nails of various sizes. 40. Draftsman's table. 41. Map mileage indicator. 42. Postage meter machine. 43. Miscellaneous tools, including mattccks, sledges, and single and double bit axes. 44. Electric motors. 45. Farm machinery of all types. 46. Trailers. 47. Cooking utensils. 48. Barograph equipped with 195-hour clock operated recording drum. 49. Weather station instruments for the purpose of studying effects of weather on wildlife. This report was designed primarily to show the important part the Federal agencies play in the field of wildlife management in the State of Virginia. In the future outlines should be developed jointly by Federal and State agencies for hearings of this kind, so that the reports would be more uniform and comprehensive for inclusion in the Congressional House Select Committee Report on Wildlife Resources. Hon. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, WASHINGTON SEATTLE, WASH., December 7, 1944. Chairman, Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources: Relative to your request as to wildlife restoration funds the commission did not meet until last November. Nearly all funds were used for acquisition of winter range and habitat for game. Approximately 50,000 acres to date. Splendid cooperation from Fish and Wildlife Service. Land valuations way up and serious problem as to acquisition. Favorable to program and future possibilities. Would recommend same as last 2 years on appropriation if restrictions as to use of moneys are held same as present. That is, acquisition, development, and survey. However, if liberalized could efficiently use more funds under existing conditions. B. T. MCCAULEY, Director, Washington State Department of Game. WEST VIRGINIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION, Hon. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, Chairman, Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Reference is made to your memorandum of November 16, 1944, pertaining to present and post-war projects, as related to the use of proposed use of Pittman-Robertson Act funds. We are enclosing a brief report of our more or less tentative plans, particularly in reference to the possible use of Federal-aid funds. These projects will, of course, depend largely upon the availability of trained personnel. This limits our present use of these funds, with the possible exception of land purchases. We wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the splendid work you and your committee have been doing on behalf of wildlife conservation, and to express the hope that the provisions of the Pittman-Robertson Act will be continued. Yours very truly, JACK K. SHIPMAN, Executive Director. OUTLINE OF PRESENT AND POST-WAR GAME MANAGEMENT PROJECTS FOR STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA Due to drastically reduced personnel the conservation commission is at present making only limited use of Pittman-Robertson funds. Work is in progress on only two projects, with a third being held in a state of suspension. Project 11-D is being continued from 1943 to provide for completion of a deerestocking program. We consider our deer-restocking program as nearly comPlete. Work is now under way on a wild-turkey investigation which will provide he basis for a restocking, development, and management plan for the species under Pittman-Robertson projects. A State-wide wildlife survey (8-R) has been suspended, pending availability of qualified personnel. It is probable that unobligated Federal-aid funds will be used in the purchase of refuge lands. POST-WAR PLANS Present plans call for greatly expanding our game-management program to provide for intensive rather than for extensive management. To obtain a basis for this management it will be necessary to complete our State-wide survey which has been interrupted due to a lack of personnel. This will require at least 2 years. Following completion of the survey, the State will be divided into four or five game-management districts with a trained wildlife technician in charge of all work within each district. Division of the State will be based largely upon the data assembled during the course of the wildlife survey. The district biologists will undertake development of experimental and demonstration projects in each county, much of which can be financed by Federal-aid funds. As a part of the development plans rather intensive game-management programs will be instituted on all lands under administration of the conservation commission, including State forests, State parks, and game refuges. Our gamerefuge system will be expanded through the purchase of at least four additional game refuges averaging 6,000 or 7,000 acres. It is hoped that a more sound restocking program will be developed, providing for replenishment of depleted coverts only when food and cover conditions warrant such action. Along this line, if proper techniques can be developed, we will undertake to restore the wild turkey to ranges considered suitable to the species. To date few efforts have been made to manage the fur resources of the State. Post-war plans call for at least a limited management program for such fur species as beaver, raccoon, and muskrat. As an aid in matching anticipated Federal-aid funds the conservation commission is asking the 1945 legislature for an annual appropriation of $75,000 to supplement revenue received from hunting and fishing licenses. This will permit expansion of our entire game-management program. It is anticipated that completion of the above-described features of our game-management program will require an annual expenditure of approximately $60,000. WISCONSIN CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT, Mr. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, Chairman, Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources, DEAR MR. ROBERTSON: In answer to your request of November 16, we submit the following information: Title: Research: Present Pittman-Robertson program Annual expenditure (gross) Land Acquisition (pending at Horicon from other year): Post-war plans for Pittman-Robertson program in Wisconsin Research: Deer Pheasant.. $21, 128. 00 735.00 1, 060. 40 11, 050. 00 1 13, 500. 00 $15,000.00 10, 000, 00 10, 000. 00 15, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 750.00 5, 000, 00 Waterfowl Fur bearers.. Grouse Quail Food habits_ 65, 750.00 Land acquisition: Series of lands (some 10 to 20 areas). 25, 000. 00 10, 000. 00 Land improvement (leased land) 5, 000. 00 Very truly yours, E. J. VANDERWALL, Conservation Director. WYOMING GAME AND FISH COMMISSION, Mr. A. WILLIS ROBERTSON, Chairman, Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ROBERTSON: I am enclosing a brief abstract of proposed expenditures for construction and development by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department immediately following the present emergency. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is in a position to embark upon a construction and development program as soon as men and materials are made available. You will note that we are planning the expenditure of approximately $1,000,000 within a 5-year period. More than half of this development work is now in the blueprint stage. Very truly yours, LESTER BAGLEY, Game and Fish Commissioner. 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 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. |