SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH AT BATON ROUGE, LA.

Senator YOUNG. Senator Ellender would also like to have answered for the record by either Dr. Rodenhiser or someone from his department a further series of questions.

(The questions and answers referred to follow :)

Senator ELLENDER. For a number of years, the American Sugar Cane League and others have been emphasizing the need to expand a USDA soil and water research project headquarters at Baton Rouge, La. Are you familiar with the project to which I refer?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, the reference is to the Baton Rouge, La., facility recommended in Senate Document 59 (86th Cong.) and listed as item 30 in the priority listing for soil and water conservation research, page 911, of the Senate hearings on 1964 agricultural appropriations. This would be a gulf coast conservation research center.

Senator ELLENDER. How much funds are now available to this project?
Dr. CLARKSON. The amount available for 1964 is $46,200.

Senator ELLENDER. Is it true that this project has made some noteworthy accomplishments in spite of the rather modest amount of funds available to it? Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, an improved surface drainage system has been developed for sugarcane land that is adaptable to current production practices. Other developments include deep tillage to break up compacted soil layers and land smoothing to fill shallow field depressions that impound water, delay farming operations, and reduce yields.

Senator ELLENDER. Do you agree that it is now advisable to expand this project into a comprehensive soil and water research center?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, such action would be appropriate as early as the budget situation will permit, particularly when we consider the current need for increased sugar production and great soil and water resources that are available in the area for development and use.

Senator ELLENDER. Would not the findings from research conducted in such a center be applicable to many States?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, there are many acres of gulf coast bayou country and river delta sugarcane land from Texas to Florida to which the results would apply.

Senator ELLENDER. What appropriation do we need for construction of such a research center?

Dr. CLARKSON. Construction of the facility is estimated to cost $625,000. Senator ELLENDER. What is your estimate of operating funds such a center would require?

Dr. CLARKSON. This center would require approximately 14 engineers and scientists with supporting personnel for a total annual cost of $430,000. This is a revision of our earlier estimate of $218,000, which provided for concentration on land forming. The new amount would meet needs of all soil and water management problems, including the use of tillage machinery.

RESEARCH AT SEEDSKADEE, WYO.

Senator YOUNG. Senator McGee, a member of the committee has propounded some questions which he would appreciate having you answer for the record.

(The questions and answers referred to follow :)

Senator MCGEE. Dr. Clarkson, have funds been included in the 1965 budget request to begin the work on the pilot farm for the Seedskadee project in Wyoming?

Dr. CLARKSON. No. However, we are acting as consultants in setting up this work.

Senator MCGEE. Isn't it a fact that construction of the project has progressed to such an extent that it is feasible to begin the work on the project?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes.

Senator MCGEE. How much money could be utilized during fiscal 1965 to begin the initial work on the pilot farm for the project and how would it be spent?

Dr. CLARKSON. It is our view that an irrigation engineer, a soil physicist, a soil fertility expert, and supporting technical assistance would be needed. This would cost $100,000 annually for from 3 to 5 years.

SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Senator YOUNG. Dr. Clarkson, have you made any revisions in the past year in your order of priorities for the soil and water research program?

Dr. CLARKSON. No, we have not, Mr. Chairman. The order of priorities as listed to the committee of last year still stands.

Senator YOUNG. Do you still use that same list, then?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, sir.

Senator YOUNG. I wish you would include in the record, the priorities list, as the committee continues to receive some requests in regard to it. Since you have made no change, we could reinsert the old list or do you wish to update it to reflect changes in costs?

Dr. CLARKSON. Yes, sir.

(The updated list referred to follows:)

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE-SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION RESEARCH Recommendations in S. Doc. 59, 86th Cong., listed in order of priority as of Mar. 1, 1964

Research on hydrologic problems of northeastern

Develop improved practices for conservation farm-
ing and ranching on the Zita-Pullman and asso-
ciated soils of the southern High Plains, New
Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Conducts basic research on the performance charac-
teristics of tillage equipment, effectiveness of
traction equipment, the efficiency of transport
equipment, and the effect of tillage and transport
operations on soil conservation.

Develop basic information on the precipitation
runoff relationships on the southwestern grass and
shrub lands as they affect water supplies and im-
provement of streamflow in connection with
watershed protection measures. Also, information
on the improvement of watersheds for sediment
control.

Develop needed technology for sound conservation
practices on the Portneuf-Sagemoor and associated
soils of the Snake River plains extending from
Wyoming into central Oregon.
Conducts basic research on the effect of the chemical
characteristics of soils upon the chemical composi-
tion of plants grown thereon, and, in turn, on the
mineral nutrition and health of animals feeding
on such herbage.
Develop basic information on the precipitation run-
off relationships that affect the watershed and
streamflow characteristics in the break from the
plains to the prairies and cross timbers areas.
Also, information on the development and im-
provement of watershed control measures that will
alleviate the severe sedimentation problems that
occur in the watersheds in this area.
Develop needed information for efficient conserva-
tion farming on the Norfolk-Ruston soils of the
Atlantic Coastal Plain extending from Virginia
to Mississippi.

Develop sound practices for wind and water erosion
control and moisture preservation, for conserva-
tion farming and ranching on the Joplin and
associated soils of Wyoming and Montana.
Develop basic information on the precipitation run-
off relationships, sedimentation, and channel sta-
bility problems that occur under the intensively
developed agricultural areas of the North Central
States. Also, to gain fundamental knowledge on
the causes, control, and prevention of severe gully
formation as it relates to sedimentation and water-
shed protection.

1961

500,000

94, 200

220, 200

Recommendations in S. Doc. 59, 86th Cong., listed in order of priority as of Mar. 1, 1964-Continued