WORK OF DEPARTMENT Senator HOLLAND. Exactly what do you contribute? Mr. PARKER. We will contribute a review of the material that is submitted with the application in an attempt to evaluate the effects of the chemical on fish and wildlife where it will be used under the direction as proposed on the label. We will then advise Agriculture of our recommendations concerning the registration of the chemical. Senator HOLLAND. Does the law require that the Department of Agriculture has to have that service rendered by you? Mr. PARKER. The law does not require it. The law makes provision for the Department of Agriculture to do it if it desires; yes, sir. Senator HOLLAND. But the duty and the responsibility of registration is on the Department of Agriculture. Mr. PARKER. Exactly. Senator HOLLAND. All right. Chairman HAYDEN. If there are no further questions, thank you. Mr. PARKER. Thank you. BERLIN NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY Chairman HAYDEN. On August 4, 1964, Senator McIntyre wrote to me with regard to the continued need for funds to renovate the Berlin National Fish Hatchery. Funds for this purpose were approved by the Senate at the time the fiscal year 1965 Interior Department appropriation bill was under consideration, but the item was lost in conference with the House. Senator McIntyre's letter will be included in the record as well as a statement of the funds needed which has been prepared by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. (The letter and statement referred to follow :) Hon. CARL HAYDEN, U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, Chairman, Appropriations Committee, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: As you know, I was extremely disappointed when the appropriation of $203,600 for the Berlin National Fish Hatchery, which is located approximately 14 miles northwest of the town of Berlin, N.H., was stricken in conference from the appropriations for the Department of the Interior for fiscal year 1965. In view of the urgent need for this development program, I should like to propose that the committee include this $203,600 item in the supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1965 when it is brought up for consideration. This hatchery, which was first established in 1921 as a substation of the St. Johnsbury, Vt., Hatchery, has never been fully developed. Existing facilities are overcrowded and inadequate to meet the needs of the large, heavily fished New England area which it supplies, including parts of Maine and Vermont as well as New Hampshire. This area is undergoing a period of rapid recreational development and large numbers of legal-sized trout must be released annually in order to maintain satisfactory angler returns. The present raceways which range in age from 13 to 32 years are badly deteriorated. Intakes are also badly deteriorated and readily clogged by debris. The present water supply is inadequate for efficient fish-cultural practices. Pre liminary well testing indicates that water of proper quality and temperature can be obtained from well sources. With new wells and other improvements, it is estimated that production at the hatchery would nearly double-reaching in excess of 100,000 pounds of trout annually. The severe weather conditions during the winter and the isolated location of the station necessitates additional housing quarters for permanent personnel. In view of the fact that the hatchery is attracting an increasing number of visitors, public facilities such as restrooms, a picnic area, and an exhibit or display room have been proposed for the use of the general public. I am enclosing a breakdown of the total estimated cost of the program for fiscal year 1965, which has been prepared by the Fish and Wildlife Service, along with some photographs depicting the present condition of existing facilities. In view of the imperative need for these developments at the Berlin National Fish Hatchery, I would urge that the committee provide funds in the amount of $203,600 for this very desirable program in the supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 1965. With appreciation and best wishes. Sincerely, TOM MCINTYRE, U.S. Senator. Funds needed for the program Replace hatchery raceways with 16 (5 by 50 feet) Replace intake structures (2). Drill wells (3) including test wells--. Pipeline from wells to hatchery area. Replace 2 residences with garages. Two additional residences with garages Public restrooms with water supply and sewage.. Renovate spawning house and equip with aquaria and exhibits for public visitation_-_-. Domestic water supply and sewage Resurface roads_- Landscaping‒‒‒‒ Picnic area.. Equipment.. Total estimated cost of the program_ $37,000 10, 000 22, 000 10,000 40,000 40, 000 8,000 6, 000 8,000 13, 000 5, 000 3,000 1,600 203, 600 BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES STATEMENT OF HAROLD E. CROWTHER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES FISHERY LOAN FUND-ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Chairman HAYDEN. We will hear from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries on the fishery loan fund-administrative expenses. Increased activity in the fishery loan fund program which resulted from the Alaskan earthquake and tidal wave of last March causes a need for a $25,000 increase in the limitation on the amount available for administrative expenses. The justification will be placed in the record. (The justification referred to follows:) BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Fishery loan fund (limitation on administrative expenses) Appropriation to date__. Request (increase in administrative expense limitation for 10 months from Sept. 1, 1964)–– Employment: Average number, current appropriation_. $277,000 $25,000 21 1 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS The $25,000 is needed in the limitation on administrative expenses for this fund in order to meet the increased loan program activity due to the Alaska earthquake and tidal wave of last March. Enactment of the Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-309) authorizes the Secretary to make loans from available funds to commercial fishermen for chartering vessels until June 30, 1966. This will provide immediate relief pending reconstruction of the Alaskan commercial fishing fleet. The increased loan activity, already realized and anticipated, increases the necessary administrative functions to an extent where additional funds are required. An increase of $25,000 is needed in the limitation on the amount of funds available for the fisheries loan program that may be expended for administration of the program, including the processing of loan applications, closing of loans and the collection of repayments and interest. The need for an increase in the limitation is attributable to the very significant and unforeseeable increase in activity in the fisheries loan program resulting from (1) enactment of the Commercial Research and Development Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-309), and (2) the Alaska earthquake and tidal wave that followed. Section 9 of the Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1964 amends section 4 of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended (creating the fisheries loan fund) by adding a new subsection which authorized the Secretary to make loans from available funds to commercial fishermen for the purpose of chartering fishing vessels. These loans would be available to commercial fishermen pending the construction or repair of vessels lost, destroyed, or damaged by the Alaska earthquake and tidal wave until June 30, 1966, to provide immediate relief to the Alaska fishery. Furnishing information concerning this program; and processing, closing and servicing the loan applications received will involve additional costs for travel, communications and other general expenses. During the period from March 27, when the Alaska earthquake occurred, and August 4, 81 applicants ($1,350,000) for loans to replace or repair lost or damaged fishing vessels were received. Since many applicants are deferring the submission of their applications until their insurance problems are settled, many more applications are anticipated. In order to process, close, and service these applications additional personnel are needed in Alaska. Additional travel funds will be required, to provide temporary assistance to that area from other regions and the central office, as well as provide for additional travel within the region in connection with closing and servicing of these loans. One additional professional employee will be required. Loans, and all expenses connected with administering these loans, are paid from the fund and principal and interest collected are paid into the fund. During the last 3 fiscal years, interest paid into the fund has exceeded expenses paid from the fund. ! Balances of selected resources are identified on the statement of financial condition Summary of sources and application of funds |