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HEARING

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SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE

COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

UNITED STATES SENATE

EIGHTY-NINTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

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SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS NATIONAL RECREATION

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OTHER PURPOSES Y .-a

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APRIL 1, 1965

Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

46-047 WASHINGTON: 1965
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COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

ALLEN J. ELLENDER, Louisiana, Chairman

OLIN D. JOHNSTON, South Carolina GEORGE D. AIKEN, Vermont

SPESSARD L. HOLLAND, Florida MILTON R. YOUNG, North Dakota

JAMES 0. EASTLAND, Mississippi JOHN SHERMAN COOPER, Kentucky

HERMAN E. TALMADGE, Georgia J. CALEB BOGGS, Delaware

B. EVERETT JORDAN, North Carolina JACK MILLER, Iowa

EUGENE J. McCARTHY, Minnesota

GEORGE McGOVERN, South Dakota

ROSS BASS, Tennessee

JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, New Mexico

COTYS M. MOUSER, Chief Clerk

SUBCOMMITTEE ON SOIL CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

JAMES 0. EASTLAND, Mississippi, Chairman

OLIN D. JOHNSTON, South Carolina GEORGE D. AIKEN, Vermont

EUGENE J. McCARTHY, Minnesota J. CALEB BOGGS, Delaware

JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, New Mexico

II
CONTENTS

Statement of: Page

Bowers, Robert R., director, Travel Development Division, West Virginia Department of Commerce, Charleston, W. Va 22

Byrd, Hon. Robert C., U.S. Senator from the State of West Virginia.. 6

Dennis, Robert T., assistant conservation director, Izaak Walton

League of America 27

McCoy, William, Jr., Franklin, W. Va 25

Nelson, M. M., Deputy Chief, Forest Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture 16

Sions, Cread, conservation committee, West Virginia Division, Izaak

Walton League of America, Petersburg, W. Va 30

Sponaugle, George I., Franklin, W Va 26

Miscellaneous documents:

S. 7, 89th Congress 1

Report from the Department of Agriculture 2

Report from the Department of the Interior 4

Statistics relative to Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation

Area 11

Editorial from the Washington Evening Star 13

Editorial from the Washington Post 13

Statement of Senator Randolph 15

Statement of Governor Smith of West Virginia 22

Resolution adopted by the West Virginia division, Izaak Walton

League of America 30

Letter from Thomas L. Kimball, executive director, National Wildlife

Federation 32

Statement of Hans McCourt, Webster Springs, W Va 33

Letter from George F. Kachlein, Jr., executive vice president, American Automobile Association 34

Statement of Carl Gainer, Richwood, W. Va 34

III
No,
SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS NATIONAL

RECREATION AREA

THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1965

U. S. SENATE,

SUBCOMMIrIEE ON SOIL CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY

OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2 p.m. in room 234,

Old Senate Office Building, Senator Eugene L. McCarthy: presiding.

Present: Senator McCarthy.

Also present: Senator Byrd of West Virginia.

Senator MCCARTHY. We will call the committee to order.

The hearings today are on Senate bill 7. The bill will be placed in

the record at this point.

(S. 7 is as follows:)

[ S. 7, 59th ("Ana., let sm.]

A BILL To provide for the establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National

Recreation Area, in the State of West Virginia, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States

of America in Congress assembled, That, in order to provide for the public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment thereof by the people of the United States, the

Secretary of Agriculture shall establish the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National

Recreation Area in the State of West Virginia.

SEC. 2. The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter called the "Secretary")

shall—

(1) designate as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect the Spruce

Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area within and adjacent to, and

as a part of, the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia not to exceed

in the aggregate one hundred thousand acres in such unit or units as he may

determine, to include but not be limited to Spruce Knob, Smoke Holes, and

Seneca Rocks, and lying primarily in the drainage of the south branch of the

Potomac River; and

(2) publish notice of the designation in the Federal Register, together with

a map showing the boundaries of the recreation area.

SEC. 3. ( a ) The Secretary shall acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, by gift, exchange, condemnation, transfer from any Federal

agency, or otherwise, such lands, waters, or interests therein within the boundaries of the recreation area as he determines to be needed or desirable for the

purposes of this Act. Lands, waters, or interests therein owned by the State of

West Virginia or any political subdivision of that State may be acquired only

with the concurrence of such owner.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal property located within the boundaries of the recreation area may, with the concurrence

of the agency having custody thereof, be transferred without consideration to the

administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for use by him in implementing

the purposes of this Act.

(c) In exercising his authority to acquire lands by exchange the Secretary

may accept title to non-Federal property within the recreation area and convey

to the grantor of such property any federally owned property in the State of

West Virginia under his jurisdiction.

1
2 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

SEc. 4. (a) After the Secretary acquires an acreage within the area designated

pursuant to paragraph (1) of section 2 of this Act that is in his opinion efficiently

administrable to carry out the purposes of this Act, he shall institute an accelerated program of development of facilities for outdoor recreation. Said facilities shall be so devised to take advantage of the topography and geographical

location of the lands in relation to the growing recreation needs of the people

of the United States.

(b) The Secretary may cooperate with all Federal and State authorities and

agencies that have programs which will hasten completion of the recreation area

and render services which will aid him in evaluating and effectuating the establishment of adequate summer and winter outdoor recreation facilities.

SEC. 5. The administration, protection, and development of the recreation area

shall be by the Secretary of Agriculture in accodrance with the laws, rules, and

regulations applicable to national forests, in such manner as in his judgment

will best provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation

of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public enjoyment;

and (3) such management, utilization, and disposal of renewable natural resources as in his judgment will promote, or is compatible with, and does not

significantly impair the purposes for which the recreation area is established.

Senator MCCARTHY. There will also be placed in the record at this

point letters to the chairman of the full committee from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior.

(The letters referred to are as follows:)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

Washington, D.C., March 26, 1965.

Hon. ALLEN J. ELLENDER,

Committee on Agriculture and Forestry,

U.S. Senate.

DEAR Mn. CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request of January 21, 1965,

for a report on S. 7, a bill to provide for the establishment of the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area, in the State of West Virginia and for

other purposes.

We recommend that S. 7 be enacted with the amendment suggested herein.

S. 7 would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area to provide for public outdoor recreation

use and enjoyment of the land to be included therein by the people of the United

States. As soon as practicable after passage of the bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would designate the lands to compromise this recreation area and would

publish notice of such designation, together with a map, in the Federal Register.

The national recreation area would include, but not be limited to, such features

as Spruce Knob, the Smoke Holes, and Seneca Rocks. It would comprise lands

currently within and adjacent to the Monongahela National Forest. When so

designated, it would be administered as a part of the Monongahela National

Forest and the boundaries of the forest would be enlarged to include the entire

'area. The national recreation area would be situated primarily in the drainage

of the South Branch of the Potomac River. A maximum of 100,000 acres could

be included in the designated area.

The bill would direct the acquisition of lands within the designated area

determined by the Secretary to be needed or desirable for the purposes of the

bill. It would direct the Secretary to institute an accelerated program of

development facilities for outdoor recreation to meet the growing recreation

needs of the people of the United States. It would authorize the Secretary to

cooperate with Federal and State authorities and agencies that have programs

which might hasten completion of the recreation area or for the purpose of

assisting in the evaluation and effectuation of the establishment of adequate

summer and winter outdoor recreation facilities. The national recreation area

would be administered, protected, and developed in accordance with laws, rules,

and regulations applicable to national forests to provide for public outdoor

recreation benefits, conservation of scenic, scientific, and other values, and management, utilization, and disposal of other renewable natural resources to the

extent that such management will promote or is compatible with the basic purposes of the national recreation area.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area would be located

in the upper reaches of the Potomac River—principally in the watershed of

the South Branch of the Potomac River above Petersburg, W. Va., including
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 3

the North Fork of the South Branch. It would include Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia with an elevation of 4,860 feet and contiguous Spruce

Mountain, Seneca Creek, large segments of the sidewalls and ridges of the

South Branch of the Potomac and North Fork of South Branch above Royal

Glen, the Smoke Holes area, North Mountain, Cave Mountain, Seneca Rocks,

and other recreational, geologic, historic, and topographic features. It would be

in Grant and Pendleton Counties, within and immediately adjoining the Monongahela National Forest.

About 40 percent of the lands within this area are national forest lands acquired under the Weeks law of March 1, 1911; some 60 percent are privately

owned. Aproximately 82 percent of the total area is forested, about 4 percent

is cleared bottom land, and about 13 percent is other cleared lands—mainly in

ridgetop and hillside farms; some abandoned and some still utilized.

The proposed national recreation area is easily accessible to a substantial

part of the Nation's population. It is within a few hours' drive of over 6 million

people, largely urban. Within 30 years, it is estimated that immediate tributary

population will exceed 10 million people—predominantly city dwellers. Urban

complexes of Pittsburgh, Washington, and Baltimore are within easy travel

distance for weekend recreation, as are other cities and towns in southwest

Pensylvania, northern West Virginia, Virginia, and western Maryland.

Recreation resources include the fast-flowing, clear streams of the South

Branch of the Potomac and tributary North Fork, which offer white water

canoeing and excellent fishing; the high mountain country around Spruce Knob

and Spruce Mountain, with beautiful and extensive scenic views; the highly

scenic sidewalls of the two main streams; the long vistas of North Mountain,

Cave Mountain, and other of the high ridges in the area of hiking, touring,

and hunting; abundant wildlife with a capacity for increase; interesting and

impressive geologic formations, such as the spires of Seneca Rocks, rising 1,000

feet above the valley floor, and Blue Rock, Castle Rock, Eagle Rock; caverns

and caves, including the intriguing Smoke Holes and Seneca Caverns; and

extensive opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, touring, rock-hounding,

and general scenic enjoyment. A high-level scenic highway for which surveys

and construction plans are now underway by the Bureau of Public Roads,

the State of West Virginia, and this Department will make these resources accessible and will add to the opportunities to enjoy their scenic and recreation

values. It will parallel the westerly edge of the area for about 20 miles. Scenery

is outstanding, climate good, and historic sites date from Indian use and the

Revolutionary War.

There is a possibility that there will be recommended as a part of the Potomac

River water development and control facilities a dam at Royal Glen on the South

Branch of the Potomac River just below its confluence with the North Fork

of the South Branch. If and when built, such dam would create a reservoir

extending up both the South Branch and North Fork of the South Branch for several miles. This reservoir would create a 2,800-acre lake which would become

an integral part of the overall recreation complex.

Other resources of the proposed national recreation area include water and

watersheds, timber, wildlife, some livestock grazing, and minerals. Location

of the area in the headwaters of the Potomac makes it of high importance from

a watershed standpoint. Soils in the South Branch drainage particularly are thin

and topography is extremely rough, so that conservative and sound land management is essential to build up and protect watershed capacities. About 82 percent

of the area is forested. While these lands are not of exceptional quality for

timber production, they are capable, under good forest management techniques,

of producing sustained crops of usable forest products which can contribute

substantially to the economic resources of the tributary area.

Production and the taking of wildlife through fishing and hunting is an important function of these lands. They are high quality habitat for deer, turkey,

small game, and fish. Wildlife production can be enhanced by multiple-use

management, including planwise harvesting of timber and the conversion of

nonproductive areas and clearings to game habitat and game food patches.

Much of the private land now is grazed by livestock. National forest lands are

not grazed, except for two developed and maintained pastures in the vicinity

of Spruce Knob. Known minerals include some low-grade iron ore in the South

Fork of the Potomac drainage and limestone deposits in both the South Fork

and the upper North Fork drainage. Most of the lands are under lease for gas

exploration, but there is no oil or gas production to date.
4 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

Development and utilization of these resources is compatible and can be harmonized with use of the area for recreational purposes under multiple-use

management programs carried out on national forest lands. The contributions

of these resources to the economy of the counties concerned should be continued

and increased.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks area is well suited for designation and development as a national recreation area. To fully realize the benefits the area can

provide there will need to be additional consolidation of national forest lands

and there will need to be accelerated development of facilities for outdoor recreation. If this is done, there will result large and continuing increases in public use. To accommodate these users and to service their needs, there will have

to be developed privately owned facilities in substantial quantity.

A national recreation area as proposed, therefore, would not only provide

greatly increased public outdoor recreation opportunities in an area accessible to

large centers of population, but also would materially advance the local economy.

The counties involved are in areas of continued and substantial unemployment

and a relatively low rate of economic activity. A national recreation area will

benefit this situation, both immediately and in the long run, through: (a) the

inflow of funds for accelerated development and intensified administration, and

( b) the upbuilding of a permanent economic base oriented heavily to outdoor

recreation but including also utilization of timber, minerals, and other resources.

Most of the lands, waters, or interests therein to be acquired for the proposed

recreation area will be within the presently existing boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest. These may be acquired with appropriations from the

land and water conservation fund. In order to facilitate the total acquisition

program and permit purchase of the remaining areas with land and water con- servation fund appropriations, we recommend that S. 7 be amended by adding

the following sentence in line 17 on page 2 after the first sentence in section 3(a) :

"For the purpose of section 6 of the Act of September 3, 1964 (78 Stat. 897, 903),

the boundaries of the Monangahela National Forest, as designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 2 of this Act, shall be treated as if they were the bound- aries of that forest on January 1, 1965."

We also recommend that in line 6, page 4, the word "renewal" be deleted. This

will make it clear that the development of mineral resources in the area could

also be permitted.

The boundaries of the area that we propose for designation are presently

known and shown on a map on file in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service.

We therefore recommend that these boundaries be definitely referred to in the bill by the following amendment: Page 2, delete all in lines 4 through 8 and insert in lieu thereof the following: "comprised of the area including Spruce Knob, Smoke Holes, and Seneca Rock, and lying primarily in the drainage of the South Branch of the Potomac River, the boundaries of which shall be those shown on the map entitled 'Proposed Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recrea- tion Area,' dated March 1965, which is on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture; and" The Bureau of the Budget advises that the enactment of this proposed legisla- tion would be in accord with the President's program.

Sincerely yours,

Hon. ALLEN J. ELLENDER,

Chairman, Committee on Agriculture and Forestry,

U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR ELLENDER : This responds to your request for the views of this Department on S. 7, a bill to provide for the establishment of the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area, in the State of West Virginia, and for other purposes.

We recommend that the bill be enacted, with the amendments recommended herein.

The bill provides for establishment of an area of not more than 100,000 acres of land in West Virginia within and adjacent to the present boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest as the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Rec- reation Area. The area will include such unit or units as may be designated by

ORVILLE FREEMAN.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,

Washington, D.C., March 26, 1965.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 5

the Secretary of Agriculture, including but not limited to Spruce Knob, Smoke

Holes, and Seneca Rocks.

We believe that the establishment of the proposed national recreation area is

justified because of its geographic location, accessibility to large segments of our

population, and outstanding recreation resources. The area meets the criteria

for national recreation areas, set forth in Policy Circular No. 1, issued by the

Recreation Advisory Council on March 26, 1963. The National Park Service of

this Department, in its March 1961 report on West Virginia's recereation resources, identified the outstanding scenic, geologic, and recreation values of the

area and recommended its establishment as a national recreation area. The report by the President's Appalachian Regional Commission, 1964 also specifically

recommended the establishment of the area as a national recreation area.

Approximately 40 percent of the proposed recreation area is situated within

the Monongahela National- Forest. The Secretary of Agriculture would administer the area in accordance with the laws, rules ,and regulations applicable to

national forests to provide for (1) public outdoor recreation benefits; (2) conservation of scenic, scientific, historic, and other values contributing to public

enjoyment; and (3) management, utilization, and disposal of renewable natural

resources to promote the purposes for which the recreation area is established.

Significantly, the highest point in West Virginia, Spruce Knob, is located in

the area. The mountains in this region have steep slopes, sheer cliffs, and

large rock formations that rise spectacularly from the valley floor and mountainsides. Impressive geological exposures, limestone caverns, alpine-type high

meadows, picturesque valleys, and an abundance of water in the form of clear

mountain streams and large springs are a part of the natural scene. All of

these features make the area ideally suited for outdoor recreation activities—

camping, picnicking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, winter sports, canoeing, rock

climbing, and the enjoyment of scenic and natural historic values.

The proposed national recreation area is located primarily in the watershed

of the South Branch of the Potomac River. This branch of the Potomac and its

tributaries offer white-water canoeing and excellent fishing; the high mountain

country around Spruce Knob and Spruce Mountain, North Mountain, Cave Mountain, and other high ridges provides scenic vistas and varied opportunities for

public recreation. Interesting and impressive geologic formations such as the

Spires of Seneca Rocks, Blue Rock, Eagle Rock, the Smoke Holes, Seneca Caverns

and other caverns and caves illustrate the power of earth-shaping forces and

provide an inspiring backdrop for camping, picnicking, sightseeing, nature study,

hiking, and mountain climbing.

The Corps of Engineers has proposed the construction of a Royal Glen Dam on

the South Branch of the Potomac which would create a 2,800-acre reservoir.

This reservoir would cover about one-half of the Smoke Holes, an outstanding

stretch of wild river particularly attractive to white-water canoeists. In his

February 8 message on natural beauty the President asked the Secretary of

the Interior to review the Potomac River Basin development plan now under

review by the Chief of Army Engineers.

Hunting and fishing are important uses of the area. The river and streams

are famous for their trout and bass and the land is high-quality habitat for

deer, turkey, and small game. Forest game habitat improvement work is carried

on in the Spruce Knob area under the Federal aid in wildlife restoration program,

which is administered by the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of

Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Federal aid funds have been used by the State

to develop game habitat for deer and turkey. The work consists primarily of

game clearings, plantings of grain, grass, and legumes, waterhold development,

and improvement of hunter access roads and-trails.

The State department of natural resources also has participated in the

construction of Spruce Knob Lake within the Monongahela National Forest.

The lake has a surface area of 27 acres and cost about $27,000. The State

stocks the lake annually with legal size rainbow trout which provide a very

popular sport fishery.

Because of its location in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, proximity

to large population masses, and outstanding recreation resources, this area

will provide excellent recreation opportunities, particularly for the residents

of Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. More

than 30 million people, most of whom reside in urban areas, live within a 250-

mile radius.

We recommend the following amendments of the bill:

1. On page 2, line 17, insert after the sentence ending on that line the following sentence: "For the purposes of section 6 of the Act of September 3, 1964

46-047-65--2
6 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

(78 Stat. 897, 903), the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest, as

designated by the Secretary pursuant to section 2 of this Act, shall be treated

as if they were the boundaries of that forest on January 1, 1965."

This amendment will enable all of the lands, waters, or interests therein

acquired for the national recreation area to be financed from moneys appropriated from the land and water conservation fund.

2. On page 4, line 6, delete the word "renewable."

This amendment will enable the Secretary of Agriculture to permit mineral

development within the recreation area, in the event he wishes to do so.

The Bureau of the Budget has advised that the enactment of this bill, if

amended as suggested in this report and in the report of the Department of

Agriculture, would be in accord with the President's program.

Sincerely yours,

JOHN A. CARVER, Jr.,

Under Secretary of the Interior.

Senator MCCARTHY. Senator Byrd, if you have any other of the

people from your State, we have plenty of room for them to sit

around the table.

Senator BYRD. I do have the prosecuting attorney from Pendleton

County, Mr. George Sponaugle.

And Mr. William McCoy who is a member of the West Virginia

Legislature and editor of the Pendleton Times.

Also, Mr. Chairman, I have Mr. Robert Bowers, who is here to

represent the Governor of West Virginia. Mr. Bowers is with the

West Virginia Department of Commerce. Mr. Bowers will present

a statement in behalf of the Governor and also a statement in behalf of

himself.

With your permission, I would like for these gentlemen to sit at the

table.

Senator MCCARTHY. Surely.

STATEMENT OF HON. ROBERT C. BYRD, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

Senator BYRD. Mr. Chairman, I introduced S. 7 in behalf of myself

and Senator Randolph. He will submit a statement for the record,

with your permission.

Senator MCCARTHY. I am sure there is no objection. We will file

his statement for the record.

Senator BYRD. Mr. Chairman, in his inspiring message of February, 8, 1965, to the Congress on natural beauty of our country, President Johnson stated:

For centuries Americans have drawn strength and inspiration from the beauty

of our country. It would be a neglectful generation indeed, indifferent alike

to the judgment of history and the command of principle, which fails to preserve

and extend such a heritage for its descendants.

In this message, also, the President proposed the establishment of

the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area in West

Virginia using appropriations from the land and water conservation

funds to acquire the needed lands.

I believe that the principle embodied in the President's message

expresses the desires of most Americans, but we must give it practical

application through feasible and forward-looking programs.

The bill which I introduced and which is now before you, S. 7, is

the same in content as the bill which I introduced in the 88th Congress, S. 1022. It is a desirable and practical application of the
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 7

President's program to conserve the natural beauty and the recreation resources of our country for the inspiration, enjoyment, and

beneficial use not only for those of us who are living today but also

for succeeding generations of Americans. S. 7 carries out the President's proposal for the establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca

Rocks National Recreation Area in my State and provides for its

consolidation in public ownership, development for public use and

enjoyment, and for the conservation and wise use always of its many

natural resources. Additionally, it will help promote the administration's program for a clear and beautiful Potomac River.

The projected national recreation area is located in the upper

reaches of the Potomaic River. It embraces portions of the South

Branch of the Potomac, the North Fork of the South Branch of the

Potomac, and some of the attractive tributaries of these streams.

These are beautiful and unspoiled waterways, and they should be

kept so in line with President Johnson's urgent desire to make the

Potomac River, "rich in history and memory, which flows by our

Nation's Capital," a model of scenic and recreation values for the

entire country. The lands which adjoin this river system are rough

and rugged in large part, high in scenic beauty, productive of wildlife

and forests and waters, and replete with numerous and varied opportunities for great numbers of our citizens to obtain healthful and

enjoyable outdoor recreation.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area is, as

its name suggests, comprised of two units operated in close proximity,

but it also has a third part, of impressive natural beauty—the Smoke

Hole country. The Seneca Rocks, a spectacular formation located

in the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, are

known throughout the Eastern United States. These rocks form one

of the most interesting natural wonders east of the Mississippi, and

many travelers who view the formation as it rises more than 900 feet

above the river say that it looks like a ruined ancient castle. In this

connection, Mr. Chairman I should like to read into the record an

excerpt from the Cleveland Plain Dealer Sunday magazine of May 17,

1964.

And as you. will note this article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer is

captioned "Twelve on a:Mountain," "Cleveland Climbing Club Trains

at Seneca Rock."

This tells the story of a climbing club organized in Cleveland.

And it 'also states that these mountain climbers who come from Cleveland have as their favorite Seneca Rock, about which I have just

been reading. And I will read one paragraph which says:

A favorite of the local group is the Rock of Seneca, a 1,000-foot quartzite

formation at the mouth of Seneca, W. Va., near the Maryland border. It is considered by climbers to be the best rock climb in the East and it becomes an

objective for climbers every weekend. A frequent climber there is Barry C.

Bishop, a member of the American team that conquered Mount Everest last

year. During the World War II, it was the training ground for the Army's

mountain troops. In fact, they left so many pitons embedded in on her face

that it is called "The Face of 1,000 Pitons."

I would like to leave this with you, Mr. Chairman, for the committee to examine if it cares to.

Senator McCARTHY. Very well.

Senator BYRD. The rocks are themselves a gleaming, bulky mass

of Tuscarora quartzite a thousand feet high, and rest on the western
8 SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

shoulder of the North Fork mountain that forms the western boundary

of the Smoke Hole Valley. This area was once the scene of many

annual gatherings of the Seneca Indian Tribe, for which Seneca Rocks

was named, and legends of the area are a famous part of the Indian

folklore of our country.

In the same vicinity are Seneca Caverns, one of the famous West

Virginia caves open to the public. And I say to you from my own

personal experience, Mr. Chairman, that these caverns are very delightful caverns, and they are well-lighted with electricity, and many

people throughout the country come to the caverns every year to view

their picturesque halls.

The land area to be included with Seneca Rocks totals 74,000 acres

of which 20 acres are now a part of the Monongahela National Forest,

having been acquired under the Weeks law over the years.

Spruce Knob, 4,860 feet above the sea, is West Virginia's highest

mountain and is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Seneca

Rocks. I would like at this time, if I might, Mr. Chairman, to show

you a picture of the top of Spruce Knob. You will see the scene

here. The elevation is 4,860 feet. This is the highest point in West

Virginia.

Now, in my Appropriations Committee, I intend to seek an appropriation to establish an observation tower and supporting facilities

for the many thousands of tourists which come to see Spruce Knob

every year. And of course, this will be located within the national

recreation area which is to be established by the bill which we are

discussing.

Spruce Knob lies slightly elevated above the general level of the

crest ridge of Spruce Mountain in Pendleton County. The recreation area would encompass 26,000 acres adjacent to Spruce Knob, of

which 19,000 acres have been acquired as part of the Monongahela National Forest. In total, the national recreation area boundaries would

encompass 100,000 acres, of which 39,000 are now owned by the United

States. Most of this country was logged over prior to and during

World War I. About that time, the restoration program of the Forest Service was launched with protection against forest fires, timber

stand improvement, forest plantations, wildlife habitat improvement,

and other measures which have rebuilt and enhanced the attractiveness of the area and the natural resources it offers. The restored cover

in the Spruce Knob area is a testimony to the effectiveness of this problem because as late as 1929 it was almost barren from fires that swept

over it.

As I have indicated, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will include two major tributaries of the Potomac River—

the South Branch and the North Fork of the South Branch. Feeding into these tributaries are dozens of clear, cold, spring-fed streams

flowing from forested watersheds, creating scenic attractions as they

cascade out of high mountains into the valleg below. To view these

forests and streams is to become absorbed in their beauty.

Many features of public interest, in addition to Spruce Knob and

Seneca Rocks, would be included in this recreation project in the area

known as the Smoke Hole country. The Smoke Hole is actually a

canyon, an S-shaped slice gouged through the Allegheny Front for

22 miles, and drained by the South Branch of the Potomac River.

It has long been noted for its extraordinary geological formations.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 9

The Smoke Hole begins 1 mile north of the village of Upper Tract

on U.S. Route 220 and extends more than 20 miles to the point where

the South Branch joins North Fork a few miles south of Petersburg.

Strange plants grow in this section, and an accurate estimate of the

variety of floral life to be found is suggested by the report of a botanist who in 1933 found 283 species of flora in a ground space of only

41/2 acres, in the area known as Hermit Island. Many nature-study

groups make treks into the valley to collect rare plants. Game and

fish are numerous and varied, but, strangely enough, there are few

insects and no objectionable vermin.

One early American pioneer, after he first stood and viewed the

gigantic heights and immense reaches of the Smoke Hole country,

scratched a line on a stone wall at his feet, "Paradise Discovered

October 23, 1725." A recent writer has said:

Today, as when first discovered, the Smoke Hole country lies in almost untouched beauty, as a haven of escape, a Shangri-la where topography still grants

seclusion, and the virgin perfection of all things—trees, flowers, animal life,

scenic vistas, and climate—provides a retreat from the disturbing noises of

expanding American industrialism.

As the Potomac River winds its way down between the rock cliffs

of the gorge of the South Fork, it creates some of the most spectacular

fishing water and scenic beauty to be found in the Eastern United

States. Two commercially developed caves are already in existence

and the Smoke Hole country is rich in cavern which attract spelunkers

and other outdoor enthusiasts. Among these, Smoke Hole Cave, high

in a mountain top overlooking the river, is a circular chamber of about

40 feet high and 15 feet in diameter with several corridors leading

from the main room. The cave was so named because of its use by

the Indians as a smoke-curing chamber for preservin,g meat. Later,

early white settlers adopted this practice, curing venison and buffalo

and bear steak. From this usage came the name "Smoke Hole

Country."

Another cavern, Bic,Cave, is formed in solid rock at an altitude

of 2,200 feet on Cave''Mountain, and is the best known of the many

caves in the Smoke Hole. In it, early settlers and Confederate soldiers

dug niter which they boiled in iron kettles and used in manufacturing

gunpowder. Big Spring, at the base of Cave Mountain, is a famous

fishing_ ground, as trout gather there where the water is always cool.

The Shawnee Indians first used the area, but were driven out by the

Seneca, who eventually ruled all of the region now contained in

Pendleton County.

The high country around Spruce Knob is a bit of Canada transplanted into the West Virginia countryside, with native red spruce

and other forest tree species being unique in the typically Appalachian

hardwood area.

The South Branch of the Potomac River is a noted fishing and

white river water canoeinff stream. The many other streams also

provide excellent fishing and there is good hunting in season. The

scenery in this part of the Allegheny Mountains is superb and there

are opportunities without limit for hiking, for camping and picknickMg, for riding and touring, and for simply enjoying the forest and

pastoral scenes.

The Spruce Knob unit is heavily timbered, but the Seneca Rocks

unit is less so, although there is good timberland within it. Other
10 SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

uses now are livestock grazing, and some farming. There has been

some exploration for minerals, but there is no current production. All

of these uses will continue under the national recreation area to the

extent compatible with public development, use, and enjoyment of the

recreational resources.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will be

within a few hours' drive of such metropolitan centers as Washington,

Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Richmond, and others. Over 27 million people live within a 150-mile radius of this area.

Over 60 million people live within a 300-mile radius. New highways

and continued improvement of present highways and access roads, as

envisioned in the Appalachian Regional Development Act, will make

the attractions of this beautiful land more and more accessible to the

millions of people in cities, towns, and surrounding countryside who

find in the beauty of our great, unspoiled outdoor areas the inspiration health, and spiritual renewal so essential to modern living. We

in West Virginia are happy to have people come to our State to enjoy

the beauties and recreational opportunities in which the Mountain

State abounds.

To accommodate the users of this land, however, and to make this

area truly an outstandng public asset, there will need to be increased

public ownership of recreation lands and increased public development

to assure safe and enjoyable use to permit visitors to get to and enjoy

the many unique and attractive opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Forest Service currently is managing and developing recreation

facilities and wildlife on the lands which it controls. More must be

done, and quickly, if we are indeed to preserve the natural beauty of

this area for, and to make it available to, public use.

There must be more trails, and there are splendid opportunities for

scenic drives or recreation ways. Several hundred additional public

camping and picnicking units will be necessary in the near future to

protect public health and the natural resources and to guard against

pollution of the waters. Trails for hiking and riding will greatly

increase the enjoyment of the area by people who favor these types

of recreational pursuits; and, in fact, they should be one of the first

uses of these lands. The propagation of game and fish can be increased. The many observation points from which inspiring and

soul-satisfying views of the Appalachian Range can be obtained

should be made accessible to the visiting public.

As a matter of tremendous importance to West Virginia, this recreational project will be of great economic benefit to the citizens of the

State. Scenic beauty and opportunity for outdoor recreation are

among the great undeveloped assets of this portion of the Mountain

State, which is the only State wholly located in the Appalachian region for which the Congress has recently provided an extensive and

forward-looking program of economic betterment. This national recreation area will complement other measures in the Appalachian Regional Development Act, will be in harmony with its purposes, and

will contribute much toward lifting the economic level of this area as

well as providing broadened opportunities for its citizens.

The Forest Service estimates that by 1970, at the end of the first 5

years of operation, if the recreation area is established this year, there

will be an annual use of the area amounting to 1 million visitor-days

and that by the year 2000 this use will have increased to from 3 to 5
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 11

million visitor-days. Each visitor contributes to the economic welfare

of the area where he goes for recreational benefits. Overnight visitors,

or tourists, will each spend several dollars per day in a recreational

area. The potential yearly expenditure aggregates $6,500,000 to $10

million. This estimate is based on records of average expenditures in

1958 and 1959 in similar areas in Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee, and

North Carolina. Furthermore, projected estimates into the year 2000

offer an expectation of 3 to 5 million visitors annually with a $32,-

500,000 potential expenditure believed possible.

I visualize a growing recreation industry oriented around the Spruce

Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area which will result in

more hotels, motels, restaurants, service stations, and other servicc

industries, and, consequently, in an enhanced level of employment foi

West Virginians and a greatly enlarged tax base.

These facts are of prime importance to my economically depressed

State and to all West Virginians, most especially to the citizens living

in the area. The opening of their lands to tourism will mean a longdelayed, much-needed expansion of their personal horizons and the

coining of opportunities scarcely dreamed of.

Basically, however, I believe that this national recreation area is

in the long-term interest of all the people of the United States. It

will conserve and develop the natural beauty of a lovely sector of our

country. It will conserve and develop and make available to increasing numbers of people opportunities for healthful and enjoyable outdoor recreation. It will help conserve our natural resources so that

we will pass on to those who follow us not ugliness, or depleted and

misused lands, or polluted and dull streams, but enhanced beauty, wellmanaged lands and forests and waters, more wildlife, and sparkling

water—a section of the Potomac River which truly will "serve as

a model of scenic and recreation values for the entire country."

I wish to place in the record the fact sheet prepared by specialists

in the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

Senator MCCARTHY. Without objection, it will be placed in the record at this point.

(The fact sheet referred to follows:)

Proposed Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Monongahela

National Forest, R-7, West Virginia

Spruce Knob unit Seneca Rocks unit

Area (100,000 acres) 

Present ownership:

National forest (39,228 acres, 39

percent).

Private land (60,772 acres, 61

percent).

Elevations 

Average precipitation 

Scenic attractions 

26,000 acres (26 percent) 

18,663 acres (71 percent) 

7,337 acres (29 percent) 

3,000-4,860 feet (Spruce Knob) 

50 inches 

a. Spruce Knob (highest point

in West Virginia).

b. 5 other peaks over 4,000 feet_ _

c. 5 visible mountain ridges

(Fore Knobe, North Fork

Mountain, Shenandoah

Mountains, Massanutten

Mountains and Blue Ridge

Mountains).

d. Spruce Knob Lake, near unit

74,000 acres (74 percent); about

4,000 acres outside present

national forest boundary.

20,565 acres (28 percent).

53,435 acres (72 percent).

930-3,800 feet.

30-35 inches.

a. Smoke Hole Caverns.

b. Deep gorge of South Fork.

c. Numerous spectacular rock

outcrops.

d. Seneca Rocks (100-foot shaft).

e. Caves.
12 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

Proposed Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Monongahela

National Forest, R--1, West Virginia—Continued

Spruce Knob unit Seneca Rocks unit

Existing Forest Service improvements:

Family units (38) 

Trails (miles) (47) 

Scenic drives (miles) (2) 

Recreation uses and potential 

Wildlife 

Timber resource, national forest land_

Private, not known: grazing, numbers not known.

Present uses of land (agres):

Cleared 1 (17,784). 

Forested (United States) (39,228)_

Forested (private) (43,008) 

Total forested (82,236). 

Total 

Existing economic uses _ 

Other uses (private lands, some incompatible with MRA; Royal

Glen Reservoir would flood others)

1964 recreation visitor-days_ _ 

8 

25 

2 

a. Scenic drives and vistas 

b. Camping and picnicking 

c. Hiking 

d. Horse riding. 

e. Trout fishing 

f. Hunting—large and small

game.

g. Winter sports potential 

a. Deer, black bear 

b. Wild turkey 

c. Gray squirrels 

d. Beaver 

e. Native and stocked trout 

f. 37 wildlife food and cover

plots maintained by State.

a. Spruce, fir, and northern

hardwood zones.

b. 18,180 acres commercial 

c. 610 acres noncommercial 

d. Volume:

32,800 M 

67,200 cords 

e. Estimate annual growth:

2,730 M 

5,040 cords. 

Both private and national forests

lands basis a much of local

economy.

a. Grazing 

b. Limited farming

C. Timber harvest 

d. 8 gas and oil leases 2 

a. 2 summer homes 

b. 15 cabins 

3, 036

18,663

4,301

(22, 964)

28,000

226, 400

30.

22.

a.

b.

C.

d.

e.

f.

g.

h.

1.

J.

a.

b.

C.

d.

Scenic driving.

Camping and picnicking.

White water canoeing, 40 miles

Hiking.

Rock climbing.

Hunting—large and small

game.

Fishing.

Cave exploration.

Historical studies, Revolutionary War.

Archeological studies.

Deer, black beer.

Wild turkey, ruffed grouse,

quail.

Gray squirrels, cottontail

rabbits.

Native and stocked trout.

a. Oak-hickory zone.

b. 15,600 acres commercial.

c. 4,180 acres noncommercial.

d. Volume:

23,300 M.

56,300 cords.

e. Estimated annual growth:

1,720 M.

2,800 cords.

Limited to private lands.

a. Limited agriculture.

b. 2 commercial caverns, private

land.

c. 3 tourist facilities (motels and

restaurants).

d. 16 gas and oil leases.2

e. 2 limestone quarries.

a. 40 summer homes.

b. 95 cabins._ __

14,728

20,565

38, 707

(59, 272 )

74, 000

2 

1 Includes bottom lands, 4,403 acres, Spruce Knob, 282 acres; Seneca Rocks, 4,121 acres.

commercial 

only explorations to date; general area not considered "hot" prospect since it lies too far east of known areas.

NOTES

Potential visitors and probable recreation expenditures:

Charleston, 

a. 27,000,000 people within 150 miles (Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, W. Va.).

b. 60,000,000 people within 300 miles (New York, Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, Cincinnati). c. Estimated visiter-days:

(a) End 1st 5 years, 1,000,000 annually ($6,500,000 potential expenditures).

Estimated 

(b) 

tourist 

By year 2000, 3,000,000-5,000,000 annually ($19,500,000 to $32,500,000 potential expenditures).

(average 

expenditures, average $6.50 per visitor-day recognizing both day and overnight visitors for daytime visitor $2):

a. Basis:

Minnesota, 1958, $6.82.

Oregon, 1959, $5.20.

Average, $6+10 percent for cost increases and rounded to $6.50. Data relating to proposed Royal Glen Reservoir:

Branch 

a. Dam 

and 

would 

South 

be located 3.6 miles west of Petersburg just below confluence of North Fork of South Branch of Potomac River.

b. 3,200 acres.

c. Extend 17.35 miles up South Branch; 7.0 miles up North Fork. d. Shoreline, 53 miles.

would 

e. 75 

flood 

percent 

70 acres 

of reservoir would be within present boundaries of Monongahela National Forest and of national forest.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 18

Senator BYRD. I also wish to include an editorial from the March

22 edition of the Evening Star—Washington, D.C.—newspaper, entitled "Conservation Brass Tacks," expressing support of this proposal.

(The editorial referred to is as follows:)

CONSERVATION BRASS TACKS

An early American, fighting to tame the watercourses of his newly won land,

would have found it hard to believe that within two centuries a President of

the United States would be fighting to keep a few rivers free. He would have

had equal trouble with the idea that this same President would propose concurrently a crash program to save what was left of 'the seemingly limitless miles

of wildshore, lakeshore, forest, and mountain that stretched on every hand.

Yet this is precisely what has come to pass. Translating the broad generalities

of his message to Congress on national conservation and rebeautification into

specific legislative proposals, Mr. Johnson now is getting down to cases.

Two of his specific proposals to augment the recreational resources of the

Nation are especially worthy of note. One would begin a program of retaining

in a wild state—conoting undammed, relatively unpolluted, and unbuilt-up-15

American rivers. The other, actually a series of separate bills, would set aside

12 new scenic areas possessing great beauty and recreational potential-3 seashores, 2 lakeshores, 6 recreation areas, and a new park.

A new fiscal tool, equally deserving of note, would be used to finance these

acquisitions. This is the land and water conservation fund, established last

year, by which fees charged to people using Federal recreational facilities, the

proceeds from the sale of surplus property, and excise taxes on motorboat fuel

are earmraked to pay for conserving our natural heritage.

Areas across the Nation are included, three of them within easy distance

of Washington; Assateague Island, the Cacapon River, which flows north into

the Potomac near Berkeley Springs, W. Va., and up to 100,000 acres in what is

known as the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks area encompassing in part the upper

reaches of the South Branch of the Potomac to the southwest of the valley of the

Cacapon.

The long-range effects of these proposals may be even more important than

their specific goals, for both lay the groundwork for future expansion that will

include other rivers and recreational areas throughout the country.

We hope Congress deals kindly with this hopeful legislation.

Senator BYRD. I also wish to include an editorial from the March 14

edition of the Washington Post—Washington, D.C.—newspaper,

pointing out that 5 million Americans are expected to purchase the

new $7 sticker to permit auto and tourist entrance into Federal recreation areas and discussing the manner in which the proposed Spruce

Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will fit into the system.

(The editorial referred to is as follows:)

SEVEN-DOLLAR STAMPS To HELP PAY FOR PARK AREAS

(By Aubrey Graves)

The new $7 sticker that will entitle drivers of private noncommercial autos and

all their passengers to admission to most Federal recreation areas this year are

to go on public sale soon.

Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall "put the bee" on President Johnson to

buy the first one. A White House aid, appearing for the President, showed up

at the banquet of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference here last week and shelled out the seven bills.

Said Lee White, as he pocketed the stamp and handed the cash to Udall: "If

Congress is asked to authorize some new appropriation for, say something like

$7,000,007, you'll know how the $7 figures in it."

Five million Americans are expected to buy the stamp this year as a bargain

for vacations and outdoor holidays.

Proceeds from sticker sales, authorized by the Land and Water Conservation

Fund Act of 1965, will be used to help finance the expansion of recreational opportunities.

46-047-05 3
14 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

The idea is to speed acquisition of adequate recreational lands for the future

before they are used for other purposes, like private resorts or industrial development, or before they become prohibitively expensive.

As part of his natural program, President Johnson proposed last month

that Congress appropriate $125 million from the fund in 1965 to acquire land

for 12 new areas this year.

The 12 new areas include 6 east of the Mississippi River, 5 of which were

subjects of a series of articles appearing on this page during the past 4 weeks,

namely:

Assateague Island National Seashore, Cape Lookout National Seashore, Tocks

Island National Recreation Area, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and

the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

The sixth, easily accessible to people from the Washington metropolitan area,

is Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Park, which would include up to 100,000

acres within and adjacent to Monongahela National Forest in the eastern part of

West Virginia, including the State's highest peak, Spruce Knob.

First, Congress must authorize establishment of an area. After that, it can

appropriate money from the Fund to the agency charged with establishing the

area.

The stamp will admit visitors to more National Forest recreation areas at

which an entrance fee is charged, for instance, than a person could possibly

visit in a year.

"In fact," Agricultural Secretary Orville L. Freeman points out, "if a person

were to visit a different national forest charge area every single day, it would

take almost 10 years to cover all of them."

And, of course, national forest areas are only a portion of all the Federal

recreation areas involved.

Other areas covered are those administered by the National Park Service,

Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife and

Bureau of Reclamation, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley

Authority, and the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (United States and Mexico).

The recreation-conservation stickers may be bought from field offices of Federal

agencies administering recreation areas. There is no limit to the number of

times they may be used but the length of stay will be determined by local rules.

Purchase of the sticker is optional. An alternative single-entry fee, or in

some places a weekly fee, may be paid in lieu of purchase of the sticker. In the

national forests, the single-visit fee per person will be 25 cents, 50 cents, 75

cents, or $1, depending on the facilities and services made available by the Government.

Under some circumstances, in addition to the sticker or entrance fee, there may

be supplemental charges for special facilities, such as mechanical boat launching

equipment and the •above4he-ordinary trailer and camp sites, or for special services such as reservations for large groups.

The regulations also list the types of areas and activities exempt from fees.

For example, no Federal hunting or fishing licenses or fees may be charged.

Senator BYRD. I wish also, Mr. Chairman, to point out that the U.S.

Department of Agriculture has indicated its approval of this bill,

S. 7, with the recommended amendment germane to the funding

process.

This measure has been favorably commented upon by the U.S.

Department of the Interior.

And the Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to

the presentation of these departmental reports from the standpoint

of the administration's program.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your patience in allowing me to

present this rather lengthy statement. And I am grateful also for

your courtesy in hearing the statements of these gentlemen who have

already been introduced.

Senator MCCARTHY. Thank you very much, Senator Byrd, for your

presentation.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 15

Could I ask you: Are the amendments satisfactory to you and the

people of your State who are involved?

Senator BYRD. Yes, they are, Mr. Chairman. If I might oversimplify them, they would, in the main, permit the Land and Water

Conservation Funds Act of 1965 to be utilized in the acquisition of

this area. They would also clearly delineate the boundaries and give

assurance of freedom in developing mineral resources. I certainly

support them. And I think, as a matter of fact, they are necessary

for the achievement of the objective sought by the bill.

Senator MCCARTHY. Senator, were there any hearings held on this

bill in the last Congress?

Senator BYRD. No, Mr. Chairman.

Senator MCCARTHY. And there is no previous record on it?

Senator BYRD. No.

Senator MCCARTHY. I don't think I have any further questions.

We will insert Senator Randolph's statement at this point.

(The statement of Senator Jennings Randolph follows:)

For each of us concerned with the preservation, utilization, and development

of this Nation's vast potentials in recreational resources, this is a decisive time.

The complexity and rapid pace of modern living, coupled with the tensions of

world events, create new problems daily for mankind. Not merely change, but

the widening scope of change, is a fact of the sixties.

Expanding population is a valid example of a problem which is accelerating

at an ever-increasing rate. Since 1940 the population of the earth has grown

from approximately 2.5 billion to approximately 3.2 billion. This 700-million

increase, in 25 years, exceeds the total estimated population of the world in the

year 1800.

In the United States we have a substantial rate of population growth, with our

193 million inhabitants expected to increase to 225 million by 1967; then to about

322 million in the year 2000, and by 2050 we could reach 700 million. The implications of such growth are obvious. Need for citizen services and facilities

also will increase by geometric progression. The demand will be tremendous.

Consider yet another symptom of our time—the rapid migration of population

from rural areas to an urban or metropolitan environment.

Approximately 7 out of 10 Americans now live in areas designated by the

Bureau of the Census as "metropolitan." These areas, which constitute less

than 10 percent of our total land, accounted for 84 percent of the population

increase between 1950 and 1960. In 50 years the United States has changed

from a predominantly rural and agrarian nation to one in which nearly threequarters of our people live in urban communities, and are employed in industry,

trade, or specialized services.

The 1960 census revealed that we are 70 percent city dwellers. By 1980, according to forecasts by the Urban Land Institute, our population will be nearly

four-fifths urban. The institute further predicts that metropolitan areas will

absorb all of the 70 million population growth in the decade 1970-80.

These revealing statistics make it clear that more and more Americans will

be traveling—seeking the beauty and inspiration of the out of doors, and the

recreational opportunity it can provide.

Yet another consideration, equal in importance to increased population and

urbanization, is the fact that added prosperity and mobility, and the increase

in available leisure time will influence greater utilization of available recreational facilities. Wages and earnings are up; daily hours and the workweek

are growing shorter; automobiles are the property of nearly every family.

In large numbers the outdoor enthusiasts and serious campers will seek the

beauty and serenity of the American wilderness; families will gather at areas

where resource development has been carried forward, and where attractive

facilities have been constructed. National, regional, State, county, and city

Parks—all will feel the impact of millions of recreation seekers.

In the Mountain State of West Virginia more attention is being focused on the

development of the park system. Literature most requested of our office here
16 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

in Washington describes the beauties of our parks and public forests, and the

attractions which they offer.

I use this personal reference as an example. But it is clear that utilization

of public recreational facilities is skyrocketing everywhere, and that the time

for imaginative action is at hand.

In response to the need, President Johnson has delivered to Congress a comprehensive and imaginative message on natural beauty. He has urged every

citizen to participate in creating a "new conservation" to meet the converging

problems of our modern society.

In his message, the President said, "Our conservation must be not just the

classic conservation of protection and development, but a creative conservation

of restoration and innovation. Its concern is not with nature alone, but with

the total relation between man and the world around him. Its object is not

just man's welfare but the dignity of man's spirit."

This is the "new conservation."

It draws into sharp focus what we must do if we are to preserve the heritage

of a beautiful America for the generations following us. It is the first such

message of this thrust and scope presented by a President, and it should serve

to stimulate our action on the needs and problems we now face and will face.

This exciting (approach to conservation follows closely achievements of the

88th Congress. That Congress passed more than 30 important conservation bills,

including the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Wilderness Act, and the

Outdoor Recreation Act. In the last 2 years we established continental America's

first new national park in 17 years, 23 new national park areas, 4 new national

seashores, and a national riverway.

The establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation

Area is a logical and needed supplement to this effort. The sheer beauty and

beckoning recreational potentials of the Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob region

have attracted and inspired generations of West Virginians. It is fitting that

these natural wonders in Pendleton and other counties should be added to the

fund of resources set aside to promote the physical and spiritual fulfillment of

all Americans.

The location of West Virginia is an additional advantage in creating the

Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. The National Park

Service has stated that "West Virginia's recreation resources are so attractive

that, if properly preserved and developed, they will serve not only the population

of that State but also many millions of persons from adjacent States."

These words are particularly thought-provoking when one considers that West

Virginia is within 500 miles of four of the five major markets in America—New

York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Detroit—and within reasonable traveling distance of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Knoxville, Charlotte, and Richmond. The tourism potential for West Virginia, with its proximity to such centers of population,

is extensive, and it is a potential which must be developed in the public interest.

And so, Mr. Chairman, I wholeheartedly endorse S. 7, and express the conviction that its passage would result in significant long-range benefits for the

Nation and our people. The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation

Area should be an important part of informed congressional response to the •

pressing need for public recreational capability and the safeguarding of our

precious natural heritage and resources. This subcommittee, I trust, will act

affirmatively and expeditiously on this meaningful measure in which I am gratified to join with my colleague, Robert C. Byrd, who introduced the legislation for

us in the 88th Congress, and again this year on January 6, 1965.

Senator MCCARTHY. Mr. Nelson?

STATEMENT OF M. M. NELSON, DEPUTY CHIEF, FOREST SERVICE,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Mr. NELSON. I am Mr. Nelson, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service.

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I am happy to

appear before you today in support of Senate bill No. 7. The Department of Agriculture recommends that this bill be enacted. We have
SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 17

suggested three clarifying amendments which are discussed in detail

in our report on the bill.

This bill would establish a national recreation area to be comprised

of approximately 100,000 acres situated in the headwaters of the Potomac River in West Virginia. With the exception of about 4,000 acres,

all of the proposed national recreation area would be within the Monongahela National Forest. This national forest is one of the earliest

established under the Weeks law of March 1, 1911.

The national recreation area would be in the upper reaches of the

South Branch of the Potomac River and its principal tributary, the

North Fork of the South Branch. These are beautiful, unspoiled

mountain streams in a rough and rugged forested country—broken by

occasional farms which add to the attractive pastoral environment.

In his message to the Congress on the natural beauty of our country,

President Johnson included the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National

Recreation Area as one of the projects to be established through use

of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. This national recreation area will effectively promote the President's program for making the Potomac River a model of scenic beauty and recreation values.

In this part of the country there is still time to accomplish the

measures necessary to preserve the natural beauty and to secure permanently for the American public the valuable outdoor recreation

resources it offers. This is so, if we act promptly and adequately.

The purposes of the national recreation area would be to provide

outdoor recreational use of its lands waters, forests, and wildlife for

enjoyment by the people of the -United States; to conserve the scenic,

scientific, historic, and other values which will contribute to public

use and enjoyment; and to assure continuance of the management and.

utilization of other disposable natural resources—timber, forage, minerals—in such manner as is compatible with the recreational use and

enjoyment of the area.

The Secretary of Agriculture would be authorized to acquire such

lands or interests in lands as are necessary to accomplish the purposes

of the national recreation area, and to develop and administer the

area, in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to

national forests. Authority is also provided to cooperate with other

Federal and State authorities and agencies which have programs

that might be of assistance in achieving the purposes of the national

recreation area.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area would

consist of two units as shown on the map before you. These areas

contain approximately 100,000 acres in total. This map will be kept

on file in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service. We have recommended in our report that S. 7 be amended to indicate that the boundaries of the national recreation area will be as shown on this map.

The smaller unit takes its name from Spruce Knob, the highest

peak in West Virginia, located at the southerly edge of this unit.

The Spruce Knob unit includes 26,000 acres, of which 18,663 acres

are now national forest lands acquired through the Weeks law. Timber types are spruce, fir, and northern hardwoods and the unit contains good timber-growing lands cut over many years ago and now

reproducing excellently. Spruce Knob provides outstanding views

of the Allegheny Mouutains. The unit includes five other peaks over
18 SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

4,000 feet high. The Highland Scenic Drive, now under construction

by the State of West Virginia and the Bureau of Public Roads, will

skirt the west edge of this unit and will provide a scenic recreation

drive of great beauty and access to many and varied recreation opportunities. Recreational uses besides touring and scenic viewing include

hunting, fishing, and hiking along numerous trails.

The Seneca Rocks unit includes 74,000 acres, of which 20,565 acres

have been acquired by the United States. This unit includes major

stretches of the South Branch of the Potomac River and the North

Fork of the South Branch. These are clear, free-flowing streams

and the South Branch affords opportunities for white-water canoeing

as well as good fishing. Its lower reaches flow through a deep and

rugged gorge thus adding to its unique scenic attractions. The Smoke

Holes, which is a local landmark of long standing, is in this unit. The

Seneca Rocks is a spectacular vertical formation some 1,000 feet high,

and attractive for rock climbing. This is a distinctive and historic

landmark. Much of the land in this unit is of low-site quality for

timber production but there are some good timberlands within it.

Scenic and recreation values are high. There are good opportunities

for all kinds of outdoor pursuits with many features of scientific and

popular interest.

Portions of both units have been leased for oil and gas exploration

but there has been no production to date.

Within 150 miles of the national recreation area there is a population of some 27 million people. Within 300 miles there is a population of over 60 million people. This national recreation area, therefore lies within a day's drive of about one-third of the population of

the United States. It, therefore, meets an important qualification for

a national recreation area—which is reasonable distance to concentrations of people who need opportunities for healthful outdoor

recreation.

Only about 40 percent of the national recreation area now is publicly owned. Additional lands will need to be acquired to protect the

scenic qualities and the natural beauty of the area and to provide for

public use. We also contemplate the use of scenic easements, where

these prove adequate, to protect roadside beauty.

There will need to be a very substantial acceleration of physical

development of the national recreation area to accommodate the an- ticipated steady increase in uses. Existing public recreation facilities

are few and not adequate to the present needs because of the scattered

pattern of Government ownership, particularly in the Seneca Rocks unit. Private facilities also are limited.

Improved access, and the designation of the area as a national recreation area will result in greatly increased visitation. We estimate that use will increase to 3 to 5 million visitor-days by the

year 2000. Necessary facilities will include many additional family camping and picnic units, recreation trails, scenic drives, viewpoints,

stream improvement structures, and visitor information services. We anticipate that the costs of acquiring land and scenic easements will be met with appropriations from the fund established by the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act.

We think that establishment of a national recreation area will be of very substantial economic benefit to local communities and coun-
SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 19

ties. This is an area of persistent unemployment and a relatively

low rate of economic activity. Outdoor recreation is one of its great

natural assets. The location is such, in relation to urban areas that

many visitors will choose to spend weekends and longer periods in

it if the recreation facilities are developed and the area brought to

public attention. Increased tourism can substantially bolster the

inflow of money to this area. There also will be a substantial input

of funds from the land acquisition and development programs contemplated for the national recreation area.

We would anticipate the development of substantial numbers of

privately owned motels, restaurants, stores, and other service facilities for recreationists and tourists in and about the national recreation area—either on private lands or on public lands through concession agreements. We think this national recreation area will provide

a firm economic base and a high level of local economic activity. The

national need for increased outdoor recreation opportunities, and the

need for conservation of natural resources and scenic beauty—will

both be served in good measure. We believe this national program

will complement State and local programs for the overall public

good.

Mr. Chairman, I thank you.

Senator MCCARTHY. Mr. Nelson, has the Department of Agriculture had any experience with a project of this size?

Mr. NELSON. We have considerable experience with recreation developments. There has, to date, never been a national recreation

area established either on the national forests or otherwise. And I

speak of a national recreation area being in accord with the criteria

set up by the President's Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council.

There are a number of bills before the Congress that would establish

national recreation areas where the Forest Service would be involved,

but none have passed or have been set up at the present time. We

served in the national forest, last year, 124 million recreation visitors.

So we are experienced with handling outdoor recreation.

Senator MCCARTHY. And you have jurisdiction in areas where you

have this mixed kind of recreation that you are going to provide

here?

Mr. NELSON. Yes, we have a considerable amount of it. In fact,

our eastern national forests are somewhat like this area here. We

own in some of them less than half the land, and in none of them

do we own all the land. And so all of our experience, especially in

the East, has been with mixed ownership, with private land as well

as national forests.

Senator MCCARTHY. Is the authority for condemnation unique in

a bill of this kind? Do you usually try to start out by acquiring

the land without the authority of the act?

Mr. NELSON. We always do.

Senator MCCARTHY. And you use the condemnation authority only

when you need it to get the land?

Mr. NELSON. We don't use condemnation unless we have to.

Senator MCCARTHY. Sometimes you don't even have authority for

it; isn't that true?

Mr. NELSON. Wherever we have basic authority to purchase, unless

it is specifically forbidden in the law, we do have the authority to
20 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

condemn if it is needed. And the authority that would be used here

is the Weeks law of 1911.

Senator MCCARTHY. Does this apply to mineral rights on the land?

Will you try to clear up everything as you develop this?

Mr. NELSON. No. We have a great deal of land, and we have a lot

of experience with land where the mineral rights are owned by a third

party. Now, there would be some parts of it where it would be necessary and desirable to own both the mineral rights and the surface

rights. But we would believe that quite a lot of mineral rights would

not have to be purchased.

Senator MCCARTHY. You would not deal with those at all?

Mr. NELSON. An exception would be along the scenic drive, for

instance. And we are working on a scenic drive in Arkansas and

Oklahoma at the present time. And there we are buying the mineral

rights that would disturb the scenic drive itself, and the immediate

area. Now, some of that is gas-and-oil land, as some of this might be

developed. And there we have bought the mineral rights to the extent that they might continue to develop them, but they would develop

them under the Secretary's regulations that would preserve the scenic

attractions of the land. Slant drilling would be one example in that

case.

Senator MCCARTHY. These mineral rights are all under the jurisdiction of the Interior, are they not?

Mr. NELSON. No, Senator—

Senator MCCARTHY. How does the jurisdiction run on this project?

Mr. NELSON. We handle the mineral business on the lands that we

acquire. The Interior Department is responsible for the minerals on

the national forests that were established by reservation from the

public domain. But on the acquired land, such as the eastern national

forests, we handle the minerals.

Senator MCCARTHY. So on this the Department of Agriculture

would 

Mr. NELSON. We do work with the Interior Department on that.

And I believe—Mr. Grover just informet me that the actual formal

leasing is issued by the Interior.

Senator BYRD. Mr. Chairman, one of the amendments that is being

proposed by the Department of Agriculture would permit the development of the mineral resources in the area. And I think this would

be a desirable amendment to have attached.

Senator MCCARTHY. Then this is not a problem and there is no

controversy as to the mineral rights. The owners of the minerals are

not upset, and the Department of Agriculture finds this wholly accepable with the amendment and I assume Interior also?

Mr. NELSON. Yes. We may have to, on an area that needs to be

actually developed for recreation use, and the minerals are owned

by a third party—we might have a little trouble buying the minerals.

If we did, we might have to condemn in that case.

Senator MCCARTHY. What is the estimate on the overall cost of the

project to the Government?

Mr. NELSON. We estimate that in the first 5 years we would spend

about $9 million. About $1,200,000 would be for acquisition of lands.

Senator MCCARTHY. And this would not require separate appropriations as far as you know?
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 21

Mr. NELSON. No. The acquisition of land would be under the water

and land conservation fund; the funds for putting in the roads and

the overlooks and the campgrounds would have to be regular appropriation, but no special authority.

Senator MCCARTHY. Do you have any questions, Senator Byrd?

Senator B YRD. I would like to ask one question of you, Mr. Nelson:

I have received some letters from constituents who live in the territory which would be included in the national recreation area and they

are concerned about their possibility having to sell their properties.

And I think the record ought to make clear what the policy of the

Department will be in connection with those properties which the

owners thereof do not wish to sell?

Mr. NELSON. As I indicated in my testimony, we would anticipate

that we would not buy all of the land, and parts of it would be available for improvement by the landowners. I also indicated that we

would propose to take care of some of the needs of the public through

scenic easements. Now, if we take a farm down on the north branch

that you are acquainted with, on some of that good flatland, which

probably 'adds to the scenic attraction rather than detracting from it,

and in order to keep that farmer from turning his farm or a portion

of it into a junkyard, we might buy from him a scenic easement that

would prevent him doing certain things with his land, such as using

them in some manner that would be adverse to the overall scenic

enjoyment of the national recreation area.

Senator BYRD. But if his operation is a profitable one and he has

a productive farm, you would not force him to sell his farm?

Mr. NELSON. No; unless there would be a few areas where we absolutely didn't have enough land to develop it for the public need for

developed areas, such as a camp ground or a picnic ground, we might

find that the only land that was available would be a piece of land

that was a part of the farm that he didn't want to sell, but we would

have to have that for development. But we anticipate that there will

be ample opportunity to buy land from willing sellers for all of the

developments that we can see at the present time. We also anticipate

that some of the private lands left there would be the lands upon

which the motels and other features would be located that would take

care of the recreation areas by private capital.

Senator BYRD. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator MCCARTHY. To what extent do you have authority with

reference to scenic easements decisions? If an owner wanted to remodel his house and put on a blue Johns-Manville tar paper roof,

could you buy him out?

Mr. NELSON. That would depend upon what we bought when we

bought a scenic easement from him. And we have not determined

exactly what all that would be. It could be in the scenic easement

that we pay him something for maintaining it, in a manner that would

not be objectionable from a recreation and scenery standpoint, which

would exclude the possibility of a bright tin roof, or painting that

place yellow.

Senator MCCARTHY. You could go that far?

Mr. NELSON. We could go that far.

Senator MCCARTHY. I have no further questions, Mr. Nelson.

Thank you very much.

Mr. NELSON. Thank you.
22 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

Senator MCCARTHY. The next witness is Mr. Robert Bowers, the

West Virginia Department of Commerce, representing the Governor.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT R.. BOWERS, DIRECTOR, TRAVEL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE,

CHARLESTON, W. VA.

Mr. BOWERS. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to advise that I have also brought a statement of my

own at the Governor's request, and at the request of Senator Byrd,

which for the sake of time I would like to have entered into the

record. But with the Chairman's sanction, I will forego reading it

here today and confine this reading to the statement by Governor

Smith.

Senator MCCARTHY. You ask that your statement be put in the

record?

Mr. BOWERS. Yes, sir.

Senator MCCARTHY. Following the Governor's statement?

Mr. BOWERS. Yes.

Senator MCCARTHY. Very well; you may proceed.

Mr. BOWERS (reading Gov. Hulett C. Smith's statement) :

It is an honor and a pleasure to present my testimony, at the request of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia.

This statement is presented not only on behalf of the people of West Virginia,

but millions of Americans who live in highly congested industrial areas of the

East—areas where recreational opportunity in the great outdoors is all but

totally lacking.

My statement is also on behalf of the proposed Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks

National Recreation Area which would be located approximately 150 miles west

of our Nation's Capital and would encompass approximately 100,000 acres of the

Nation's most beautiful, rugged, and versatile terrain. This area is generally

considered in two sections, one being the Spruce Knob section which is the highest

point in West Virginia, and the Seneca Rocks-Smoke Hole section Which is

located in the head of the beautiful South Branch Valley. The Spruce Knob

area contains approximately 26,000 acres while the Seneca Rocks land area

encompasses approximately 74,000 acres.

It is important to understand that while West Virginia greatly favors this

proposal for a national recreation area, the conclusion was first drawn by the

U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, region 1, in a preliminary plan for recreation resource development in West Virginia as compiled and

published in March 1961. It was recommended by this report that a State

recreation area system be established, that it contain areas of high recreation

potential and that the units be strategically located primarily to serve urban

areas.

In addition, it was recommended that the Federal Government give serious

consideration to ways and means of participation in the plans for development of

recreational resources of West Virginia such as: "establishing a national recreation area in the Spruce Knob region—an area of outstanding scenic and geologic

interest, capable of furnishing a rewarding recreation experience to millions of

people along the eastern seaboard of the United States."

This is the same area essentially of which we speak here today. Protecting

the headwaters of the great Potomac, this land area gives rise to dozens of trout

streams as well as to some of the Nation's finest smallmouth bass fishing rivers.

Seneca Rocks itself is a 1,000-foot mountain of gleaming medina sandstone

and is a focal point of the area along the North Fork of the South Branch of the

Potomac River. This weekend in that area more than 14,000 canoeing and

kayaking enthusiasts from 21 States will gather along the river to record, document, and enjoy a spectacular national canoe championship race and the eastern

kayak championship races. These nationallly significant races lone point up the

urgency of protecting and preserving the beauty, cleanliness, and rarity of this
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 23

crystalline white water of the North Pork of the South Branch of the Potomac

River.

Seneca Rocks itself, however, is indeed also unique. It does not lay on a plane,

but is heaved up vertically, and these 1,000-foot jagged rocks are aimed as if in

readiness for leaving the launching pad.

In addition, hiking clubs from throughout the United States visit here to hike

and climb these uniquely significant rock formations.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer calls Seneca Rocks the finest mountain-climbing

area in the East, while the 900-member Appalachian Trail Club from Maryland

and Washington, D.C., has been climbing these rocks since 1939. They have

been consistently called back by the beauty, challenge, uniqueness, proximity,

and relative safety of these sturdy formations.

This entire region is the heart of the Mountain State's hunting areas. Here,

the bear and the wild turkey still roam free, and the ruffed grouse, white-tailed

deer, snowshoe hare and a multitude of northern- and southern-type game

species thrive.

Spruce Knob, our highest point, is where nature took its flora and funa

from the north and placed it here for the people of our Nation to enjoy. Here is

truly one of the most versatile and beautiful recreational offerings found in

the Eastern United States, and it lies only a day's drive from 70 million people

and a half-day's drive from the great population of the District of Columbia.

No area offers so much in such relative proximity to such crowded, congested populations as these eastern counties of West Virginia. The whim or

fancy of every group has a special little niche in this rugged land. So versatile

is the natural appeal of this area that people from two dozen foreign lands, 50

States and all the continents of the world visit it annually in ever-increasing

numbers. They come to camp, fish, canoe, kayak, and hunt. They come for

nature walking, wild flower study, sightseeing, pleasure driving, photography,

and resting—all of this from a natural wealth of resources which are unspoiled

by human encroachment and which are now becoming fully recognized for

their real value as a playland of the Eastern United States.

It is essential, not only for West Virginia's sake but for the sake of a growing population in the midst of a dwindling recreational opportunity, that this

land be preserved. A national guardianship can guarantee in perpetuity this

wondrous endowment which providence has placed so close to so many and has

yet allowed to remain unspoiled.

West Virginia can be destined to become the vacationland of the Eastern

United States and a prominent destination for travelers of the Nation and the

world.

I submit, therefore, that nothing gives the State of West Virginia greater joy

than to share her natural beauty and her bountiful offering with her neighbors.

We recognize the tourist as a person who pays much and takes away a fond

recollection of his visit. We hope, therefore, to share with America, and with

the world, our bountiful blessings for enjoyment for people everywhere.

We believe that this land of Spruce Knob and of Seneca Rocks and all of

the natural uniqueness of the general region can be most properly preserved

and most expeditiously developed in a manner in keeping with the ever-growing

national needs as Seneca Rocks-Spruce Knob-Smoke Hole National Recreation

Area.

Toward this end, we are here today to ask that you provide for the recreational future of America by authorizing this area as one of the newest in a

growing chain of national recreation areas. The longer we delay, the greater

the cost for these acres. The more the Nation becomes aware of West Virginia's

countryside as a playground, the greater will be the price, and the dearer the

land, and the longer we will be delayed in meeting the demands of a growing

and great society.

Thank you.

(The statement of Mr. Bowers is as follows:)

Travel in West Virginia has grown steadily, 7 to 9 percent per year, for the past

4 years and now supports upward of 30,000 jobs in the Mountain State.

Upon the completion of West Virginia's Interstate System, which is progressing rapidly, as well as the upgrading of various highways and easier access

through the Appalachian highway system, the volume of traffic that will be

poured into the Mountain State will startle even the most vivid imagination.
24 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

We can predict in almost total confidence that, upon the completion of these

roads, the number of jobs that the tourist industry will support in West Virginia

in the next 10 years will double the number which is supported today.

It is mandatory that we recognize the certainty of this growth, and that we

plan now for the inevitable demand upon our natural areas. While there is still

time, while land prices are within reason, we must plan for proper development

of those areas of outstanding beauty, uniqueness, and recreational opportunity,

which so logically serve so many of our citizens from so many States and nations.

In support of this information, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation has said,

and I quote, "because of its natural recreation resources and its strategic location, West Virginia needs and should encourage outdoor recreation planning to

promote its economic development by serving its own recreation needs and those

of its neighboring states.

"The future development of recreation in West Virginia must be primarily

focused on tourism and the vacation market. Some areas have resident needs,

but the major emphasis in recreation planning and development is oriented

toward the nonresident.

"The wild land resources of West Virginia afford an excellent opportunity

for building a tourist industry attractive to the surrounding industrial areas

including Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania to the north, but also the

eastern seaboard and the developing South."

Gov. Hulett Smith, when he was Commissioner for the Department of Commeree from 1961 to 1963, was instrumental in the establishment of a State recreation advisory council. This council consists of public and private officials

who advise the Department in recreation matters and coordinate the recreation

programs of the State, the region, the county, and local governments.

This council has been highly successful in focusing attention upon the elements of outdoor recreation which can contribute substantially to the State's

economic growth.

West Virginia can participate in any Federal program which will promote and

encourage a proper and orderly development of recreational facilities in West

Virginia. State legislation designates the West Virginia Department of Commerce as the organization to promote, undertake, participate in and otherwise

assist efforts and programs designed to develop recreational facilities throughout

the State.

Currently, the West Virginia Department of Commerce is working hard on a

statewide comprehensive recreational plan. This plan is being developed in cooperation with the department of natural resources, the State road commission, and

other State agencies, and is scheduled for completion July 1, 1965.

This plan will enable the State to participate actively in the land and water

conservation fund program. The establishment of the recreation advisory council represents a major development and a farsightedness in the State's political

and recreational leadership.

I make these statements only to emphasize that West Virginia looks forward

with the Federal Government in an effort to assist and implement a recreational

plan which is well underway in West Virginia.

We have recognized our destiny as the recreational playground of the Eastern

United States for these many years. Now we are at the stage in professional

planning where we fully recognize and properly classify our natural assets and

attractions.

We are now prepared to implement a policy of the greatest good for the greatest number of people over the longest period of time. Based upon this policy, we

visualize definite roles for private enterprise, State government, and, by all

means, the Federal Government.

Neither private enterprise nor State government alone, or together, can provide the land and undertake the development necessary to meet the needs and the

demands of a growing eastern seaboard. The Federal Government must assume

a great share of this responsibility, not for West Virginia's sake, but for the sake

of our natural heritage, which can offer recreational excitement or solitude to

70 million people who live within a day's drive of West Virginia's eastern

counties.

If the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation area is authorized by

Congress, the State of West Virginia will strive to encourage the development of

private and State travel-oriented facilities. These will be developed in a planned

and complementing fashion in order that the region may realize its full potential

as a job producer, a recreational opportunity and vacationland.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 25

West Virginia's eastern counties are a vast, underdevelopd reservoir of opportunity, that could well result in recreation and tourism becoming a dominant

State industry within the foreseeable future.

We look to the Interstate System of Highways, the Appalachian system of

highways and the sheer mushrooming of human populations to make West

Virginia a wilderness haven for the frayed nerves of congested urbanized populations. Dr. Edward Crafts, Director of Bureau of Recreation, says our population will be double in America in 47 years. That, gentlemen, is within the lifetime

of most of us and within the lifetime of all of our children.

Without proper planning of the type described here, this last vestige of elbow

room and esthetic recreational opportunity could be absorbed in the flood of

an ever-expanding, overcrowded humanity.

Our goal in West Virginia is to provide jobs for our people, and there is no

better way to do it than by providing rest, relaxation and recreation for a

versatile, recreation-minded people from throughout the Nation and the world.

West Virginia has sent movies of her travel attractions and her people have

visited the travel agencies of Igurope. We have poured literature into all the

continents of the world, in the hope that these people will be enticed to the

versatile offerings of West Virginia. We have strived through the designing of

tours and personal contact, and through the hosting of travel agencies and

dignitaries from other lands, to make the attraction of West Virginia a more

glowing portion of the American scene.

The 150 miles that our Nation's capital is from Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob

is also that far from the embassies of the world in Washington, D.C. The 350

miles that this area is from the United Nations Building in New York, extend its

importance from an American playground to an area of international concern.

To this international traveler, West Virginia becomes a showcase for a broad

cross section of America. Many of the impressions that foreign visitors take

home will come from West Virginia.

We shall do all in our power to encourage increased foreign visitation to our

State. We must make certain these people return home with a truer picture

of the beauty, courtesy, recreation, and hospitality of America. In this view,

we also seek authorization for this national recreational area in order that all

the people of the world may be better served.

Senator MCCARTHY. Mr. William McCoy.

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM McCOY, JR., FRANKLIN, W. VA.

Mr. McCoy. Mr. Chairman, I am William McCoy, Jr., of Franklin.

I am appearing in support of Senate bill 7 in my own personal capacity, although I am confident that I can speak for the great majority

of the people in Pendleton County when I say that they are very

enthusiastically in support of the establishment of this national

recreational area.

I am a member of the Pendleton County Rural Areas Development Committee and the Pendleton Industry Corp., which is a local

nonprofit corporation for the development of the economy of the area,

and the local Lions Club. And I am confident that all these organizations are very much interested in this bill.

I support the bill for two principal reasons. One is all enthusiastic

and the other is selfish. First, I believe that this area is ideally suited

for a national recreation area. The beauty of the rugged mountain

scenery in this area has no peer in my opinion. In this area is Spruce

Knob, which is the highest point in the State, with sweeping panoramic views of distant mountains and valleys and pastoral scenes of

great beauty.

I will not try to list the features of the area which other speakers

have mentioned. But I would say that just this weekend in the

Smoke Hole is being conducted the national downriver boating competition which utilizes white water sometimes.
26 SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

Also on Labor Day weekend of each year hundreds of the members

of the National Speleological Society come to Pendleton County to

meet and explore its 55 caves in this area.

So I think that the area is ideally suited for a national recreation

area.

Secondly, I support this bill because I believe that it would help

the economy of our area. Our area is historically an agricultural

area. And with the mechanization of our farms the number of jobs

has decreased very much. And it would seem that the resources of

the area are more suitable for the development of recreation than

for any other single purpose. And for that reason I believe that with

some organized supervision and development that recreation and

tourism could become a very substantial factor in the economy of the

area.

For these two reasons, I support this bill. And I feel that the great

majority of the people of our county support it.

Thank you, sir.

Senator MCCARTHY. Thank you very much.

May I ask this question? How many months out of the year would

this area be well used?

Mr. McCoy. It would seem to me that it could be used to advantage

12 months out of the year. Spruce Knob, which is the highest point

in the State, could be utilized for skiing. About 2 or 3 years ago,

they had from 4 to 6 feet of snow there that lasted all winter long.

And I think that it would be ideally adaptable for winter recreation

purposes. And other areas would be more adaptable for summer and

fall and spring uses.

Senator MCCARTHY. Thank you very much.

Mr. Sponaugle?

STATEMENT OF GEORGE I. SPONAUGLE, FRANKLIN, W. VA.

Mr. SPONAUGLE. Mr. Chairman, my name is George I. Sponaugle.

I am a lifelong resident of Franklin, Pendleton County, W. Va. I

am prosecuting attorney of Pendleton County, and have been since

1949. And I am also president of Pendleton Industries, Inc., which

Mr. McCoy spoke of.

And I want to tell you that I am very grateful and thankful to you,

Mr. Chairman, and especially to Senator Byrd, for the privilege of

the invitation to appear before this committee in support of Senate

bill 7.

Basically, Pendleton County is an agricultural and lumbering area.

The lumbering in the county has been worked extensively. There

aren't too many large virgin tracts of timber left except what has

been preserved by the national forest. The agricultural part of the

county has been mostly by small farmers. And the small farmer, as

we all know, is becoming nonexistent, more so each day. And in looking at the map which Mr. Nelson has here showing particularly the

Spruce Knob unit, and then also the other unit, most of the farms in

those two areas which I believe might be affected by this bill are

mountain farms. And they have been used mostly for the grazing of

livestock. The younger people on those farms are no longer there.

And if you visit those farms and you will find as a rule two elderly
SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 27

people, because there is nothing left for the young people to do, and

they have departed, moved into urban areas.

So in that respect I feel that this bill is important not only to

our area, but is important, I think, to the whole eastern part of the

United States, because there is some of the most magnificent scenery

and beauty in this Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks and Smoke Hole

area which I think exists anywhere.

But the sad feature of the whole thing is that no one individual or

even the State of West Virginia itself, I don't think, could ever properly

develop and utilize the potentials that are there.

Now, it has only been within the past couple of years that you could

drive to the top of Spruce Knob, the highest point in the State of West

Virginia. But now the Forest Service has erected and built a dirt

drive up there so that you can drive to it.

So I feel that we should have this as a recreational area not only for

that reason but because of the importance of this area to Washington,

D.C. The headwaters of the Potomac River is just outside this area,

although the water that flows by it comes from there. So the water

resources could be utilized and developed and conserved.

Speaking of the boat races, which Mr. McCoy mentioned a while

ago, this is the first time in their history, or so I am advised, that the

national champion boat races have been held east of the Rocky Mountains. I don't know, but I am so advised. And I think that is true.

And they held their boat races there last year in this same north fork

of the south branch of the Potomac River, and they were so impressed

with the white water, and so forth, that they wanted to come back and

hold their national championship.

I don't feel, Mr. Chairman, that there is too much more that I can

say or add to what has already been said here in describing the

topography and the country in general. But I know that Pendleton

County is in the depressed-area region. And I feel that this bill, if it

passes, if this area is developed as the thinking is now, that it will be a

big boost in the economy to the people of our area, and it will also

serve as an outlet to millions of people in this eastern part of the

United States that live in the cities and do not get out into the beautiful countryside too often.

So Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for the privilege of appearing here. And I certainly recommend passage of this bill.

Thank you.

Senator MCCARTHY. Thank you very much.

Mr. Robert Dennis, of the Izaak Walton League. Mr. Dennis?

STATEMENT OF ROBERT T. DENNIS, ASSISTANT CONSERVATION

DIRECTOR, IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA

Mr. DENNIS. Mr. Chairman, I am Robert T. Dennis, assistant conservation director of the Izaak Walton League of America. I have a

prepared statement and would like to request that it be placed in the

record in its entirety.

We have today from West Virginia a representative of the West

Virginia division of the Izaak Walton League and a man whose property is within the proposed national recreation area. And I would

like to request that most of the time of the league be used by him.
28 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

I would like to make a couple of comments, however. First of all,

the Izaak Walton League of America does support this bill, and we

hope that it will be enacted shortly. We see this bill as a precedent

setter. It is the first time so far as we know that the Congress has

considered establishing a national recreation area under the jurisdiction of the Forest Service. We know that there is another bill over

on the House side which would establish a national recreation area

under Forest Service jurisdiction in southwest Virginia, and we hope

that that will be considered, too. Because this bill will set a precedent

we hope that its language will be carefully considered. And we have a

couple of comments in that regard which are in the statement.

You will note that we do suggest one amendment. I don't believe

that it is technically necessary, because of the administrative authorities of the Department of Agriculture, and because of the record

which the Forest Service has already made in cooperating with the

States in managing fish and wildlife reserves. But we did feel that

it might be desirable to amend the bill somewhat along the lines that

we suggest just to make those things very clear, and to bring the bills

pertaining to national recreation areas managed by the Forest Service

into conformity insofar as possible with the national recreation areas

managed by the Park Service.

That is all I have to say, Mr. Chairman.

(The prepared statement of Mr. Dennis is as follows:)

Mr. Chairman, I am Robert T. Dennis, assistant conservation director of the

Izaak Walton League of America. The league is a nationwide organization of

citizens dedicated to wise and proper management and use of America's natural

resources. Since its establishment in 1922, the league has had a priority interest

in assuring adequate outdoor recreation opportunity for the people of the United

States and has worked continuously toward that goal at all levels of government.

We, therefore, especially appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today.

The Izaak Walton League supports enactment of S. 7, providing for the establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area in the

State of West Virginia.

We believe that this scenic area possesses outdoor values and recreational

potential of national significance, and that it should therefore be given national

designation. We recognize that the Secretary of Agriculture already possesses

general authority to classify and manage this area for outdoor recreation, but

believe that enactment of S. 7 would provide a desirable and necessary congressional directive that these things be done. Furthermore, by designating

the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks region as a national recreation area, Congress

would make it clear that land and water conservation fund money shall be available for land acquisition.

Mr. Chairman, the league recognizes S. 7 as a precedent-setting bill. So far

as we know, this is the first time Congress has considered establishing a national

recreation area under sole jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. We

expect this proposal will be followed by others similar to it; indeed, Congressman Jennings has introduced legislation to establish the Mount Rogers-Whitetop

region of Virginia as a national recreation area administered by the Department

of Agriculture, and we hope his bill (H.R. 316) will soon receive consideration.

Because S. 7 would set precedent, we have a few specific comments.

We understand that the Department of Agriculture suggests that section 2 be

amended to establish the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area

in accordance with a boundary map already prepared by the Department. We

believe it desirable that national recreation area boundaries be clearly defined

by law, and therefore, support such amendment.

In connection with section 3, we would hope in order both to realize the

full public potential of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks area, and to protect it

from incompatible development—that the Department will acquire most of the

private inholdings within its boundaries. We realize, however, that it may not

be necessary or even desirable to acquire full title to all such properties, and

therefore, endorse the provision permitting acquisition of partial interests.
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 29

Section 4 emphasizes the need to develop outdoor recreation facilities. We

recognize this need. But we would point out that portions of the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks region possess wild land values which should not be impaired.

National recreation areas are established to provide a range of recreational

opportunity. We would certainly agree that facilities must be available for a

wide variety of outdoor uses, but would urge that their location be planned so

as to preserve intact the most important areas of back country. We believe that this would be in accordance with the management priorities set forth in section

5 of S. 7, with which we concur.

Finally, in order both to clarify a matter which has caused some concern,

and to bring uniformity to laws governing administration of national recreation

areas, we suggest addition to the bill of a new section:

"In administering the national recreation area the Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under his jurisdiction in accordance with the laws of West Virginia. The Secretary, after consultation with the

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, may designiate zones and es- tablish periods where and when no hunting shall be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, or public use and enjoyment, and issue regula- tions consistent with this section."

Mr. Chairman, the Izaak Walton League thanks you for the opportunity to present its views on S. 7. We hope that the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Na- tional Recreation Area will soon be established.

Senator MCCARTHY. Is there reason to believe that the Forest Serv- ice might not follow the same practices as the Park Service?

Mr. DENNIS. No, sir; I do not have reason to believe that it would

not. We just feel that it would be desirable in order to create this uniformity to put in language specifically pertaining to hunting and fishing. Of course, this is much more necessary with the Park Service,

because they have historically not had this as a primary concern.

But we did feel—we are talking about national recreation areas— national recreation areas managed by the Forest Service will be quite similar to those managed by the Park Service, and it might be advisable to promote as much uniformity as possible in controlling legis- lation.

Senator MCCARTHY. Is it the general policy of the Izaak Walton

League to recommend that hunting and fishing be under State juris- diction, or is it only in cases like West Virginia where you feel that

the hunting and fishing is perhaps more properly administered? Do

you recommend this in every State or does it depend on the State?

Mr. DENNIS. No; we believe nationally that resident fish and game is a responsibility of the State, and that it should be contained there.

Senator MCCARTHY. In the national parks?

Mr. DENNIS. -Well, the national parks there are a special case; we

do support fishing in the national parks, we 'do not support hunting

in the national parks.

Senator MCCARTHY. You support fishing under Federal regulation—and you oppose hunting, and in that case you are opposed to

having State laws generally prevail?

Mr. DENNIS. We do not feel that—a recreational area is like a

national park, we feel that a national park is a special case which

needs special control. But as far as the national recreation areas are

concerned, we could support hunting and fishing under the laws of

the State involved.

Senator MCCARTHY. I think this is important, since, as you say, this

is a precedent-setting action. It perhaps ought to have some clarification with regard to hunting and fishing within the areas, and the

manner in which the Park Service administers these problems, whether
30 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

those should be changed, or whether there is some reason to believe

that the Forest Service might not administer them as well. I think the

testimony of the Izaak Walton League on this might be very important.

Mr. DENNIS. Well, as I say, I personally have reason to believe that

were this language not in the bill, that things would go on as they

have been to the full satisfaction of the people of West Virginia. But

I think that there have been some questions asked about this, and it

might be desirable to clarify the situation.

Senator MCCARTHY. Very well.

Mr. DENNIS. If possible, now, we would like to have Mr. Sions

representing the West Virginia division appear as a witness.

Senator MCCARTHY. Very well.

Will you identify yourself for the record?

STATEMENT OF CREAD SIONS, CONSERVATION COMMITTEE, WEST

VIRGINIA DIVISION, IZAAIC WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA,

PETERSBURG, W. VA.

Mr. SIONS. Mr. Chairman, I am Cread Sions, county superintendtilt of schools of Grant County. I am also a member of the Conservation Committee of the West Virginia Division of the Izaak Walton

League of America.

I was asked by the president to represent the West Virginia division

in behalf of Senate bill No. 7.

I have with me a resolution adopted by the board of directors of the

West Virginia division, Izaak Walton League of America, which I

would like to present for the record at this time.

Senator MCCARTHY. Fine.

(The resolution is as follows:)

SPRUCE KNOR-SENECA. ROCKS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Whereas there is a need to develop and preserve for the good of all the people

those areas of the American landscape which are of outstanding significance;

and

Whereas the membership of the West Virginia division, Izaak Walton League

of America, concurs in the opinion that Seneca Caverns, the Smoke Hole, Smoke

Hole Caverns, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob (at 4,860 feet, the highest point in

West Virginia), the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac River, and adjacent portions of the Pendleton and Grant Counties, possess scenic, biological,

geological, and other natural values which are of national significance; and

Whereas the area in question is now partially owned by the U.S. Forest

Service, and is located almost entirely within the boundaries of the Monongahela

National Forest; and

Whereas the President of the United States has specifically mentioned the

national significance of this area: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the board of directors, West Virginia division, Izaak Walton

League of America, meeting this 21st day of March 1965 at Blackwater Falls

State Park, That the U.S. Congress be respectfully urged to establish, under jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National

Recreation Area, comprising approximately 100,000 acres and to include the

features listed above, and be it further

Resolved, That in administering this area, the U.S. Forest Service assure

preservation of its outstanding natural wildland values.

Mr. SIONS. I also live within the boundaries of this proposed

project.

I have enjoyed the scenery, the hunting and fishing here all my life.

By comparison, I have visited and enjoyed the scenery and fished
SPRUCE KNOB-SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 31

and/or hunted in other mountains for instance, the Alps of Switzerland and Italy, the mountains of Norway, Finland, Sweden, the high

land of Scotland, the moors of Ireland, the mountains of our own country including the Rockies, the Great Smokies, and by comparison, I

honestly believe that the variety of scenery, game, and fish found here

cannot be equaled anyplace else 1 have ever been. An abundance of

certain species in other parts of the world, yes, but in variety, no.

In looking for paper to put a few notes on this morning, I picked

up a brochure "Valleys of History." It suggested to me that if there

are valleys there must be highlands. I suggest to you that some of

the highland or mountains that are erected in the memory of man—

in fact, the lasting and the most important ones are not built of

mortar or stone, but they are the actions, institutions, reforms that

man brings as contributions to the society in which he lives.

By illustration, I would like to mention Teddy Roosevelt's program

in connection with national parks. I think that this Congress is working now on a new and needed type of recreation. I think this is it.

I think that Senate bill No. 7 will bring about one of the 12 objectives

mentioned in the recent speech by President Johnson as has been mentioned _previously. I think it is a part of a great program for this

Great Society. It may not necessarily be a part of it, but certainly

complements some of the other acts of this Congress, and much of the

programs of President Johnson. It certainly complements and possibly can be considered a part of the Appalachia program, the entire

war on poverty. It certainly is a part of the recent job given by

President Johnson to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior.

In fact, this region comprises a large part of the upper Potomac

which he is to make a study of and make recommendations to the

Congress.

We think, the Izaak Walton League of West Virginia, that this is

the best section that we know of in eastern West Virginia for the

beginning of a program such as this, national recreation areas.

I would like to give some of the reasons. First, there are many

places other than Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob that the average

person doesn't know about that those of us who live there know about

and which can be seen by other people once roads are built in. I would

like to mention just a few. On Seneca Creek or River there are two

falls, magnificent, beautiful, the upper and the lower. The lower can

be seen by some people now, but the upper can only be seen by those

who walk a long distance. There are two live caverns, I mean caverns

with life formations.

Champ Rock is almost as beautiful, and it has history connected

with the Revolutionary War.

Chimney Rock, Blue Rock: Blue Rock can be seen only by those

who go in by jeep or boat. I have taken several groups of photographers and riders through, and they never cease to be astonished and

surprised at such a wonderful scene that is so seldom seen by people

as Blue Rock.

Eagle Rock: This section comprises a part of what was once the

Fairfax grant. And therefore, it is of importance in history. The

name itself comes from an Indian tribe, the life of the Seneca Indians

and the legend of the Seneca Indians.

The white water canoe race has been mentioned.
32 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

This is the home of the golden trout, the easter species, that was

propagated in this section. There are still native trout in the waters.

There are black bear, wild turkeys, deer, and other game.

The second important reason has been mentioned, the nearness to

Washington.

Another, we believe, as has been mentioned also, that we must preserve some of the wild rivers. One of my instructors at the university pointed out how much more valuable this type of a program would

be in restoration, to preserve the waters of the upper Potomac and the

Royal Glen and some of the big dams that have been recommended in

this section.

Tourism is beginning to be an important business, not only for the

people who visit, but the people in the section who are the hosts to

the visitors.

It is already a part of the Monongahela National Forest.

And so we believe that it is a great, new, needed program that is

important and will in time to come, be as much a part of the conservation and the observation and enjoyment of the natural resources of

our country as the national park program now is, especially in the

West.

And it will be a living monument to the people who worked to establish it that will be long remembered and enjoyed after possibly

some monuments that be built from stone or mason in memory of the

people, you people who are working on this program.

I have some brochures. The ones that I have here, I will not bother

to mention except to leave them with you. They are all of the white

water festival, the caverns, fishing and hunting. But some members

of your committee might want to look through them.

Senator MCCARTHY. We will distribute them to the committee.

Mr. SIONS. And last, I would like to congratulate you and the people who are working, this Congress and this administration and the

other people who have the privilege of working on this program.

And I certainly, for the people and the members of the Izaak Walton

League of West Virginia and America, want to thank you for this

privilege, and also thank you for the personal privilege of appearing

before this committee.

Senator MCCARTHY. Thank you very much.

Are there any other witnesses who are not listed?

Here is the statement of the National Wildlife Federation to be

inserted in the record.

(The statement referred to follows:)

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 81, 1965.

Hon. ALLEN j. ELLENDER,

Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry,

Room 324, Old Senate Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR Mn. CHAIRMAN: We welcome the invitation and opportunity to comment

briefly upon S. 7, a bill "to provide for the establishment of the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area in West Virginia" and would appreciate

having this letter made a part of the record for the hearings scheduled for April

1, 1965.

The National Wildlife Federation long has supported the concept of providing

public outdoor recreation opportunities in suitable locations. It is our information that the general area proposed for incorporation into the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area meets all of the criteria for providing

outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, hiking,
SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA 33

touring, camping, and general scenic appreciation. We are particularly impressed with recreational opportunities along the fast-flowing streams which

constitute the South Branch of the Potomac River and the North Fork. Furthermore, the proposed area is near a large concentration of the Nation's urban

population.

It is our understanding that this proposal is precedent setting ; in that this

would be the first national recreation area to be located exclusively ,within boundaries of a national forest. We believe that these resources offer much in this

regard and are hopeful that this area can be established.

It has been the policy of the National Wildlife Federation in respect to other

national recreation areas to urge that hunting and fishing be permitted under laws

of the States concerned. In accord with this policy, we would recommend that

S. 7 contain a provision which would read: "The Secretary shall permit hunting

and fishing on lands and waters under his jurisdiction within the Spruce KnobSeneca Rocks National Recreation Area in accordance with applicable Federal

and State laws. The Secretary may designate zones where, and establish periods

when, 'no hunting shall be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration,

or public use and enjoyment, and shall issue regulations after consultation with

the Department of Natural Resources of the State of West Virginia." This

would make administration of the area with respect to hunting and fishing in

accord with those areas administered by the National Park Service of the

Department of the Interior and we believe it is important that this section be

included in this initial bill.

Thank you for the opportunity of making these observations.

Sincerely,

THOMAS L. KIMBALL,

Executive Director, National Wildlife Federation.

Senator MCCARTHY. The record will remain open until next Tuesday for any additional statements or reports to be made a part of the

official record.

The committee is adjourned.

(Whereupon at 3:25 p.m., the subcommittee adjourned subject to

the call of the Chair.)

(Additional statements filed for the record are as follows:)

STATEMENT OF HANS MCCOURT, WEBSTER SPRINGS, W. VA.

The proposed national recreation area is in Pendleton and Grant Counties

which are a part of the scenic highlands of West Virginia. This highland region

of the State has, without doubt, the greatest recreational use potential in the

eastern part of the United States. The rugged mountain scenery, the cold mountain streams, the white waters of the turbulent, rushing rivers, the limestone

caverns, the great variations in the flora and fauna from the valleys to the

higher elevations, the wildlife including the white-tailed, deer and the black

bear—all these are the things that people are looking for in recreation. Whether

it is mountain climbing, trout fishing, spelunking, hunting, camping, picnicking,

nature study, or just plain "settin' " and relaxing, this region has it.

The establishment of a national recreation area in the Spruce Knob-Seneca

Rocks area would serve to identify the recreational potential of the highlands

region of West Virginia. Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, and

Seneca Rocks are noteworthy attractions. However, within a few hours' drive

can be found many other recreation facilities. In the immediate area are the

Smoke Hole area, the Seneca Caverns, and the famous trough on the south

branch of the Potomac River. Also within a few hours' drive are located

Watoga State Park, the scenic Cass Railroad, the Greenbank Observatory, Blackwater Falls State Park, Seneca State Forest, Kumbrabow State Forest, Greenbrier State Forest, Cranberry Glades, Lost River State Park, and Holly River

State Park.

The location of a national recreation area in this part of West Virginia would

be of service to a large segment of the Nation's population. Within a 150-mile

radius of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks there lives 27 million people. Not only

would such a national recreation area serve as a recreational facility, but its

importance in conservation of our lands and water on the headwaters of the

Potomac cannot be overlooked. This one factor alone should be sufficient reason

for the establishment d national recreation area as provided for in S. 7.
•

34 SPRUCE KNOB—SENECA ROCKS RECREATION AREA

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 1965.

Hon. JAMES 0. EASTLAND,

U.S. Senator, Chairman., Subcommittee on Soil Conservation and Forestry,

Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR EASTLAND : The American Automobile Association supports and

calls for early enactment of S. 7 by Senators Byrd, Democrat, of West Virginia,

and Randolph Democrat, West Virginia, which provides for the establishment

of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area in the State of West

AAA policy, as established in annual convention calls for an expansion of

recreational facilities:

"Development of recreation and vacation areas has not kept pace with the

requirements of the American people, nor can these regions continue to meet the

needs of an expanding population. The AAA believes that Government—State

and Federal—must place increasing emphasis on the creation of new recereational travel resources throughout the country."

The development and preservation of Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National

Recreation Area will provide almost 100,000 acres of scenic land and water for

boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, touring, hunting, camping, picnicking, and

general scenic enjoyment.

Within a 350-mile radius are the majority of the great metropolitan areas of

the East and Midwest of our country. The Bureau of the Census, Department of

Commerce, estimates that within this 350-mile radius reside over 65 million

people or one-third of the entire population of the United States.

In 1964, according to the National Park Service, a total of 102,375,100 people

visited U.S. national parks and other areas administered by the National Park

Service. Of this total, it is estimated that 96 percent visited these national

parks and recreation areas by automobile.

The AAA supports the establishment of the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area because we feel it will help fulfill the need for additional

recreational service facilities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, hunting,

touring, camping, picnicking, etc.

It is requested that this letter be made a part of the official hearings of your

subcommittee.

Sincerely,

GEORGE F. KACHLEIN, Jr.,

Executive Vice President,

American Automobile Association.

STATEMENT OF CARL GAINER, RICHMOND, W. VA.

The Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area will be probably

the best natural recreation area available to the fast-growing population of the

Maryland-Virginia east coast people. The 57th Legislature of West Virginia

recognized the importance of this area in passing SCR Nos. 9 and 10 which I

sponsored. SCR No. 9 urges the Federal agencies to establish a "Wild River

Area" and SCR No. 10 opposes the construction of any high-level dam on the

South Branch of the Potomac River which would flood the Smoke Hole Recreation Area.

The Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, and the Smoke Hole have, for many years,

been in the top five natural wonders in West Virginia and with the proper

development can become the top attraction for our rapidly increasing tourist

business.