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GOVERNMEN'i

Storage KSU LIBRARIES 

HEARING

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETIETH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

c1:1 ON

H.R. 15822

MARCH 25, 1968

0

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rq Serial NN

Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture

US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

-225 WASHINGTON : 1968
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

W. R. POAGE, Texas, Chairman

E. C. GATHINGS, Arkansas,

Vice Chairman

JOHN L. McMILLAN, South Carolina

THOMAS G. ABERNETHY, Mississippi

WATKINS M. ABBITT, Virginia

PAUL C. JONES, Missouri

FRANK A. STUBBLEFIELD, Kentucky

GRAHAM PURCELL, Texas

MASTON O'NEAL, Georgia

THOMAS S. FOLEY, Washington

JOSEPH Y. RESNICK, New York

ELIGIO DE LA GARZA, Texas

JOSEPH P. VIGORITO, Pennsylvania

WALTER B. JONES, North Carolina

JOHN G. DOW, New York

BILL NICHOLS, Alabama

G. V. MONTGOMERY, Mississippi

FRANK J. BRASCO, New York

JOHN R. RARICK, Louisiana

PAGE BELCHER, Oklahoma,

Ranking Minority Member

CHARLES M. TEAGUE, California

CATHERINE MAY, Washington

ROBERT DOLE, Kansas

GEORGE V. HANSEN, Idaho

WILLIAM C. WAMPLER, Virginia

GEORGE A. GOODLING, Pennsylvania

CLARENCE E. MILLER, Ohio

J. HERBERT BURKE, Florida

ROBERT B. MATHIAS, California

WILEY MAYNE, Iowa

JOHN M. ZWACH, Minnesota

THOMAS S. KLEPPE, North Dakota

ROBERT PRICE, Texas

JOHN T. MYERS, Indiana

RESIDENT COMMISSIONER

SANTIAGO POLANCO-ABREU, Puerto Rico

CFIRISTINE S. GALLAGHER, Clerk

WILLIAM C. BLACK, General Counsel

HYDE H. MURRAY, Assistant Counsel

L. T. EASLEY, Staff Consultant
CONTENTS

H.R. 15822, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the

Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center in the Ouachita Page

National Forest in Oklahoma, and for other purposes 1

Statement of:

Albert, Hon. Carl, a Representative in Congress from the State of

Oklahoma 8

Cliff, Edward P., Chief, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Correspondence submitted to the committee:

Freeman, Hon. Orville L.

'

Secretary of Agriculture, letter of March 25,

1968, report on H.R. 15822 2

Mankin, Charles J.

'

director, Oklahoma Geological Survey, University,

of Oklahoma, letter of March 15, 1968 13

Stauffer, Donald E. director, Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture, letter of Nlarch 15, 1968 13

Teate, J. Lamar, assistant professor, Department of Forestry, Oklahoma State University, letter of March 15, 1968 14

Thomas, John E., professor and head, Department of Botany and

Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, letter of March 14,

1968 14

TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

TO ESTABLISH THE ROBERT S. KERR MEMORIAL

ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER IN THE OUACHITA NATIONAL FOREST IN OKLAHOMA

MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1968

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,

Washington, D.C.

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m., in room

1301, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C., Hon.

W. R. Poage (chairman) presiding.

Present: Representatives Poage, Abernethy, Purcell, O'Neal,

Vigorito, Dow, Nichols Montgomery, Belcher, Teague of California,

Dole, Hansen, Miller, Mathias, Mayne, Zwach, Kleppe, and Myers.

Also present: Christine S. Gallagher, clerk; William C. Black,

general counsel; L. T. Easley, staff consultant; and Fowler C. West,

assistant staff consultant.

The CHAIRMAN. The committee will please come to order.

We are going to hear testimony on the Robert S. Kerr Memorial

Arboretum and Nature Center.

We have promised to hear Mr. Albert at 10:45. He has an 11:15

engagement downtown. So we are going to have to cut off anybody

who is testifying at that time and let Mr. Albert be heard when he

comes in. We hope that will be understood.

Our first witness will be Mr. Edward P. Cliff, Chief, Forest Service,

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

We are delighted to have you here, Mr. Cliff.

Mr. Cliff has been a friend of this committee for a long time.

We are glad to have you up here. We will be glad to hear from

you in connection with this memorial.

(H.R. 15822, introduced by Representatives Albert, Hammerschmidt, and Edmondson, and the Department's report dated March

25, 1968, follow:)

[H.R. 15822, 90th Cong., second sess.]

A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum

and Nature Center in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma, 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 preserve, develop, and make

available to this and future generations the opportunity to advance themselves

morally, intellectually, and spiritually by learning about nature and to promote,

demonstrate, and stimulate interest in and knowledge of the management of

forest lands under principles of multiple use and sustained yield and the development and progress of management of forest lands in America, the Secretary of

Agriculture is hereby authorized to establish the Robert S. Kerr Memorial

Arboretum and Nature Center in the Ouachita National Forest. As soon as

possible after this Act takes effect, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish

(1)
2

notice of the designation thereof in the Federal Register

'

together with an appropriate legal description of the property. A map showing the location of the designated arboretum and center shall be on file and available for public inspection

in the office of the Chief, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 2. The area designated as the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and

Nature Center shall be administered, protected, and developed within and as a

part of the Ouachita National Forest by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance

with the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to national forests in such manner

-as in his judgment will best provide for the purposes of this Act and to provide for

such management, utilization, and disposal of the natural resources as in his

judgement will promote or is compatible with and does not significantly impair

the purposes for which the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arborteum and Nature

Center is established.

SEC. 3. The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to cooperate with

and receive the cooperation of public and private agencies and organizations and

individuals in the development, administration, and operation of the Robert S.

Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center. The Secretary of Agriculture is

authorized to accept contributions and gifts to be used to further the purposes of

this Act.

Hon. W. R. POAGE,

Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,

House of Representatives.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: In response to your request of March 11, 1968, here is

our report on H.R. 15822, "To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish

the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center in the Ouachita

National Forest in Oklahoma, and for other purposes."

We recommend enactment of this bill.

H.R. 15822 would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the

Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center in the Ouachita National

Forest in Oklahoma. The boundaries of the area would be those shown on a map

on file in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.

The purpose of this legislation is to preserve develop, and make available

to this and future generations the opportunity to advance themselves morally,

intellectually, and spiritually by learning about nature. It would also serve to

stimulate interest and knowledge in multiple use-sustained yield management

of our forest lands and in the development and progress of forest land management

in America.

The Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center would be within and a part

of the Ouachita National Forest. The Secretary would administer, protect, and

develop it in accordance with the laws rules, and regulations applicable to the

National Forests in the manner he decides will best achieve the purposes of this

bill and for which the Arboretum and Nature Center would be established.

H.R. 15822 would further authorize the Secretary, in developing and operating the Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center, to cooperate with and

receive the cooperation of public and private agencies and organizations, and

individuals. He would be authorized to accept contributions and gifts to be used

to further the purposes of the bill.

The Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center would afford an excellent

opportunity for the public to learn more about the interrelationship of living and

non-living components of a natural environment. To our knowledge no similar

facility exists in this part of our country where the mountains and the eastern

plains come together. A nature trail through the whole area will be designed

and constructed to enable handicapped people who must use wheel-chairs or cannot climb steep slopes to enjoy the beauty and other benefits of the area, also.

The location of the proposed Arboretum and Nature Center is almost midpoint on the Talimena Scenic Drive between Talihina, Oklahoma, and Mena,

Arkansas. It is an area of about 350 acres within the Choctaw Ranger District

of the Ouachita National Forest. The setting is a mountain basin with a variety

of native flowers, shrubs, and other vegetation in a pine-hardwood forest type.

Soil and other environmental conditions offer a favorable habitat for many

additional varieties of vegetation and animal life.

Numerous native game and song birds inhabit the area year around, with other

migratory species frequenting the area during certain seasons or periods. Here

among the more common species of big game and other animals, such as the deer,

fox, and squirrel, may range one of our rare and endangered wildlife species,

the magnificent red wolf.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

Washington, D.C., March 25, 1968.
3

The Arboretum and Nature Center

'

when developed, will provide an outdoor

educational center for an estimated 40,000 school-age children each year. As

an adjunct to the Talimena Scenic Drive, the facility will attract visitors from

over much of the Nation. Total visits annually to the area are expected to exceed

400,000 by 1976. Through its development and management, these people will

be able to study and interpret plants, animals, birds, fish, and geological formations of the region in their natural condition or setting. In driving along the

Talimena Scenic Drive, they can observe, on a broad scale, the natural resources,

scientific knowledge and conservation objectives seen and learned in the Arboretum and Nature Center, thus creating an awareness of, and stimulating an interest

in, sound principles of forest conservation.

The project has caught the attention of many individuals and private interests.

They have expressed a desire to cooperate in its development because they see

an unusual opportunity in this approach to advance the cause of conservation.

Establishment of the Robert S. Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center will afford

a practical way for these private interests to cooperate with the Department of

Agriculture in the development and administration of this National Forest area

for the purposes of the project. It will provide a desirable means of attracting,

coordinating, and directing private gifts, donations, and other assistance to enhance the education, historical and aesthetic values of this important component

of our natural resource heritage.

This recreational, educational complex composed of the proposed Arboretum and

Nature Center and the Talimena Scenic Drive will be a fitting tribute to the late

Senator Robert S. Kerr, who had a great personal interest in these mountains of

eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. He also had an interest in and a vision

of the ways these mountains and their natural resources can help man advance

himself morally, intellectually and spiritually. This interest was concomitant to

his interest in the total natural resources of the area and the nation. _

The Bureau of the Budget advises that it has no objection to the presentation

of this report from the standpoint of the Administration's program.

Sincerely yours,

ORVILLE L. FREEMAN, Secretary.

STATEMENT OF EDWARD P. CLIFF, CHIEF, FOREST SERVICE,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Mr. CLIFF. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am

pleased to appear here today to give my full support to this bill,

H.R. 15822.

Shortly before he died, Senator Kerr and I discussed the establishment of an arboretum and nature center as a key adjunct to the

proposed Talimena Scenic Drive. That road from Talihina, Okla.,

to Mena, Ark., through the Ouachita National Forest, is nearly

complete, and its entire length will soon be open to the public. The

Talimena Scenic Drive affords an excellent opportunity for the people

of our Nation, particularly those in the Mississippi River Valley and

Eastern Plains States, to enjoy the scenic and recreation resources

of the Oklahoma-Arkansas mountain country.

I have a map here depicting this area.

The CHAIRMAN. I wonder if you gentlemen would mind moving

over a little further, so we can move the map over this way for a

better view? That is very fine. Thank you.

Mr. CLIFF. This map shows the scenic drive which runs through

the Ouachita National Forest, in western Arkansas and eastern

Oklahoma. One terminus is Mena, Ark., and the other terminus is

near Talihina, Okla.

This is the drive that was started in 1963 and will be completed

this year. This highway received the enthusiastic support of Senator

Kerr when he was a member of the Public Works Committee of the

Senate. Before he died, he called me up to talk to him about his

dream to have an arboretum to he built somewhere along this drive.
4

This arboretum site has been selected just midway along .the highway

in the mountain-valley segment and will be developed as a nature

center and an arboretum to display native vegetation.

Senator Kerr saw the potential of this area for teaching natural

resource conservation in a real-life, on-the-ground atmosphere. He

envisioned the benefits that would accrue to students and others from

being able to study and enjoy the native animal, bird, and plant life

representative of the east Oklahoma-west Arkansas region in their

natural environment and concentrated in one facility, the proposed

arboretum and nature center. He recognized, also, the economic

benefits to this depressed area of the scenic drive as complemented

with an arboretum and nature center.

The proposed arboretum and nature center will be the nucleus

from which visitors can radiate out to the many other attractions in

a major complex of outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. What they see and learn there will give them a keener awareness

and understanding of the importance of the natural resources of the

area and make their whole visit more enjoyable.

Unlike the usual arboretum which exhibits mostly exotic plant

species, this one will use species native to the area. Some 120 or more

plant species and varieties have already been cataloged for possible

use in the arboretum. The visitors to this area will enjoy a wellbalanced and rewarding outdoor experience. It will be a place where

all ages can study and enjoy the flora, fauna, geology, history, and

ecology of an important part of our country. A carefully planned and

engineered trail will be constructed especially for the benefit of handicapped visitors. The arboretum and nature center will afford a

significant opportunity for the public to gain a better understanding

of natural resource conservation and the relationship of these natural

resources to man and his environment.

The arboretum and nature center, as an adjunct to the Talimena

Scenic Drive, should give a major economic boost to this rural mountain area. Before the turn of the century, we expect 1 million visitors

along the scenic drive each year. An estimated 400,000 of them are

expected to visit the arboretum and nature center. These visitors

are expected to add over $2,500,000 annually to the local economy.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that I think it most

appropriate that a development such as this become a memorial to

the efforts and the dreams of the late Senator Robert S. Kerr.

Before I do conclude, there has been placed in your hands a brochure

which describes this whole project in more detail. This brochure was

published at no cost to the public by the Robert S. Kerr Memorial

Arboretum Committee. This is a citizen's committee made up of

representatives of chambers of commerce, service clubs, and some

individuals from the surrounding communities, and there are other

supporters in other parts of the State.

You have before you a copy of our report in which the Secretary of

Agriculture endorses this bill. The report points out that we expect

that there.will be substantial private contributions to the financing

of the project. There is considerable interest in it. We estimate that

at least two-thirds of the cost of this development will come frbm private subscription.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
5

The CHAIRMAN. You anticipate that at least two-thirds of the cost

of this project will come from private subscription. I do not understand

that this bill provides for any authorization of appropriations. It

does not provide for anything except for the acceptance of private

contributions that you will get for these purposes; does it?

Mr. CLIFF. That is correct, Mr. Chairman. The Secretary of Agriculture already has authorization under his general authority to spend

money for this kind of a development program. I think the drafters of

the bill felt that additional authorization was not necessary.

The CHAIRMAN. I see. Well, now, what authority does he have?

'What is his present authority on this?

Mr. CLIFF. The general authority for the protection and management of national forests.

The CHAIRMAN. Of the national forests?

Mr. CLIFF. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. Tell us, if you would, about this. I am not entirely

familiar with it—not at all familiar with it. I know that there is such a

thing. Under what authority does this bill come?

Mr. CLIFF. The Talimena Scenic Drive is a part of the forest highway system. The forest highway system is financed under the authority

of the Federal Highway Act. It is the special system of roads or highways

of primary importance to States, counties, and communities within

and adjacent to the national forests.

The CHAIRMAN. How much of that is national forests?

That is a relatively small part of it, is it not, that is national forests?

Mr. CLIFF. I am not sure that you can see the colors on the map,

the shading. The shaded area is all national forest land. There are

some private holdings in that area, but the bulk is national forest

lands. On the scenic drive the rights-of-way have been acquired as

national forest land. The public owns the entire right-of-way from this

point here [indicating] to where it leaves national forest land over

here [indicating].

The CHAIRMAN. I see.

Mr. CLIFF. So that the whole drive is on national forest lands,

except one small section which goes through this State park here

[indicating].

The CHAIRMAN. What is that in distance, 50 miles?

Mr. CLIFF. It is 55 miles in length. It was financed with forest

highway funds and public land highway funds. It was 100 percent

federally financed. It will be finished this year at a cost of approximately $8,400,000.

The CHAIRMAN. And how much do you anticipate will be spent on

the arboretum?

Mr. CLIFF. We estimate the planning and development cost for

the arboretum and the nature center, which would be built over a

period of 3 years or more is about $1,500,000. The operating cost after

construction is completed is estimated to be $150,000 per year.

The CHAIRMAN. Will there be fees charged?

Mr. CLIFF. We have not made up our minds on that, that is for

the use of the arboretum. This is still under consideration. We have

not come to a conclusion yet.

The CHAIRMAN. You will not charge any fees for using the roadway?

92-425-68 2
6

Mr. CLIFF. No, there is no fee charged for the use of the scenic

drive and there will be many scenic and recreation attractions to be

enjoyed by visitors to this area.

The blue spots shown on the scenic drive show observation points,

for instance, where you can go off the road and view the scenery.

The orange spots represent historic sites.

The green spots represent camp and picnic grounds.

There are many opportunities along this drive for general recreation.

We think that the arboretum will be a focal point for nature study.

We are trying to hold things together so that people will have an

opportunity to view it all.

The CHAIRMAN. I think this is a very fine thing. I am in favor of

more of these scenic areas of this kind. I think now is a time to get

them developed, so that the lands will not become so valuable that

they will be out of reach, and we need them and have needed them for

many years.

Mr. Miller?

Mr. MILLER. You mentioned the operating costs.

• Perhaps you had in mind phase 1 and phase 2, when you spoke of

approximately $150,000 per year. I notice in the brochure you have

passed out that we have a three-phase proposition as to operating

costs which come to a quarter of a million dollars, $247,000.

Mr. CLIFF. That is the total for the 3-year period, Mr. Miller.

Mr. MILLER. That is for a 3-year period?

Mr. CLIFF. Yes, sir, and after the third year, after phase 3 is

completed, we estimate that it will cost about $150,000 a year to

operate it. It will mean from four to six permanent people and,

possibly, three or four seasonal employees to see that this is carried

on. There will be maintenance costs as well.

Mr. MILLER. There must be something different than what shows

here where you show phases 1, 2, and 3. Are we not speaking about

phase 1?

Mr. CLIFF. No; we recognize that this has to be financed.

If we can get contributions and, as the budgetary situation permits,

appropriation of public funds.

Mr. MILLER. When I speak of the operating costs, I notice it is

"annually." This is in the brochure.

Mr. CLIFF. I would like to point out, Mr. Miller and Mr. Chairman,

that these estimates that appear on page 10 of the brochure were

made by the consulting firm that was employed by this citizens committee. These were made 2 years ago. The development costs and

some of the operating costs are higher now by about 10 percent, so

that the $150,000 is a revised estimate of what the operating costs

may be.

Mr. MILLER. Frankly, I do not understand when it says that the

operating costs annually is $38,000 for phase 1, $82,000 for phase 2,

$127,000 for phase 3. Those total costs come to $247,000 for the total

operating costs annually. It so states here in the pamphlet.

The CHAIRMAN. That is per year.

Mr. CLIFF. It is per year.

It was built up on the assumption that phase 1 would be built in

1 year, phase 2 would be built in the second year, that phase 3 would

be built in the third year, so that it would be an aggregate of $247,000.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any other questions?
7

Mr. Purcell?

Mr. PURCELL. Just one question, please, sir.

When you build a road like this, Mr. Cliff, who retains jurisdiction

and responsibility for its maintenance and law enforcement and

things of that kind over that road?

Mr. CLIFF. The general situation, Mr. Purcell, is that it becomes a

State road in the national forests, and the State retains the police

power. As to this particular road, I am not sure just when or if the

State will take it over.

I would like to ask Mr. Howlett, one of our engineers, just what

the answer to that is.

Mr. Howlett informs me that this will be a State highway in both

States and that they will assume the responsibility for maintaining

it in their respective States, and they will retain the police power.

Mr. PURCELL. Thank you.

The CHAIRMAN. You just said that they would assume the responsibility of their maintenance?

Mr. CLIFF. Of the highway, yes, sir. That is the general situation

on these forest highway systems.

The CHAIRMAN. You build the road and then they maintain it;

is that it?

Mr. CLIFF. Yes, that is correct. The road there is actually built

under contracts supervised by the State highway departments.

The CHAIRMAN. But to Federal standards?

Mr. CLIFF. Yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. From forest funds?

Mr. CLIFF. Yes; that is correct, public lands highway funds and

forest highway funds.

The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Teague?

Mr. TEAGUE of California. The cost situation is not entirely clear

to me. I understand that the capital outlay will be $1,500,000, and

you hope that two-thirds of that will be contributed by the public;

is that correct?

Mr. CLIFF. That is correct.

Mr. TEAGUE of California. When all three phases are complete,

what will the annual cost be then?

Mr. CLIFF. The annual cost is estimated to be $150,000 per year

after the development is completed.

Mr. TEAGUE of California. I thought Mr. Miller brought out a

figure that indicated that it would be in the neighborhood of $240,000

instead of $150,000. I do not get that difference.

Mr. CLIFF. The $247,000 that we were talking about is made up

of the annual costs in the first development phase plus the operating

costs during the second phase of development plus the operating costs

in phase 3 for development, and they add up to $247,000 on this table

in the brochure.

Mr. TEAGUE of California. Regardless of what the table states,

your testimony is that the annual cost will be in the neighborhood of

$150,000 when all three phases are completed: is that correct?

Mr. CLIFF. That is correct.

Mr. TEAGUE of California. Thank you, that is all, Mr. Chairman.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any other questions?

If there are no other questions, Mr. Cliff, we are very much obliged

to you and to your associates.
8

Mr. Albert will be here in about 15 minutes. The committee has

another matter that it would like to take up at this time, and, if possible, in executive session. I do not want to be rude to anyone, but I

wonder if our visitors might wait outside for just a few minutes while

we dispose of a little matter while waiting for Mr. Albert.

You will be very welcome to come back in just a few moments.

(Whereupon, at 10:30 a.m., the committee retired into executive

session, which proceedings were not reported.)

(Whereupon, at 10:45 a.m., the committee reconvened in open

session, and the following occurred:)

The CHAIRMAN. The committee will be in order. We are delighted,

Mr. Albert, to have you with us. I know of very few returnees to this

committee who are treated with applause when they arrive. It certainly

is a pleasure to note that your former colleagues are glad to have you

back with us. We are glad that you are back on a matter that concerns

all of us.

We will be glad to have you testify as to southeastern Oklahoma.

STATEMENT OF HON. CARL ALBERT, A REPRESENTATIVE IN

CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Mr. ALBERT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I hope that applause did not mean that I was coming back, but not

as a member. I am sincerely glad to be back with the committee with

whom I have had my closest association as a Member of Congress

and on which I spent most of the years of my service in Congress.

Since I left here I have been an itinerant committee member, going

from place to place, a sort of committee hopper, and have served on

several committees, but the Committee on Agriculture, so far as I

am concerned, is still the committee of committees, and regardless

of what some people might think, I think agriculture is still the most

important business in the country and that this committee is the

most important committee in the House. I say that from the bottom

of my heart.

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to appear here this morning

in support of my bill, H.R. 15822, cosponsored by the gentleman from

Arkansas, Mr. Hammerschmidt, and the gentleman from Oklahoma,

Mr. Edmondson. I am sorry I did not hear Mr. Cliff's testimony,

because I know that he has more of the facts than I.

The CHAIRMAN. He did not hurt your chances any.

Mr. ALBERT. He did not? I just hope I do not cross him anywhere.

I want us to be consistent, because I think we have something to be

consistent about.

The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the

Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center in the

Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma. I am particularly appreciative

of your kindness and consideration in so expeditiously scheduling this

bill for consideration by your committee.

I appreciate the fact that the Department which has given this

arboretum enthusiastic endorsement has cooperated in making the

information available so quickly.

The proposed Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum and Nature

Center would be a major facility within the recreational complex being

developed in the Ouachita National Forest in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
9

This forest is located, as you have already seen on the map, in eastern

Oklahoma and western Arkansas and contains some of the most

beautiful scenery to be found in the country, although most people

not living in the area are unaware of that fact. I might say, if it has

not already been brought out, that it is one of the rarest mountain

ranges in the United States. It is the remnants of the oldest known

mountain range in the world. It is the only important mountain range

in the United States that runs east and west. It has the highest peak

between the Appalachians and the Rockies; namely, Rich Mountain,

which is located on the Oklahoma-Arkansas line. The arboretum will

be on the west edge of that famous peak. It is one of the most beautiful mountains in our section.

Access to this area in the Ouachita Mountains has been provided by

construction within the Ouachita National Forest of the 55-mile-long

Talimena Scenic Drive, a "skyline drive" running from Talihina,

Okla., to Mena, Ark. It is a forest recreational highway authorized

and constructed to further the development of the full potential of

the public lands comprising the Ouachita National Forest, and to

help satisfy the increasing demands for a better understanding of

nature and to provide additional opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Talimena Scenic. Drive is the heart of the recreational complex

being developed within the Ouachita National Forest. It will include

such items, of course, as historical sites, natural areas, campgrounds

and picnic areas, observation sites, and hiking trails. However, there

are no existing nature centers located in mid-America, and many of

us have felt, and feel strongly, that the Ouachita National Forest

and the Talimena Scenic Drive is an ideal location for an arboretum

and nature center to display the more than 100 varieties of native

American trees and shrubs which abound in the area. I think that 67

specific species of trees have been identified in the immediate area,

and some 30 additional shrub-type plants. The head of the department of forestry at Oklahoma State University told me that he had

personally identified some 150 species of plants in this area, from the

grasses to the tallest trees.

Those of us who knew him and worked with him—and I know I am

joined in this by thousands of Oklahomans who knew and loved him—

feel that such an arboretum and nature center would be a fitting and

proper memorial for Oklahoma's late Senator, Robert S. Kerr. Bob

Kerr was born near what was then Ada, Indian Territory, in September 1896, in a log cabin. This is on the western edge of the hill country

of eastern Oklahoma. From these humble beginnings, he rose to be one

of Oklahoma's outstanding private citizens and chairman of the board

of one of the mightiest industrial corporations. He was elected Governor of Oklahoma in 1942 and served in that capacity from January

1943 to January 1947. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1948 and

served continuously in that body until his death on January 1, 1963.

Throughout his life, both as a private citizen and as a public servant,

Bob Kerr was a forceful and vocal advocate for conservation of all

our natural resources. He was the leader in conserving and developing

eastern Oklahoma's great water resources and in constructing the

Arkansas River project, which will aid in developing other natural

resources in this heartland of America. The Arkansas River is just

north of this mountain range and is very close to it. He wrote a famous
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book entitled "Land, Wood, and Water," in which he spoke eloquently

of the importance of preserving and protecting the great heritage of

sour natural resources.

The arboretum and nature center proposed in the bill before you

would be a fitting and lasting memorial to this great man. We propose

to construct it in Le Flore County, near where he had his home during

the last years of his life, just north of this area. It would be a great

• outdoor laboratory that would be open to both scholars and the

casual visitor. Bob Kerr believed that we should develop our natural

resources for the benefit and enjoyment of all, and the center proposed

in this bill would do just that— it would provide a beautiful planned

setting for visitors to view the bounties of nature.

In addition, it is estimated there will be substantial social and economic benefits from a center of this kind. It is estimated that over

40,000 school-age children will use the facilities as an educational

center each year: that yearly visits will total about 350,000; that

visitors dollars added to the local economy will amount to more than

$2.5 million annually, and that based on an entrance fee of 25 cents

for those over 12 years of age, returns to the arboretum itself will

total over $80,000 annually.

This is an operating forest and moneymaker. The Forest Service

not only manages it, it sells timber which brings in revenue and provides

a considerable amount of money in lieu of taxes for local governments.

As is pointed out in the departmental report on this bill, a suitable

site has been selected for the arboretum and nature center which is

to be located on a 350-acre tract of national forest land adjacent to the

Talimena Scenic Drive, just east of U.S. Highway 259 in Le Flore

County, Okla. The Government already owns all of this land.

The total development plan required includes the building complex—

which involves an office, amphitheater, classroom, display areas, landscaping, planting of native vegetation, and demonstration areas,

exhibits, a 30-acre lake, and picnic facilities. There will be hiking trails

and drivethroughs for automobiles. A special feature of it will be a trail

planned and designed to accommodate physically handicapped persons.

Since introducing this bill, I have been contacted by a number of

persons in Oklahoma expressing support for it. I have a few letters

which I would like to present, Mr. Chairman, for inclusion in the

committee's record. Included is a letter from Dr. Charles J. Mankin,

director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey, in which he points out

the geological importance of the Ouachita Mountains and how the

proposed nature center would provide a vital source of information, an

outdoor laboratory, for geologists from all over the world.

I would like to read a few excerpts from some of these letters. So far

as I have been able to find out, every major enterprise in Oklahoma and

in Arkansas interested in the out of doors, interested in plantlife,

interested in animal life, interested in geology is an enthusiastic

supporter of this project.

I first would like to read an abstract from a letter addressed to me

by Dr. Mankin, director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey. We are

very proud of our geology school at the University of Oklahoma,

because Oklahoma geologists and petroleum engineers are in every

major oilfield in the free world without a single exception. They have

been in on the discovery of every major oilfield in the United States.
11

It is a great school, headed up by great men. And speaking of the

-geology of this area, the Humble Oil & Refining Co., which is the

major producing arm of the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey, is so

interested in this area that it has contributed to the University of

Oklahoma Geology School an experiment station. Of course, they are

in it for business—business alone, and it is to study, among other

things, the formations of the Ouachita Mountains. They tell me that

you can find outcroppings here that you would have to drill 50 or

more miles in certain parts of the world to find the same strata.

The CHAIRMAN. Would you yield right there?

Mr. ALBERT. Yes.

The CHAIRMAN. I want to pay tribute to the people of Oklahoma.

I think that the highway department is responsible for it in the

Ouachita Mountains. I speak with reference to the signs they have

put up. You will recall that north of Ardmore that there is a whole

series of signs as to the outcrops of various formfttions.

Mr. ALBERT. In the Arbuckle Range.

The CHAIRMAN. Yes; that is where it is. There are some of the

oldest outcrops. They have put a sign up at each outcrop. I have never

seen a State do it before. I think it is the best outdoor exposition of

geology I have ever seen anywhere in the world.

Mr. ALBERT. That has been done in cooperation with the Geology

Department of the University of Oklahoma. It has been an outdoor

laboratory for many years. I went down there myself and looked at

some of the outcrops and tried to identify some of the rocks as a part

,of my studies at the University of Oklahoma.

The greatest new gasfield in Oklahoma—and I suppose in the Nation—has been developed just over the mountains north of the

Ouachita National Forest, in Latimer and Le Flore Counties, Okla.

As I have said, Humble has built an experiment station and has

given it to the University of Oklahoma, and Humble is not an Oklahoma institution. It has its headquarters in Houston, Tex. It has

built this for the University of Oklahoma Geology School. The president of Humble and his immediate predecessors were both from Oklahoma, but that had nothing whatever to do with their locating this

laboratory in my State. I would like to read a few excerpts from Dr.

Mankin's letter. Dr. Mankin is the head of the Geology Department

of the University of Oklahoma and the head of the geological survey.

He says:

The pending legislation concerning the establishment of an arboretum and

nature center in the Ouachita Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma is of particular importance to those interested in the earth and botanical sciences. Because

of my interest in the earth sciences, I will confine my remarks to that aspect.

The Ouachita Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas

are an exposed portion of a mountain range that once extended an estimated

distance of 1,300 miles from Northern Mexico to Alabama. The extent of this

range ranks it among the major geologic structures of the world. Geologic events

have led to the erosion and burial of this structure so that today only about 275

miles of its length can be seen at the surface. Almost all of this exposure is in the

Ouachita Mountains, of which about 100 miles is in Oklahoma. The Ouachitas

are therefore critically important to the study of the geologic history of North

America and some of the fundamental problems of geology in general. The area

is frequently visited by geologists from all parts of the world; its structural features are similar to the Alps and Carpathians, and, for this reason, are of particular interest to European scientists. A display of geologic and physiographic

maps and cross sections at this center would provide a focal point for visitors

:and students of the earth sciences in their studies of this area.
12

Some of the formations exposed in the Ouachita Mountains contain abundant

fossil plants. Specimens collected from these formations are contained in natural

history museums throughout the world. Numerous paleobotanists have studied

these fossil plants and their work has brought about a better understanding of

the geologic history of the Midcontinent region of the United States. Exhibitsof these fossil plants would materially add to the importance of this center.

To sum up the importance of this project, I wish to point out the value of

this center to students in the earth sciences. Colleges and universities located

within the State of Oklahoma and in neighboring states could make valuableuse of such a center as a focal point for field trips and independent study programs. For example, the School of Geology and Geophysics at the University

of Oklahoma would be able to make extensive use of this facility in its undergraduate and graduate programs. I know that the alumni of this department

(more than forty-four hundred geologists) would immediately recognize theimportance of this project and would strongly support its approval.

I hope this information will prove helpful in obtaining support for the passageof the bill to establish the arboretum and nature center. The School of Geology

and Geophysics and the Oklahoma Geological Survey strongly support the idea

and are ready to assist in its development. Please feel free to call on me for

whatever additional assistance I may be able to provide.

Also included is a letter from Dr. J. Lamar Teate, assistant professor

of forestry at Oklahoma State University, in which he expressed hisview that the proposed arboretum will be of significant value:

I am writing this letter to urge your support for the establishment and maintenance of the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum on the Ouachita National_

Forest here in Oklahoma. Since I teach dendrology in the Department of Forestry

at 0.S. U., I am particularly interested in this project. I believe the people of

Oklahoma have only recently recognized the value of the Ouchita National_

Forest to our state. The establishment of the arboretum will, in my opinion, be of

significant value to the people at large and in particular to the institution of

higher learning here in Oklahoma. I encourage you to support this measure.

Also, a letter from Dr. John E. Thomas, professor and head of the'

Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oklahoma State University, in which he says: "The Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center

would be a valuable addition to our overall natural science teaching.

programs at all stages of education." And I have additional letterssupporting this project.

I would like to quote from one.

I am writing in regard to the proposed Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum

and Nature Center to be located in eastern Oklahoma.

This area, of some 350 acres, lying between Rich Mountain and Winding Stair

Mountain and next to the new Talimena Scenic Drive is ideal for such a project.

There are already some 65 species of trees native to the area. This part of the

United States has needed this type of a facility for many years. It would serve

students, nature lovers, and those who just enjoy being out-of-doors, from many

stal The area would be readily accessible from north-south and east-west

highways.

There would be foot trails, roads, and trails for the handicapped, also picnic

and rest facilities.

Mr. Chairman, let me again thank you and the members of the committee for your consideration in hearing this bill at this time. I believe

the memorial arboretum and nature center proposed by H.R. 15822'

will be of great benefit not only to the people of Oklahoma and

Arkansas but to the people of the entire Nation. It will provide a

setting in which visitors from across the country, and indeed from.:

throughout the world, can view in a planned and designed and natural setting the many varieties of flora abundant in mid-America

and in the Ouachita National Forest. As one of my correspondents

who has written me about this bill has said, "It would serve students).
13

nature lovers, and those who just enjoy being out of doors, from

many States."

I sincerely hope that you approve of this proposed legislation and

that you will see fit to order the bill reported for the consideration

of the House.

The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the letters to which you have

referred and from which you have quoted, will be made a part of the

record in full at this point.

(The letters referred to follow:)

Hon. CARL ALBERT,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR, MR. ALBERT: The pending legislation concerning the establishment of

an arboretum and nature center in the Ouachita Mountains, of southeastern Oklahoma is of particular importance to those interested in the earth and botanical

sciences. Because of my interest in the earth sciences, I will confine my remarks

to that aspect.

The Ouachita Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas

are an exposed portion of a mountain range that once extended an estimated

distance of 1,300 miles from northern Mexico to Alabama. The extent of this

range ranks it among the major geological structures of the world. Geologic

events have led to the erosion and burial of this structure so that today only about

275 miles of its length can be seen at the surface. Almost all of this exposure is

in the Ouachita Mountains, of which about 100 miles is in Oklahoma. The

Ouachitas are therefore critically important to the study of the geologic history of

North America and some of the fundamental problems of geology in general. The

area is frequently visited by geologists from all parts of the world; its structural

features are similar to the Alps and Carpathians, and, for this reason, are of particular interest to European scientists. A display of geologic and physiographic

maps and cross sections at this center would provide a focal point for visitors and

students of the earth sciences in their studies of this area.

Some of the formations exposed in the Ouachita Mountains contain abundant

fossil plants. Specimens collected from these formations are contained in natural

history museums throughout the world. Numerous paleobotanists have studied

these fossil plants and their work has brought about a better understanding of

the geologic history of the Midcontinent region of the United States. Exhibits of

these fossil plants would materially add to the importance of this center.

To sum up the importance of this project, I wish to point out the value of this

center to students in the earth sciences. Colleges and universities located within

the State of Oklahoma and in neighboring states could make valuable use of such

a center as a focal point for field trips and independent study programs. For

example the School of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Oklahoma

would be able to make extensive use of this facility in its undergraduate and

graduate programs. I know that the alumni of this department (more than fortyfour hundred geologists) would immediately recognize the importance of this

project and would strongly support its approval.

I hope this information will prove helpful in obtaining support for the passage

of the bill to establish the arboretum and nature center. The School of Geology

and Geophysics and the Oklahoma Geological Survey strongly support the idea,

and are ready to assist in its development. Please feel free to call on me for whatever additional assistance I may be able to provide.

Sincerely yours,

CHARLES J. MANKIN, Director.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA,

Norman, Okla. March 15, 1968.

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

Oklahoma City, Okla., March 15, 1968.

CARL ALBERT,

Member of Congress, Third District of Oklahoma,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ALBERT: I am writing in regard to the proposed Robert S. Kerr

Memorial Arboretum and Nature Center to be located in eastern Oklahoma.
14

This area, of some 350 acres, lying between Rich Mountain and Winding Stair

Mountain and next to the new Talimena Scenic Drive is ideal for such a project.

There are already some 65 species of trees native to the area. This part of the

United States has needed this type of a facility for many years. It would serve

students, nature lovers, and those who just enjoy being out-of-doors, from many

states. The area would be readily accessible from north-south and east-west

highways.

There would be foot trails, roads, and trails for the handicapped, also picnic

and rest facilities.

With the great need for preserving nautral areas for this and future generations

it is my sincere belief that this project would be of great benefit for many thousands

each year. The fact that additional trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses would becontinually added would increase its value and attract people back time after

time.

I sincerely hope that this project can be given top priority this year. The facility

will attract a considerable number of tourists and help greatly in improving the

economic condition of a large area.

Very truly yours,

DONALD E. STAUFFER, Director.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, STILLWATER,

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY,

March 15, 1968.

Hon. CARL ALBERT,

Congressman from the Third District, Oklahoma,

Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I am writing this letter to urge your support for theestablishment and maintenance of the Robert S. Kerr Memorial Arboretum on

the Ouachita National Forest here in Oklahoma. Since I teach dendrology in the

Department of Forestry at 0.S.U., I am particularly interested in this project..

I believe the people of Oklahoma have only recently recognized the value of the

Ouachita National Forest to our state. The establishment of the arboretum will,

in my opinion, be of significant value to the people at large and in particular to•

the institution of higher learning here in Oklahoma. I encourage you to support

this measure.

Sincerely,

Hon. CARL ALBERT,

House of Representatives,

U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. ALBERT: As a citizen of Oklahoma as well as a biological scientist

I should like to urge your support for the measures to develop the Talimena

Parkway and the Kerr Arboretum.

The Kerr Arboretum and Nature Center would be a valuable addition to our

overall natural science teaching programs at all stages of education. I can visualize

classes from secondary schools as well as colleges using these as valuable learning

tools. As a botanist the diversified flora of eastern Oklahoma has always fascinated

me and this Arboretum would permit many people to actually become acquainted

with this flora. We here at the University would hope to become involved in the

planning and developing of this Arboretum if it becomes a reality.

Aside from the direct educational value this drive and Arboretum would be of

great interest to all citizens who just like to be out-of-doors.

Again I would request that you strongly support this enterprise as I feel that

it will be an extremely valuable public asset.

Sincerely yours,

J. LAMAR TEATE,

Assistant Professor.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, STILLWATER,

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY,

March 14, 1968.

JOHN E. THOMAS,

Professor and Head.
15

Mr. ALBERT. Another reason that I want this bill enacted is that

we are acquiring, and doing the best we can to get contributions for

as much of this work as we possible can get. We hope that friends of

Senator Kerr and various interested industries in the development of

this area will want to help out. We need an authorization; we need the

planning money. Local people have already started collecting money.

Here is an article from the Daily Oklahoman, date lined Pateau, Okla.,

county seat of the county in which this is located, and one of the poorer

counties in Oklahoma pointing out that local communities have raised

$5,000 with which to lielp prepare this brochure and other data

connected with this in advertising this project.

I think it is a worthy project. I hope that you will give it such consideration as you believe it deserves.

Thank you very much.

The CHAIRMAN. We are delighted to have had you here with us.

We know that you have an appointment downtown. We would like

to have you here the rest of the morning, but that is impossible. We are

glad to have had you.

Mr. ALBERT. Thank you.

The CHAIRMAN. Is there anyone else to be heard on this legislation,

H.R. 15822? If not, that closes the proceedings on this bill.

(Whereupon, at 11:10 a.m., the committee proceeded to the consideration of other matters.)

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