Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 605

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 7

MEMORIALIZING AND URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION TO THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE IN THE 1974 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET IN AN AMOUNT AT LEAST EQUAL TO THE APPROPRIATION IN THE 1973 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AND URGING THE DELAWARE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE AT THE 1973 FISCAL YEAR LEVEL.

WHEREAS, the preservation of the soil, water, forests, and wildlife of Delaware and of this nation is necessary; and

WHEREAS, we believe the preservation of these resources is the responsibility of all people; and

WHEREAS, farmers and other landowners, through conservation practices, have made Delaware a more beautiful State for both rural and urban people to enjoy; and

WHEREAS, soil loss, previously recognized as detrimental to the production of agricultural crops, is now recognized as a major pollutant of rivers, lakes, and streams; and

WHEREAS, control of erosion, sediment production, and runoff containing fertilizer and pesticide residues are of such significance that greater control is in the public interest; and

WHEREAS, the Agricultural Conservation Program, providing incentives to landowners for rural environmental improvement of private lands, has been eliminated; and

WHEREAS, the technical services program, providing services to farmers and other landowners through the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, have been curtailed by impoundment of funds appropriated to the Soil Conservation Service; and

WHEREAS, further reductions in both funds and services for programs affecting whole communities and watersheds are proposed in the 1974 fiscal year budget of the Soil Conservation Service; and

WHEREAS, major reductions are proposed for both the Watershed Program and the Resource Conservation and Development Program, two programs having area-wide impacts on resource protection and development in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has budgeted its activities to meet its obligations toward planning, staffing, and funding based on mutual efforts of local, county, state, and federal areas of cooperation as stated in work plans and other articles of agreement,

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 127th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Congress of the United States is respectfully urged to make an appropriation to the Soil Conservation Service in the 1974 fiscal year budget in an amount at least equal to the appropriation in the 1973 fiscal year budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Delaware Senators William V. Roth, Jr. and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., and the State Representative in Congress, Pierre S. duPont, IV, are urged to give their wholehearted support to the appropriation of funds at the 1973 fiscal year level to the Soil Conservation Service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State be directed to transmit duly attested copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States; to the Vice President of the United States; to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Agriculture; to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations; to the Secretary of Agriculture; and to the Delaware Congressional Delegation.

Approved April 10, 1973.