18 



structure support for food and agricultural science and natural re- 

 source systems, including badly needed ARS facilities. 



In summary, at the present time there are just too many projects 

 being initiated without sufficient funds being available to finish 

 them. We have detailed information on projects currently underway 

 which we can supply at the committee's request. ARS has many fa- 

 cilities built 20 to 50 years ago that require replacement or mod- 

 ernization. There are planning and design initiatives luiderway to 

 construct or modernize a number of facilities after a multiple-step 

 process to set priorities. 



Again, in regard to closing and/or consolidation of facilities, ARS 

 has closed more than 30 facilities after very careful evaluation of 

 many factors. 



At this time, I have completed my prepared remarks and would 

 be pleased to respond to any questions the subcommittee may wish 

 to direct toward me or my colleague, Dr. Finney. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Carlson appears at the conclu- 

 sion of the hearing.] 



Mr. VOLKMER [assuming chair]. Thank you very much, Mr. 

 Carlson. We do have some questions. I think I will start. 



What is the current implied dollar value? That is, how much will 

 it cost to finish CSRS facilities which are already in the hopper at 

 the Department? 



Mr. Carlson. We have calculated on todays prices without any 

 inflation or anything else that it could be up to about $390 million. 



Mr. VoLKMER. Does that include just those that were earmarked 

 by the Congress? 



Mr. Carlson. Yes, those are the ones we are talking about. 



Mr. VoLKMER. Do you have any opinion as to the type of program 

 for facilities that you would like to see? 



Mr. Carlson. The type of facilities program we think is the 

 best — and the administration supports it — is one that is done on 

 the basis of a competitive program for research facilities. 



Mr. VoLKMER. How would that actually work? Give us an idea 

 of how that would work. 



Mr. Carlson. We also run the competitive research grants pro- 

 gram, which is a national research initiative, and have had a bit 

 of experience on how those operate. 



Mr. VOLKMER. Those are operational funds? 



Mr. Carlson. That is correct. But the first thing you have to 

 have if you have a competitive program is the establishment of re- 

 search priorities for the Nation. It was mentioned by Congressman 

 Brown that there is a process that is undertaken by the Coopera- 

 tive State Research Service as well as the Agricultural Research 

 Service, although ARS does not affect this. 



The process was started nearly a decade ago to develop an ongo- 

 ing rolling strategic plan for priorities in research in this country. 

 This involves the experiment stations. It involves the Cooperative 

 State Research Service and others. When it started, initially there 

 were 500 people who were consulted for their input. It involved 

 users, scientists, and so forth. 



I just happen to have with me the latest, which was put out in 

 February of 1992, which was the update of the plan in 1990. It is 

 brought out every 4 years on the full plan. There is another large 



