163 



13 

 With the establishment of the National Biological Survey, this 

 administration aims to enhance the technical support and broaden 

 the partnerships in the area of air pollution effects on biological 

 resources. The National Biological Survey has established a 

 national air quality research program associated with the Survey's 

 National Ecology Research Center in Colorado. At present, the 

 program involves air quality specialists transferred from the 

 National Park Service. In air quality decision-making arenas, the 

 science plays a central role in determining policy and regulatory 

 measures. Over time, therefore, the Department will increasingly 

 rely on the National Biological Survey to provide the bureaus and 

 the Federal Land Manager information on pollution effects in Class 

 I areas nationwide. 



As I reviewed the 1990 GAO report and hearing transcript, I 

 realized that this Subcommittee would probably appreciate some good 

 news about the Fish and Wildlife Service's air quality program. I 

 can assure you that I have a more positive report today. Since 

 1990, the Service's Air Quality Branch has increased from two to 

 five people, and has developed an "Air Quality Management Plan" to 

 define the needs of the Service's 21 Class I areas, including 

 monitoring, resource inventories, data analysis, regulatory 

 strategies, and permit review. With a budget initiative in FY94 

 increasing the funding to $651,000, the Service has started to 

 implement the highest priority needs set forth in the plan. 

 Details about the Service's efforts appear in the materials 



