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acting appropriately. SCS, which is authorized to provide technical assistance to design projects decided 

 on by local sponsors, traditionally has neglected to provide the necessary guidance and authority to reject 

 poor decisions made by local project sponsors. Other agencies lacking SCS's close ties to traditional PL- 

 566 proponents should have more resolve to reject unsound projects. 



Furthermore, Citizens Oversight Committees arc created in each state to monitor implementation 

 relative to the stated program objectives. These committees are essential as an additional layer of 

 oversight to ensure this component of the program serves broader public interests than PL-566 traditionally 

 has. 



Improvements to H.R. 4289 



WMI has only a few recommendations for improvements to H.R. 4289. First, we believe it is 

 critical that the federal cost-share rates be revised to foster environmentally sound projects and discourage 

 high-impact activities. H.R. 4289 should amend PL-566 to provide 75-percent cost-share for all activities. 

 This change would make structural options less appealing, while land treatment and floodplain easements 

 would be more attractive to local project sponsors. 



Second, PL-566 should be amended so that the "Stream Obstruction Removal Guidelines" (SORG), 

 produced in 1983 by The Wildlife Society, the American Fisheries Society, and the International 

 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, are to be used instead of channelization or intensive snagging 

 and clearing when projects are conducted to restore streamflow capacity to reduce flooding. SORG is an 

 environmentally sensitive method designed to aid in correcting stream problems and restoring normal flow, 

 when decisions have been made to restore such flow. SORG is a positive alternative to channelization 

 or intensive snagging and clearing. A copy of the Stream Obstruction Removal Guidelines is attached. 



Third, the checks and balances provided by the interdisciplinary review teams need strengthening. 

 The requirement that two federal members of the teams oppose a project before it is elevated will make 

 the provision less effective or even ineffective in certain areas of the country. In locations where 

 Environmental Protection Agency or National Marine Fisheries Service personnel cannot participate, the 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service likely will provide the only environmental conscience. WMI recommends 

 one of two options: (1) reduce the number of dissentions required from two to one; or (2) allow state 

 agencies-such as the fish and wildlife agency or the water quality agency-to cast dissenting votes. 



Finally, in Section 4(1)(8), the definition of Stream Channel Quasi-equilibrium should be modified 

 to read: "The term 'stream channel quasi-equilibrium' means restoring historical channel geometries, 

 meanders, and slopes so that channel dimensions and floodplain zones are appropriately sized...." 



Mr. Chairman, WMI believes H.R. 4289 is a substantial step forward for the concept of the 

 watershed approach to land and water resource management and for a program that always has had 

 potential to make sound contributions to society and the environment. The proposed changes would 

 greatly broaden the constituency for the Small Watershed Program. A group of traditional supporters of 

 PL-566, the National Watershed Coalition, already has endorsed the bill in concept. A variety of 

 environmental groups also has indicated support. 



I also believe the recommendations offered by WMI would make a good bill even stronger. We 

 urge your favorable consideration of this bill. Thank you for the opportunity to present our views. 



