164 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 



setting aside Lower Klamath Lake, Oregon, as a sanctuary, in which 

 he said, 'this is one of the greatest wild fowl nurseries in the United 

 States. * * * An outdoni- museum * * * which will prove 

 of great educational value.' 



"And in the report of F. L. Lathrop in 1932 which states, 'Lower 

 Klamath Lake Avas drained after much difficult}- and expense and 

 dried u]) — devastated hy numerous fires and ahandouod as unfit for 

 agricultural development.' " 



Another specific project recommended by this committee that 

 will improve migratory waterfowl conditions for California is the 

 proposal to retire from agricultural development a large portion of 

 the submarginal lands adjacent to Malheur Lake, Oregon, aud permit 

 them to revert into waterfowl breeding grounds. 



The restoration of migratory waterfowl nesting areas throughout 

 the Nation is the first and most immediate concern of this connnittee. 

 They recommend the speedy acquisition of 4,000,000 acres of land 

 potentially or actually suitable for this purpose, same to become invio- 

 late when acquired. To insure immediate possession and control and 

 still provide time for careful surveys, proper selection aud construc- 

 tion work, the committee suggested one-year leases at 5 per cent of the 

 purchase price with options to buy at an agreed price any time during 

 the lease period. 



The committee recommended the purchase of 5,000,000 acres of 

 submarginal land suitable for development and management as ujiland 

 game (grouse, quail, wild turkey, rabbits, etc.) areas, and advocated 

 the ultimate acquisition of 10,000,000 acres for this purpose. Such 

 land Avould not necessarily become inviolate, but regulated shooting 

 under State supervision might later be permitted on it at such a time as 

 the game populations become sufficient. 



The purchase of at least 1,000,000 acres of areas known to com- 

 prise the nesting grounds of such song, insectivorous, ornamental and 

 nongame birds as are becoming scarce was urged by the committee. 

 Some instances in this connection related to the nesting sites of herons, 

 cranes and the long-billed curlew, many of which have been encroached 

 upon by agricultural development. 



The committee recommended the acquisitiou of 2,000,000 acres 

 needed for the restoration of big game aninuils and fur bearers, which 

 should include the purchase of outlying farms or ranches where graz- 

 ing privileges interfere with the protection of wild-life ranges. There 

 are undoubtedly many instances in California where our deer, elk, 

 antelope and mountain sheep may be enormously relieved under this 

 plan. 



The President's Committee also advocated the withdrawal of graz- 

 ing privileges on extensive tracts of public domain, and in the national 

 parks and forests where the acreage necessary to graze a head is too 

 great to permit of any profit, and the repurchase of the water rights 

 in such areas. It urged that the government take title to all reversion 

 land in the public domain and retain same for the restoration of wild 

 life and improvement of soil conditions. 



It is the intention to carry out the above purchase program by the 

 use of $25,000,000 emergency funds which President Koosevelt has 

 made available for the purpose. The committee asked that an addi- 



