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would be used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire lands within 

 National Wildlife Refuges in Florida, thereby further protecting Endangered 

 Species with no outlay of appropriated funds by the federal government. 



The lands in question are immediately east of Everglades National 

 Park and will be managed by the Water Management District in a manner to 

 benefit the Park through its control of water deliveries. The management of 

 these lands has long been a controversial issue in South Florida and Its 

 addition to the public domain will help ensure that it will be protected and 

 used in an environmentally-sound manner. 



In addition to these evironmental benefits. Aerojet, a major 

 contractor for projects in both the national defense and space efforts, would 

 acquire land it badly needs to expand its facilities and Nevada would gain 

 the jobs and other economic benefits that would result therefrom. 



Mr. Chairman, there is another issue involving Aerojet-owned lands 

 just north of those included in this proposal which, though related to this 

 is not and should not be considered as part of this legislation. I refer to 

 an area known as the Frog Pond which is presently being leased on a 

 year-to-year basis by tomato farmers who formerly were able to farm land in 

 the Hole-in- the-Doughnut area of the Everglades National Park until the 

 federal government terminated that useage. The Aerojet lands now being 

 farmed are the only suitable remaining land available for farming in South 

 Dade County. They provide forty per cent of the nation's winter tomato 

 supply. There has been much concern expressed about the Impact of 

 agricultural activities on the ecology of the Park as a result of the water 

 delivery schedules in this area. While the Park Service has repeatedly 



