crop depredations in the Sacramento Valley. To neglect these repairs would seriously hamper the operational program which would ultimately result in a decrease in food production on the refuge and also in severe depredation to adjacent private fields of rice. In addition, water manipulation controls are required to combat botulism and fowl cholera, both of which are prevalent in the three refuges involved.

Flooding from the Sacramento River, Sacramento River Bypass, and the important 2047 irrigation canal caused extensive damages to refuge units and roads. Funds requested are to repair 2 miles of dikes and levees at a cost of $26,000.

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington - $80,000: This 2,483 acre refuge is located on the Columbia River, approximately 15 miles north of Vancouver, Washington. The area serves as a wintering area for large numbers of ducks and geese, and supports a controlled waterfowl hunting program. Last year, approximately 2,500 hunters participated in the hunt.

During the spring of 1969, high waters in the Columbia River Basin caused a severe erosion of 1,800 feet of the river embankments.

There is danger that the dike will be breached in 1970 if repairs are not accomplished prior to that time. The dike protects 1,200 acres of important waterfowl habitat, including the public hunting area. Repairs will consist of hauling fill, grading the slopes, and riprapping in floodproofing measures.