Public Administration ETDs

Publication Date

5-1974

Abstract

Fish and wildlife research is under pressure to solve new and very complex biological problems. The seriousness and complexity of these problems make it imperative that Federal and State cooperation be of maximum effectiveness. This study sought to determine what administrative and research people in the Fish and wildlife field perceived to be the research responsibilities of the States and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and in what areas the two levels of government could most effectively cooperate. Because Federal Aid programs to the States generate most of the revenue for re­ search, these programs were examined to determine their effectiveness in meeting State needs.

To answer these questions, ten copies of a questionnaire were sent to each State Game and Fish commission These questionnaires were designed to sample three levels of administration: (1) top management, (2) middle management, and (3) project leaders. A second, modified questionnaire was sent to members of the Federal Aid Division of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and a third questionnaire was sent to research people in the Bureau's Fish and Wildlife laboratories and Wildlife and Fishery Cooperative Units at universities. Personal inter­views with selected Federal and State officials were used to isolate and refine the problems addressed in this study.

There was a return rate of 45.5 percent from the questionnaire to the States, 42 percent from the Federal Aid Division and 35 percent from the Bureau's Research Division. Results showed that States now and in the near future will continue to emphasize research to answer management needs to maximize hunting and fishing. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife research is in a state of flux with emphasis turning to environmental and endangered species problems. Federal Aid personnel and cooperative research unit leaders are key individuals in improving research cooperation between the States and the Bureau. States are hampered by total dependence on hunters and fishermen for research funding and frequent lack of coordinated planning in establishing research priorities. About one-half of the respondents from the States are satisfied with present administration of Federal Aid laws. About one fourth want fewer restrictions and less red tape in management of research projects. A third of the respondents favored changes in the Federal Aid laws. The two primary desired changes were (1) provisions for increased funding to the States and (2) expansion of the purposes of the laws to allow information and education and law enforcement funding. The States are just beginning to do a very limited amount of non-game research. A slight majority favored some use of Federal Aid funds for non-game research, but over 80 percent would prefer a new Federal Aid program financed from the General Treasury. Except for aid from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in the Department of Commerce, all other significant Federal Aid to the States is through the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

Degree Name

Public Administration

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

School of Public Administration

First Committee Member (Chair)

Albert H. Rosenthal

Second Committee Member

Donald Winston Smithburg

Third Committee Member

Gerald Boyle

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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