REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED RESEARCH WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06638332
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: June 20, 1973

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332
C i LL i '4 IIAL
_ . ..._
3.3(h)(2)
6.2(d)
ORD 2382-73
20 JUN 1973
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Science and Technology
SUBJECT:
Request for Approval of Proposed Research with the
U.S. Department of Interior, Division of Wildlife
Research
1. This memorandum requests approval for the committment of
funds to support the continuation of a research program.. The request
is contained in paragraph 7.
2. The ultimate goal of this program is to utilize migratory
birds as sensor vehicles and/or as detectors of environmental sub-
stances in specified areas of interest. In the first case, the bird
might transport and return a sensor package from an area of interest,
or perhaps merely fly through the area. In the second case, the birds �
which have temporarily resided in a target area would be retrieved and
subjected to intensive analysis to determine environmental stimuli or
substances to which they have been exposed during the period of resi-
dence. The proposed project is primarily concerned with the second
case, i.e., utilization of the bird as a. biosensor. An orinthological
survey has been conducted by which delineates
the frequency and species of birds that might be expected in specified
target areas. The Department of Interior, Division of Wildlife Research,
is the foremost authority on migration of birds and possesses highly
qualified scientific personnel, equipment, and a unique computer bank of
bird banding data. Consequently, the assistance of the Division of
Wildlife Research will be invaluable in determining the feasibility of
achieving the desired. goal. In brief, this assistance-would consist
of providing statistical models of bird migration patterns and probable
distribution through the flyways and at the destination. Specific
'11T'.',1 NOTIC'JitE
t IKNCE SOURCES
.!it-,IDS INVOLVED
CONFI 1AL
CLASSIFIED BY .
EXF.rciPT rnom GENERAL 1):;.CLASSIFICATION
SCIIV.1:61.E. OF 0 I IES2. CAILCalY:
� (.1) or VI: o,:e or more)
ALI:0;:iiCALLY ON "
(onleas iotoorr..tr)a, .asott date Jr event)
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332
CONE r IAL
ORD 2382-73
target area destinations will be provided by the sponsor. ' Such data
are required for cost effectiveness evaluation of the potential system
as well as the establishment of experimental field trial design should
this initial statistical analysis indicate potential application.
. 3. The essential goal of the proposed effort is to select several
Western Hemisphere birds analogous to those known to reside in and
migrate from selected target areas. On the basis of available Department
of Interior banding data, 4 statiStical model of bird distribution along
flyways and at destination will be constructed. (See attached Work
Statement.) Such data will allow cost effectiveness decisions to be .
made concerning the number of birds that would have to be retrieved for
biochemical analysis to provide reliable target area information. The
analytical study will provide means and standard deviations for geographical
distribution and mortality of birds along the flight paths as well as
probable distribution in the target area. The designated target for which
western analogs Will be selected is the Shikhany CW test site. Attach-
ment I, Utilization of Migratory Birds as BiosensorS, provides evidence
as to the feasibility of the concept. That is, migratory birds will
incorporate CW trace material from low level concentrations in the target
habitat and these signatures � will be detectable by available biochemical
techniques. Attachment II indicates probable bird populations in selected
target areas.
4. The proposed research will extend over a six-month period at
a cost of approximately $25,000. In addition to the obviously required
coordination with the Department of Interior, internal coordination has
.been established with Dr. Karl Weber (OSI); Mr. Donald Reiser (ORD), and
Mr. David Boston (OTS).
5. It is anticipated that this will be a five-phase program from
initial feasibility investigation to operational test and evaluation.
Each successive phase will provide decision data for determination of
program continuance.- The first phase of the program was completed under
contract to , in which the frequency .and reli-
ability of migratory bird habitation in
targets were determined. The proposed effort with the Department Or
Interior constitutes the second phase of the program. Follow-on efforts
2
CO I NTIAL
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332
CONri IAL
ORD 2382-73
will consist of: (a) field evaluation of the statistical pattern
analysis derived from the bird banding computer data (FY 74,.$700;
(b) determination of bird uptake, metabolism, and excretion of '
controlled amounts of CW degradation products (FY 75, $40K); and.
(c) field evaluation of migratory bird absorption and retention of (,,\
CW degradation products in the concentrations and dietary form
(natural vegetation, seeds, etc.) anticipated in theoselected target
area (FY 75, $150K).
The Project Officer for this contract will be
extension 3658. The Sterility Code 1 is appropriate for
this contract. All other aspects of the contractual effort, other
than Agency-Department of Interior association, will be UNCLASSIFIED.
7. The Office of Research and Development recommends the trans-
fer of funds to the Department of Interior, Wildlife Research Division
for the execution of the work described herein. The funding will be
$25,000 for a six-month period.
APPROVED:
Deputy Director cience an
Sayre Stevens
Director of Research and Development
logy
3
CON I itAL
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06638332