61 



14 



• Second, supplement the watershed approach with flexible programs 



This is especially important because no two watersheds are alike. Some may need only 

 very low intensity evaluations and plans of action because they have obvious or very few 

 problems. Rexibility is important also because watershed management is a new concept 

 for Qean Water Act implementation. Different approaches will be needed. The States and 

 Federal govemment need flexibility in implementation and funding. We must rely on the 

 States, with Federal govemment assistance and oversight, to develop watershed programs 

 tailored to their State resource conditions and local citizen involvement. 



• Third, involve local people and institutions. 



The people involved in the problem need to be involved in the solution. Without general 

 support, a water quality program is doomed for failure. To illustrate, how do you really 

 know how much fertilizer or pesticide a farmer is applying? If our water quality programs 

 are to be successful, farmers and ranchers must feel ownership of the program and the need 

 for solutions. River Basin authorities. State governments, conservation districts, county 

 governments, or other local organizations should all play a role in developing these 

 voluntary programs. Federal govemment agencies should provide their skills and 

 resources to support the process. 



Federal Forest Land 



Now lets turn to the National Forest System. The Forest Service is responsible for 

 managing for multiple-use purposes the 191 million acres of forest and range land that 

 comprise the National Forest System . The challenge for the Forest Service is to manage 

 with an ecosystem perspective for all uses, while ensuring the protection of the basic soil, 

 water and air resources that are crucial to sound stewardship of the land. 



81-628 0-94-3 



