23 



We have had terrible problems in our district. Most of the prob- 

 lems that have risen are a result" of interpretation. I know the 

 problems which have been brought to my office which were only 

 two in seven years, where as a result of misinterpretation we were 

 able to negotiate them very promptly out. 



I don't see my colleague from Georgia here today, but south of 

 me in the First Congressional District of Georgia right across the 

 Savannah River where they have not availed themselves of a coast- 

 al council and the Corps has been making the decisions. Their in- 

 terpretation of the manual has been more severe and has caused 

 them lots of problems. 



The problems they encountered down in Georgia is right across 

 the river into South Carolina and the concerns that have been 

 voiced to us who represent our people there are problems not aris- 

 ing in our State, but arising because of the severe interpretation 

 down in Georgia. 



So, it seems to me that under the President's plan, hopefully, 

 and together with the definition of the Academy of Sciences on ex- 

 actly what a wetland is, that hopefully this Congress can find out 

 what the right thing is to do and finally do it. It would certainly 

 improve the situation nationwide. 



Mr. Davison. I certainly agree with you about the importance of 

 the States and their role in this process. The President's plan, as 

 you know, seeks to provide means for the role of the States to be 

 increased through State program general permits, through partial 

 State assumptions, and through other avenues of wetlands conser- 

 vation planning and watershed planning. 



Mr. Ravenel. Do you know right offhand how many States have 

 a coastal council or its equivalent under Coastal Zone Manage- 

 ment? 



Mr. Wayland. I think there are 29 States with approved coastal 

 programs. But in many instances, that Coastal Zone agency does 

 not function as a wetlands permitting agency. In not all cases 

 where it does have a wetlands protection role is that role recog- 

 nized by the Federal Government through a programmatic general 

 permit which is the mechanism which has been used in your State 

 to recognize the Coastal Council's work. 



Mr. Ravenel. Well, I would advice all States that don't have 

 them, or do have them to take a look at our very successful pro- 

 gram. It certainly makes life a lot easier for Federal officials. 



Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Studds. The gentlewoman from Oregon. 



Ms. Furse. a question arose in my mind. In a situation such as 

 the Columbia River where you have a whole number of States, you 

 have inter-tribal organizations, how will the Federal Government 

 under this plan be able to assist in planning? 



You talk about State planning. What about regional planning, 

 which I think is essential to pushing this program forward. How do 

 you anticipate working with that? 



Mr. Wayland. The administration has recommended that the 

 Clean Water Act be amended to incorporate a more integrated 

 planning and management structure for water quality generally in- 

 cluding wetlands, a watershed approach. 



