248 



would be represented at the table. Even that conclusions rests, however, on the 

 assumption that the Congressional process that leads to establishment of the new entity 

 is credible, and the representation on the decisionmaking entity is peiceived as 

 equitable. 



5.2.4 Criterion: Equitable Treatment Of All Uses 



Depending on the representation of the decisionmaking body, FORUM 5 may be 

 perceived as more equitable than any of the other alternatives, except by those users 

 who have a traditional relationship with the SOR lead agencies and would prefer to see 

 things left as they are. FORUMS 2 , 3 and 4 may be perceived as more equitable than 

 FORUM 1, because entities other than the three operating agencies would be involved 

 in developing a recommendation. There is no basis for assuming that either FORUMS 6 

 or 7 would offer more equitable treatment than FORUMS 1 through 3. 



5.2.5 Criterion: Accountability 



This criterion has to do with whether it is dear who is politically and legally 

 responsible for decisions made by the Forum. FORUMS 5, 6, and 7 could result in 

 increased accountability if the Congressional authorization transferring power to the 

 single decisionmaking entity makes a dear transfer of accountability from the other 

 agendes to the chosen agency. It is possible to forecast a situation, though, where 

 Congress transfers some part of the authority to one agency, but not all of it, leaving the 

 situation even more confused. 



FORUMS 1 through 3 (three agency decisionmaking) do result in somewhat divided 

 accountability - in theory there is always going to be somewhat dearer accountability 



Final Draft - September 15, 1993 79 



