23 



if the attitude from the Federal Government was that somehow we 

 are going to move in and take over, at least when the really impor- 

 tant decisions have to be made. 



Mr. House. Well, I have to be frank and tell you there is a fear 

 of that out in the countryside. It is easy for me to recognize the 

 intent of the bill to avoid that kind of a situation. 



Mr. Hamburg. Right. 



Mr. House. I think in situations where organizations already 

 exist that had been doing that kind of work, it is going to be fairly 

 easy to work out those problems. 



What I would see as a challenge for the task force is figuring out 

 how to develop ongoing support for organizations in watersheds 

 that do not already have them, support that does not have the 

 sense of being run by remote bureaucracy. That is something that 

 is a problem I would enjoy working more with you on. 



Mr. Hamburg. OK. Thanks Freeman, I really appreciate your 

 being here. 



Are we running into time problems or, Elizabeth, how are you 

 need to be out of here by noon? 



I do have a couple of other questions for Laurel and Beth, but 

 I think if I submit those to you that you can answer them in writ- 

 ing and we can get them on the record. 



Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 



Ms. Norcross. Could I make a brief comment to something you 

 said earlier and that is in regard to the level of interest in river 

 restoration. 



There are just right now, today, at 10 o'clock this morning, three 

 hearings going on in the House regarding river-related issues on 

 eight separate bills and an oversight hearing. And for that reason 

 I will have to excuse myself because I need to go testify at one of 

 those, but it is very encouraging that there are a number of bills 

 which relate to river conservation. 



And I was also remiss in saying at the first that the Norton and 

 the Studds and Hamburg bills are very complementary to one an- 

 other, and we have worked in the river conservation community, 

 worked hard to make sure they are not competitive but rather they 

 complement one another, and we would like all of those to pass. It 

 would have a dramatic effect on river ecosystems if they did. 



Mr. Hamburg. Good. Thank you very much, Beth. 



Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER. Thank you, Mr. Hamburg. 



Question for Ms. Beattie. Would you characterize the present 

 Federal approach as integrated or coordinated? 



Ms. Beattie. It is my impression we could do a lot better on 

 those qualities of our programs in terms of integration and coordi- 

 nation, Mr. Chair. 



Mr. Hochbrueckner. I see. I would like to thank this panel very 

 much for your inputs. Any further questions for this panel? You 

 will save them? 



Mr. Hamburg. I think we are kind of running out of time, Mr. 

 Chairman. 



Mr. Hochbrueckner. If you would submit your questions for the 

 record, Mr. Hamburg, we will submit them for the record. 

 Mr. Hamburg. I will do so. 



