THE RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL 25 



And so it goes across the entire range of departmental respon- 

 sibilities. Each department, while carrying out its primary function, 

 has roles related to outdoor recreation and the beauty of our environ- 

 ment. These roles, representing an integral part of their ongoing 

 programs, are not the type that can be scooped up into a single shovel 

 and poured into a new agency of government. 



The idea of creating a Czar of Natural Beauty and Outdoor Life 

 has academic attraction but in my judgment is neither practically 

 nor politically feasible. Yet, it is obvious that coordinated planning, 

 performance, and direction among Federal agencies and between 

 Federal and State governments is vital to the immediate and long- 

 range goals of this conference and our Nation. 



As a practical matter, we need to find increasingly better means 

 through which each department can supplement even acceler- 

 ate efforts of the others in the field of beauty and outdoor recrea- 

 tion, while at the same time recognizing that each great department 

 must respond to its assignments as established by Congress. 



The Recreation Advisory Council was established with that pur- 

 pose in mind. Whether it is meeting the purpose, whether it needs 

 strengthening in policy and performance, are topics this conference 

 may well wish to take under consideration. 



Let us take a look at the record. It contains, I believe, some posi- 

 tive and progressive chapters. 



The Recreation Advisory Council has : 



1. Adopted a policy statement calling for the establishment of a 

 limited number of National Recreation Areas. Binding upon mem- 

 ber agencies, this policy specified criteria for selection of these areas 

 and agreed they would be established only by Act of Congress. The 

 Council further agreed to consider individual proposals, and to 

 recommend appropriate action for establishment, priority, and juris- 

 dictional responsibility. 



2. The Council has adopted general policy guidelines for outdoor 

 recreation which give high priority to preparation of a nationwide 

 plan and cover the Council's views of the roles of Federal, State and 

 local governments and the private sector. 



3. The Council has issued a policy statement on the water pollu- 

 tion and public health aspects of outdoor recreation. 



4. It has recommended development of a national program for 

 scenic roads and parkways. 



