THE CONFERENCE GALL 11 



vermin, and menace our health. Inefficient and improper methods 

 of disposal increase pollution of our air and streams. 



Almost all these wastes and pollutions are the result of activities 

 carried on for the benefit of man. A prime national goal must be 

 an environment that is pleasing to the senses and healthy to live in. 



Our Government is already doing much in this field. We have 

 made significant progress. But more must be done. 



Federal Government activity 



I am directing the heads of all agencies to improve measures to 

 abate pollution by direct agency operation, contracts and coopera- 

 tive agreements. Federal procurement practices must make sure 

 that the Government equipment uses the most effective techniques 

 for controlling pollution. The Administrator of General Services 

 has already taken steps to assure that motor vehicles purchased by 

 the Federal Government meet minimum standards of exhaust 

 quality. 



Clean water 



Enforcement authority must be strengthened to provide positive 

 controls over the discharge of pollutants into our interstate or naviga- 

 ble waters. I recommend enactment of legislation to 



Provide, through the setting of effective water quality standards, 

 combined with a swift and effective enforcement procedure, a na- 

 tional program to prevent water pollution at its source rather than 

 attempting to cure pollution after it occurs. 



Increase project grant ceilings and provide additional incentives 

 for multimunicipal projects under the waste-treatment facilities con- 

 struction program. 



Increase the ceilings for grants to State water pollution control 

 programs. 



Provide a new research and demonstration construction program 

 leading to the solution of problems caused by the mixing of storm 

 water runoff and sanitary wastes. 



The Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare will undertake 

 an intensive program to clean up the Nation's most polluted rivers. 

 With the cooperation of States and cities using the tools of regula- 

 tion, grant, and incentives we can bring the most serious problem 

 of river pollution under control. We cannot afford to do less. 



We will work with Canada to develop a pollution control program 

 for the Great Lakes and other border waters. 



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