THE FEDERAL-STATE-LOCAL PARTNERSHIP 53 



With these things in mind and to beef up the Federal effort toward 

 these goals I offer the following suggestions: 



1. That RAG be given a broader base incorporating natural 

 beauty as a prime purpose and responsibility, such to be carried on 

 down and throughout the departments and agencies of the Federal 

 establishment ; 



2. That RAG be given greater stability and stature in the admin- 

 istration by the appointment of a permanent chairman the Vice 

 President; and 



3. That the President appoint a Citizens' Advisory Committee, 

 representative of the broad interests of the public, to serve the Presi- 

 dent and RAG on a continuing basis and to provide a meaningful 

 focal point for citizen interest and concern. 



The President's Water Pollution Control Advisory Board, as one 

 example, clearly demonstrates this to be an effective device for 

 bringing vigorous and well informed public opinion into policy 

 discussions. 



The Committee suggested should be small enough so that it can 

 meet frequently not only in Washington, but more importantly in 

 the States and communities across the Nation where policy, planning, 

 and coordination have their real impact on resources and people. 



4. That the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation be taken out of the 

 Department of the Interior and be placed as an independent agency 

 directly under RAG. 



The Federal Government, through the Land and Water Conserva- 

 tion Fund Act especially, is urging the States to undertake thorough- 

 going coordination in order to develop truly comprehensive and for- 

 ward-looking Statewide and outdoor recreation plans and programs. 

 The Federal establishment can do no less. The magnificence of the 

 opportunity requires it. 



Mr. SMITH. What I want to do is to take an honest look at some 

 of the facts of life that we face in getting this job done. 



I think the first fact of life we have to face is that natural beauty 

 is largely a philosophical concept and we never in the world are 

 going to legislate it into being. Civil Rights is something of a 

 philosophical concept, too, but at least there are some ground rules 

 in the Constitution, which doesn't say a word about natural beauty. 

 From this we have to conclude that our forefathers didn't realize 

 what a mess we were going to make of the place. 



All we have to start with here is great enthusiasm on the part of 



