150 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



ocean fronts. This action would not be in conflict with the objec- 

 tives of the Land and Water Act, as this is an access and protection 

 right and would not prevent other uses compatible with these rights ; 

 the Land and Water Act provides for the purchase and development 

 of park and recreation areas. 



3. That a plan be worked out with the States to set up watershed 

 protection areas; and that over-all valley zoning regulations be estab- 

 lished which will provide land use controls whether Federal, State, 

 or private land to insure protection against pollution of streams, 

 rivers, and lakes through land erosion and other land misuses. 



4. That there be established a Federal Water Control Commis- 

 sion that would pass on all manmade devices associated with water 

 impoundments, diversions, and other unnatural uses of our rivers and 

 streams to insure that all economic and human needs and uses are 

 fully considered and protected before any such project is under- 

 taken. This Commission would be made up of officials and citizen 

 members and their decision would be final and they could only be 

 vetoed by an act of Congress. 



These suggestions are based on the principle that all navigable 

 waters are a natural resource under Federal control. It is a respon- 

 sibility of the Federal Government to show leadership and to take 

 the necessary steps to protect this essential natural resource. Surely 

 we cannot achieve the greatest natural beauty potential when our 

 streams, rivers, lakes, bays, and ocean shores are being used as sewage 

 disposal facilities and their inherent scenic grandeur ravaged by man. 

 The suggestions are also based on the principle that the user pays 

 the bill which is now a well established principle, such as our highway 

 funds, and Land and Water Act, just to name a few. 



Representative DINGELL. My friend, Senator Hart, expresses his 

 regrets but the voting rights bill precludes his presence here today. 

 I am reading the paper prepared by Senator Hart. The subject 

 assigned the Senator today was the question of acquisition of needed 

 waterfront areas for recreation purposes. Throughout the com- 

 ments you heard by the other panelists today, you note there is a 

 need for haste. In this area there is also a need for haste. 



In introducing one of the shorelines preservation bills eight or 

 ten years ago, I found there was a third of an inch of shoreline space 

 per person across the country. With the land use and erosion and 

 the American bulldozer, the figure has declined since that time. 



Now, let me read the Senator's statement. 



