154 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



In the resolution of the problem of water pollution, or the problem 

 of acquisition of land, or any of the other things we have to face 

 we better think big. What I say is this. Let us not just think in 

 terms of secondary treatment. Let us not just think in terms of re- 

 search. Let us think about a meaningful program on the Federal 

 and State level. And, I would like to point out, there is not a State 

 water pollution control agency anywhere in the boundaries of the 

 Continental United States which is doing the kind of job it should 

 be doing. Unless they buckle down, the States are going to find 

 that we in Congress who feel the only way that this matter can be 

 handled is by a vigorous Federal program are going to increasingly 

 succeed and are going to find the abatement of water pollution will 

 be conducted, at least on navigable waters, by the Federal Govern- 

 ment. 



Mr. TUNNARD. The short paper outlined here will stress scenic and 

 cultural possibilities of water and waterfronts, leaving the grave prob- 

 lems of pollution, erosion, and loss of wildlife to more qualified con- 

 tributors. The paper will stress the importance of the waterfront 

 as part of the national patrimony, in an attempt to correct the current 

 image of it as a refuse dump for objectionable land uses. 



Since I am a city planner, the paper will give more attention to 

 urban waterfronts in the built-up and often decayed parts of our 

 cities. 



The solutions will stress the use of historic and scenic preservation 

 methods, public and private, coupled with upgraded technology and 

 new governmental strategies. 



Think of an urban waterfront river, lake, or ocean and be 

 reminded of its blighted condition. It is a refuse dump, perhaps, the 

 garbage filling in the space between rotting piers, where once proud 

 clipper ships or river steamers rode the ways. Or, lately, some huge 

 new installation like a powerplant or a nest of oil storage tanks may 

 have been erected on new fill, blocking off the view of the water. 

 Or, equally bulky and also noisy, a giant freeway may interrupt the 

 prospect, with its thousands of shiny automobiles and trailer trucks. 

 Access will also be blocked; and in many American cities, the resi- 

 dents are scarcely aware that their city is water-based. They are, 

 in 1965, conditioned to travelling many miles for a glimpse of open 

 water. The 2 -year battle that was recently fought and won for 

 Breezy Point Park in New York City, the last new beach available to 



