226 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



Questions and Discussion 



Mr. HARTZOG. We were discussing some of these things last night 

 and in the process of the discussion, a question came up with respect 

 to the authority of your California Highway Department for freeways 

 and parkways. I understand there has been some concern on that 

 in California. 



Mrs. REYNOLDS. Quite a good deal. You see, in California the 

 Division of Highways has the power to condemn land for highways, 

 even if it is in park land, even though the State Park Commission 

 and all the park officials do not give their approval. Well, they say, 

 look, it works beautifully because we have discussed it and we have 

 come to a solution. Of course, eventually, a solution is arrived at but 

 we don't feel that it is always a very handy solution. 



As an example, a good many years ago, such a controversy in- 

 volved putting a freeway right through one of the most magnificent 

 areas of redwood groves. They couldn't come to a solution and 

 finally the Division of Beaches and Parks begged for a stay of some 

 time until they could do something on their own. They found some 

 additional funds and made their own highway survey and, after 

 they had done that, they finally got the route adopted that bypassed 

 the groves. But you see we don't consider that a handy way of 

 going about solving that problem. We feel, many of us, that since 

 a park commission is entrusted with the protection of the park lands 

 under its jurisdiction, it should be able to protect them to the fullest, 

 if necessary. 



Dr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, what are the possibilities for incentive 

 and recognition awards in connection with scenic roads and high- 

 ways? 



Senator FARR. As you know, our panel was discussing this matter 

 last night. It was the feeling of the panel that there should be 

 recognition for the engineers, architects, landscape architects, the 

 States and communities that do an outstanding job in preserving the 

 amenities by building beautiful safe highways. Perhaps this is of 

 such importance to the American people that there should be an 

 annual award at the very highest level. The President of the United 

 States could designate the "White House Highway" or the 

 "President's Highway of the Year." 



Another suggestion grew out of the recent scenic highway and 



