RECLAMATION OF THE LANDSCAPE 333 



Now there is another very practical reason for preparing an eco- 

 nomic basis for our "War on Ugliness" in America. This is a gigantic 

 campaign. The number of panels gathered here today is only a 

 partial recognition of the size of the challenge. 



However, the conservation of our government's financial resources 

 is also an important concern and, if we are to make a significant 

 dent in the problem at a reasonable public cost, we must establish 

 a program of priorities and assign specific responsibilities. 



I think the topic before us today, Reclamation of the Landscape, 

 is a good working ground for developing such a program. In re- 

 claiming landscape we are faced with a wide variety of problems. 

 Some are longstanding ills like the abandoned open pit mines of 

 Pennsylvania and West Virginia and the rock quarries in my own 

 State. These are serious and ugly blights, and they must be rehabili- 

 tated. But, they are, nonetheless, fixed historic problems whose in- 

 fluence is largely static and not spreading. 



I would submit that action to correct these static blights must rest 

 primarily on the State, with Federal participation only if a State is 

 unwilling to undertake effective reclamation. 



This means that we will have to evolve standards of acceptable 

 land use and determine the basis on which the funds will be disbursed. 

 Is our concept of landscape restoration to include commercial use 

 of the land? Of course, but where and how critical are the ques- 

 tions, and what balance should be struck between commercial values 

 and landscape values, economic and aesthetic? 



In the past we have tended to concentrate our conservation efforts 

 in the wilderness. We have made significant strides in preserving 

 the glories of our underdeveloped lands. Now we must turn our 

 faces to conservation in our settled areas. As President Johnson 

 said: "A growing population is swallowing up areas of natural 

 beauty. ..." 



This is an infinitely more difficult problem with which to cope. 

 Everyone could agree with saving Grand Canyon and Yellowstone 

 National Parks. There were few economic interests involved and 

 very little conflict. New conservation involves economic conflicts 

 that go to the very heart of our modern society and the pressures 

 will be tremendous. 



The President also said: "The same society which receives the 

 rewards of technology, must, as a cooperating whole, take responsi- 

 bility for control." I believe he has recognized that our existing 



