336 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



blight of epidemic proportions that results from industrialization, 

 commercial expansion, urbanization and population movement and 

 growth. Almost invariably this blight is associated with processes 

 that play an important economic role in the life of people. Whether 

 it is from power lines, superhighways, housing subdivisions, continu- 

 ing mining operations or ill-placed industrial facilities, these threats 

 to our national beauty cannot just be eliminated. More often than 

 not, the problem is national in scope. Not infrequently financial 

 interests too big for State governments to control are involved. In 

 many cases the answer to the problem will not be immediately forth- 

 coming and considerable research will be required. 



The Bureau of Mines now has a group that sets standards for the 

 health and safety of miners. This resulted from public concern over 

 the plight of miners. The research section of the Bureau does put 

 out reports for mine operators on new techniques that would help 

 with conservation of mine areas, but there is no enforcement of policy. 

 Their responsibility, they say, is only to encourage rather than to set 

 standards. 



Again, high-tension powerlines knifing through our finest residen- 

 tial areas and our scenic open spaces, destroy approximately 30 

 acres for every mile of line. Scenic damage extends to as much as 

 300 acres for every line mile. 



The Interior Department and the Federal Power Commission 

 have been concerned about the problem, but little or no research 

 has been done to compare the costs in loss of land value and added 

 costs of maintenance against the costs of putting these lines under- 

 ground or underwater. In fact, in a recent effort to gather material 

 for constituents concerned over proposed lines, I discovered that the 

 data available from these Federal agencies came almost entirely from 

 an industry source that was admittedly opposed to underground lines. 

 Clearly, we will get no progress here until we separate the consid- 

 erable economic interests that are involved by independent review. 



To initiate and carry out the research that is necessary to meet 

 problems such as this, we will need a broader and more effective 

 long-range planning and national coordination effort than is now 

 available. 



The practical solution would be an independent commission that 

 can conduct and contract for research and can draw upon the con- 

 siderable expertise and experience available at the Federal level. 

 Such a commission would be charged with laying down guidelines 



