THE NEW SUBURBIA 457 



But there are excellent reasons which may have prompted Con- 

 gress not to attempt a hard-and-fast distinction. 



1. The need for Federal assistance for land acquisition is great- 

 est and costs are highest in urban and urbanizing areas. 



To deny to urban governments and urban residents the opportu- 

 nity to share in the generously financed Land and Water Conserva- 

 tion Fund on grounds of administrative tidiness can hardly be 

 defended. 



2. The two programs are complementary. They overlap, but they 

 are not identical and both are necessary. (There is prohibition 

 in law against doubling up on Federal aid programs.) 



The Federal Government requires planning as a prior condition 

 to acquisition grants under both programs. It ought to be willing to 

 let the money go where planning shows the need to be. 



The statewide outdoor recreation plan required as a condition for 

 land and water grants, must take account of outdoor recreation re- 

 sources and needs throughout the State, including those of urban and 

 suburban areas. A State plan may show an overwhelming unmet 

 recreation land need in urban regions. The State may meet some 

 needs directly. But local governments will share responsibility. The 

 State should be positively encouraged to channel Land and Water 

 Conservation Fund money to help local governments meet their 

 responsibilities. 



HHFA open space grants are related to comprehensive local 

 planning programs for growth and development, including land use, 

 transportation, education, public facilities, and other elements. 



Legislative history of the HHFA program emphasizes need for 

 land acquisition for broad conservation purposes as well as recrea- 

 tional and historic purposes and lays great stress on open space 

 preservation by local governments as a factor in influencing the 

 shape and directions of development. 



To emphasize: the kinds and locations of lands identified for 

 acquisition or protection under the two planning programs will 

 overlap to a degree but not enough to make it sensible to establish 

 arbitrary and artificial boundaries between the programs. 



Functional planning for outdoor recreation on a statewide and 

 interstate basis is essential to provide a balanced range of activities 

 in diverse environments. The statewide planning programs will 

 identify recreation resources and needs within urban regions which 

 may not for good reason be identified in urban regional com- 

 prehensive planning. 



