CHAPTER 19 



FURTHER STATEMENTS SUBMITTED FOR 



THE RECORD 



DANA L. ABELL. The American conservation movement 

 has proven itself especially weak in preserving the beauty of whole 

 landscapes. The National Park Service is, of course, to be com- 

 mended for its activities in preserving points of special scenic interest 

 and, in some parks, in presenting sizeable areas of wild landscape. 

 Their efforts to recreate or commemorate great places and moments 

 in history have been especially successful too. Similarly, U.S. 

 Forest Service management operations are maintaining certain 

 mountain and forest landscapes for us in admirable condition, most 

 notably in the public-land States. 



The great lack at the moment is a device to assure that the farm 

 landscapes which have done so much to shape American character 

 and can continue to do much to inspire our people, can be main- 

 tained in a condition which will speak clearly and forcefully to us 

 of this important part of our heritage. Farm landscapes which are 

 especially notable for their role in American history and for their 

 character-molding beauty could be preserved from abandonment 

 or from commercial-residential encroachment by the establishment 

 of National Rural Scenic Preservation Districts which could sub- 

 sidize economically weakened agriculture and provide advising serv- 

 ices, planning, and controls relating to management and alterations 

 that could affect the scenic values which the land contains. Lands 

 would remain in private hands and tourist use would be channeled 

 and directed in ways that could yield maximum scenic advantage 

 to a steadily more appreciative public. 



A second way in which the Federal Government could aid in the 

 maintenance of the quality of outdoor recreation might be through 

 the encouragement of States to authorize Recreational Develop- 

 ment Districts. These would be local jurisdictions charged with 

 directing the development of both private and public recreational 



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