REPORTS OF THE PANEL CHAIRMEN 633 



more serious bottlenecks in accomplishment of our objectives. A 

 major Federal effort should be made to provide programs of technical 

 assistance, training, and research, in the preservation of natural 

 beauty and recreation. 



6. Both the Interior and Housing and Home Finance Agency 

 programs for park acquisitions should permit private contributions to 

 help meet local matching grant requirements. 



7. The proposed Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1965, 

 S. 561, cosponsored by 40 Senators, would contribute to the fore- 

 going objectives by assuring local and regional planning review of 

 proposed Federal projects affecting community appearance. 



The States, as well as the Federal Government, must take steps 

 to strengthen their organization, financing, and coordination to play 

 their pivotal role in the Federal-State-local partnership. 



1. The governor needs a staff arm or unit concerned with coor- 

 dinating and developing a consistent State policy among the many 

 State programs affecting natural beauty, and providing guidance 

 and assistance to local governments in their efforts. 



2. Broad and permissive State enabling legislation is needed to 

 permit local governments to act and finance recreation and natural 

 beauty projects. Legislation should especially provide authority to 

 permit use of easements and other new legal tools. 



3. State legislation governing regional, county, and municipal 

 planning and zoning should be amended to direct these planning 

 agencies to prepare plans for developing and salvaging the beauty 

 potentials of their area; make recommendations for necessary fund- 

 ing and organization to carry out their plan; and review all proposed 

 Federal, State, and local projects for conformance with agreed-upon 

 natural beauty and recreation goals and with comprehensive de- 

 velopment plans. 



The Townscape 



The Chairman, Mr. BACON. While stressing positive steps that 

 should be taken to implement the objectives of a national policy for 

 natural beauty, as outlined by President Johnson in his special mes- 

 sage, the Townscape Panel most strongly emphasizes these facts: 



Efforts made to date to beautify the American city have been 

 totally inadequate. 



