ment require that transportation projects be consistent Tritli local plan- 

 ning, it is lip to the local planning bodies to assure that the transporta- 

 tion development included in their plans is consistent with broader 

 euTironmental considerations. 



Xeedless to say, we have a long way to go in State and local planning 

 in this regard. 



In our view, there is certainly a need for a national policy on the 

 coastal zone. TTe need to develop national goals and policies for the 

 multiple use, development, and conservation of the coastal zone, which 

 is a valuable but threatened and diminishmg national resource. Such 

 national guidance is essential to effective planning by State and local 

 agencies. 



The program recently announced by the Vice President is intended 

 to meet this need. Under that proposal, grants would be made for the 

 initial development by the States of planning and reg-ulatory 

 mechanisms and for the operation of the State management systems 

 that are developed. 



The Department has had some experience in this type of joint 

 Federal/State activity. Wliile I am convinced that it can work, we 

 should be under no illusions. It will take hard work on the part of 

 all concerned to make it work well. 



Ill summary, I think the answer to the problem of coastal zone 

 management lies in a clear understanding on the part of the public 

 that mankind can no longer afford to be profligate in its expenditure 

 of natural resources. We have done an incredible amount of damage 

 to our environment and, in some cases, it is questionable whether we 

 can reverse the process of decay even if we try. In most cases, however, 

 it is not too late to reverse the trend. 



I think the interest and activity as demonstrated by today's con- 

 ference, and the actions of the administration to develop a long-term 

 program as announced 10 days ago. are the best evidence that the 

 public has become aware of the problem. The need now is to follow 

 through in an effective way. 



Thank you very much. 



Dr. Ckap^iax. Thank you very much. 



The next speaker will be the Honorable Eussell Train, Under Secre- 

 tary of the Department of the Interior. 



STATEMENT OF HON. RUSSELL E. TSAIN, UNDEE SECEETAEY OE 

 THE DEPAETMEKT OF THE INTEEIOE 



]Mr. Traix. I am delighted to be present at this gathering this 

 afternoon of State and local representatives from all over our country 

 concerned with improving management of our estuarine and coastal 

 areas. 



I cannot help but comment that all four of our departments, as you 

 can gather, are very much involved, at times at least, with the same 

 problems. We overlap: we interact. I know our own Department is 

 very much involved with the Everglades Jet Port, with the Alaskan 

 pipeline, dredge and fill permits, and so forth. 



The only point I am trying to make here is that I think that this 

 fact of interrelationship points up one of the really very significant 

 challenges that we all have today in the Federal Government, State, 



