526 
The prime criterion of an enterprise’s performance and the 
main yardstick for awarding premia remains the growth of gross 
output: when this conflicts with ecological measures, the outcome 
is predictable. Material incentives for preserving the environment 
are marginal." 
A second key to Soviet attitudes toward the environment is its 
organization of measures to counter environmental deterioration. 
Again, Bush observes: 
Despite the existence of a plethora of organizations and socie- 
ties concerned with protecting the environment, in many instances 
the ultimate responsibility for preserving natural resources lies 
with the agency charged with exploiting them. A one-sided con- 
flict is thus inevitable. Moreover .. . the vertical structure of 
the economy may impede the flow of information concerning 
environmental disruption and reduce the effectivenss of counter- 
measures.'° 
Bush’s observation is bolstered in a 1974 article discussing pollution 
abatement measures on the Volga and Ural Rivers, which states that 
a recent appraisal by the RSFSR Council of Ministers indicated that: 
The technical documentation for construction of many water 
protection objects is being developed with a great deal of delay. 
Capital investments and material and technical resources are envi- 
sioned in insufficient quantities and the money allotted for these 
purposes is not being fully used because of poor organization 
of construction. . . 16 
The Council of Ministers review cited the Ministry of Cellulose 
and Paper Industry for “‘doing an especially poor job” of constructing 
water protection facilities, and the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Power and 
Electrification for “‘not taking the necessary measures to insure prompt 
construction of water protection objects.”” A number of industrial 
enterprises were charged for not having carried out assignments for 
starting up purification installations. 
The decree that was issued took note of the lack of discipline 
of a number of Union ministries in carrying out assignments set 
by the decree of the CPSU Central Committee and the U.S.S.R. 
Council of Ministers of March 13, 1972 for construction of purifi- 
cation installation in Permskaya Oblast. . . 1” 
A third factor to be considered as contributing to the Soviet view 
on the environment is the attitude of the citizenry of the country. 
According to Bush, most Russians ‘‘are at least apathetic”? about the 
environment. It is explained that this attitude results from early incul- 
cation that “‘the earth is big enough to take care of everyone.”’ Quot- 
ing a Russian writer, Bush states that Soviet students have traditionally 
been imbued with an aggressive attitude toward nature, with emphasis 
put on “the struggle with nature, the taming of nature, and the trans- 
formation of nature.’’ He goes on to say: 
' Bush, op. cit. p. 31. 
'5 Bush, op. cit. p. 32. 
‘6 Cleaning up the Volga and Ural Rivers. Sovetskaya Rossiya (Moscow) May 30, 1974. (JPRS 
62484; Translations of Environmental Quality, No. 43). 
'7 Tbid. 
