Observations on aesthetic values 



It is not surprising that water has occupied an 

 important position in the concerns of man. The 

 fate of tribes and nations, cities and civiUzations 

 has been determined by drought and flood, by 

 abundance or scarcity of water since the earliest 

 days of mankind. 



Artists have reflected man's fascination with 

 water. Literature and art of a variety of cultures 

 dwell upon brooks, waves, waterfalls, and lakes 

 as superlatives among the delights of the environ- 

 ment. 



Aesthetically pleasing waters add to the quality 

 of human experience. Water may be pleasant to 

 look upon, to walk or rest beside, to contemplate. 

 It may provide a variety of active recreation ex- 

 perience. It may enhance the visual scene wher- 

 ever it appears, in cities or wilderness. It may 

 enhance values of adjoining properties, public and 

 private. It may provide a focal point of pride 

 in the community. 



The appearance of pollution and the fear of 

 pollution reduces aesthetic value; the knowledge 

 that water is clean enhances both direct and in- 

 direct aesthetic appreciation. 



The Subcommittee is charged with recommend- 

 ing aesthetic criteria for water itself. But the Sub- 

 committee notes that the aesthetic appeal of visual 

 scenes in which water is an element involves the 

 uses and activities on the water's surface; i.e., 

 boats, ships, wildlife. 



Thus the management of water for aesthetic 

 purposes must be planned and executed in the 

 context of the uses of the land, the shoreline, and 

 the water surface. 



It is clear that Americans are becoming increas- 

 ingly concerned about aesthetic quality of the 

 physical environment. And it seems probable that 

 aesthetic expectations wiU rise with increases in 

 education and leisure, and that these rising ex- 

 pectations will be reflected in continuing and 

 accelerated public demand for "clean" water. The 

 recent history of public policy in water pollution 

 control would seem to support these observations. 



On a number of occasions, the President has 

 expressed a growing national concern for the qual- 

 ity of the envirormient and specifically for the 

 quality of water resources. In his 1965 message 

 on "The Natural Beauty of Our Country," the 

 President said: 



A prime national goal must be an environment that is 

 pleasing to the senses (as well as) healthy to live in. 



In the same message, the President called for 

 intensified action to clean up "waterways that were 

 once sources of pleasure and beauty and recrea- 

 tion," but are now "objectionable to sight and 



smell," as well as dangerous for human contact. 

 The concern of the new conservation, the Presi- 

 dent has said, "Is not just man's welfare, but the 

 dignity of man's spirit." 



Congress has affirmed and reaffirmed its deter- 

 mination to enhance water quality in a series of 

 actions strengthening the Federal role in water 

 pollution control and strengthening Federal sup- 

 port for water poUution control programs of State 

 and local governments and industry. 



In a number of States, political leaders and 

 voters have overwhelmingly supported costly pro- 

 grams to restore water quaUty, with aesthetics — 

 as well as recreation — as one of the values in- 

 volved. 



The recognition, identification, and protection 

 of the aesthetic values and qualities of water should 

 be an objective of all water quality management 

 programs. Withdrawn water that is not consumed 

 returns to the common supply. The retention of 

 suitable characteristics, including aesthetic quality, 

 in the common supply is more likely to be achieved 

 through control of discharges at the source than 

 by excessive dependence upon assimilation by re- 

 ceiving waters. The Subcommittee emphasizes the 

 values that aesthetically pleasing water provides 

 are most urgently needed where pollution prob- 

 lems are most difficult — in cities, and particularly 

 in the central portions of cities where population 

 and industry are likely to be most heavily concen- 

 trated. 



Recommended criteria for aesthetic 

 purposes 



Recommendation: All surface waters should contribute 

 to the support of life forms of aesthetic value. 



This recommendation is made in recognition 

 of the significance of fishes, waterfowl, and other 

 water-dependent species to human aesthetic satis- 

 faction. 



Wildlife is a significant element of the aesthetics 

 of the physical environment, adding beauty in a 

 variety of forms and life to otherwise static scenes. 

 Beyond the direct experience of viewing (which 

 may include educational and recreational nature 

 study) is the aesthetic satisfaction of knowing 

 that these life forms are present. Conversely, 

 periodic disruptions in the aquatic environment 

 by pollution — reflected in fish kiUs, damage to 

 waterfowl, odors, noxious vegetative growths — de- 

 grade aesthetic qualities and appreciation. These 

 aesthetic losses extend beyond the periods during 

 which the conditions may occur. A river that is 

 offensive periodically wiU lose much of its aes- 

 thetic value untn suitable quahty conditions are 



462-246 0-72-2 



