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The Water Kesources Council basically is a planning agency. Wliat 

 we really are trying to arrive at is management in those areas m con- 

 junction with State plans, and. then in conjunction with the local areas ; 

 in conjunction with the State. I think it is the management of those 

 areas with some legislative power, that is lacking. I think that is what 

 we need. 



In a general way, does that answer your question, Congressman 

 Cramer? 



Mr. Cramer. Well, the acting chairman has expressed legitimate 

 concern and question with regard to the overlapping and integration 

 of the two different agencies if this becomes law. 



It seems to me it is fully justified to have an estuarine emphasis, 

 as suggested in this legislation. And it is necessary to provide amend- 

 atory language that they shall work in cooperation with the Water 

 Resources Council, which they have to do anyway, then I think that 

 would have to be a matter of simply an amendment. But I think, 

 frankly, you have to have emphasis on estuary problems. They are 

 certainly some of the most significant in my area, in the west coast 

 of Florida. And I see this proposal is for establishing a Gulf of 

 Mexico physical region which takes into consideration all the fish 

 and wildlife development on a long-range basis and protection of it 

 in that entire area. 



Do you see any difficulty in coordinating the activities of the Coun- 

 cil — Water Resources Council, and this estuarine agency '? 



Secretary Hickel. You mean in our bill ? 



Mr. Cramer. Yes ; if this bill becomes law. 



Secretary ,Hickel. I think that our bill would pinpoint the respon- 

 sibility of whose jurisdiction it is to really see to it that this comes 

 about. 



The Water Resources Council is more of a coordinating agency. 

 They meet four times a year. And if I might say, it is one of those 

 things where really no one has the responsibility but everybody is in 

 the act. 



I don't want to really criticize it quite that way, but it is one of 

 those things that happens. 



I think" in order to solve the problems I see in the coastal areas 

 that we are trying to solve, we have to be given the responsibility and 

 the direction by Congress to say this should be done. And then I think 

 you will see it happen. Otherwise, the Water Resources Council is 

 i'ust a good coordinating agency of the very important planning fimc- 

 tion, but it really doesn't get to the heart of the problem, which is 

 the ultimate management of the coastal areas. 



Mr. Cramer. Without this, and I don't mean to take up the chair- 

 man's time, but I want to follow up with one question. Without this 

 legislation, which specifically provides for management and use in 

 development of water resources in the Nation's estuarine coastal zones ; 

 without this legislation having authority, not only for grants, but 

 management grants, there would be no management grant authority 

 in existence ; is that correct ? 



Secretary Hickel. That is right. Without this legislation that is 

 right. 



Mr. Cramer. No question but what the present Water Resources 

 Council does have such authority ? 



