148 



to adopt this legislation, would it in any way, in practical terms, pre- 

 clude the ultimate goal of the administration for a larger land use 

 policy, if we do what we are trjdng to do here^ Would that throw 

 roadblocks in the way ? Would it stand in the way of the ultimate goal i 



Dr. White. I suppose, Mr. Mosher, if it were done properly and 

 with full cognizance, and an attempt to adopt the very long view 

 taken by the President, then I guess this would be valuable. 



It would have to be done in such a way that we would not com- 

 promise the ultimate goals of this administration. 



There is, as Dr. MacDonald pointed out, a necessity for a broad 

 overview of our land use policy. There is no question that the coastal 

 zone problems have to be part of that. 



There is also no question that the coastal zone areas represent the 

 most urgent part of the problem right now. 



Mr. MosHER. That is what we are emphasizing, of course, that the 

 coastal zones do represent the most urgent part, and 3'our testimony 

 has em]3hasized that we cannot delay much longer. 



Dr. White, we agreed that Dr. MacDonald's point of view and the 

 administration's point of view represent a great leap forward, and we 

 are questioning the practicality of that leap. 



I am confident that my memory is correct, that President Nixon 

 very recently emphasized himself that old Chinese proverb that every 

 great journey begins with the first step. 



I guess Ave are agreeing Avith the President on that point of Adew. 



Mr. Lexxox. The c-entleman from Texas. 



]Mr. DE LA Garza. No questions. 



Mr. T.EXNOx. Mr. Forsythe ? 



Mr. Forsythe. No questions. 



Mr. Lexxox. Mr. Jones ? 



Mr. JoxES. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Dr. Wliite, you alluded a moment ago to the broad concept, some- 

 thing in the more distant future, as it relates to the administration's 

 bill or program. 



Being more specific, the district I represent contains the Outer 

 Banks, Cape Hatteras, et cetera. 



There is a strip of approximately 82 miles of shoreline coming down 

 the Banks, Y2 miles is the property of tlie Department of Interior, of 

 the shoreline. 



Beach erosion in I'ecent yeai-s and A^arious factors of storms and 

 tides is deA^eloping an acute situation. 



There are some places along our Banks where there is less than 100 

 yards separating tlie ocean from the sound, and it has been predicted 

 by those more knowledofeable than I, that if this barrier CA'er breaks, 

 and tlie ocean comes into the sound, tliat it would affect the Avater table 

 and the supply of pure water as far inland as some 50 to 75 miles. 



I mention that to say that I do not think Ave can wait too' long to 

 correct some of the problems that noAv exist. 



Therefore, that leads me to aslv a-ou this. "^^Hiat is the basic difference 

 between TI.R. 2492 and the administration's position ? 



Dr. White. The administration's position Ansualizes that the coastal 

 zone management problem is a subset, a part of the more general prob- 

 lem of managing the entire land area, and that the two are closelv 

 related. 



