In fact, a book like this has to be consulted for guidance through the 

 maze. It's obvious that the regulations are becoming too numerous and too 

 complicated, and the jurisdictions are beginning to overlap. The result is 

 frustration on the part of the citizen, and inefficiency on the part of gov- 

 ernments entangled in paperwork. 



It is clearly time to clarify and consolidate these regulations, and 

 that process has been initiated throughout state government. We're taking 

 a hard look at ourselves, simplifying forms and rules with an eye to elim- 

 inating them whenever possible. We're reviewing the code books we operate 

 under, and recommending the repeal of those statutes found to be obsolete or 

 conflicting. 



Yet it seems that the federal government is determined to impose a yard 

 of red tape somewhere for every inch \inwound somewhere else. Worse, it seems 

 determined to impose yet another, needless layer of bureaucracy in matters 

 already regulated at the state or local level. 



Section 4O4 and Section 10 permit programs of the Corps of Engineers 

 are a prime example, and anyone who plans to install so much as an irriga- 

 tion pump in the Missouri or Yellowstone River must first obtain a permit 

 from the Corps' Omaha office. Yet state laws, notably the Streambed Preser- 

 vation Act, already regulate nearly all of the same activities. The federal 

 program is a flagrant intrusion into traditional areas of state responsibil- 

 ity, a usurpation of state and local rights which does nothing except cause 

 more paperwork and unjustifiable delays for the landowner; but our efforts 

 in support of amendments to Section 404 and even those to secure the issu- 

 ance of a general permit covering only riprap projects have, so far, been 

 met by more red tape. 



We can expect, but should not accept, more of this. But laws, regula- 

 tions and environmental impact statements cannot be the total answer to re- 

 solving conflicts or making wise use of our range and other resources. It 

 is Department policy and my own belief that the only real way to maintain 

 and improve rangeland or other agricultural resources on private property 

 is to increase the individual's awareness of the problem, to provide incen- 

 tives to allow management in the proper way, and to bring whatever regula- 

 tion is necessary down to the local level. 



42 



