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PresidentLyndonB.Johnson's
SpecialMessagetotheCongressonConservationand
RestorationofNaturalBeauty
February8,1965
TotheCongressoftheUnitedStates:
ForcenturiesAmericanshavedrawnstrengthandinspirationfromthebeauty
ofourcountry.Itwouldbeaneglectfulgenerationindeed,indifferentaliketo
thejudgmentofhistoryandthecommandofprinciple,whichfailedtopreserve
andextendsuchaheritageforitsdescendants.
Yetthestormofmodernchangeisthreateningtoblightanddiminishinafew
decadeswhathasbeencherishedandprotectedforgenerations.
Agrowingpopulationisswallowingupareasofnaturalbeautywithits
demandsforlivingspace,andisplacingincreaseddemandonour
overburdenedareasofrecreationandpleasure.
Theincreasingtempoofurbanizationandgrowthisalreadydeprivingmany
Americansoftherighttoliveindecentsurroundings.Moreofourpeopleare
crowdingintocitiesandbeingcutofffromnature.Citiesthemselvesreachout
intothecountryside,destroyingstreamsandtreesandmeadowsastheygo.
Amodernhighwaymaywipeouttheequivalentofafiftyacreparkwithevery
mile.Andpeoplemoveoutfromthecitytogetclosertonatureonlytofindthat
naturehasmovedfartherfromthem.
Themoderntechnology,whichhasaddedmuchtoourlivescanalsohavea
darkerside.Itsuncontrolledwasteproductsaremenacingtheworldwelivein,
ourenjoymentandourhealth.Theairwebreathe,ourwater,oursoiland
wildlife,arebeingblightedbythepoisonsandchemicalswhicharetheby
productsoftechnologyandindustry.Theskeletonsofdiscardedcarslitterthe
countryside.Thesamesocietywhichreceivestherewardsoftechnology,
must,asacooperatingwhole,takeresponsibilityforcontrol.
Todealwiththesenewproblemswillrequireanewconservation.Wemustnot
onlyprotectthecountrysideandsaveitfromdestruction,wemustrestore
whathasbeendestroyedandsalvagethebeautyandcharmofourcities.Our
conservationmustbenotjusttheclassicconservationofprotectionand
development,butacreativeconservationofrestorationandinnovation.Its
concernisnotwithnaturealone,butwiththetotalrelationbetweenmanand
theworldaroundhim.Itsobjectisnotjustman'swelfarebutthedignityof
man'sspirit.
Inthisconservationtheprotectionandenhancementofman'sopportunityto
beincontactwithbeautymustplayamajorrole.
Thismeansthatbeautymustnotbejustaholidaytreat,butapartofourdaily
life.Itmeansnotjusteasyphysicalaccess,butequalsocialaccessforrich
andpoor,Negroandwhite,citydwellerandfarmer.
Beautyisnotaneasythingtomeasure.Itdoesnotshowupinthegross
nationalproduct,inaweeklypaycheck,orinprofitandlossstatements.But
thesethingsarenotendsinthemselves.Theyarearoadtosatisfactionand
pleasureandthegoodlife.Beautymakesitsowndirectcontributiontothese
finalends.Thereforeitisoneofthemostimportantcomponentsofourtrue
nationalincome,nottobeleftoutsimplybecausestatisticianscannot
calculateitsworth.
Andsomethingswedoknow.Associationwithbeautycanenlargeman's
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imaginationandrevivehisspirit.Uglinesscandemeanthepeoplewholive
amongit.WhatacitizenseeseverydayishisAmerica.Ifitisattractiveit.it
addstothequalityofhisthelife.Ifitisuglyitcandegradehisexistence.
Beautyhasotherimmediatevalues.Itaddstosafetywhetherremovingdirect
dangerstohealthormakinghighwayslessmonotonousanddangerous.We
alsoknowthatthosewholiveinblightedandsqualidconditionsaremore
susceptibletoanxietiesandmentaldisease.
Uglinessiscostly.Itcanbeexpensivetocleanasootsmearedbuilding,orto
buildnewareasofrecreationwhentheoldlandscapecouldhavebeen
preservedfarmorecheaply.
Certainlynoonewouldhazardanationaldefinitionofbeauty.Butwedoknow
thatnatureisnearlyalwaysbeautiful.Wedo,forthemostpart,knowwhatis
ugly.Andwecanintroduce,intoallourplanning,ourprograms,ourbuilding
andourgrowth,aconsciousandactiveconcernforthevaluesofbeauty.Ifwe
dothisthenwecanbesuccessfulinpreservingabeautifulAmerica.
Thereismuchthefederalgovernmentcando,througharangeofspecific
programs,andasaforceforpubliceducation.ButabeautifulAmericawill
requiretheeffortofgovernmentateverylevel,ofbusiness,andofprivate
groups.Aboveallitwillrequiretheconcernandactionofindividualcitizens,
alerttodanger,determinedtoimprovethequalityoftheirsurroundings,
resistingblight,demandingandbuildingbeautyforthemselvesandtheir
children.
Iamhopefulthatwecansummonsuchanationaleffort.Forwehavenot
chosentohaveanuglyAmerica.Wehavebeencareless,andoften
neglectful.Butnowthatthedangerisclearandthehourislatethispeoplecan
placethemselvesinthepathofatideofblightwhichisoftenirreversibleand
alwaysdestructive.
TheCongressandtheExecutivebranchhaveeachproducedconservation
giantsinthepast.Duringthe88thCongressitwaslegislativeexecutive
teamworkthatbroughtprogress.Itisthissamekindofpartnershipthatwill
ensureourcontinuedprogress.
InthatspiritasabeginningandstimulusImakethefollowingproposals:

THECITIES
ThomasJeffersonwrotethatcommunities"shouldbeplannedwithaneyeto
theeffectmadeuponthehumanspiritbybeingcontinuallysurroundedwitha
maximumofbeauty."
WehaveoftensadlyneglectedthisadviceinthemodernAmericancity.Yet
thisiswheremostofourpeoplelive.Itiswherethecharacterofouryoungis
formed.ItiswhereAmericancivilizationwillbeincreasinglyconcentratedin
yearstocome.
Suchachallengewillnotbemetwithafewmoreparksorplaygrounds.It
requiresattentiontothearchitectureofbuilding,thestructureofourroads,
preservationofhistoricalbuildingsandmonuments,carefulplanningofnew
suburbs.Aconcernfortheenhancementofbeautymustinfuseeveryaspect
ofthegrowthanddevelopmentofmetropolitanareas.Itmustbeaprincipal
responsibilityoflocalgovernment,supportedbyactiveandconcerned
citizens.
Federalassistancecanbeavaluablestimulusandhelptosuchlocalefforts.
Ihaverecommendedacommunityextensionprogramwhichwillbringthe
resourcesoftheuniversitytofocusonproblemsofthecommunityjustasthey
havelongbeenconcernedwithourruralareas.Amongotherthings,this
programwillhelpprovidetrainingandtechnicalassistancetoaidinmaking
ourcommunitiesmoreattractiveandvital.Inaddition,undertheHousingAct
of1964,grantswillbemadetoStatesfortrainingoflocalgovernmental
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employeesneededforcommunitydevelopment.Iamrecommendinga1965
supplementalappropriationtoimplementthisprogram.
Wenowhavetwoprogramswhichcanbeofspecialhelpincreatingareasof
recreationandbeautyforourmetropolitanareapopulation:theOpenSpace
LandProgram,andtheLandandWaterConservationFund.
IhavealreadyproposedfullfundingoftheLandandWaterConservation
Fund,anddirectedtheSecretaryoftheInteriortogivepriorityattentionto
servingtheneedsofourgrowingurbanpopulation.
TheprimarypurposeoftheOpenSpaceProgramhasbeentohelpacquire
andassureopenspacesinurbanareas.Iproposeaseriesofnewmatching
grantsforimprovingthenaturalbeautyofurbanopenspace.
TheOpenSpaceProgramshouldbeadequatelyfinanced,andbroadenedby
permittinggrantstobemadetohelpcitygovernmentsacquireandclearareas
tocreatesmallparks,squares,pedestrianmallsandplaygrounds.
InadditionIwillrequestauthorityinthisprogramforamatchingprogramto
citiesforlandscaping,installationofoutdoorlightsandbenches,creating
attractivecityscapesalongroadsandinbusinessareas,andforother
beautificationpurposes.
Ourcityparkshavenot,inmanycases,realizedtheirfullpotentialassources
ofpleasureandplay.Irecommendonamatchingbasisaseriesoffederal
demonstrationprojectsincityparkstousethebestthoughtandactionto
showhowtheappearanceoftheseparkscanbetterservethepeopleofour
townsandmetropolitanareas.
Alloftheseprogramsshouldbeoperatedonthesamematchingformulato
avoidunnecessarycompetitionamongprogramsandincreasethepossibility
ofcooperativeeffort.Iwillproposesuchastandardformula.
InafuturemessageonthecitiesIwillrecommendotherchangesinour
housingprogramsdesignedtostrengthenthesenseofcommunityofwhich
naturalbeautyisanimportantcomponent.
Inalmosteverypartofthecountrycitizensarerallyingtosavelandmarksof
beautyandhistory.Thegovernmentmustalsodoitssharetoassistthese
localeffortswhichhaveanimportantnationalpurpose.Wewillencourageand
supporttheNationalTrustforHistoricPreservationintheUnitedStates,
charteredbyCongressin1949.Ishallproposelegislationtoauthorize
supplementarygrantstohelplocalauthoritiesacquire,developandmanage
privatepropertiesforsuchpurposes.
TheRegistryofNationalHistoricLandmarksisafinefederalprogramwith
virtuallynofederalcost.Icommenditsworkandthenewwaveofinterestit
hasevokedinhistoricalpreservation.

THECOUNTRYSIDE
Ourpresentsystemofparks,seashoresandrecreationareasmonumentsto
thededicationandlaboroffarsightedmendonotmeettheneedsofa
growingpopulation.
ThefullfundingoftheLandandWaterConservationFundwillbeanimportant
stepinmakingthisaParksforAmericadecade.
Iproposetousethisfundtoacquirelandsneededtoestablish:
AssateagueIslandNationalSeashore,MarylandVirginia
TocksIslandNationalRecreationArea,NewJerseyPennsylvania
CapeLookoutNationalSeashore,NorthCarolina
SleepingBearDunesNationalLakeshore,Michigan
IndianaDunesNationalLakeshore,Indiana
OregonDunesNationalSeashore,Oregon
GreatBasinNationalPark,Nevada
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GuadalupeMountainsNationalPark,Texas
SpruceKnob,SenecaRocksNationalRecreationArea,WestVirginia
BighornCanyonNationalRecreationArea,MontanaWyoming
FlamingGorgeNationalRecreation,UtahWyoming
WhiskeytownShastaTrinityNationalRecreationArea,California.
Inaddition,IhaverequestedtheSecretaryofInterior,workingwithinterested
groups,toconductastudyonthedesirabilityofestablishingaRedwood
NationalParkinCalifornia.
Iwillalsorecommendthatweaddprimeoutdoorrecreationareastoour
NationalForestsystem,particularlyinthepopulousEastandproceedon
schedulewithstudiesrequiredtodefineandenlargetheWildernessSystem
establishedbythe88thCongress.Wewillalsocontinueprogressonour
refugesystemformigratorywaterfowl.
Faultystripandsurfaceminingpracticeshaveleftuglyscarswhichmarthe
beautyofthelandscapeinmanyofourStates.Iurgeyourstrongsupportof
thenationwidestripandsurfaceminingstudyprovidedbytheAppalachian
Regionallegislation,whichwillfurnishthefactualbasisforafairand
reasonableapproachtothecorrectionofthesepasterrors.
IamaskingtheSecretaryofAgriculturetoworkwithStateandlocal
organizationsindevelopingacooperativeprogramforimprovingthebeautyof
theprivatelyownedrurallandswhichcomprisethreefourthsoftheNation's
area.MuchcanbedonewithinexistingDepartmentofAgricultureprograms
withoutaddingtocost.
The28millionacresoflandpresentlyheldandusedbyourArmedServicesis
animportantpartofourpublicestate.Manythousandsoftheseacreswill
soonbecomesurplustomilitaryneeds.Muchofthislandhasgreatpotential
foroutdoorrecreation,wildlife,andconservationusesconsistentwithmilitary
requirements.Thispotentialmustberealizedthroughthefullestapplicationof
multipleuseprinciples.TothisendIhavedirectedtheSecretariesofDefense
andInteriortoconducta"conservationinventory"ofallsurpluslands.

HIGHWAYS
Morethananycountryoursisanautomobilesociety.FormostAmericansthe
automobileisaprincipalinstrumentoftransportation,work,dailyactivity,
recreationandpleasure.Bymakingourroadshighwaystotheenjoymentof
natureandbeautywecangreatlyenrichthelifeofnearlyallourpeopleincity
andcountrysidealike.
Ourtaskistwofold.First,toensurethatroadsthemselvesarenotdestructive
ofnatureandnaturalbeauty.Second,tomakeourroadswaystorecreation
andpleasure.
IhaveaskedtheSecretaryofCommercetotakeaseriesofstepsdesignedto
meetthisobjective.Thisincludesrequiringlandscapingonallfederal
interstateprimaryandurbanhighways,encouragingtheconstructionofrest
andrecreationareasalonghighways,andthepreservationofnaturalbeauty
adjacenttohighwayrightsofway.
Ourpresenthighwaylawpermitstheuseofupto3%ofallfederalaidfundsto
beusedwithoutmatchingforthepreservationofnaturalbeauty.Thisauthority
hasnotbeenusedforthepurposeintendedbyCongress.Iwilltakesteps,
includingrecommendedlegislationifnecessary,tomakesurethesefunds
are,infact,usedtoenhancebeautyalongourhighwaysystem.Thiswill
dedicatesubstantialresourcestothispurpose.
Iwillalsorecommendthataportionofthefundsnowusedforsecondary
roadsbesetasideinordertoprovideaccesstoareasofrestandrecreation
andscenicbeautyalongournation'sroads,andforreroutingorconstruction
ofhighwaysforscenicorparkwaypurposes.
TheRecreationAdvisoryCouncilisnowcompletingastudyoftherolewhich
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scenicroadsandparkwaysshouldplayinmeetingourhighwayandrecreation
needs.Afterreceivingthereport,Iwillmakeappropriaterecommendations.
Theauthorityfortheexistingprogramofoutdooradvertisingcontrolexpires
onJune30,1965,anditsprovisionshavenotbeeneffectiveinachievingthe
desiredgoal.Accordingly,Iwillrecommendlegislationtoensureeffective
controlofbillboardsalongourhighways.
Inaddition,weneedurgentlytoworktowardstheeliminationorscreeningof
unsightly,beautydestroyingjunkyardsandautograveyardsalongour
highways.Tothisend,Iwillalsorecommendnecessarylegislationtoachieve
effectivecontrol,includingFederalassistanceinappropriatecaseswhere
necessary.
Ihopethat,atalllevelsofgovernment,ourplannersandbuilderswill
rememberthathighwaybeautificationismorethanamatterofplantingtrees
orsettingasidescenicareas.Theroadsthemselvesmustreflect,inlocation
anddesign,increasedrespectforthenaturalandsocialintegrityandunityof
thelandscapeandcommunitiesthroughwhichtheypass.

RIVERS
Thosewhofirstsettledthiscontinentfoundmuchtomarvelat.Nothingwasa
greatersourceofwonderandamazementthanthepowerandmajestyof
Americanrivers.Theyoccupyacentralplaceinmythandlegend,folkloreand
literature.
Theywereourfirsthighways,andsomeremainamongthemostimportant.
Wehavehadtocontroltheirravages,harnesstheirpower,andusetheir
watertohelpmakewholeregionsprosper.
Yeteventhisseeminglyindestructiblenaturalresourceisindanger.
Throughourpollutioncontrolprogramswecandomuchtorestoreourrivers.
Wewillcontinuetoconservethewaterandpowerfortomorrow'sneedswith
wellplannedreservoirsandpowerdams.Butthetimehasalsocometo
identifyandpreservefreeflowingstretchesofourgreatscenicriversbefore
growthanddevelopmentmakethebeautyoftheunspoiledwaterwaya
memory.
TothisendIwillshortlysendtotheCongressaBilltoestablishaNational
WildRiversSystem.

THEPOTOMAC
Theriverrichinhistoryandmemorywhichflowsbyournation'scapitalshould
serveasamodelofscenicandrecreationvaluesfortheentirecountry.To
meetthisobjectiveIamaskingtheSecretaryoftheInteriortoreviewthe
PotomacRiverbasindevelopmentplannowunderreviewbytheChiefof
ArmyEngineers,andtoworkwiththeaffectedStatesandlocalgovernments,
theDistrictofColumbiaandinterestedfederalagenciestoprepareaprogram
formyconsideration.
Aprogrammustbedevisedwhichwill:
a.Cleanuptheriverandkeepitclean,soitcanbeusedforboating,
swimmingandfishing.
b.Protectitsnaturalbeautiesbytheacquisitionofsceniceasements,
zoningorothermeasures.
c.Provideadequaterecreationalfacilities,and
d.CompletethepresentlyauthorizedGeorgeWashingtonMemorial
Parkwayonbothbanks.
IhopeactionherewillstimulateandinspiresimilareffortsbyStatesandlocal
governmentsonotherurbanriversandwaterfronts,suchastheHudsonin
NewYork.Theyarepotentiallythegreatestsinglesourceofpleasurefor
thosewholiveinmostofourmetropolitanareas.
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TRAILS
Theforgottenoutdoorsmenoftodayarethosewholiketowalk,hike,ride
horsebackorbicycle.Forthemwemusthavetrailsaswellashighways.Nor
shouldmotorvehiclesbepermittedtotyrannizethemoreleisurelyhuman
traffic.
Oldandyoungalikecanparticipate.Ourdoctorsrecommendandencourage
suchactivityforfitnessandfun.
Iamrequesting,therefore,thattheSecretaryoftheInteriorworkwithhis
colleaguesinthefederalgovernmentandwithstateandlocalleadersand
recommendtomeacooperativeprogramtoencourageanationalsystemof
trails,buildingupthemorethanhundredthousandmilesoftrailsinour
NationalForestsandParks.
Therearemanynewandexcitingtrailprojectsunderwayacrosstheland.In
Arizona,acountyhasarrangedformilesofirrigationcanalbankstobeused
byridersandhikers.InIllinois,anabandonedrailroadrightofwayisbeing
developedasa"PrairiePath."InNewMexicoutilityrightsofwayareusedas
publictrails.
Aswithsomuchofourquestforbeautyandquality,eachcommunityhas
opportunitiesforaction.Wecanandshouldhaveanabundanceoftrailsfor
walking,cyclingandhorsebackriding,inandclosetoourcities.Intheback
countryweneedtocopythegreatAppalachianTrailinallpartsofAmerica,
andtomakefulluseofrightsofwayandotherpublicpaths.

POLLUTION
Oneaspectoftheadvanceofcivilizationistheevolutionofresponsibilityfor
disposalofwaste.Overmanygenerationssocietygraduallydeveloped
techniquesforthispurpose.Stateandlocalgovernments,landlordsand
privatecitizenshavebeenheldresponsibleforensuringthatsewageand
garbagedidnotmenacehealthorcontaminatetheenvironment.
Inthelastfewdecadesentirenewcategoriesofwastehavecometoplague
andmenacetheAmericanscene.Thesearethetechnologicalwastestheby
productsofgrowth,industry,agriculture,andscience.Wecannotwaitforslow
evolutionovergenerationstodealwiththem.
Pollutionisgrowingatarapidrate.Somepollutantsareknowntobeharmful
tohealth,whiletheeffectofothersisuncertainandunknown.Insomecases
wecancontrolpollutionwithalargereffort.Forotherformsofpollutionwestill
donothaveeffectivemeansofcontrol.
Pollutiondestroysbeautyandmenaceshealth.Itcutsdownonefficiency,
reducespropertyvaluesandraisestaxes.
Thelongerwewaittoact,thegreaterthedangersandthelargertheproblem.
Largescalepollutionofairandwaterwaysisnorespecterofpolitical
boundaries,anditseffectsextendfarbeyondthosewhocauseit.
Airpollutionisnolongerconfinedtoisolatedplaces.Thisgenerationhas
alteredthecompositionoftheatmosphereonaglobalscalethrough
radioactivematerialsandasteadyincreaseincarbondioxidefromtheburning
offossilfuels.Entireregionalairsheds,cropplantenvironments,andriver
basinsareheavywithnoxiousmaterials.Motorvehiclesandhomeheating
plants,municipaldumpsandfactoriescontinuallyhurlpollutantsintotheairwe
breathe.Eachdayalmost50,000tonsofunpleasant,andsometimes
poisonous,sulfurdioxideareaddedtotheatmosphere,andourautomobiles
producealmost300,000tonsofotherpollutants.
InDonora,Pennsylvaniain1948,andNewYorkCityin1953seriousillness
andsomedeathswereproducedbysharpincreasesinairpollution.InNew
Orleans,epidemicoutbreaksofasthmaticattacksareassociatedwithair
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pollutants.ThreefourthsoftheeightmillionpeopleintheLosAngelesarea
areannoyedbysevereeyeirritationmuchoftheyear.Andourhealth
authoritiesareincreasinglyconcernedwiththedamagingeffectsofthe
continualbreathingofpollutedairbyallourpeopleineverycityinthecountry.
Inadditiontoitshealtheffects,airpollutioncreatesfilthandgloomand
depreciatespropertyvaluesofentireneighborhoods.TheWhiteHouseitselfis
beingdirtiedwithsootfrompollutedair.
Everymajorriversystemisnowpolluted.Waterwaysthatwereoncesources
ofpleasureandbeautyandrecreationareforbiddentohumancontactand
objectionabletosightandsmell.Furthermore,thispollutioniscostly,requiring
expensivetreatmentfordrinkingwaterandinhibitingtheoperationandgrowth
ofindustry.
Inspiteoftheeffortsandmanyaccomplishmentsofthepast,waterpollutionis
spreading.Andnewkindsofproblemsarebeingaddedtotheold:
Waterborneviruses,particularlyhepatitis,arereplacingtyphoidfeverasa
significanthealthhazard.
Massdeathsoffishhaveoccurredinriversoverburdenedwithwastes.
Someofourriverscontainchemicalswhich,inconcentratedform,produce
abnormalitiesinanimals.
Lastsummer2,600squaremilesofLakeErieoveraquarteroftheentire
Lakewerealmostwithoutoxygenandunabletosupportlifebecauseofalgae
andplantgrowths,fedbypollutionfromcitiesandfarms.
Inmanyoldercitiesstormdrainsandsanitarysewersareinterconnected.Asa
result,mixturesofstormwaterandsanitarywasteoverflowduringrainsand
dischargedirectlyintostreams,bypassingtreatmentworksandcausingheavy
pollution.
Inadditiontoourairandwaterwemust,eachandeveryday,disposeofahalf
billionpoundsofsolidwaste.Thesewastesfromdiscardedcanstodiscarded
automobileslitterourcountry,harborvermin,andmenaceourhealth.
Inefficientandimpropermethodsofdisposalincreasepollutionofourairand
streams.
Almostallthesewastesandpollutionsaretheresultofactivitiescarriedonfor
thebenefitofman.Aprimenationalgoalmustbeanenvironmentthatis
pleasingtothesensesandhealthytolivein.
OurGovernmentisalreadydoingmuchinthisfield.Wehavemadesignificant
progress.Butmoremustbedone.
FederalGovernmentActivity
Iamdirectingtheheadsofallagenciestoimprovemeasurestoabate
pollutioncausedbydirectagencyoperation,contractsandcooperative
agreements.Federalprocurementpracticesmustmakesurethatthe
Governmentequipmentusesthemosteffectivetechniquesforcontrolling
pollution.TheAdministratorofGeneralServiceshasalreadytakenstepsto
assurethatmotorvehiclespurchasedbytheFederalGovernmentmeet
minimumstandardsofexhaustquality.
CleanWater
Enforcementauthoritymustbestrengthenedtoprovidepositivecontrolsover
thedischargeofpollutantsintoourinterstateornavigablewaters.I
recommendenactmentoflegislationto:
Provide,throughthesettingofeffectivewaterqualitystandards,combined
withaswiftandeffectiveenforcementprocedure,anationalprogramto
preventwaterpollutionatitssourceratherthanattemptingtocurepollution
afteritoccurs.
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Increaseprojectgrantceilingsandprovideadditionalincentivesformulti
municipalprojectsunderthewastetreatmentfacilitiesconstructionprogram.
IncreasetheceilingsforgrantstoStatewaterpollutioncontrolprograms.
Provideanewresearch,anddemonstrationconstructionprogramleadingto
thesolutionofproblemscausedbythemixingofstormwaterrunoffand
sanitarywastes.
TheSecretaryofHealth,Education,andWelfarewillundertakeanintensive
programtocleanuptheNation'smostpollutedrivers.Withthecooperationof
Statesandcitiesusingthetoolsofregulation,grantandincentiveswecan
bringthemostseriousproblemofriverpollutionundercontrol.Wecannot
affordtodoless.
WewillworkwithCanadatodevelopapollutioncontrolprogramfortheGreat
Lakesandotherborderwaters.
ThroughanexpandedprogramcarriedonbytheDepartmentsofHealth,
Education,andWelfareandInterior,wewillcontinuetoseekeffectiveand
economicalmethodsforcontrollingpollutionfromacidminedrainage.
Toimprovethequalityofourwaterswillrequirethefullestcooperationofour
Stateandlocalgovernments.Workingtogether,wecanandwillpreserveand
increaseoneofourmostvaluablenationalresourcescleanwater.
CleanAir
TheenactmentoftheCleanAirActinDecemberof1963representedalong
stepforwardinourabilitytounderstandandcontrolthedifficultproblemofair
pollution.The1966Budgetrequestof24milliondollarsisalmostdoublethe
amountspentonairpollutionprogramsintheyearpriortoitsenactment.
Inaddition,theCleanAirActshouldbeimprovedtopermittheSecretaryof
Health,Education,andWelfaretoinvestigatepotentialairpollutionproblems
beforepollutionhappens,ratherthanhavingtowaituntilthedamageoccurs,
asisnowthecase,andtomakerecommendationsleadingtotheprevention
ofsuchpollution.
Oneoftheprincipaluncheckedsourcesofairpollutionistheautomobile.I
intendtoinstitutediscussionswithindustryofficialsandotherinterested
groupsleadingtoaneffectiveeliminationorsubstantialreductionofpollution
fromliquidfueledmotorvehicles.
SolidWastes
Continuingtechnologicalprogressandimprovementinmethodsof
manufacture,packagingandmarketingofconsumerproductshasresultedin
anevermountingincreaseofdiscardedmaterial.Weneedtoseekbetter
solutionstothedisposalofthesewastes.Irecommendlegislationto:
AssisttheStatesindevelopingcomprehensiveprogramsforsomeformsof
solidwastedisposal.
Provideforresearchanddemonstrationprojectsleadingtomoreeffective
methodsfordisposingoforsalvagingsolidwastes.
Launchaconcentratedattackontheaccumulationofjunkcarsbyincreasing
researchintheDepartmentoftheInteriorleadingtouseofmetalfromscrap
carswherepromisingleadsalreadyexist.
Pesticides
Pesticidesmayaffectlivingorganismswherevertheyoccur.
Inorderthatwemaybetterunderstandtheeffectsofthesecompounds,I
haveincludedincreasedfundsinthebudgetforusebytheSecretariesof
Agriculture,Interior,andHealth,Education,andWelfaretoincreasetheir
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researcheffortsonpesticidessotheycangivespecialattentiontotheflowof
pesticidesthroughtheenvironmentstudythemeansbywhichpesticides
breakdownanddisappearinnatureandtokeepaconstantcheckonthe
levelofpesticidesinourwater,air,soilandfoodsupply.
IamrecommendingadditionalfundsfortheSecretaryofAgriculturetoreduce
contaminationfromtoxicchemicalsthroughintensifiedresearch,regulatory
control,andeducationalprograms.
TheSecretaryofAgriculturewillsoonsubmitlegislationtotightencontrolover
themanufactureanduseofagriculturalchemicals,includinglicensingand
factoryinspectionofmanufacturers,clearlyplacingtheburdenofproofof
safetyontheproponentofthechemicalratherthanontheGovernment.
ResearchResources
Ourneedsfornewknowledgeandincreasingapplicationofexisting
knowledgedemandagreatersupplyoftrainedmanpowerandresearch
resources.
ANationalCenterforEnvironmentalHealthSciencesisbeingplannedasa
focalpointforhealthresearchinthisfield.Inaddition,the1966budget
includesfundsfortheestablishmentofuniversityinstitutestoconduct
researchandtraininginenvironmentalpollutionproblems.
Legislationrecommendedinmymessageonhealthhasbeenintroducedto
increaseFederalsupportforspecializedresearchfacilitiesofanationalor
regionalcharacter.Thisproposal,aimedathealthresearchneedsgenerally,
wouldassistinthesolutionofenvironmentalhealthproblemsandIurgeits
passage.
WeneedlegislationtoprovidetotheDepartmentsofAgricultureandthe
Interiorauthorityforgrantsforresearchinenvironmentalpollutioncontrolin
theirareasofresponsibility.IhaveaskedtheSecretaryofInteriortosubmit
legislationtoeliminatetheceilingonpesticideresearch.
OtherEfforts
Inadditiontotheseneededactions,otherproposalsareundergoingactive
study.
IhavedirectedtheChairmanoftheCouncilofEconomicAdvisers,withthe
appropriatedepartments,tostudytheuseofeconomicincentivesasa
techniquetostimulatepollutionpreventionandabatement,andtorecommend
actionsorlegislation,ifneeded.
IhaveinstructedtheDirectoroftheBureauoftheBudgetandtheDirectorof
theOfficeofScienceandTechnologytoexploretheadequacyofthepresent
organizationofpollutioncontrolandresearchactivities.
IhavealsoaskedtheDirectoroftheOfficeofScienceandTechnologyand
theDirectoroftheBureauoftheBudgettorecommendthebestwayinwhich
theFederalgovernmentmaydirecteffortstowardadvancingourscientific
understandingofnaturalplantandanimalcommunitiesandtheirinteraction
withmanandhisactivities.
Theactionsandproposalsrecommendedinthismessagewilltakeusalong
waytowardimmediatereversaloftheincreaseofpollutantsinour
environment.Theywillalsogiveustimeuntilnewbasicknowledgeand
trainedmanpowerprovideopportunitiesformoredramaticgainsinthefuture.

WHITEHOUSECONFERENCE
IintendtocallaWhiteHouseConferenceonNaturalBeautytomeetinmid
Mayofthisyear.ItschairmanwillbeMr.LauranceRockefeller.
ItismyhopethatthisConferencewillproducenewideasandapproachesfor
enhancingthebeautyofAmerica.Itsscopewillnotberestrictedtofederal
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action.Itwilllookforwaystohelpandencouragestateandlocal
governments,institutionsandprivatecitizens,intheirownefforts.Itcanserve
asafocalpointforthelargecampaignofpubliceducationwhichisneededto
alertAmericanstothedangertotheirnaturalheritageandtotheneedfor
action.
InadditiontoothersubjectswhichthisConferencewillconsider,Irecommend
thefollowingsubjectsfordiscussionindepth:
Automobilejunkyards.Iamconvincedthatanalysisofthetechnologyand
economicscanhelpproduceacreativesolutiontothisvexingproblem.The
BureauofMinesoftheInteriorDepartmentcancontributetechnicaladviceto
theconference,ascanthescrapindustryandthesteelindustry.
Undergroundinstallationofutilitytransmissionlines.Furtherresearchis
badlyneededtoenableustocopewiththisproblem.
ThegreatestsingleforcethatshapestheAmericanlandscapeisprivate
economicdevelopment.Ourtaxationpoliciesshouldnotpenalizeor
discourageconservationandthepreservationofbeauty.
WaysinwhichtheFederalGovernmentcan,throughinformationand
technicalassistance,helpcommunitiesandstatesintheirownprogramsof
naturalbeauty.
Thepossibilitiesofanationaltreeplantingprogramcarriedonby
governmentateverylevel,andprivategroupsandcitizens.

CONCLUSION
InmythirtythreeyearsofpubliclifeIhaveseentheAmericansystemmoveto
conservethenaturalandhumanresourcesofourland.
TVAtransformedanentireregionthatwas"depressed."Therural
electrificationcooperativesbroughtelectricitytolightentheburdensofrural
America.WehaveseentheforestsreplantedbytheCCC's,andwatched
GiffordPinchot'ssustainedyieldconcepttakeholdonforestlands.
Itistruethatwehaveoftenbeencarelesswithournaturalbounty.Attimeswe
havepaidaheavypriceforthisneglect.Butonceourpeoplewerearousedto
thedanger,wehaveactedtopreserveourresourcesfortheenrichmentof
ourcountryandtheenjoymentoffuturegenerations.
Thebeautyofourlandisanaturalresource.Itspreservationislinkedtothe
innerprosperityofthehumanspirit.
Thetraditionofourpastisequaltotoday'sthreattothatbeauty.Ourlandwill
beattractivetomorrowonlyifweorganizeforactionandrebuildandreclaim
thebeautyweinherited.Ourstewardshipwillbejudgedbytheforesightwith
whichwecarryouttheseprograms.Wemustrescueourcitiesand
countrysidefromblightwiththesamepurposeandvigorwithwhich,inother
areas,wemovedtosavetheforestsandthesoil.
LYNDONB.JOHNSON
TheWhiteHouse
February8,1965

NOTE:PlansforaWhiteHouseConferenceonNaturalBeautytobeheldMay
2425inWashingtonwereannouncedbythePresidentonMarch12following
ameetingwithLauranceS.Rockefeller,ConferenceChairman.InaWhite
HousereleaseofthatdatethePresidentstatedthatthe2dayconference
wouldconcentrateon"concrete,immediatemeansforthepreservationof
naturalbeauty,throughFederal,State,local,andprivateaction."
"Itismyhopeandexpectation,"thePresidentsaid,"thatthisConferencewill
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helpstimulateandguideatrulynationaleffortateverylevelofAmericanlife
toensurethatallourpeoplecanfindtheirlivesenrichedbythebeautyofthe
worldtheylivein."
ThereleasenotedthatMrs.JohnsonwouldopentheConferenceandthatthe
Presidentwouldmaketheclosingaddress.Morethan800confereesfrom
privateandpubliclifewoulddiscuss"awiderangeoftopicsconcerningthe
efforttoprotectandextendthenaturalbeautyofAmerica."Thesetopics,
listedintherelease,wouldbeconsideredbypanelscomposedofcitizens,
technicalexperts,representativesofindustryandlabor,andGovernment
officials.TheirrecommendationswouldbepresentedtothePresidentatthe
finalsessionoftheConference.
Later,onMay7,thePresidentannouncedthenamesofthechairmenofthe
15panelsthatwouldmakeuptheConference,andonMay18,thenamesof
the116personswhohadbeeninvitedtoparticipateaspanelists.
Source:PublicPapersofthePresidentsoftheUnitedStates:LyndonB.
Johnson,1965.VolumeI,entry54,pp.155165.Washington,D.C.:
GovernmentPrintingOffice,1966.
LastUpdatedJune6,2007

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