Number: 1977-06
WHEREAS, the Federal Government has been playing an increasingly significant role in the lives of all Americans, and rush of the expansion in recent years has been haphazard; and
WHEREAS, citizens have a right to expect a high degree of efficiency in the Federal Government; and
WHEREAS, in managing and conserving natural resources and protecting the environment, the present organization of the Federal Government is antiquated and inefficient and should be modernized, properly staffed, and adequately-funded; and
WHEREAS, the President has announced his intention of reorganizing the Federal Government with the view of consolidating and streamlining functions as they currently exist to reduce duplication of effort and conflicts in policy; and
WHEREAS, how the reorganization is conducted has a significant impact on sound resources management;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 24-27, 1977, in Washington, D.C., hereby recommends that a governmental reorganization incorporate these principles and actions:
That a Department of Natural Resources be established and include:
- responsibilities and authority for the management of Federal lands and related resources and their uses, including soil and timber, leasing of land for all fuel sources (i.e. coal, uranium, oil and gas, and geothermal and production of forage, wildlife and recreation where appropriate);
- the management of water resources, including project planning, construction, and research;
- marine resources and technology, including resource management functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
- That a Department of Energy be established and generally include responsibilities of the present Energy Research and Development Administration and Federal Energy Administration and some of the responsibilities of the Federal Power Commission.
- That a clear delineation between regulatory and promotional functions for energy be made, with an Energy Resources Council serving in a coordinating role to assure a comprehensive energy planning process;
- That the Environmental Protection Agency be elevated in stature to the equivalent of a cabinet-level department commensurate with its importance, and be maintained as an independent regulatory agency expanded to include some environmental and safety functions currently under ERDA and the Federal Power Commission;
- That the Water Resources Council be reorganized and strengthened to include review of the merits of all proposed Federal water projects on the basis of river basin and regional water development plans, land use plans, environmental considerations, and economic evaluations; and
That the Nuclear Regulatory Commission be retained as an independent agency.