OCR Text |
Show interested can be assured that consideration has been given to them. We, therefore, recommend that: In making public land decisions, the Federal Government should take into consideration the interests of the national public, the regional public, the Federal Government as the sovereign, the Federal proprietor, the users of public lands and resources, and the state and local governmental entities within which the lands are located in order to assure, to the extent possible, that the maximum benefit for the general public is achieved. Premises Fundamental premises are beliefs set forth in the foregoing underlying principles as well as in the implementing recommendations that follow. These are: 1. Functioning of Government in a manner that reflects the principles set forth in the Constitution. In adhering to this principle, we seek to give recognition particularly to these specific principles: -Congress, elected by and responsive to the will of the people, makes policy; the executive branch administers the policy. -Maintenance of a strong Federalism. The Federal Government not only recognizes the importance of state and local governments in the Federal system but affirmatively supports and strengthens their roles to the maximum extent possible. -The Federal Government protects the rights of individual citizens and assures that each one is dealt with fairly and equitably. 2. Balancing of all major interests in order to assure maximum benefit for the general public. -No one of the interests we have identified should benefit to the unreasonable detriment of another unless there is an overriding national interest present. 3. Providing responsible stewardship of the public lands and their resources. -Environmental values must be protected as major permanent elements of public land policy. -Public lands must be available to meet a diversity of expanding requirements without degradation of the environment and, where possible, enhancement of the environment. -Better planning will provide increased efficiency in the allocation of resources and the investment of funds. -Guidelines must be established to provide for priorities in reducing conflicts among users and resolving conflicts when they arise. 4. In addition to serving national requirements, the public lands must serve regional and local needs. -In many areas, consideration must be given to dependence of regional and local social and economic growth upon public lands and land policy. -In planning the use of public lands, the uses of nonpublic lands must be given consideration. |