OCR Text |
Show tained and used for other than recreation purposes. Except in those instances where joint Federal-state or local administration of intensively developed public land areas is justified, such areas should be transferred to state or local jurisdiction either by deed or by lease. This policy will permit state and local governments to spend funds and make improvements on such lands with tenure assured. Federal Management of Local Recreation Areas Parenthetically, we note our recognition above that state and local government units may not always be able to undertake the necessary development. Frequently, the public will be using the lands despite the absence of planned development and management. Protection of the area will require some Federal action and we do not intend to imply that the Federal Government should abandon its responsibilities. The degree of Federal management will and must depend on several factors, of which the most significant is whether development is included in the approved statewide recreation plan. In those instances where state and local governments cannot or will not accept a transfer or lease of the recreation area, we recommend that Federal land management agencies develop and manage intensive use oriented recreation opportunities, even though primarily of local, state, or regional significance, on public lands administered under general multiple-use policy if: (1) such development is called for by a preexisting statewide plan; and (2) as a general rule, the state or a local unit of government shares in the cost of development and administration of the area on an equitable basis. However, as indicated above, there will be instances where public use will require, and we recommend, installation at Federal expense of those minimal facilities needed to protect the area and regularize use even if local and state governments do not share in the cost. Our basic recommendation to transfer or lease lands to units of state and local government is consistent with the existing Recreation and Public Purposes Act. We recommend that this basic policy be applicable to all classes of federally owned land, including lands in the National Forest System, both public domain and acquired, and to lands declared surplus to the needs of the United States, whether Our public lands support a wide variety of outdoor recreation use. Better guidelines will assure the continued enjoyme 200 |