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00;)32::\ 8 "While the proposed planning standards document takes into account the quality of the environment, we want to re- emphasize the critical importance of giving priority treatment to this factor. We are rapidly reaching a point in our society where we can ill-afford to impose man-made structures on our few remaining free-running streams. Nor can we afford to con- tinue to channelize streams under the guise of flood control when, in so doing, we simply move the potential flood waters downstream to a different area while at the same time we flagrantly violate all of the principles of sound fish and wildlife management and destroy vital conservation values. "With respect to giving greater weight to environmental values, the National Wildlife Federation recommends that the Water Resources Council give serious consideration to incor- porating the concept of life-cycle planning in the planning process. Life-cycle planning, . . . would require that any proposed water resource plans specifically state and evaluate in quantitative terms the environmental impact of the proposed project during the planning, exploration, construction, operating and, if appro- priate, the restoration stages. " * )): * * * "Unless and until much more overwhelming evidence can be assembled than is presently available that the long-run ecologic, hydrographic, and total environmental consequences of constructing impoundments, levees, and straightening channels '~_' and otherwise intervening in natural processes can yield on balance net advantages over leaving these resources and water- sheds in their natural state, economic analysis should consider as one of the possible costs of constructing environmental projects, the cost of eventually restoring the watershed or other resources to its natural state." ***** "In conclusion, . . . I would hope that concerned citizens in all parts of this country will have ample opportunity under the new standards to express their views and to make a vigorous input in the planning of all water resources projects."