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And worse yet, they didn't work in with local property owners, elected officials and other <br /> people whose lives were affected. I'm dedicated to charting a new course. I'm opening up <br /> lines of communications that have not always been properly fostered. I want to partner <br /> with local people at the beginning of the process -not at the end. I'll ask for their advice <br /> to find innovative ways to care for and protect precious national treasures. <br /> For example,we're committed to building on the principle of respect for property rights. <br /> Farmers and ranchers are often the best stewards of the land. We can achieve more by <br /> working with them - and capitalizing on their intimate knowledge of the land they depend <br /> on and the land they love. <br /> Let me give you an example. Suppose you were out walking on your farm one day, and <br /> found an incredibly rare type of mineral -- something that was highly valued by people <br /> all across the world. You would be excited and happy--because obviously you would <br /> soon be extremely wealthy. <br /> On the other hand, suppose you make a similar discovery, but the discovery is a rare and <br /> beautiful bird. Thousands of avid bird watchers would give their eyeteeth just for a <br /> glimpse -- and lucky you, one has landed on your farm. You're' A happy--right? <br /> Wrong! Instead of great wealth, you face economic devastation. There is something <br /> profoundly wrong with a system that gives such perverse results. It creates conflict and <br /> hardship, instead of environmental stewardship. <br /> It will be challenging to move from our current system of conflict to one of cooperation-- <br /> but with President Bush, we can make it happen. For example, President Bush has <br /> proposed using landowner incentive programs to give technical assistance, habitat <br /> enhancement tools, and financial reward to foster win-win solutions --benefiting <br /> landowners, endangered species and our national treasures. <br /> We must also harness 21st century technology to help our environment. Where we once <br /> needed scores of oil wells to tap underground reserves, today in some areas we can use <br /> one hole on the surface to drill for oil in a circle extending seven miles. <br /> We can use the resources below the ground while we preserve the landscape and habitat <br /> above. <br /> President Bush is committed to repairing our national parks after years of neglect. For <br /> example, the visitors center at California's Lava Beds National Memorial is two 1974 <br /> trailers bolted together. If the center was on private land it would have been condemned <br /> five years ago. The safety of visitors and park staff is threatened. And the 18-foot trailer <br /> sits atop caves that are in danger of collapsing and harming resources. <br /> Over the next five years, the Administration will invest $4.9 billion to eliminate the <br /> backlog of maintenance projects. That way American families can enjoy our national <br />