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<br />partnership (that really struck a sympathetic chord in my heart) <br />between the state and federal government. <br /> <br />The last one of his major proposals is greater protection of the <br />environment. He proposes more stringent application of environmental <br />protection statutes. Today they have virtually halted everything ,in <br />the United States, but he wants to make it more stringent., He says <br />the enforcement has been inadequate. He aiso places strong emphasis <br />upon the maintenance of instream flows, something that we started here <br />a number of years ago and which many other states started before the <br />federal government started talking about it. He states that he is <br />asking the governors of the various states to work with federal agencies <br />to protect fish and wildlife and other values associated with adequate <br />instream flows. He says on this subject of instream flows that he is <br />directing the federal water management agencies to set a strong example <br />in recognizing and protecting legitimate instream flow needs. He says <br />to accomplish this, federal legislation will be proposed, as necessary. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />What we have been trying to do by our, own law is to keep the federal <br />government out of it and let us take care: of the instream flow problem. <br />At one or two board meetings ago I expressed some hope that the President <br />was coming around, that his attitude was softening about some of the <br />water problems in the United States. After a careful review of his <br />announcement and numerous other incidents that are taking place, it is <br />my.most vivid impression that the President and his people are opposed <br />to any water resource development in the United States ih any shape, <br />form, or fashion, and they so intend to conduct themselves during this <br />Administration. I see no hope whatsoever that we will ever get any, <br />favorable actions out of this Administration. I believe that the <br />President is sincere. The problem is that he does not seem to realize <br />that almost every agency of the federal gove,rnment and the White House <br />has been infiltrated with people whose philosophy is to oppose any type <br />of water resource development anywhere in the United States. Those <br />people are in a position of power in all of the federal agencies and in <br />the White House Domestic Council. It is their views which are pre- <br />vailing, the views of anyone with common sense are just not available <br />to the President. <br /> <br />I am sorry to paint this bleak picture, but that is the'way it appears. <br /> <br />MR. STAPLETON: Mr. Sparks, that sounds like an application for you to <br />become Secretary of the Interior. <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />MR. ROLLY FISCHER: So moved. <br /> <br />MR. THOMSON: Or Solicitor. <br /> <br />-16- <br />