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<br />8 <br /> <br />A strong plea was made to give the Council a clear mandate with suHicient <br />autonomy and resources to do the job. That a "czar" might be the only <br />ultimate answer was considered. <br /> <br />Obviously the Nation needs a clearly defined national water policy periodically <br />updated to meet changing goals, as well as new needs. The environment is <br />an example of change in goals. <br /> <br />The increasing value of public involvement so that planning may be under- <br />stood as well as reflect the needs and desires of people in general was a <br />recurring item with which there was deep agreement. The public, all sectors, <br />should be deeply involved in the planning at an early date. How? <br /> <br />There was no disagreement that comprehensive multiple objective water re- <br />sources planning was a good start, and in many cases really a pretty good <br />basis, for environmental planning. Obviously man is a part of the ecology and <br />the environment we are all so concerned with and about. <br /> <br />Panel A offers for your consideration these recommendations: <br /> <br />1. A change in the structure of the Water Resources Council to <br />provide a chairmanship which will increase the Council's <br />influenc e in policy direction. <br /> <br />2. The appropriation of funds for comprehensive planning to the <br />Water Resources Council for transfer to all participating <br />agencies. Careful attention should be given to insure that <br />personnel ceilings follow the funds. <br /> <br />3. Development by the Water Resources Council of guidelines <br />for earlier public participation in water resources planning. <br />Coordination implies insuring that all interests, Federal, <br />State, local and regional, public and private, economic as <br />well as environmental, be considered. This means not only <br />broad participation by the various public agencies but also <br />informed understanding and support by private citizens. <br /> <br />tt>~\) <br />