In the pursuit of this policy, however, we cannot lose projects.  In the part that sound water resource projects play in providing irrigation, power, and flood control.  We must also recognize the special needs of particular regions of the country in evaluating the need for additional projects.

ADDRESSING GLOBAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

The Global 2000 Report to the President, prepared in response to my 1977 Environment Message, is the first of its kind.  Never before has our government, or any government, taken such a comprehensive, long-range look at the interrelated global issues of resources, population, and environment.

The Report’s conclusions are important.  They point to a rapid increase in population and human needs through the year 2000 while at the same time a decline in the earth’s capacity to meet those needs, unless nations of the world act decisively to alter current trends.

The United States has contributed actively to a series of U.N. conferences on the environment, population, and resources, and is preparing for the 1981 Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy.  Following my 1977 Environmental Message, the Administration development assistance programs have added emphasis to natural resource management and environmental protection.  My 1979 Environmental Message called attention to the alarming loss of world forests, particularly in the tropics.  An interagency task force on tropical forests has developed a U.S. government program to encourage conservation and wise management of tropical forests.  The Administration is encouraging action by other nations and world organizations to the same purpose.  The United States is a world leader in wildlife conservation and the assessment of environmental effects of government actions.  The January 5, 1979, Executive Order directing U.S. government agencies to consider the effects of their major actions abroad, is another example of this leadership.

COMMITMENT TO CONTROL OF POLLUTION AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Over the past four years, there has been steady progress towards cleaner air and water, sustained by the commitment of Congress and the Administration to these important national objectives.  In addition, the Administration has developed several new pollution compliance approaches such as alternative and innovative waste water treatment projects, the “bubble” concept, the “offset” policy, and permit consolidation, all of which are designed to reduce regulatory burdens on the private sector.

One of the most pressing problems to come to light in the past four years has been improper hazardous waste disposal.  The Administration has moved on three fronts.  First, we proposed the Oil Hazardous Substances and Hazardous Waste Response, Liability and Compensation Act (the Superfund bill) to provide comprehensive authority and $1.6 billion in funds to clean up abandoned hazardous waste disposal sites.  In November 1980 the Congress passed a Superfund bill which I signed into law.