PRIVACY

As our public and private institutions collect more and more information and as communications and computer technologies advance, we must act to protect the personal privacy of our citizens.

In the past four years we acted on the report of the Privacy Commission and established a national privacy policy.  We worked with Congress to pass legislation restricting wiretaps and law enforcement access to bank records and to reporters’ files.  We reduced the number of personal files held by the government and restricted the transfer of personal information among Federal agencies.  We also worked with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to establish international guidelines to protect the privacy of personal information that is transferred across borders.

VI.  PROTECTING AND DEVELOPING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES

Two of our Nation’s most precious natural resources are our environment and our vast agricultural capacity.  From the beginning of my Administration, I have worked with the Congress to enhance and protect, as well as develop our natural resources.  In the environmental areas, I have been especially concerned about the importance of balancing the need for resource development with preserving a clean environment, and have taken numerous actions to foster this goal.  In the agricultural area, I have taken the steps needed to improve farm incomes and to increase our agricultural production to record levels.  That progress must be continued in the 1980’s.

ENVIRONMENT

Preserving the quality of our environment has been among the most important objectives of my Administration and of the Congress.  As a result of these shared commitments and the dedicated efforts of many members of the Congress and my Administration, we have achieved several historic accomplishments.

PROTECTION OF ALASKA LANDS

Passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was one of the most important conservation actions of this century.  At stake was the fate of millions of acres of beautiful land, outstanding and unique wildlife populations, native cultures, and the opportunity to ensure that future generations of Americans would be able to enjoy the benefits of these nationally significant resources.  As a result of the leadership, commitment, and persistence of my Administration and the Congressional leadership, the Alaska Lands Bill was signed into law last December.

The Act adds 97 million acres of new parks and refuges, more than doubling the size of our National Park and National Wildlife Refuge Systems.  The bill triples the size of our national wilderness system, increasing its size by 56 million acres.  And by adding 25 free-flowing river segments to the Wild and Scenic River System, the bill almost doubles the river mileage in that system.  The Alaska Lands Act reaffirms our commitment to the environment and strikes a balance between protecting areas of great beauty and allowing development of Alaska’s oil, gas, mineral, and timber resources.