| 1 H————p— Wednesday, March 2S, 1981

The Herald and Hie Lantern

According to Conservationists Farmland Preservation Should be Nat’l Policy

Page 31

Despite repeated attacks on government "overregulation" by candidates in the I960 elections, a new poll of National Wildlife Federation members reveals that most feel there aren’t enough federal environmental protection laws. Of the 38,927 NWF members who responed to a poll appearing in the February-March issue of National Wildlife magazine, 62.1 per cent felt that we have “too little" environmental regulation. Only 11.5 per cent felt we have “too much,” while 25 per cent responded that we have “just about the right amount.” IN ADDITION, the an nual survey showed that NWF members feel the federal government should play a stronger role in two other areas—farmland protection and population control. An overwhelming 95.2 per cent said that there should be a national policy to protect prime farmlands from being developed into roads, Jiousing areas, and other projects. Only 2.8 per cent felt there should be no government policy, and 1.7 per cent responded, “don’t know.’’ Not all poll respondents answered all questions. On the issue of population control, 58.9 per cent of the respondents said that the federal government should be involved in limiting world population growth. Disagreeing were 30.3 per cent, while 9.8 per cent said they “don’t know." ENVIRONMENTAL regulation, farmland protection, and population growth were three of eight conservation issues covered in the survey of its members by NWF, the nation’s largest citizens conservation group. The other questions concerned public lands use, nuclear power, land transfers, money for wildlife, and transportation. Respondents. <vho mailed in their ballots at their own expense, were also asked to rank each issue as to its relative importance. Farmland protection was voted as the number one priority, with nuclear power ranking second. Here are the questions

and answers on the eight issues, followed by their rankings: ENVIRONMENTAL ' REGULATIONS Many new federal laws controlling air and water pollution and toxjc waste dumping were passed to safeguard the country’s environmental quality. But some people complain these environmental rules are too expensive and add up to “overregulation.’’ They want to repeal pr relax some of these standards. Others say federal regulations are needed more than ever to protect us from pollution and chemical contaminations. Do you feel we have too much environmental regulation? Too Much: 11.5%; Too Little: 62:1%; Just About the Right Amount: 25% USE OF PUBLIC LANDS The federal government manages vast areas of publicly owned land—about 700 million acres in the western states and Alaska. These areas provide extensive habitat for wildlife and have great aesthetic and recreational values. These lands also provide forage for thousands of cattle and sheep, and may contain immense reserves of timber, oil and minerals. When imcompatible, should grazing, timber, oil and mineral development have priority over wildlife, recreational and wilderness values? Always: 1.5%; Never: 38.2%; In Some Cases: 59.5% NUCLEAR POWER Currently, 70 nuclear power plants provide 12 per cent of U.S. electrical output. Supporters say more such plants would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and they contend nuclear plants pose no more threat to human life than conventional power sources. Opponents worry about their safety and also the nagging problem of nuclear waste disposal. Should we build more nuclear power plants? Yes: 29%; No: 54.6%; Don’t Know: 15.7% POPULATION CONTROL In just 20 years', world population is likely to jump from 4.4 billion to more

than 6 billion. Many leaders maintain that, until population growth is curbed, other environmental problems will continue to worsen. However, opponents contend — no matter what the problem — limiting population growth is not a proper concern for the federal government. What is your opinion. Government Should be Involved: 58.9%; Should Not: 30.3%; Don’t Know: 9.8% . LAND TRANSFERS President Reagan seems to be sympathetic to the "Sagebrush Rebellion,” which calls for a transfer of large blocks of federal land to the states. Critics argue that the federal government should manage the present public domain for the benefit of all Americans. Do you favor the federal (government transferring 'millions of acres of land to the states? Yes: 17.3%; No: 68.5%; Don't Know: 13.4% FARMLANDS A million acres a year of U.S. prime farmlands are converted to urban, industrial, transportation and water uses. Many experts worry about the wisdom of paving over any more prime, foodproducing farmland when the world population is growing faster than the earth’s ability to feed people. But a national policy to protect farmlands might curb industrial growth and possibly limit suburban housing. Should there be tougher laws and/or financial incentives to protect prime farmlands? Yes: 95.2%; No: 2.8%; Don’t Know: 1.7% MONEY FOR WILDLIFE Traditionally hunters and fishermen have supported state wildlife programs, mainly the game species, with license fees and special taxes. Now, many states are raising funds to finance programs for ’nongame species — songbirds and other creatures not taken by sportsmen. Would you pay an additional small tax on certain items of camping, hiking, bird-watching and birdfeeding equipment to sup-

port nongame species in your area? Yes: 81.3%; No: 9.8%; Don’t Know: 8% TRANSPORTATION FederfT highways are America’s largest publicly funded project. Boosters of mofe highway building say this will create more jobs and help the whole economy. Opponents feel it wodld be wiser to invest the $3 billion annual construction budget in rail lines, bus systems and public transportation. . In an era. of limited budgets, which approach deserves the top priority? i.

Mass Transit: 78.1%; Highways: 13.4%; Don’t Know: 7.7% RANKING OF ISSUES 1. Farmlands 2. Nuclear Power 3. Environmental Regulations 4. Population Control 5. Use of Public Lands 6. Transportation 7. Land Transfers 8. Money for Wildlife THE NWF membership survey differs from most publjc opinion studies fn that it reaches more than 20 times the number of people who usually take part in polls. In addition, the NWF

survey is the largest annual poll aimed not at the general public, but at persons who have demonstrated an interest in environmental issues by joining a conservation group. Complete results of the survey will appear in the April-May issue of Na tional Wildlife. The results of the annual membership poll, guide the Federation in setting policy. NWF policy for 1961 will be voted on at the Federation’s annual meeting March 27 through 29 in Norfolk, Va.

Endangered Species Get Special Book

TRENTON - A new publication, “Endangered and Threatened Species of New Jersey," has been printed through cooperative efforts of the state Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Project and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Both groups are frequently asked by the general public, school officials, professional engineers, biologists and

others for specific information on endangered and threatened wildlife in New Jersey. Prior to this publication, there was no single reference source that brought together knowledge about these species in our state. SINCE WILDLIFE depends on the soil it is logical that SCS and the Division integrate their management programs throughout the years to provide for the best possible land and water conser-

vation uses. With mutual interest in managing the endangered and threatened wildlife, SCS and the Division have worked closely for over 4hree years to produce this book. To order a copy of this book contact'the Soil Conservation Service, 1370 Hamilton Street, P.O. Box 219, Somerset, N.J, 08873 or send $6.50 to: N.J. Endangered and Nongamc Species Project, CN400, Trenton, NJ 08625

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