Herald & Lantern 15 April 81 ' I

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Wait & See Attitude

Hughes’ View of Interior Dept.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although the Reagan Administration at first glance appears to be nurturing the establishment of an anti-environmentalist altitude in the Department of Interior, Congressman William Hughes, D-2nd, is very optimistic the administration’s long-range objective is to adopt an environmental policy thkt will strike the proper balance between conservation and resource development. The Herald spoke recently with the congressman concerning his views on environmental policies that are apt to be implemented thru an Interior Department under the leadership of a director such as Secretary James Watt. MR. WATT, during his short time in office, has already stunned both environmentalists and lawmakers with the way he has altered policy-making procedures at Interior. » As noted by Time Magazine, he has accelerated the sale of oil and gas leases, moved to expedite the surface mining of coal, opened up wilderness areas to allow exploration of strategic minerals, and halted the acquisition of more lands for national parks. The following are excerpts from the Herald s telephone interview with Congressman Hughes concerning the affects of future national environmental policy on Cape May County. Q. In the current iaaue o/Public Opinion magazine. Secretary Watts la quoted as saying: “I move with confidence in the management skills I bring to the department. because I know I'm going to be backed by the President and I have a mis sion. We'll accomplish our mission because we know where we want to go." What is Watt's mission and where does the Reagan Administration want to go in terms of environmental issues and national government? A. I’m not sure there’s a simple answer to it. I think the jury is still out as to where they want to go I’m not sure even they know what their full picture looks like. But it seems to me that they want to put more balance back into the decision making process of the Interior. In order to do this their 'going to need major changes, not just highlevel but also mid-level. Just within the last couple of weeks as many as 40 staff attorneys have been ‘Less money will be committed forebode some problems for us.’ discharged — some on just a day’s notice. So they are making major changes at Interior and it’s part of their determination that the tail will not be wagging the dog. The policy will be set at the top and they expect the subordinates to carry out that

policy.

That policy is going to be a lot more balanced between environmental and other constraints, and other goals than we’ve seen to date. Q: Is not the bureaucracy to a large measure (he glue that holds government, on whatever level, together; and, if so. isn't there a danger in attempting to ‘go against the bureaucracy' as a matter of

policy.?

A. Government, first of all has to be

responsive. That’s something some of the bureaucracy could never be accused of because they tend to become unresponsive at times to the needs, desires and aspirations of the electorate The system can’t work unless you have some responsiveness in the bureaucracy. It’s often difficult to determine who makes the degAion or what was the basis of the decision That’s whay there’s such a move afoot right now to implement a regulatory reform proposal that is now being developed in the Congresss . It’s an effort to try to put some degree of sanity and common-sense into the decision making process. That’s something we haven’t had in all departments in the last several

years.

Q. In the face of mounting energy needs and continued reliance on foreign energy sources.. Watt is supposedly seeking a balance between utilization of natural resources in this country and preservation. If the pendulum in Iriterior'has traditionally been one of protecting the environment, do you see it now swinging to the opposite, utilization side before coming to rest in the middle? A: That unfortunately would appear to be the case. I just hope that we can strike a more moderate balance than seems to be the trend. fiut I ttnok the jury’s still out on that issue. We have not seen enough programs or had enough testimony over here in* the House to really be able to determine whether the pendulum is going to swing al< the way to the other extreme. I think there’s always been a conflict within the Department of Interior. We have a department that actually preserves open space, parks, and wildlife refuges on the one hand, and on the other hand is responsible for issuing permits for mining, developing the outer continental shelf and all the other excavating areas. This is an inherent conflict that requires the widom of Solomon to maintain a poor balance... Q: Is it wrong for the Department of Interior to be less protective of the environment now than it has traditionally? A: No. We have to strike the proper balance. There are times in our history when it is important for us, as now, to try to make ourselves independent of foreign oil. I think it’s important in these times to preservation, and that could

will do as wo develop programs ^1 can't say with any degree ot certainty that we're going to see one facet of our economy total!ly neglected I hope thatfs nollhe case/ ” 9= The outgoing regional administrator of EPA Region II. which Includes New Jersey. New Yor'h. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, commented'recently that his successo. Anne Gorsuch. a Colorado legislator, has "no experience" in en vironmental matters What'k your feelings on this appointment? A: I don't know much about Mrs Gor such, but I have been struck by other appointees that really do not seem to be knowledgeable in their field A lot of us are troubled on both sides of the Jjslp

There is going to be some change, at least if we believe some of the rhetoric we hear But that hasn't been translated into specifier programs and decisions that will as yet. give us a clear reading There would appear to be a trend, however, to move much, much* more toward less

regulation. •

Less money will tx- committed to preser vation and that could forebode some problems for us Just like there.is some suggestion now that the administration will ■ move off the I9H1 ban on ocean dumping That in itself portend*. I think, significant

problems

I'm concerned that we maintain the proper balance We've made mistakes in the

‘...I hav e heeti s tr uck by other (Reagan Administration) appointees that really do not seem to be knowledgeable in their field.’

(Republicans and Democrats) .1 have seen some inexperienced people going into these positions. That does give me some

concern.

Q: Are your fearful of the affects Watt's policies will have on the Cape May County environment? A: That's hard to say. Cecil Andus was originally perceived as being very proenvironmentalist and yet some of the environmental groups opposed many of his decisions, such as his decision to accelerate development of the outer continental shelf. Many of his decisions having to do with national parks also generated quite a bit of opposition.

past in our rush to take care of our short term needs We've often neglected the long-term problem and that’s whay we' have so many of them (problems) today We haven't really taken our time to make sure we re on safe ground when resolving issues involved in preserving our precious

natural resources

^ut again, I've seen the other side of it too I've seen these agencies over regulate I've seen them reach too far in the name of preservation. I've seen these agencies over reach such as they've done in the are of offshore oil and gas development — an

area that I support

Funding for CETA Training Plan Up

when we're really at the beck and command of an OPEC cartel to do everything we can within reasonable bounds to try to inventory our natural resources, take stock of them and try to put in place a program within the public interest. That’s why the accelerated development of the outer continental shelf is essential. This is not something that originated with the Reagan Administration. That was begun under (former Interior secretary) Cecil Andrus, who was far from energy oriented. He had a set of credentials very much tied to environmental concerns. I think it’s time in our history when it’s important to rethink that balance to determine what is the public interest. It’s my hope that this is what the administration

RIO GRANDE — The county CETA office will be able to step up its on the job training (OJT) program with state approval of additional funds to pay partici-

panj salaries.

According to Patti P. Sutton, county Title II-B coordinator, approval has been given by the Office of Manpower and Revenue Programs of the state Dept, of Labor Industry for the county CETA to usemore, than $70,000 of its total 1981 budget for such salaries when workers are placed in training positions with private

employers.

THIS REPRESENTS a more than 35 per cent increase in II-B CETA funds available to private industry through the training

program.

"The request was made as a result of our growing success with OJT in terms of our placement record, as well as an increasing interest among Cape May County businessmen to participate," Sutton said. "IT REALLY makes a great deal of sense to redirect our program goals with an eye toward private industry, especially in light of the President’s new economic policies," she added. "With OJT we are training people to fill positions in private industry rather than directing them into

already financially burdened public Mgmcies.” The OJT program is designed to better enable private employers to hire the disadvantaged by providing them with direct salary reimbursements while thosi workers are being trained. Employers may utilize that prbgram through a wide variety of occupations including managerial, clerical, para-professional and technical fields. Employers interested in finding out how they might participate in the program should contact Title II-B’s OJT Represen tative Peggy Quinn at 465-2263

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