If we are wise enough to understand the physics of splitting the atom, advanced enough to communicate instantaneously around the globe, if we can feed billions of people, surely we can act with enough foresight and wisdom to protect and restore our lands and waters. I think Congress realized a very simple premise in passing the Organic Act, we cannot meet the needs of people without first securing the health of the land. That is why I believe our first priority must be to maintain and restore the health of our watersheds. Our objective is to protect our healthiest watersheds and restore the ecological integrity of those where it has been disrupted. Healthy properly functioning watersheds are resilient in the face of natural events such as floods, fire, and drought and are more capable of absorbing the effects of human-induced disturbances.
Watersheds absorb rain and recharge underground aquifers.
They provide wildlife and fish habitat and connect headwaters to downstream areas and wetlands and riparian areas to uplands. Healthy watersheds dissipate floods across floodplains increasing soil fertility and minimizing damage to lives, property, and streams. They reduce drinking water treatment costs and increase reservoir storage life. How we manage our forests and rangelands has a profound effect on the quality of our watersheds. Therefore, I am pleased with the emphasis that the President's proposed budget forecast for watershed restoration and maintenance.