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Here we are dealing with a different
area, and here I think the Committee is
dealing with the most basic area that we
could deal with, that of the preservation
of our natural environment, our natural
assets and values. We should preserve
these in some respect and the mandate does
so; it is no answer to say that there is no
enforceable remedy. If the General Assem-
bly does not carry out the mandate, it seems
to me, as the Chairman of this Committee
has pointed out, the final judge of that lack
of responsibility is the electorate. I hope
that this amendment is defeated, and that
the Committee amendment is approved.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Gallagher,
do you desire to speak in favor of the
amendment?
DELEGATE GALLAGHER: Mr. Chair-
man, at the appropriate time I would ask
Mr. Scanlan to yield for a question.
THE CHAIRMAN: This is not the ap-
propriate time.
Is there any other delegate who desires
to speak in favor of the amendment?
Delegate Willoner, do you desire to speak
in favor?
DELEGATE WILLONER: I would like
to ask a couple of questions of Delegate
Hardwicke if I may, very short ones.
THE CHAIRMAN: You may.
Does Delegate Hardwicke yield for a
question?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: I yield,
Mr. Chairman.
DELEGATE WILLONER: Delegate
Hardwicke, is this means to pre-empt the
local governments from taking measures in
this area?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: No, it is
not.
DELEGATE WILLONER: The second
question is, did you leave out the word
"improve"? When the Chairman read it he
did not read "improve."
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: No. I in-
tended that all of the nouns be made verbs;
that is, conserve, enhance, improve and pro-
tect.
DELEGATE WILLONER: Thank you.
THE CHAIRMAN: You are quite cor-
rect, that as I read it I did not include the
word improve. I understand that it is to be
included, Delegate Hardwicke?
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DELEGATE HARDWICKE: Yes, Mr.
Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate James, for
what purpose do you rise?
DELEGATE JAMES: Would Delegate
Hardwicke yield to another question?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Hardwicke,
do you yield to another question?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: Yes, sir.
DELEGATE JAMES: The use of the
term, state government, would you mind
substituting General Assembly for the
words state government, or do you still
insist upon those words?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Hard-
wicke?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: Delegate
James, I seriously intended that all
branches of the government be empowered
to do whatever was appropriate in this
area, including the General Assembly.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate James.
DELEGATE JAMES: Would this give
independent constitutional authority really
over and above what the policies of the
legislature may adopt?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Hard-
wicke?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: Conceiva-
bly it could.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate James.
DELEGATE JAMES: I do not want to
ask any more questions. I have my opinion
now.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any delegate
desire to speak in opposition?
Delegate Wheatley?
DELEGATE WHEATLEY: Mr. Chair-
man, I have a question also for Delegate
Hardwicke.
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you yield to a
question, Delegate Hardwicke?
DELEGATE HARDWICKE: Yes, Mr.
Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Wheatley.
DELEGATE WHEATLEY: My concern
is not so much with the substance of the
amendment, but the basis on which we are
deciding.
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