As you have noted, and as evidenced by his resume, Mr. Frampton brings to this position vast experience in environmental issues, ranging from Assistant Secretary of Interior for Fish and Wildlife to Chief of Staff for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's investigation into the Three Mile Island nuclear accident.
With our ever-increasing awareness that environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand, the Council on Environmental Quality will need a person with his breadth of knowledge to help shape and coordinate federal environmental programs.
What was clear in 1970 when the Council was established is even more important today. Growing demands to use land and water for residential and business growth put pressures on our valued and limited resources.
Growth is an important issue in my state of Montana. Montana is the least metropolitan state in the country, yet we grew faster than the rest of the country - a 10% increase - in the 1990s. Last year, our state Environmental Quality Council set up a Growth Subcommittee to investigate the issues that arise from growth.
Although sprawl does not fall into the traditional NEPA role of CEQ, the Council can play an important role in coordinating the federal agencies on this issue.
In addition, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how the Administration's Better America Bonds proposal could be used to help communities deal with growth. I believe that it is a very useful concept and one I intend to pursue.
I look forward to hearing from you this afternoon, Mr. Frampton.