Executive Orders

Executive Order 11472--Establishing the Cabinet Committee on the Environment and the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality

Source: The provisions of Executive Order 11472 of May 29, 1969, appear at 34 FR 8693, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 792, unless otherwise noted.

By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

Part I. Cabinet Committee on the Environment

Section 101. Establishment of the Cabinet Committee. [Terminated]¹

Sec. 102. Functions of the Cabinet Committee. (a) The Cabinet Committee shall advise and assist the President with respect to environmental quality matters and shall perform such other related duties as the President may from time to time prescribe. In addition thereto, the Cabinet Committee is directed to:

(1) Recommend measures to ensure that Federal policies and programs, including those for development and conservation of natural resources, take adequate account of environmental effects.

(2) Review the adequacy of existing systems for monitoring and predicting environmental changes so as to achieve effective coverage and efficient use of facilities and other resources.

(3) Foster cooperation between the Federal Government, State and local governments, and private organizations in environmental programs.

(4) Seek advancement of scientific knowledge of changes in the environment and encourage the development of technology to prevent or minimize adverse effects that endanger man's health and well-being.

(5) Stimulate public and private participation in programs and activities to protect against pollution of the Nation's air, water, and land and its living resources.

(6) Encourage timely public disclosure by all levels of government and by private parties of plans that would affect the quality of environment.

(7) Assure assessment of new and changing technologies for their potential effects on the environment.

(8) Facilitate coordination among departments and agencies of the Federal Government in protecting and improving the environment.

(b) The Cabinet Committee shall review plans and actions of Federal agencies affecting outdoor recreation and natural beauty. The Cabinet Committee may conduct studies and make recommendations to the President on matters of policy in the fields of outdoor recreation and natural beauty. In carrying out the foregoing provisions of this subsection, the Cabinet Committee shall, as far as may be practical, advise Federal agencies with respect to the effect of their respective plans and programs on recreation and natural beauty, and may suggest to such agencies ways to accomplish the purposes of this order. For the purposes of this order, plans and programs may include, but are not limited to, those for or affecting: (1) Development, restoration, and preservation of the beauty of the countryside, urban and suburban areas, water resources, wild rivers, scenic roads, parkways and highways, (2) the protection and appropriate management of scenic or primitive areas, natural wonders, historic sites, and recreation areas, (3) the management of Federal land and water resources, including fish and wildlife, to enhance natural beauty and recreational opportunities consistent with other essential uses, (4) cooperation with the States and their local subdivisions and private organizations and individuals in areas of mutual interest, (5) interstate arrangements, including Federal participation where authorized and necessary, and (6) leadership in a nationwide recreation and beautification effort.

[Sec. 102 amended by Executive Order 11514 of Mar. 5, 1970, 35 FR 4247, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 902]

Sec. 103. Coordination. [Terminated]

Sec. 104. Assistance for the Cabinet Committee. [Terminated]

Part II. [Revoked]

[Part II revoked by Executive Order 12007 of Aug. 22, 1977, 42 FR 42839, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 139]

Part III. General Provisions

Sec. 301. Construction. Nothing in this order shall be construed as subjecting any department, establishment, or other instrumentality of the executive branch of the Federal Government or the head thereof, or any function vested by law in or assigned pursuant to law to any such agency or head, to the authority of any other such agency or head or as abrogating, modifying, or restricting any such function in any manner.

Sec. 302. Prior bodies and orders. The President's Council on Recreation and Natural Beauty and the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Recreation and Natural Beauty are hereby terminated and the following are revoked:
(1) Executive Order No. 11278 of May 4, 1966.
(2) Executive Order No. 11359A of June 29, 1967.
(3) Executive Order No. 11402 of March 29, 1968.

¹Editorial note: The Cabinet Committee on the Environment was terminated and its functions transferred to the Domestic Council by Executive Order 11541of July 1, 1970, Chapter 34. Executive Order 12045 of Mar. 27, 1978, Chapter 3, effected the abolition of the Domestic Council on Mar. 26, 1978, and provided for the transfer of all functions of the Council, as provided by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, 42 FR 56101, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 197, effective Apr. 1, 1978, to the Domestic Policy Staff.