
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991                   TAG: 9104190041
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

BUSH WANTS TO ADD CLEAN WATER ACT MARKET INCENTIVES

President Bush told Congress on Thursday he would push for "market-oriented" amendments to the Clean Water Act this year as it comes up for reauthorization.

In his annual message on environmental quality, Bush offered no details of what he wanted, although he said his administration would "seek to make progress toward the goal of no-net-loss of wetlands."

The wetlands section of the Clean Water Act has drawn criticism both from environmentalists, who say it is too weak to protect vital areas, and from landowners, who contend it prevents useful development of property that shouldn't be considered wetlands.

Wetlands is a broad term covering swamps, bogs and other land that is covered with water or saturated at least part of the year. Scientists say such land, once considered worthless, is vital to maintaining water quality and habitat for many species of plants and animals.

Last year's Clean Air Act was hailed for its use of market incentives to achieve a 50 percent cut in smokestack emissions that cause acid rain. Such incentives give industry a financial advantage if they clean up their pollution, rather than waiting on regulations ordering the same emission limits for everyone.

"Our administration will work with the 102nd Congress toward enactment of amendments to the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws, seeking opportunities to incorporate innovative, market-oriented provisions," Bush wrote.

Michael Deland, chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, said that "a number of market-oriented initiatives" were under review, dealing notably with controlling runoff.

Deland said the Bush administration also hasn't decided yet whether it wants amendments to the wetlands section of the law.

In his message to Congress, Bush reiterated his support for legislation creating a Cabinet-level Department of the Environment. A similar proposal got stuck last year over provisions attempting to guarantee the department's independence from other administration influences.

Some House and Senate members are pushing language that would require military installations and other federal facilities to comply with environmental laws.

"The Congress should reject extraneous provisions that would delay consideration of this proposal," Bush wrote.

by CNB