US-Japan Countryside Stewardship Exchange

North America/ Japan Countryside Stewardship Exchange
The Glynwood Center in Cooperation with the Japan National Trust
Countryside Stewardship Roundtable, Industry Club of Japan
Tokyo, Japan March 2, 1998

Remarks Presented by J. Glenn Eugster, Policy Analyst
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

It's a honor to be with you today to discuss countryside stewardship. Thirty years ago as I began studies in landscape architecture I first learned of the way the Japanese design, use and care for their land and water resources. As I read books about your cultural and landscape practices I wished I could see the many beautiful places described to me in words and pictures. This will be a week that I will remember forever.

I have worked for the U.S. government for the last 22 years and most of my work has involved helping communities natural and cultural resources. My current position, with the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities, where I am helping to develop new policies for Community-Based Environmental Protection.

Community-based environmental protection is a term used in the US to describe locally initiated action which is taken, with or without government support and assistance, to create a vision of environmental health and quality of life and pursue activities compatible with that vision.

Environmental protection efforts in the US began in the 1940's in response to threats to human health. The change in thinking, away from natural resource exploitation, started much, much earlier in the 1800's. Early immigrant settlers to the U.S. viewed America's landscape "as a vast body of wealth without proprietors". As they settled the undeveloped continent, they imposed a philosophy on the land intended to tame its wildness, harness it scenery and use its bounty for the benefit of mankind. Forests were cut during the day, the wood used for buildings and fuel as America's natural landscape slowly changed and receded.

It was not until the 1800's, with the growing popularity of nature writers and naturalists, that there was a distinct change in the public's philosophy toward natural values. Nature writers such as William Wood, William Bartram and John James Audubon began to articulate a refocusing of America's vision outward from the individual and corporate self toward other species. These naturalists viewed nature as "the ground of a positive and sufficient human joy".

Almost one hundred years latter in the 1940's, as a result of the “Killer Fogs”, did the problems become a serious threat to people. As the country industrialized pollution problems increased and major problems occurred in the Great Lakes and along rivers and streams. Finally a louder outcry from the public led to the formation of EPA in 1970.

A series of laws were established to incorporate environmental considerations into the decisions of government and industry. Studies, grants; National standards were provided and aimed at protecting air, water, reducing risk from chemicals, waste and land use activities. The changes helped, great improvements were made but many problems continued. Loss of wetlands; pesticides; air pollution from traffic; reduced farm and fish harvests; and the destruction of scenery continued to cause threats to humans and ecosystems across the U.S.

Over time there has been a realization in the US that the National government can't do everything to protect the environment and human health. Obviously this is in part because the job of environmental protection is large one. Also, The traditions of democracy, home rule and private property rights place a great emphasis on states, local governments and the private sector making decisions about the use and management of land and water. Shift to local and regional work with communities.

Despite the need for some National laws and regulations there is a widespread recognition that National environmental goals can be more effectively achieved by relying on local action, knowledge and ideas. This approach is intended to combine local democracy with government coordination and scientific information. It also stresses the need to meet economic, community and environmental needs at the same time. These three goals, commonly referred to as the "foundations of sustainablity ", are reflected in Agenda 21:The Earth Summit Strategy and U.S. President Clinton's Council on Sustainable Development report entitled"Sustainable America: A New Consensus".

This shift away from the single purpose of environmental protection to an integrated approach which attempts to simultaneously meet social, economic and environmental goals is a big change for the Environmental Protection Agency and our National government. It has encouraged, and empowered, us to look at new approaches to environmental protection such as watershed protection, natural and cultural heritage areas, and The Countryside Stewardship Exchange.

The term "stewardship" although not widely used by environmental protection agencies in the US has been embraced by the USEPA. EPA recognizes that community-based integration of multiple goals, with its reliance on voluntary participation by all local stakeholders, represents a commitment and an obligation by landowners, government decision-makers, business leaders, citizens and others to meet community and economic needs without compromising the environmental values and functions of ecosystems. Private, and public landowners act as “stewards” of their portion of a region and work to protect characteristics of their own land worth saving, while enjoying financial benefits as well.

EPA is also concerned about the impacts of sprawl-type development on the environment, especially the countryside outside of US cities which is important for water supply, food production, recreation, and living resources. In addition to participating in the Countryside Stewardship Exchange, EPA also fosters stewardship as part of its work within different regions. In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, one of the most ecologically and economically significant estuaries and ecosystems in North America, the US Congress established the Chesapeake Bay Program which uses a "Land, Growth and Stewardship" leadership group to “encourage sustainable development patterns, which integrate resource protection, community participation and economic health”.

Some brief examples of places where these approaches have, and are being used includes:

Crisfield, Maryland, "The Crab Capital of the World" is working to retain its' special waterman community qualities despite severe reductions in shellfish and finish populations due to poor water quality within the Chesapeake Bay. Leaders from the City, including businessmen, environmentalists, tour operators, educators, watermen and homeowners have been working to promote new types of resource or heritage-type industries which highlight the unique location of the community and its historical relationship to the Bay.

Cape Charles, Virginia, once a busy port town, is looking at new ways to promote economic development without polluting the air or water. Local leaders worked with a broad group of community interests to develop a Sustainable Development Plan to identify the areas values, resources and ideas for a healthy prosperous future. One idea which the community agreed on was to create a new type of industrial park which would be designed and operate on the principles of ecology. Labeled as a sustainable technology ecological industrial park, the Port of Cape Charles, had its residents work with outside technical experts to develop plans to attract a new types industries which are non-polluting, agree to employee local people and work with the City to create a sustainable community.

The Lackawanna Valley in Pennsylvania is using Heritage tourism
as one of several strategies to restore an economy and environment that has been declining since the valley was a prosperous mining and railroad region. Local leaders work extensively with community interests to promote and interpret the history of the valley for tourism, reclaim lands and waters degraded by coal mining, and encourage residents and businesses to return to vacant portions of the cities. The Valley has received State and federal government recognition of its historical and cultural assets and is using an understanding and recognition of its past as a way to help foster a prosperous future.

This approach to community-based efforts aimed at coordinating and integrating economic, social and environmental goals and actions within special places offers localities the opportunity to achieve economic prosperity while protecting people and the environment. It also recognizes that most of the US and Japan landscapes are "working Landscapes"--places where people live, work and recreate. Approaches like The Countryside Stewardship Exchange are useful ways to help people help themselves protect and prosper.

Your traditions of design, land management, and the treatment of nature and culture are world famous and long recognized. We are anxious to share ideas and experiences with you and enjoy the pleasure of your company and beautiful country.

Thank you and may you have continued success in your work.