viewpoint Russell W. Peterson Governor of Delaware
Marrying science and government Most of us agree that the pollution of our air, land, and water is reaching the critical point. Upon government, which exists primarily to serve the people, falls the major burden of responsibility for finding solutions to this problem. But government cannot hope to progress as quickly or as effectively without the active cooperation and involvement of private citizens from industry, universities, civic groups, and private organizations as it could with this cooperation. Let me assure you that the election of a Ph.D. industrial scientist to the position of governor does not automatically guarantee quick solutions, or even faster progress. In government as well as in science, there are too many variables, But there are some points I can make with conviction: A science/technology background for any public official better equips him to understand and hence cope with the problem of environmental pollution. The very nature of that problem demands more technological expertise in government. There is a real need for more technically oriented people. Many of the techniques used in the private sector can be applied effectively in government. Members of the so-called private sector have a great deal to offer in this vitally important field of governing and of trying to build a better life for all of our citizens. We have in Delaware made a deliberate and successful effort to tap our great reservoir of scientific and technological know-how to help us solve community problems. For example, we formed a Governor’s Council on Science and Technology which is applying its specialized talents to our governmental operations. A Task Force on Marine and Coastal Affairs, formed about a year ago, recently completed the first phase of a study that will result in a master plan for the preservation and management of Delaware’s coastal areas. This project is of vital importance and will have a great impact on our state and region for generations to come. Last year, Delaware took a giant step toward improving the effectiveness of its state government by reorganizing from a commission system, with approximately 140 different agencies and commissions, to a cabinet system with 10 departments, each headed by a secretary. This management tool has had a major influence on improving the operation of the executive branch.
Let’s look at what has happened in one area alone -that of environmental pollution problems. For the first time in Delaware, we have the essential elements of natural resources and euviron,mental management under one umbrella-the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. It consists of four divisions-Fish and Wildlife; Parks, Recreation and Forestry; Environmental Control; and Soil and Water Conservation. Former commissions were retained as advisory councils, with the exception of the Water and Air Resources Commission, which retains some administrative responsibilities. Additional legislation is planned to further streamline the organizational aspects. Chairmen of each of the advisory councils make up a Governor’s Council on Natural Resources and Environmental Control. This device helps us to retain the citizen participation so essential to good governhnent. We have selected professionals to fill all key pwitions in the department, ranging from the secretary to professional engineers, biologists, chemists, soil horticulturists, and soil scientists. It is working well. It will be made to work even better. My brief experience in public service convinces me that science and government will learn to work even more closely together. Scientists and technical people will become more involved in the political arena. For if we are to be successful in improving the quality of our environment, a marriage of science and government must occur for the benefit of all the people.
Before being elected governor in 1968, Russell Peterson was direcfor of R&D for a department of the Dn Pont Co.
Volume 5, Number 6, June 1971 479
