40 U.S.C. § 8701: Findings and purposes

the location of the seat of government in the District of Columbia has brought about the development of a metropolitan region extending well into adjoining territory in Maryland and Virginia; effective comprehensive planning is necessary on a regional basis and of continuing importance to the federal establishment; the distribution of federal installations throughout the region has been and will continue to be a major influence in determining the extent and character of development; there is needed a central planning agency for the National Capital region to coordinate certain developmental activities of the many different agencies of the Federal and District of Columbia Governments so that those activities may conform with general objectives; there is an increasing mutuality of interest and responsibility between the various levels of government that calls for coordinate and unified policies in planning both federal and local development in the interest of order and economy; there are developmental problems of an interstate character, the planning of which requires collaboration between federal, state, and local governments in the interest of equity and constructive action; and the instrumentalities and procedures provided in this chapter will aid in providing Congress with information and advice requisite to legislation. to secure comprehensive planning for the physical development of the National Capital and its environs; to provide for the participation of the appropriate planning agencies of the environs in the planning; and to establish the agency and procedures requisite to the administration of the functions of the Federal and District Governments related to the planning. consistent with the nature and function of the National Capital and with due regard for the rights and prerogatives of the adjoining States and local governments to exercise control appropriate to their functions; and which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote public health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and the general welfare, as well as efficiency and economy in the process of development.