"The command and control methods that have been used with regard to federal land management has only served to drive a wedge between those who rely on the land for their livelihood and those who oversee land use," said Bush. "I believe that government and industry can peacefully coexist. I will work to institute a land management environment where local and state authorities have input and where those who use federal lands are viewed as a partner, rather than an adversary, in their maintenance."

For his part, Gore said where grazing is permitted on federal land, federal agencies should work with ranchers "to achieve the highest levels of range stewardship." He also supports "innovative approaches such as grass-banking and voluntary, market-based initiatives to reduce the impacts of grazing and promote the best management practices."

Private property rights, said Gore, should be subject to government promoting "voluntary actions to protect" them "whenever possible." He said he supports conservation programs that reward farmers and ranchers "who voluntarily practice good land stewardship." When government regulates, "we need to take a close look at the impact on landowners. I believe regulations should impose as few burdens on landowners as possible."

However, he said he would continue to oppose "so-called private property rights bills that would replace the constitutional standard for compensation, create a litigation nightmare, or make it impossible for all levels of government to protect public health and the environment."

Bush said as president he would "require that the federal government carefully evaluate the impact of regulatory initiatives on private property rights. In the event that the government, acting on behalf of all citizens, asks private landowners to refrain from utilizing land, I believe that the landowners should receive just compensation."

On the subject of a single federal food agency, Gore said he believes "our current system is the best one at the present time. We currently assign the inspection responsibilities to the people who know their areas best. For example, the USDA has responsibility for red meat and grain but not for seafood which is an area that involves different training, knowledge, and research."

Still, "our food safety system can be improved. With the even more exciting advances in science and biotech knowledge, we are learning better ways to insure that our food supply remains safe. As this new knowledge becomes available, we want to use it. Toward that end, I would propose a new panel of oversight to knit together the latest research and the inspection disciplines to be sure that we are the first to get the best and that America will always have the world’s safest food."

The Bush campaign did not respond to that question.