Richard Nixon actually said...
The Chairman of the Water Resources Council is designated and empowered to exercise, without the approval, ratification, or other action of the President, the approval function for standards and procedures vested in the President by section 103 of the Water Resources Planning Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1962a-2).
Context
Executive Order 11747—Delegating Certain Authority of the President Under the Water Resources Planning Act, as Amended
11/06/1973