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Show increases in other forms of taxes that would be required if such fees are not used. That is, if it comes to a choice between higher income taxes or higher property taxes on the one hand and the introduction of state user fees on the other in order to fund desired water development, the latter may have a chance. Fees likely will be more palatable to various user groups if fee levels and the amount of funds to be obtained from a particular use are set to meet specific demands for that use and the funds when obtained are allocated to meet those demands. In order for the states budgetary and appropriation process not to be completely aborted in an earmarking process, arrangements for some degree of legislative control and surveillance of the funds would be appropriate. Given that many difficult questions must be resolved before introducing state water- user fees, it is apparent from the estimates of fund generating potential in Chapter V that water user fees could produce significant amounts of revenue for states with only modest increases in current prices of water. The increases in many cases would still leave the prices at bargain levels. In Utah, a particularly promising prospect for instituting a water- user fee program seems to exist in connection with the water needed for developing coal, oil, and other energy resources. Legally, socially, and economically, this is probably the most feasible user fee possibility available. 49 |