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Show Pedro and Melones Reservoirs. However, the most economical sites for such additional storage are at or very near the sites of the existing projects, and the authorized New Don Pedro and New Melones Reservoirs would inundate and render totally use- less the existing dams. It should be noted that the New Don Pedro Project is primarily a local interest project, with the Federal Government contributing financially on the basis of the flood control benefits to be provided. Although no express opposition to the inundation of these established enterprises has developed, the situation clearly points out the necessity for a thorough consideration of the positive and negative benefits involved. In the investigation of reservoir sites on streams in the Central Valley other similar situations have arisen. The authorized New Hogan Project on the Calaveras River involves the same considerations as the New Don Pedro and New Melones Projects, al- though in this case the existing project is a single- purpose flood control reservoir built by Stockton. The proposed Monticello Reservoir on Putah Creek would inundate agricultural land and is objected to by some local interests for this reason. In some cases mineral resources have been involved in the consideration of reservoir sites, but these cases have not been very important. In the majority of reser- voirs proposed for ultimate construction the lands to be inundated are relatively unimproved. Reservoir projects sometimes have an adverse effect on land transportation facilities. Relocation of railroad lines may require costly bridges or less desirable alinement with increases in distance. Highway facilities also may present difficult prob- lems. For example, the Terminus Reservoir will affect the Sequoia Park approach road. The new road will be much longer, and will have much more curvature and a lower design speed than the present road. The San Luis Reservoir would flood part of State Route 10, a principal commercial route between San Joaquin Valley and lower San Francisco Bay area. This highway has two lanes but must be ex- panded soon. Grading for multilane construction on its original location would be a minor item, whereas relocation skirting the reservoir requires expensive support on hillsides or costly fills on the edge of the reservoir. The latter is characteristic of most forced relocations. Thus an existing highway within a reservoir site occupies the location most favorable for present and future traffic needs. Relocation involves an alterna- tive position less advantageous in obtaining desir- able alinement and gradient standards, and ade- quate construction and maintenance provisions. In such cases, the State division of highways holds that wherever a State highway is affected by a water resources project the highway should be re- placed by one of equal utility at no cost to the highway department. However, such replacement does not reimburse the highway agency for other costs added by relocation to future highway expan- sion. Even though full compensation, including main- tenance, could be arranged, the problem remains as to whether it is good economy to provide for reconstruction of the road to ultimate standards simultaneously with the relocation. Land-managing agencies, such as the Forest Serv- ice, need to keep abreast of plans for water projects so that they may coordinate their transportation plans with those of the water-developing agencies. A coordinated road development program to serve all foreseeable needs such as recreation, timber ac- cess, power development, fire control, and the like is in the public interest. Conclusions The problems associated with the inundation of lands and improvements by reservoir impoundment in the Central Valley indicate the need for: (1) As realistic an appraisal of the values of inundated properties as is possible. Such appraisals should take full account of the earning or producing power of lands and improvements. (2) A sound estimate of the benefits from the project which would compensate for the losses to local activities. (3) Attention to the desires and views of locally affected interests. (4) The dissemination of full information on the objectives and future accomplishments of the project. (5) Exploration of the desirability of requiring beneficiaries to reimburse local governments for taxes lost as a result of inundated properties. (6) Recognition of the peculiar problems arising out of the forced relocation of highway and railroad facilities by bringing agencies with responsibilities for transportation facilities into planning for water resources at an early stage. (7) Through investigation of alternative sites or means of accomplishing project purposes. If these elements of controversy have been fully 123 |
