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Show before the project goes forward. This situation could result in his receiving a price not in keeping with previous value and hence incurring a substan- tial loss. Moreover, with impending dislocation, a property owner is deterred from making improve- ments which might afford him a better return on his investment. He is left in a state of uncertainty which can only be resolved when he disposes of the property and is finally relocated. The majority of displaced farmers desire to re- locate in the same general vicinity on holdings where they can carry on their accustomed en- deavors. In an agricultural area, for example, farmers normally prefer farms of the same type and quality as their previous lands so they can con- tinue to use the knowledge and experience they possess. Although the property owners receive a fair price for their holdings, they are furnished no assistance in relocating. Suddenly engendered competition in the local market may increase prices to such an extent that some of them will be unable to find satisfactory replacement. Those who do may suffer serious loss due to the higher price they are required to pay. Assistance in relocation would also remove some of the objections to useful construction. Assistance in relocation should be available for owners and tenants alike. An orderly acquisition program im- mediately undertaken upon project authorization would also provide adequate time for completing the purchase and for resettlement prior to flooding the reservoir area. It would also avoid sudden disruption of the local economy and inflation of the market for surrounding property. A desirable acquisition program could be achieved by creating a revolving fund for use by each Federal construction agency concerned with essential land acquisition and by providing au- thority and funds to appropriate Federal agencies to assist the affected property owners in resettle- ment. Repayment of appropriations from the re- volving fund would be from appropriations for project construction. Because the Federal water resources program is only beginning on the Con- necticut, and because of the intensive land use of some of the potential reservoir areas, an orderly land acquisition program is particularly desirable. Anticipation of the difficulties with which they will be faced in relocating has caused property owners in proposed reservoir areas, particularly in the upstream areas of the basin, actively to oppose adoption of many worthwhile reservoir projects. This same attitude has also led many property owners to increase the price of their holdings above the normal market value. This makes purchase more difficult, causes delays, and results in exces- sive prices for land in the flowage area. Conclusions Present procedures for property acquisition in flowage areas of authorized reservoirs result in hardships to the affected property owners, excess costs to the Federal Government, and delays and opposition to the Federal program. Procedures would be improved for property owners and the Government if sufficient funds were available to acquire lands in an orderly program immediately upon project authorization and if those residing in the area were assured of assistance in resettle- ment. Such a program would provide a ready and fair market for reservoir property when the owners desire an immediate sale. 2. Coordination of Water Project and Highway Construction The Problem Maintenance of efficient highway construction programs in areas where water resources develop- ment is to be undertaken. The Situation The existence of a well-developed network of highways in the basin creates problems for planning and construction of water projects. The two prin- cipal subjects of concern are those related to res- ervoir site areas, and bridge construction over navigation channels. State highway departments are faced with the administrative problem of programing highway im- provement projects in areas containing contem- plated reservoir sites. If they defer a project, the improvement will be much more costly on the in- ferior relocated site. If they proceed with the im- provement on the old location, and the highway must be relocated in two or three years because of a water resources project, a needless waste of public funds may occur. The uncertainties attending many water resources projects until authorization takes place, and even afterward, make long-term highway planning difficult for districts in which there are potential water project sites. 511 |
