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Show (5) State health agencies for malaria and stream pollution control studies. (6) State universities for special studies and re- search in income analysis, resource administration, population, movements, and technical services for local governments. (7) State park agencies, for selection and utiliza- tion of reservoir lands for public recreation. (8) State highway departments for relocation of highways flooded by reservoirs. (9) State wildlife agencies for the creation of game refuges and for the study and improvement of fish and wildlife habitat. Local governments, agencies, and groups co- operating zvith TV A.-TVA sells electric power at wholesale to 95 municipalities and 50 rural electric cooperatives for resale to their respective customers and members. Sales to municipalities and coopera- tives are made under standard contracts, subject to some variation to take account of special prob- lems and conditions. These distribution systems are owned and financed locally. The program of dam and reservoir construction resulted in. both problems and opportunities for cities and towns located on the reservoirs. Con- struction of the reservoirs often meant the flooding of substantial amounts of land within municipal limits. It also meant a new resource, with oppor- tunities for- new river-using industry, recreation advantages, and municipal development generally. To minimize the problems and take full advantage of the opportunities, planning was essential. TVA entered into cooperative arrangements with State planning agencies to assist cities and towns to do the required planning. Two policies were followed (1) to work with and througli State agencies wherever available, and (2) to rely on and encourage local initiative and enterprise to the fullest extent. This process proved to t>e important in stimulating local under- standing of regional needs, and often enabled local people to realize something of value from what seemed an impending catastrophe, as at Gunters- ville, Ala.1* Local planning agencies arose, and zoning of local land use was carried out through their initiative. At the start of the TVA program, State planning agencies in this area maintained no regional offices and were not equipped to render technical services to communities. Local planning agencies were virtually unJaiown. The Authority provided funds M See Problem G-l. to States to employ planners to work directly with communities affected by its reservoir construction program. This program helped to bring about recognition of the permanent need for this type of planning. TVA financial assistance has been entirely discontinued. But Alabama and Tennes- see planning agencies now maintain State-financed regional offices which furnish technical assistance to local communities; and in 69 communities in the TVA area, locally financed planning bodies are now in operation. State extension services have employed assistant county agents (with TVA financial assistance) who work with farmers in test-demonstration and farm management programs in their counties. Counties have organized programs of forest fire protection with TVA and Forest Service assistance. In 1949, 42 of the 125 counties in the valley were organized for this purpose. Municipal and county governments have worked with TVA in the development of parks on reservoir margins. They have leased or accepted ownership of lakeshore areas from TVA for development as parks. In connection with its construction projects, TVA entered into cooperative agreements with local health agencies for public health services to TVA employees. These arrangements have, in turn, en- couraged and been at least partly responsible for establishment of full-time health services in 19 counties where there previously had been no county health service or where service was provided by part-time personnel. TVA has sought to secure library service for its employees at isolated construction sites from State and local agencies. Where there were no State or local agencies in a position to furnish such serv- ice, financial assistance was necessary to make such service possible. Twelve regional Horary projects were established, 11 of which are still operating although TVA no longer provides any direct assistance. The Tennessee Valley Authority has placed con- siderable emphasis on working with and through democratically organized groups of local people. In so doing it has sometimes approached local peo- ple directly; at other times it has worked through existing public agencies which have assumed re- sponsibility for contacting appropriate local organizations. The fields of agriculture and industrial develop- ment furnish examples: The joint program of TVA and the land-grant college extension service, under 760 |
