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Show C. Character of Planning and Operation 1. Water Resources Development or Unified Regional Development The Problem The desirability of "making a water resources de- velopment program the medium for broad regional planning and development. The Situation Several possible approaches are open in planning and programing for a river basin. Among these possibilities are the following: (1) Consideration only of the activities associated with the stream channels of the main river and its tributaries, such as dams, levees, harbor facilities, etc.; (2) broad- ening the program to include control of water on the land ajid to adjust the water program to regional needs so as to minimize the adverse effects and maximize benefits; and (3) planning and de- velopment for the whole region in fields not directly related to water resources, but which offer oppor- tunities for desirable economic progress. While TVA's activities have extended to all three of these areas, it has largely confined its direct operational interest to the first two. In its ap- proach to the third, it has sought to stimulate co- operative action by State and local groups. Its efforts have "been of two general types. In addition to its constniction functions, TVA has concerned itself with general deficiencies in the regional econ- omy, land use, or standards of living; and specific study and ai<l in areas directly affected by its water projects. Integratecl construction and operating programs in the river channel for flood control, navigation, and power generation have been associated with some land use programs, power utilization, and soil fertility experiments on the watershed. Water control activities, along with power utilization, have been major instruments, both in themselves and in other activities which they have stimulated, for achieving greater production and higher levels of income. Added benefits through local adjustments.- TVA has worked with local agencies to see that reservoir construction enhances and ramifies the regional benefits of the river program. It has pro- ceeded on tlie conviction that progress demands the strengthening of State and local agency pro- grams rather than duplication by Federal agencies. For example, instead of providing library and pub- lic health services to its construction personnel di- rectly, TVA has contracted with the appropriate county organizations to expand existing services or initiate new ones-not only for Federal employees but also for residents in other parts of the counties as well. These services have generally continued after the temporary Federal assistance was with- drawn. TVA has also given attention to planning for the adjustment of local economies and communities to new reservoir situations. Decatur and Gunters- ville, Ala., may be taken as examples. Decatur, Ala., in 1933 appeared to be a defeated community. Its major sources of economic sup- port had been undermined by agricultural depres- sion and by transfer or failure of key industries. New opportunity was provided by the valley pro- gram of flood control, navigation, low-cost power, and farming demonstrations to show how soils pro- ductivity could be restored. What to do with these was left to the people of Decatur. During the past 15 years they have developed new industries, new economic ties between farm and city, new uses of a water front, and have generally become a pros- perous community. Guntersville was threatened with the loss of its economic base as a result of the flooding of agri- cultural bottom lands by Guntersville Reservoir. TVA technicians cooperating with State and local groups planned and developed the water front area as a new economic base for the town, partly as a serv- ice center for a growing recreation industry and partly as a transshipment point for products brought to Guntersville by barge and distributed by rail and highway throughout the Southeast. As still another example, during World War II temporary quarters were built for construction workers at the scenic Fontana Dam site in the Great Smoky Mountains. After the dam was built, there was a choice between two alternatives: The cottages and other improvements could be dis- mantled, or they could be transformed into a recrea- tion facility of enduring benefit to the region. The latter alternative was chosen, Fontana Village was leased to an established nonprofit corporation, and today attracts tourists and vacationists from many States. Other incidental values of benefit to the region have been described elsewhere in this report-boat harbors, parks, year-round fishing, malaria control, 764 |
