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Show in Alabama the water pollution control authorities, also, have the duty to classify waters. Kentucky and Tennessee provide for no excep- tions from, their water pollution control statutes. In Alabama "industrial streams" are exempted from the water pollution control statutes, and cor- rection of existing pollution not creating a health hazard is subject to legislative approval. Georgia provides that industrial wastes are exempted from the State statutes prohibiting the pollution of waters and the killing of fish. In Mississippi the commission has no authority relating to pollution control over land-locked, pri- vately-owned, and nonnavigable waters; munici- palities emptying fecal sewage into waters in 1946 were subject only to "reasonable regulations"; and municipalities which empty sewage into creeks 25 miles long are subject only to health control. In North Carolina the statute prohibiting pollution detrimental to fish exempts corporations chartered before March 4, 1915, and dyes and sewage from cotton mills. In Virginia certain sanitation dis- tricts are exempt by special orders of the State board. Further problems of implementing an abatement program.-Additional problems which face efforts at pollution abatement in the basin concern financ- ing of woriks, interstate control, and public edu- cation. Difficulties have been experienced in the valley by municipalities and communities in financing abatement works to comply with legis- lative requirements. The problem of municipal financing is prevalent throughout the basin and warrants further study. It does not appear, how- ever, that municipal financing is an insurmountable obstacle, since some municipalities have constructed waste treatment works. Although, the public may have a general aware- ness of stream pollution in the basin, the majority are not fully cognizant of the damages which exist- ing water pollution is imposing on the other water uses and th_e economy of the basin or the benefits which would be derived by restoring the damaged waters to productive uses. A program of public education designed to better inform the average citizen concerning his stake in the over-all pollution control program would serve to create a greater public demand for pollution abatement. Conclusions (1) PubHc and industrial water supply needs in the Tennessee River Basin form an increasingly im- portant demand on the water resources of the basin. (2) Due to the general inadequacy of ground water supplies, particularly for large population centers and for large industrial demands, surface waters are the major source of supplies. (3) Generally, the quantity of surface water is adequate to meet public and industrial water sup- ply needs. (4) Degradation of water quality by municipal and industrial waste discharges has created a short- age of suitable water supply in some instances and has caused serious damages to other water supplies. (5) Rapidly increasing industrial growth adds to water supply needs and, at the same time, con- tributes to the pollution of the sources. (6) Pollution abatement has not kept pace with increasing wastes. (7) Study of the condition of rural water sup- plies is needed. (8) Additional State legislation eliminating ex- emptions is needed in some States to promote effective pollution abatement. Legislative atten- tion also should be given interstate problems. (9) Relations between stream water quality and stream flow management should be established. (10) Public education in the dangers of pollution and sound methods for reducing the danger should be more widely available, particularly to local officials. (11) Problems of financing abatement works de- serve further general study. (12) Methods of solving the acid mine drainage problem are urgently needed and require the co- operative study of all groups, public and private, interested in mining and in water. 9. Reservoir Land and Recreational Land Manage- ment The Problem Extent to which Federal reservoir developments in the valley should include recreation facilities; and extent to which recreation should be regarded as a legitimate beneficial purpose. The Situation Prior to the establishment of the TVA, recrea- tional facilities in the basin were inadequate. Although the basin was accessible to a large popu- lation, having in sections a pleasant climate, pic- turesque mountain scenery, highland streams, waterfalls, caverns, and forests, these assets were 782 |