OCR Text |
Show 149 on the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers, in connection with the division of their waters between the two countries.126 Summary Assumption of federal responsibility for control of floods on a national basis is a relatively recent development. Although beginning about a century ago, legislative evidence of federal interest was long confined principally to the Mississippi Valley. In 1917 and again in 1928, such interest was accentuated and broadened. Finally, Congress in 1936 pronounced a national flood-control policy and authorized numerous flood-control projects throughout the Nation. "Flood control" is defined to include "channel and major drainage improvements." In the main, legislation relevant here bears a marked simi- larity to that governing navigation improvements. Thus, in- vestigations and improvements of rivers and other waterways for flood control and allied purposes are prosecuted by the Army Engineers. In the preparation of flood-control projects, many laws concerning navigation improvements are expressly made applicable. Similarly, authorizations of surveys, prep- aration of reports thereon, cooperation with states and other agencies, and review by the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors-all substantially follow the pattern applicable to navigation improvements. Projects may be undertaken only when expressly authorized by Congress, and a number of laws have been enacted in the nature of continuing authorizations for specified types of work, many allowing varying degrees of discretion in the use of funds. Excepting dam and reservoir projects,.law generally appli- cable to authorizations for flood-control work requires that states or other local interests provide the necessary lands and maintain local works. With few exceptions, laws concerning funds and concerning prosecution and operation of projects, including multiple uses, are substantially like those governing navigation improve- ments. As to certain international waters, two international com- missions have functions concerning, among other things, flood control. 59Stat. 1219. |