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Show 311 A recent proposal would direct the President to negotiate an agreement with New York State for transfer of the power facilities on the United States' side to an agency of the State of New York, such agreement to protect the interests of other States and of the United States.317 Now pending before the Federal Power Commission are exceptions filed to a decision of the Presiding Examiner ordering dismissal of a license ap- plication by The Power Authority of the State of New York, and that the matter be referred to Congress with a recom- mendation for development by the United States.318 In 1935, construction of a power project utilizing tidal power at Passamaquoddy was undertaken briefly and abandoned.319 Summary Laws respecting the control of water for multiple uses, in- cluding development of power, have been influenced by basic factors affecting the life of man-hydrologic conditions, com- petition among uses of water, and differing economic conditions. Since 1879, legislative attention to these factors has progres- sively increased. Thus, 1906 and 1910 legislation supplied generally applicable conditions for nonfederal power devel- opment on navigable waters, but made no provision for a charge for the privilege, or for disposition of the properties upon ter- mination of the grant. Restrictive conditions in grants were few and varied. Early government reports emphasized the power and multiple-purpose aspects of water-resource develop- ments. And presidential veto messages reflected views that power should be developed at, and aid in financing, federal navigation improvements, that grants for nonfederal devel- opment should contain a definite time limit to permit the pub- lic to retain control, and that charges for the privilege should be imposed. 317 H. J. Res. 271, 81st Cong., 2d sess. Hearings were held before the House Committee on Public Works in April and May 1950, but it has not yet submitted a report. 818 See supra, n. 125, pp. 280-281. 119 For a recent history, see Report to International Joint Commission on Scope: and Cost of An Investigation of Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project, International Passamaquoddy Engineer Board (March 1950). |