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Show 361 In creating the Service, Congress characterized the "funda- mental purpose" of the affected parks, monuments, and reserva- tions as one:" to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Because of the interrelationship of water and land, it should be noted that the Secretary of the Interior is expressly author- ized to "grant privileges, leases, and permits for the use of land for the accommodation of visitors in the various parks, monu- ments, or other reservations" for periods not exceeding 20 years.58 So also as to his authority to grant privileges to graze livestock.57 In addition, when Congress in 1946 enumerated authoriza- tions for appropriations for the National Park Service, it included the:58 Investigation and establishment of water rights in ac- cordance with local custom, laws, and decisions of courts, including the acquisition of water rights or of lands or interests in lands or rights-of-way for use and protection of water rights necessary or beneficial in the administra- tion and public use of the national parks and monuments. Of special interest to our survey is the fact that the head- waters of many streams, where land-use measures play an 56 § 1, 39 Stat. 535, as amended, 16 U. S. 0.1. 86 § 3, 39 Stat. 535, as amended, 16 U. S. O. 3. 87 Id. 68 Act of August 7, 1946, 60 Stat. 885, 16 U. S. 0. 17j-2(g). From 1936 until 1950, similar language was included in acts appropriating funds an- nually for the Department of the Interior. See, e. g., Act of June 22,1936, 49 Stat. 1757, 1795-1796; H. Rep. No. 1927, 74th Cong., 2d sess., vol. 1, p. 14 (1936). The language does not, however, appear in the General Appropria- tion Act, 1951. Act of September 6,1950, 64 Stat. 595. Another authorization relates to the acquisition of rights-of-way and con- struction and maintenance of the water supply line partly outside the boundaries of the Mesa Verde National Park. 60 Stat. 886, 16 U. S. O. 17j-2(h). |