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Show Increasingly, when the Federal Government undertook large-scale multiple-purpose basin- wide developments, social values became a sig- nificant factor in project evaluation and authorization, allocation of joint costs, assignment of benefits, and the determination of reimburse- ment requirements. At this juncture it soon became apparent that prevalent patterns of thought and methods of analysis were quite inadequate to cope with this new problem. Enough is known to support the judgment that the social values inherent in our water resources are immense and vital to the well-being of the Nation. These values may be either lost or real- ized, depending on whether we fail or succeed in achieving complete control and utilization of water resources. Thus, the problem has two aspects: the negative, involving losses from non- use, misuse, and low-value use; the positive, rep- resented by potential realization from better con- trol and utilization. Public policy, therefore, should be aimed at minimizing losses and achiev- ing the full potential of realization. On the negative side, floods-waters out of control-create vast havoc, destroying lives and property, disrupting production, and rendering people homeless, impoverished, and insecure. The uncontrolled runoff of water from bare lands and unprotected slopes destroys the topsoil on which all human life depends. The pollution of streams destroys the value of those waters for do- mestic and industrial use, for fish and wildlife, for recreation and esthetic uses; it converts a resource of value into a menace to public health and an offensive public nuisance. Through failure to control and utilize to the fullest economical extent the supply of water provided by nature, arid and semiarid lands in the Western States lie idle and unproductive. Other lands subject to periodic scarcity of water yield low average returns (Great Plains); ground water is depleted (Ohio, Texas, Arizona, and California); serious domestic and industrial shortages occur (New York City); seasonal re- ductions in stream flow limit the contribution of rivers to hydroelectric power production (New England) or navigation (Missouri); waste re- moval (Colorado); while salinity encroachment (Central Valley), and sedimentation (Rio Grande), further aggravate the scarcity. By our failure to utilize water resources fully for hydroelectric power production, we needlessly consume each year large quantities of irreplace- able coal, oil, and natural gas, which are valuable for other purposes. Likewise, by failure to de- velop and utilize natural waterways for trans- portation, we incur heavy costs for more expen- sive forms of transport. Realizable Benefits On the positive side, the realizable potentials over and above mere avoidance of losses through better use of our water resources are enormous. Economically, these gains would find expression in higher national productivity; higher national income; improved standards of living; increased economic stability; more ample supplies of basic foods, fibers, forest products, and many other goods whose production is dependent on water either directly or indirectly. They would also be reflected in reduction of costs for water, power, transport, forest products, and other essential goods and services as well as in new industries and better balanced economies in regions now suffering from various imbalances. Finally, the assured permanence of our re- sources base would strengthen the foundations of our culture, institutions, and way of life. Im- proved productivity could relieve poverty, malnu- trition, and insecurity among lew-income groups. A widespread sense of well-being, hopefulness, confidence in the essential soundness of existing institutions could be achieved, along with a sense of responsible participation. These are social values of the highest order. In terms of national strength and defense, resources conservation and utilization at the high- est technical level is absolutely essential. It yields direct military strength, industrial power, and capacity to aid friends and allies. It sustains the Nation's world leadership and makes it pos- sible to carry out international responsibilities. Most important of all, however, it provides a con- vincing demonstration to the other peoples of the 57 |