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Show gions, where, for example, such expansions are essential to the continuance of a basic livestock economy and its dependent communities, or to the protection afforded by new irrigated pas- tures and hayland of precious watersheds men- aced by grazing-induced erosion, or in other situations requiring the special stabilization afforded by additional arable land resources. 5. Regional development factors, including the effects of projects and programs on popula- tion growth, rural-urban balance, per capita in- come, distribution of benefits, and provision of economic opportunity for young people, and also the economic advantage of regional production for regional markets. Choice Between Projects The discussion so far suggests that the issue as between various approaches to meeting the Na- tion's expanding requirements for agricultural products turns out to be one of combining the several programs to assure the necessary future supplies. Perhaps the main problems will be those associated with fitting the various activities directed at increments in agricultural production into the multiple-purpose basin programs of which they will form a part as well as into the changing regional requirements resulting from shifts in population. In view of the fact that the situation may call for such choices, the criteria which should enter into decisions deserve a brief discussion. Specif- ically, the problem might arise of choosing be- tween flood control, drainage, and irrigation undertakings. These choices should be made in the light of both national and regional economic considera- tions and should include recognition of the impor- tance of projects which are integral parts of multiple-purpose basin programs. In these terms the following considerations should provide the basis for decisions as to priority of various types of reclamation projects: 1. Among the projects and programs which offer alternative means for providing a given in- crease in capacity to produce basic foods and fiber, that project or program which will produce the required increase at the lowest cost for a given quantity should be given first priority, sub- ject to modification in the light of the further considerations listed below. 2. Modification may be made on the basis of special consideration given to (a) the importance of irrigated crop and pasture land in supplement- ing and conserving dry pastures and ranges; (b) the importance of small acreages of reclaimed land required to produce minimum requirements of local markets for perishable crop and livestock products; (c) the importance of reclaimed acre- age as a means of expanding regional economic activity in areas of limited economic opportunity; and (d) the importance of reclaimed acreage to provide areas of upward population trend with agricultural products which would otherwise re- quire long-distance transportation with resulting high distribution costs. 3. Modification may also be made in terms of the extent to which projects providing additional agricultural lands include other purposes and, as such, are elements in comprehensive multiple- purpose river-basin programs for which construc- tion schedules must be worked out. The weight given to these special factors by the basin commissions would be considered by the Board of Review. Planning and Financing Reclamation Development The successful settlement and full develop- ment of new irrigation, drainage, and flood-con- trol projects requires that the initial planning which leads to the decision to construct the proj- ect be basically sound, not only in regard to the engineering phases of the project, but also the agricultural and economic phases. The Com- mission's proposals for assessment of local bene- ficiaries in flood control and drainage projects re- quire that attention be given to the problems of agricultural development in such projects. The experience gained in irrigation projects should be valuable, therefore, in all reclamation fields. Experience has shown that the construction of 167 |
