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Show It should be clearly understood that basic data for fish and wildlife cannot be accumulated once and for all; its acquisition must be a continuing process. Populations of fish and wildlife fluctuate widely even under natural conditions. Under the impact of changed uses of land and water such as agriculture, lumbering, industrial de- velopment, pollution and reservoirs, fish and wildlife resources change with great rapidity. Changes in human population density, interest in hunting and fishing, acces- sibility, and the availability of alternative recreation, also quickly alter the picture of fish and wildlife utilization. Consequently, it will continue to be necessary to bring data up-to-date at frequent intervals. The need for a background of information has long been recognized, but its assemblage has been inadequate. Although conservation agencies remain under pressure for results, the various biological surveys are time consuming and the techniques and procedures are still not clearly defined. An extended and coordinated survey program should be undertaken as early as possible. This continuing in- ventory is a function of and should be undertaken by State conservation departments, with the Fish and Wild- life Service participating. Associated with basic data needs are those for research results. Although marked progress has been made in the past decade, many problems affecting the water develop- ment programs need further study. Answers are needed to such questions as how to maintain or increase the fish- ing resource in reservoirs subject to a large draw- down, and how to cope with the effects of modified flows on stream fishing below dams. The effect of swamp drainage and flood control works on all forms of wildlife is still far from settled; how to provide alternative habitats for wild- life ; the effect of new pollutants-all these and many more features require intensive study. Recommendations It is recommended that collection of data pertaining to fish and wildlife, including fresh- and salt-water fish, shellfish, and crustaceans, be greatly accelerated. Fur- ther, information is needed on population density and trends for the various types of fish, fowl, and wildlife species. A strong Federal fish and wildlife research program is needed. VII. Basic Socio-Economic Data A. Types <md Analyses of Data To plan and form a program well, it is necessary to know: The n eeds of the people in the river basins or larger regions of which the riven basin may be a part; the future levels of population, employment, income, and production that the planning and programing must be designed to serve; the pro»blems needed to be overcome to make these levels and associated activities possible. Certain bas-ic economic and social data are required for the analysis of the over-all economic base of the region and of its separate activities. This section attempts to ap- praise the typ cs of economic and social data and analyses needed for river basin planning and programing and, in particular, attempts to point out the major deficiencies in those data at the present time. Recommendations for the elimination of these deficiencies and establishing standards for the data are offered. The Burea-u of the Census and other Government agencies now collect much of the basic data required for socio-economic analysis of river basin and other regions. The deficiencies in data cited to intercensal years, to spe- cial data not regularly collected, and to availability for geographic unnts sufficiently small for river-basin purposes. Existing deficiencies of various types of economic and social data ar»d analyses are summarized for convenient review in table II. This table is organized under two main types of economic studies: The over-all socio-economic base study, and the functional studies of the various seg- ments of the watershed or regional economy. Although these two types of studies are here separated for conven- ience, it should be obvious that the over-all economic base study should draw upon and integrate the findings of the functional studies. The adequacy and standardization of basic socio- economic data needed in water resource planning require consideration of type of data, purpose for which used, and amount of detail required. In addition, the time element must be considered. B. Extent of Coverage Although it would be desirable if all basic socio-economic data bearing directly or indirectly upon water resources development were available for planning, this is neither essential nor justifiable. In most cases, it would not be practicable to collect basic socio-economic data beyond the extent now followed by the Bureau of the Census and other Government agencies. In many water resources projects, it is necessary to obtain certain detailed socio- economic data in connection with the actual investigation which it would be impractical to secure on a national basis. 364 |