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Show TABLE 2.-Summary of major deficiencies in basic economic data needed for river basin planning-Continued Item of deficiency Description of deficiency Need for the data Comment and recommendation B. Functional studies-Con. 7. Power and energy____ 8. Trade, services, and construction. 9. Government tions. installa- 10. Flood control (flood damages). 11. Watershed manage- ment (discussed under Bl). A major deficiency exists in data on electric energy purchases, genera- tion, sales, and maximum demands for industrial (mining and manu- facturing) establishments of the country in each year on an indi- vidual plant basis. Improvement is needed in data on sales of electric energy by electric utilities for classified use, namely, for the farm, residential, commer- cial and industrial classifications. As presently reported to the Federal Power Commission these data are lacking in uniformity and accuracy of definition. A deficiency exists in data on the use of electric appliances in homes and on the amount and types of electrically operated equipment used on farms. A limited amount of information on electric appliance use is collected by a few trade groups and Government agencies, but the data obtained are not uniform or adequate as to cover- age, subject matter or geographic unit. Water requirements for these activi- ties are included in over-all domestic water supply requirements and gen- erally require no special treatment. Water requirements of special instal- lations such as in connection with atomic energy needed in areas of limited water supplies. Impact studies on governmental revenues and costs of the total river program would be helpful. Flood damages differ with flood char- acteristics and usually require special surveys in each flood area for evaluation. Where flood con- ditions may be considered similar, standardized or sampling techniques may be applied. Further study of effects of floods; determination of standard relations and their limits of applicability desirable. More information would be desirable on the physical effects of floods on structures and their contents, par- ticularly when complete destruction does not take place, but merely re- quires cleanup and effects more rapid depreciation. Specific data for flood areas are generally lacking, and must generally be secured by special surveys or approximation by prorating larger unit data. For analyzing industrial power re- quirements and supply and their relation to river basin hydroelectric developments. These data are needed to analyze utility load growth and to prepare estimates of future loads for use as a measure of the need for additional generating capacity that may be required in connection with planned river basin developments. These data are needed to analyze the growth of residential and farm loads and to estimate future load require- ments as a measure of the additional electric generating capacity that may be required in connection with planned river basin developments. Existing data generally adequate for determining place of these activities in present and future regional economy. Need to appraise full effects of river basin programs on governmental costs and revenues-beneficial as well as adverse-on a case study basis. Should be a continuing study to get full effects of programs. For evaluation of flood damages and benefits, standard data, if deter- mined to be applicable to a given situation, would expedite and lower costs of studies, and evaluation of effects of floods and improvement projects. County-wide or larger units do not give specific enough data for evaluating trends of devel- opment in flood areas. It is recommended that the Federal Power Commission conduct an annual canvass of manufacturing and mining establishments to obtain these data in years for which the census data would not be available. It is recommended that data on energy deliveries by electric utilities to ulti- mate consumers be sought on the basis of classified use rather than on the present loose sales classifications. In order to meet minimum require- ments, it is recommended that these data be obtained by appropriate agencies of the Government, possibly on a sampling basis. It is further recommended that this information be made available on a river basin and county basis. Analysis should be made occasionally of these activities to determine sig- nificant departures or trends in water use. Location of defense and other govern- mental installations requiring large amounts of water should be coordi- nated with river basin planning. Case studies of full effects of river basin programs on government should be initiated especially in areas where programs have been in opera- tion for some time. Further study of measurement pro- cedures, basic data, and the appli- cability of "standard relations" by Corps of Engineers or FIARBC. Effects of floods on more rapid de- preciation would be best secured from property owners if they could be encouraged to keep more accurate records; follow-up surveys after com- pletion of improvements. Specific or sample surveys by investigating office will probably continue to be the most economical means of secur- ing the necessary data on a less-than- county-wide basis, unless local gov- ernmental agencies can aid in periodic surveys or censuses. Much of this information is already being gathered by the Corps of Engineers, but ad- ditional data is needed. 369 |