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Show (c) Public ownership, Federal or State, is indicated as necessary for lands which are unsuited to private owner- ship. Large areas of arid lands are so unproductive that they are an asset neither to the Nation nor the owner, as presently managed. (d) In any Federal land purchase program for water- shed purposes attention should be directed to the acquisi- tion of areas that are actual and potential sources of erosion and flood runoff, as a means of delaying runoff and de- creasing sedimentation. (e) In any watershed treatment program hydrologic classification of lands should be made a part of soil sur- veys to determine soil condition and use in relation to the water resource. This would form a basis for selecting problem areas, conducting various restoration activities on such areas, extending Federal aid, and cooperating with non-Federal interests. (/) Programs and activities directed primarily to in- creased crop, forage, or timber production or developing area facilities for such use generally, should be based on minimum standards essential to improve and maintain those soil and cover conditions which are favorable to optimum water relations. Encourage Small Water Developments in Grazing Areas Programs of agencies administering grazing lands should be provided every encouragement to enable them to con- struct small water development projects, such as that constructed near Alzada, Mont., to stabilize the grazing- industry and prevent soil erosion. The Alzada project, at a total cost of $3,300, constructed contour dikes and provided for spreading water from an earth dam to irri- gate a portion of the area. The forage increased from 120 animal months to 420 annually. Federal Land Acquisition Federal and State acquisition of land for all purposes should be made consistent with basin plans for develop- ment of land and water resources. Public policies and legislation as to land acquisition should recognize and have as its major objective the protection and use of land and water resources. Many industrial sites and air- fields are located on the best irrigated land, taking such lands out of the agricultural economy. During the war many army camps, supply depots, and flying fields were located in the best irrigated areas as around Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. Highways often cross through the centers of small irrigated areas leaving fields too small or in poor shape for cultivation. This emphasizes the need for adequate land use studies indicating lands that should be devoted to agriculture, and to other purposes, and areas where other particular uses could be developed. Underground Water Law Future irrigation projects involving the use of ground water supply should require of the State, as a condition precedent to any authorization, the enactment of an ample underground water law. In Arizona, pumping from underground storage has seriously affected the operation and success of the San Carlos project of the Indian Serv- ice. This project is in need of "rescue" on account of heavy pumping to lands outside of the district boundaries. The situation is also serious in parts of Central Valley, Calif. Adverse Local Pressures Local pressures often have prevented the full realization of the possible economic benefits of a site or project to be developed by the Federal Government. In the case of water pollution, particularly, local pressures interfere with remedial measures. Coal mining interests, for ex- ample, have used various means to forestall the installation of power facilities in multiple-purpose dams on the tribu- taries of the Ohio River. They have also in many cases hindered progress in eliminating acid mine waste from the tributary waters, reaching the Ohio River. This situa- tion is worthy of serious consideration because of its pos- sible effects on the national interest in the full develop- ment of the potentialities of the regional water resources, and the protection of health. Assurance of Maintenance When projects are developed for use by local interest and turned over to the local interests for operation and maintenance,, some positive method should be found to assure the protection of the public investment. Recrea- tion areas within the national forest and around reservoir projects frequently have no permanent provision for main- tenance; the Federal agency lacks funds, and the local agencies may lack interest or incentive. Many such projects have lost their value due to lack of repairs, or ability of the cooperating agency to properly maintain them. Zoning It appears desirable, where appropriate and feasible, to have zoning ordinances as a prerequisite to develop- ment. Without zoning supported by local interest, many benefits from construction are nullified. The increased urban growth upon the debris cones and even in the erosion channels in the Los Angeles area has complicated the removal of debris and the development of remedial measures. In the Rio Grande area sound remedial measures to control the continued siltation will require adequate protection to the drainage area against over- grazing. Zoning for some type of restricted use may be prac- ticable in some circumstances. The construction or ad- ministering agency, during the course of development, can. well afford to encourage local protection through police power regulation. The opportunities for coordinated actions by local, State, and Federal agencies through local districts may thus be enhanced by the responsible Federal agency. Research in New Programs In new types of endeavors, adequate research and ex- perimental operations under actual field conditions should be the prerequisite of action programs. Research should be adequately financed so that conclusive criteria are es- tablished to assure adequate construction or remedial measures. Significant savings are often possible, through research. For example, when the work of sealing aban- 417 |