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Show water resources development, Congress in 1946 prescribed detailed provisions for these matters. It then authorized the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior to provide as- sistance to, and cooperate with, Federal, State, and local agencies. Any Federal agency, or pri- vate agency under Federal permit, impounding or otherwise controlling waters must consult with the Service and the head of the State agency con- cerned with wildlife resources, with a view to preventing loss of and damage to these resources. Significant also is the 1946 requirement that the cost of planning for, and construction and main- tenance of, facilities for protection of fish and wildlife shall be an integral part of the cost of Federal water control projects. Such costs are made specifically nonreimbursable in the case of reclamation projects. The Service and the Bu- reau of Mines of the Department of the Interior are also authorized to make investigations as to the effects of water pollution on fish and wildlife. Recreation.-Many water resources projects provide excellent opportunities for recreational use. Legislative provision has been made for such use in the case of reservoir projects under Army control. Although there is no correspond- ing general authorization in the case of Reclama- tion projects, special arrangements have been made for recreational use of certain reclamation reservoir areas, such as that at Grand Coulee. The Federal Power Commission may require li- censees to provide for recreational purposes in approving project plans. Provision has also been made for recreational uses of areas in national parks and national forests. Shore Protection.-Having earlier authorized cooperative investigations concerning shore pro- tection by the Beach Erosion Board in coastal and Great Lakes States, Congress in 1945 enacted legislation authorizing general shore line investi- gations and established procedure for Federal participation in the construction of shore protec- tion works. For the express purpose of prevent- ing damage to public property and encouraging recreation, a 1946 statute declared a policy pro- viding that the Federal Government would con- tribute a maximum of one-third of the total cost of shore protection works. Sediment and Salinity Control.-In addition to authorizing navigation improvements by the Army Engineers and soil conservation work by the Department of Agriculture, Congress has ap- proved individual project plans of various Fed- eral agencies which take cognizance of the need for control of sediment. Similarly, the necessity for salinity control has also been recognized in individual project plans. Pollution Control.-Until recently, legislation dealing with refuse matter was concerned only with protection of navigation. In 1948, how- ever, Congress enacted the Water Pollution Con- trol Act, recognizing the "primary responsibili- ties and rights of the States in controlling water pollution," and providing Federal assistance to and encouragement of State and local action. Some financial assistance is made available, and provision is made for administrative and judicial enforcement measures. But enforcement under the act may not proceed unless consent is forth- coming from the State where the pollution originates. Collection of Basic Data.-Reference has al- ready been made to legislative provisions whereby the construction agencies and the Federal Power Commission make investigations and surveys. A number of other agencies are expressly authorized to collect data valuable in development of water resources. These include the Geological Survey of the Department of the Interior; the Weather Bureau and the Coast and Geodetic Survey of the Department of Commerce; and the Soil Con- servation Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engi- neering of the Department of Agriculture. Related Land Uses The natural interdependence of land and water has been accorded increasing recognition in Fed- eral legislation. As we have seen, many laws are directed squarely at development, utilization, and conservation of water resources. Others, often called land use measures, are either expressly aimed at water and land as inseparable resources, or are adaptable to serving both simultaneously. 293 |