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Show prehensive river basin planning. The require- ments of this objective should be thoroughly in- vestigated in connection with project proposals designed to serve other major purposes. Releases of water from multiple-purpose reservoir proj- jects should be adequate, except where higher uses dictate otherwise, to guarantee continuous use of the river by wildlife and fish. All pro- posed basin projects should be studied to deter- mine in advance their effect on waterfowl habitat. 65. The recreation potentialities of all water resources, whether natural or artificial, should be recognized, and expansion of outdoor recrea- tion opportunities should be given full considera- tion in all comprehensive basin programs. To achieve this objective suitable lands adjacent to Federal water projects should be reserved for recreation use, and consideration should be given to minimizing water level fluctuations in storage reservoirs during vacation season, to improving low flows of rivers, and to pollution abatement. In densely populated areas and in regions where natural water recreation opportunities are lim- ited, recreation may be a controlling factor in water resources programs. 66. Cooperative arrangements should be worked out with States and local governments for planning, developing, and maintaining rec- reation areas at government water projects, sub- ject to the observance of specified standards to preserve general opportunity to enjoy the recrea- tion resource under conditions in harmony with the natural environment. 67. Federal participation in recreation fea- tures of water resources programs should be de- termined in relation to Federal participation in other recreation programs. To this end, it is desirable that Congress authorize a study of the whole recreation field, having as its objective the development of a national recreation policy. Future Possibilities 68. The Federal Government should recognize that, with growth of population, urban concen- tration, industrialization, and the need for an expanding agricultural base, availability of fresh water may soon become a limiting factor in the expansion not only of the Nation's arid and semi- arid regions but also of our entire civilization. The Government should, therefore, accept the responsibility for large investment in broad re- search programs designed to expand the available supplies of water. Such research programs will be directed toward: (a) Exploring and developing the necessary techniques for utilizing the full possibilities of the Nation's ground water resources; (b) Establishment of a sound national policy for control of artificial rainmaking activities and the application of science to devising methods which can be utilized in the public interest; and (c) Exploration and experimentation, includ- ing pilot plant operation, in the general field of conversion of sea water to fresh water on an economical basis. In terms of the Nation's future, such research and experimentation may well be found to rank with the development of atomic energy utilization. 69. The recommendations summarized above, and more fully explained in subsequent chapters, should provide the nucleus of a consistent national water resources policy to guide the Nation in the further development and use of its water poten- tialities. 70. The Commission recommends that the policy embodied in the above recommendations be incorporated in a single statute stating both principles and policies, together with provisions requiring their application to all Federal water resources activities irrespective of the agency or agencies concerned. Changes arising from these recommendations would, of course, not be appli- cable to existing contracts with project benefi- ciaries except upon their agreement. Nor do these recommendations contemplate a departure from the traditional recognition by Congress of rights to the use of water under State law as embodied in such legislation as the Reclamation Act of 1902. 17 |