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Show Critical Decisions The N ation is falling far short of reaching the goals set out in the policy outlined above. The design, operation, and financing of the present programs of Federal, State, and local agencies are such that their full potential benefits to the American people will not be realized. In the chapters which follow, the Commission discusses in greater detail a series of adjustments in Federal and State policy which will make pos- sible the realization of those benefits. They re- quire major changes in planning, in evaluating projects, and in Federal and non-Federal financ- ing. To adopt them now would accelerate progress in water resources development. The time nevex was more propitious for such changes. Nor was it ever more crucial. This is because the Nation is now at a unique stage in water development. For several rea- sons, it is a stage which will never again recur. First, the Nation is on the threshold of a tre- mendous Increase in the volume of construction for Federal water projects. The cost of projects now under construction or authorized is equal to the entire cost of all Federal projects heretofore constructed. And the projects planned but not au- thorized account for costs at least four times larger. Second, present mobilization plans impose heavy com.peting demands for construction mate- rials, machiinery, and men. Third, accumulated experience with basin- wide programs in such diverse areas as the Co- lumbia, th.e Missouri, and the Tennessee offers guidance never before available as to the wise planning oi river development and as to the basic data essential to reaching sound decisions. Fourth, technical information on water, land, forest, and mineral resources has accumulated rapidly in recent years. Much of this was not available to those who planned the authorized or proposed programs. Fifth, most basins are relatively undeveloped. Only a few key projects have been built or started. There is still time to make the neces- sary changes if it is decided that radical altera- tions are required. Once they are completed, major water con- trol structures can be altered only with difficulty, or not at all. There are only a relatively few suitable dam sites, and once they are appropri- ated, the possibilities for economic multiple- purpose development are very limited. Once an irrigation project is developed, it cannot be moved because unfavorable soil or climate factors are discovered. There is a sobering finality in the construction of a river basin development; and it behooves us to be sure we are right before we go ahead. With these considerations in mind the Com- mission recommends that while readjustments are being made in the whole process of present- ing river basin programs to Congress, the follow- ing policies apply: 1. Projects now under construction should be completed as rapidly as the national emergency permits. 2. Construction should be initiated on addi- tional projects only as they are clearly shown to be in conformity with revised and approved basin plans, or as they are required to meet the emer- gency. 3. The review of basin programs and the col- lection of necessary data should be pushed as rapidly as possible. 4. Among the new projects to be consid- ered for initiation, first priority should be given to safeguarding present and future projects as, for example, by reducing sediment or recharging depleted ground waters, as well as to developing new regional activity, as, for example, by the pro- duction and distribution of electric power. This is a time for action, based on sober con- sideration of objectives and methods. Con- tinuation of present policies, or lack of them, will mean a continuing waste of money and effort in the pursuit of conflicting goals. If the Ameri- can people will examine the goals, and the poli- cies under which progress is sought, much of the waste can be avoided, and much larger benefits for the Nation as a whole can be achieved. 18 |
