OCR Text |
Show 388 basins. In the early "recovery" part of the period, attention was focused upon a new aspect of water-resource development and conservation. Projects were undertaken as a means of relieving unemployment as well as for development and con- servation of natural resources. Also, increased attention was given to the public utilization of the completed projects under policies calculated to improve the economic and social welfare of the Nation. Throughout the whole period, increasing atten- tion was given to conservation and public protection of ex- haustible resources, and to planning for their development on a basin-wide, all-purpose basis with growing reliance upon multiple-purpose projects. Moreover, we shall outline the recent accentuation of interest in discovering and correcting deficiencies in organization so far as they relate to comprehensive development. Finally, since river-basin development has varied from region to region, we shall take note of the more significant aspects of efforts toward comprehensive development in each of the major regions. Growth Until World War I As we saw in preceding chapters, most early river develop- ments were single in purpose. Early Interrelation of Uses.-Well before the turn of the century, however, specific acts of Congress recognized inter- connection between certain functions in the development of rivers. An 1879 example combines navigation and flood con- trol.7 Likewise, an 1888 statute took cognizance of the inter- relationship of irrigation and flood control.8 Nor did early legislation overlook the possibility of relating navigation im- ' See Act of June 28, 1879, § 4, 21 Stat. 37, 38, 33 U. S. 0. 647, establishing the Mississippi River Commission and directing it to survey the river and develop plans which would "correct, permanently locate, and deepen the channel and protect the banks of the Mississippi River; improve and give safety and ease to the navigation thereof; prevent destructive floods; promote and facilitate commerce, trade, and the postal service." For later statutory details concerning navigation and flood control, see supra, pp. 98, 141-142. 8 Act of October 2,1888, 25 Stat. 505, 526. |