OCR Text |
Show 438 the plan and by joint consideration of annual programs and budgets. The Secretary's field representatives and the agency representatives on the Field Committee do not, however, act in an administrative capacity. The Land and Water Resources Staff in the Office of the Secretary aids the Assistant Secretary in coordinating the De- partment's land and water programs.229 Department of the Interior.-The Department of the In- terior has taken similar steps to facilitate interbureau program coordination. Several Field Committees have been established to formulate integrated departmental programs for their re- spective regions.230 229 Department of Agriculture Administrative Regulations, 1 A. R. 25. 280 Department of the Interior Order No. 2465, August 25, 1948. Field Committees were established for Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Central, Colorado River-Great Basin, Missouri River Basin, Southwest, and Eastern Regions. While not all of them have yet been organized, some have been functioning for several years. Four of them have formulated comprehensive six-year, advance programs for their respective basins. Missouri River Basin Project, Program of the Department of the Interior (February 1949) ; Pacific Northwest Needs, Resources and Development 1949-1955 (June 1949 Revision) ; Proposal of an Integrated Program for the Depart- ment of the Interior in the Southwest Region, 1950-1956 (Preliminary Draft, March 1950) ; Six-Year Integrated Program for the Department of the Interior in Alaska, 1951-1956 (1950). An indication of the scope of activity covered can be gained from the Mis- souri Basin report's table of contents. The chapters deal with: Irrigation Development; Power Development; Municipal, Industrial, and Domestic Water Supply; Basic Data; The Indian in the Missouri Basin; Mineral Re- sources in the Missouri Basin; Fish and Wildlife; Recreation; The Remain- ing Public Domain in the Missouri Basin; Problems; The Machinery of Co- ordination ; and Six-Year Program for Missouri River Basin. The Pacific Northwest report discusses changes in authorization and appropriation provisions, departmental procedures, and organizational ma- chinery, which it says are needed if comprehensive development is to be achieved. Each of these Field Committees is directed to (a) Formulate its collective concept of a Department-wide, long-range program adequate to meet the requirements of the region; (b) Advise and assist in the preparation of annual appropriation estimates and annual allocations of funds in order to achieve a balanced program for the Department as a whole in the region ; (c) Explore the extent of, and recommend steps to remedy overlaps, duplication and gaps in current departmental programs and obstacles to their effectua- tion; (d) Serve as a focal point for the Department in dealing with other agencies, groups and persons both public and private; (e) Facilitate intra- |