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Show of future reservoirs or future enlargement of exist- ing reservoirs, to reduce to a minimum encroach- ments on lands which will be inundated in the future. (4) Greater participation by local and State interests in studies of water resources development. Also the initiation of educational programs to in- form people affected about all aspects of the pro- posed program, of its relation to local and regional development, and as to the benefits which will accrue to the local economy. (5) Consideration of the desirability and equity in reimbursing taxing units, particularly local, for reductions in their tax bases resulting from inundation. (6) Consideration of the desirability and equity of compensating, or providing adequate new oppor- tunities for, people and enterprises displaced by the indirect effects of reservoir construction, and close participation by Federal agencies concerned therewith. As a general principle, if the afore- mentioned considerations have been given full effect in project formulation it will usually be found that there is no reasonable basis for conflict with local in- terests on account of reservoir construction. If, however, conflicts cannot be resolved upon the basis above, the regional and national needs and interests in the maximum economic development of water re- sources should be controlling when Federal expendi- tures are involved. (7) Close coordination between Federal and State water resources and highway officials includ- ing (a) the exchange of basic data, (b) the use of modern design standards in the replacement or relocation of highway facilities inundated by water resources projects, with the water resources project and the highway interests bearing their equitable shares of the cost of the work, and (c) consideration of the effect which water resources projects have on long-range highway development, with a view to- ward determining whether a more equitable solu- tion to the problem can be found. 5. Danger to Probable Future or Present Mine Workings The Problem Should possible damage to mineral deposits by inundation from proposed reservoirs cause delay in construction of reservoirs indefinitely? The Situation According to the Bureau of Mines, the four Northwestern States produced in 1949 a total of ap- proximately 112.6 million dollars' worth of the five major nonferrous metals (gold, silver, copper, zinc, and lead). The major part of this production was within the basin. In addition the production of minor metals, like antimony, and of nonmetallics was important. These mineral resources should be conserved since domestic production is below re- quirements. Had construction of the Boundary Dam, on the Pend Oreille River in northeastern Washington, been started 10 or 15 years ago, it would have conflicted with only a few relatively unimportant mines and prospects in the Metaline District, since there was no realization that one of the few poten- tially large lead-zinc reserves in the country lay under the site. Preservation of the opportunity for future utili- zation of mineral resources will depend upon ade- quate knowledge of their location. The Geological Survey's long-range program would supply this information, including evaluation, eventually for the whole region. However, for those areas in which geologic studies are not now in progress (which include some potential reservoir sites) ade- quate mineral resource information will not be available for many years unless early provision is made for collecting it. Conclusions The preservation of these mineral resources and the development of the water resources for several purposes, including hydroelectric power for min- erals processing, call for coordinated action. The existing program for mineral exploration should be accelerated in the Columbia area to provide ade- quate information on minerals in reservoir sites, with priorities being given to mineral resource studies of reservoir sites under consideration for near-future construction, and where present knowl- edge indicates the probability of inundating or damaging valuable mineral resources. The Columbia River Basin has a wealth of dam and reservoir sites from which needs for imme- diate or early construction can be satisfied. Where valuable minerals have been proven to exist, as in the Boundary Reservoir area or Springston, Idaho, construction might be deferred, as is planned for those projects, until the minerals have been mined, 52 |
