OCR Text |
Show tion control, and collection of basic information and research. Stage III Stage III, the beginning of which probably will be several decades hence, will be related to the level of population density reached in the region, and the level of industrial output attained and needed. It would envisage: 1. Development of higher cost hydro power and storage sites in both the United States and Canada. 2. Development of remaining irrigable lands. 3. Continuing actions on nonterminative phases, like pollution control, and basic research. The Future Region There need be little doubt as to the far-reaching effect of a completed program of developing the water resources of the Columbia Basin. With its completion, a region now heavily dependent upon extractive industry, and now dominated by destruc- tive exploitation of resources, will have been trans- formed into a region with a stable, well-balanced resources base. Major but still decentralized in- dustrial districts undoubtedly will have grown along Puget Sound, the middle and lower Columbia, and on the Willamette. The region's already gen- erous recreational resources will have been im- proved by better distribution of opportunities. The central Washington desert will be supporting some thousands of farm families in places where now there are none. Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest will be more closely united eco- nomically than before, and mutually benefited. The region will be one of the Nation's major centers of energy production, and a center of strategic industry. Hazards to public health in many local- ities will liave been removed. Factories, homes, businesses, banks, highways, railroads, and towns will exist where now there are none. It is not difficult to visualize a region with at least twice the present population, an industrial center which will make the West a balancing weight in national life which it never has been before. It is the last important physical frontier, and only the develop- ment of water resources can enable it to achieve maturity. The development therefore deserves not only trie most careful planning, but the intelli- gent and sympathetic support of all citizens. It also has national benefits. The Means of Achieving Water Development Objectives Present Federal agency plans for the development of water resources of the Columbia River Basin by the construction of major reservoirs and water control works for the major purposes of flood con- trol, navigation, irrigation, and power are based upon extensive studies of the entire basin within the United States. These plans generally provide adequately for these major purposes and have been drafted with consideration for present, near-future, and long-range future needs, and of the economics of the various units within the plans. The plans are reasonably flexible and take account of probable future water needs. While a good beginning has been made, reflecting thoughtful, careful investigations, and appreciable progress in construction, several important problems remain to be resolved. These relate to the condi- tions underlying group action, and to specific actions which influence important phases of the program. Conditions affecting group action.-Within the limitations of the different statutes under which the several agencies operate, interagency coopera- tion in the devising and coordination of plans has been effective within the basin. This also appears true for the affected States, which have been given reasonable opportunity to participate in the recog- nition of problems, and in the consideration of pro- grams to solve them. However, this interagency, State, and local cooperation can,well be further or- ganized, encouraged, and implemented (1) to as- sure unified planning, directed toward over-all regional objectives, rather than specific single major functions, (2) to assure orderly programing of de- velopment, and (3) to assure that advantage is taken of the flexibility in plans so as to effect desir- able modifications therein as conditions within the basin inevitably change. Legislation should be provided which will require unified planning, and permit common goals on the part of all Federal agencies. Such legislation should allow for uniform and just distribution of benefits, as in the case of agricultural land developed or im- proved by different means. It should provide for uniform accounting bases and revenue calculation, as in the case of power projects. It should have more uniform reimbursability provisions. It should allow for correlative consideration of all water development functions by all agencies, as in the case of recreation. It should permit the integration of 76 |