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Show need for additional farms. If such need exists, this would be taken into account when the time came to renew contracts. Other Federal programs, es- pecially tenant purchase loans, should be geared to take advantage of opportunities to purchase from large holdings and create new farms that may be needed. Meanwhile, stimulus should be provided in every way possible for meeting the problem at the State level. 4. Extent of Federal Government Concern with Pollution Control The Problem The extent to which the Federal Government should be concerned with pollution control. The Situation Pollution can affect many water uses in the basin adversely. These include public water sup- ply, irrigation, industrial water supply, recreation, navigation, hydroelectric power, commercial fish- ing, and wildlife. Approximately 60 percent of the water supply for irrigation comes from natural or regulated stream flow and the remaining 40 percent from 32,000 wells. Control of both bacterial and mineral quality of these waters is important to agriculture. Crops produced in the Central Valley are so widely dis- tributed that the use of contaminated water to irri- gate vegetables and fruits, particularly if they are to be eaten raw, constitutes a health hazard to in- habitants of many cities and towns in the United States. High concentrations of certain mineral sub- stances such as sodium and boron are harmful to plant growth and soils. The worst pollution conditions occur in the Sacramento River immediately downstream from Sacramento, and in the San Joaquin River near Stockton. It is caused primarily by discharge of food-processing wastes. During the peak of the canning season the organic wastes from this process- ing industry create a drain on the oxygen supply of these streams. Available data indicate that at least 73 new sewage and industrial waste treatment plants are needed, and that at least 55 existing treatment plants in the valley need improvements. The cost is roughly estimated at 30 million dollars. In 1949 California revised existing water pollu- tion laws and passed new legislation establishing a State Water Pollution Control Board and nine regional boards to coordinate the actions of the various State agencies and political subdivisions. Under the terms of this legislation State and local health officials are still empowered to order abate- ment of water pollution which creates a public health hazard. Control of pollution that is not related to health hazards is vested in the nine regional boards, of which one has jurisdiction within the basin. These boards are empowered to make and enforce rulings as to water conditions to be maintained in all instances of water pollution, existing or threat- ened. The State Water Pollution Control Board advises regional boards, undertakes State-wide planning with the cooperation of regional boards, directs research, administers the State Water Pollu- tion Control Fund, and acts as an appeal board. The Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 has established a pattern of Federal cooperation with State water pollution control agencies. Assistance can be provided through technical advice, research on use and reuse of water, and loans for construc- tion of pollution control facilities. Conclusions Because of the importance of water pollution control in connection with the maximum utilization of the water resources of the basin, the Federal Government should maintain an active interest in water pollution control. It is thought that for the Central Valley, California State agencies are gen- erally capable of assuming the main responsibility for pollution control. However, the relation of State jurisdiction to Federal lands, like national parks, should be taken account of in agreements on this responsibility. Pollution control activities by the Federal Gov- ernment, accordingly, should fully test the effec- tiveness of cooperation with the State water pollu- tion control agencies, as provided in the 1948 Water Pollution Control Act, through adequate provision for loans for treatment facilities. 5. The Need for a Pooled Account in Power Planning and Administration The Problem The pooling of costs and revenues of Federal power projects in a single account for purposes of power planning and administration. 911610-51- -10 115 |