OCR Text |
Show Waterway improvements in particular are signifi- cant in such encouragement. (2) Attention should be given to the danger of sabotage or destruction of water supplies from the Central Valley to the bay area; preventive measures should be taken promptly. (3) Attention should be given to the possible power needs of the Los Angeles industrial area, and the relation of Central Valley resources to them. (4) Because of the national interest in these matters, Federal agencies concerned with water development should consider it their obligation to assist in planning for strategic needs. 7. Uniform Policy on Providing Recreation Facili- ties in Reservoir Areas The Problem Should recreation be considered an objective in Federal reservoir developments, and if so, should there be a uniform policy in providing recreation facilities? The Situation There is a definite need for additional outdoor recreational use of Federal multiple-purpose reser- voirs. Experience at Shasta and Millerton Lakes and other reservoirs clearly indicates that recrea- tional use will be made of such reservoirs, despite lack of adequate facilities and the objectionable drawdown of reservoir levels. These recreation values would be enhanced if plans were made for the fullest possible use of the recreational opportunities. As the recreational use in general is of less than national significance, investments in such facilities should be made to a large extent by State and local interests. One of the interests of the Federal Government in recreation is to avoid undue conflicts with other project functions. Under most circumstances it should provide basic facilities like land, roads, and water supply. At present there is lack of uniformity in legislation pertaining to recreation at Federal reservoirs. The Corps of Engineers has authority to construct, oper- ate, and maintain recreation facilities or to permit such activities at its reservoir projects. The Bureau of Reclamation does not have such general author- ity. This inconsistency is particularly noticeable in the Central Valley, where both the Corps and the Bureau are building water projects. Conclusions There is a need for additional recreation facilities in the Central Valley. This could be met in part by appropriate developments at Federal multiple- purpose reservoirs, including acquiring desirable land adjacent to the reservoirs. Most improve- ments can be provided by local interests. Their in- stallation would be facilitated if recreation were recognized as an important objective of Federal water programs in the authorizing legislation. Uni- form legislation applying to construction agencies should be adopted. 8. Extent to Which Fish and Wildlife Programs Should Be Included in Planning for Water Re- sources Development The Problem The extent to which basin-wide investigations of means of maintaining and enhancing fish and wild- life resources should be included in planning for water resources use. The Situation Fish and waterfowl, as well as some other forms of wildlife, constitute a resource of economic and recreational value. Maintenance and enhancement of this resource is intimately related to the construc- tion of multiple-purpose projects. Reservoirs and dams may be so constructed and managed as either to maintain and enhance this resource or unneces- sarily impair or destroy it. Until recently it appears to have been the general practice to attempt to integrate the fish and wild- life program into multiple-purpose projects after project construction had begun. However, to be effective, integration should be undertaken from the earliest possible stage in the planning process. To be effective it is essential, also, that the construc- tion agency be furnished reliable basic data on all phases of fish and wildlife, including habits and essential environment. This would permit prepar- ing plans for the proper sequence of dam construc- tion, types of fish ladders to be used, and spillways of proper design. Because such data were not avail- able, State approval of the construction of both Iron Canyon and Table Mountain Dams has been withheld, and approval of work on the Yuba River is held in abeyance. Some of these studies are in progress. 137 |