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Show eluded in the initial stage of development on an intensified scale. The improvement and rehabilitation, where needed, of farm irrigation systems and privately owned group enterprises should be accomplished in the near future. This calls especially for improved water distribution systems on farms to make better use of water and minimize erosion and salinity losses. Where feasible, adequate drainage of wet areas where water accumulates by seepage or other- wise should be included in the initial development stage. Additional investigation of the possibilities of underground water storage is urgently needed. Land owners and operators, in order to make the improvement and adjustments needed, will require credit greatly in excess of amounts presently avail- able through Federal credit agencies. The present fish and wildlife program in the Cen- tral Valley includes a number of activities which are in progress by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the California. Division of Fish and Game, and other interested groups. Among them is a research pro- gram which includes as one of its important ele- ments the study of the life history of salmon and trout. These agencies also should be enabled to investigate the effects of water projects on fish and wildlife and recommend means and measures to propagate them and to prevent losses. Other programs in which the State and Federal Governments cooperate are wildlife restoration and waterfowl management, the latter including the maintenance of waterfowl habitat, alleviation of crop depredations, and the provision of public shooting g-Tounds. The State and Federal Govern- ments presently operate eight waterfowl areas in the Central Valley with a total area of 31,000 acres, and authorization has been obtained to expand cer- tain of these to provide two new areas, increasing the total area to 70,000 acres. The initial stage for future development in the Central Valley would include a continuation and expansion of these vari- ous activities with the objective of developing and maintaining a comprehensive program for conser- vation and management of fish and wildlife re- sources at the highest practicable level. Recreation facilities have been provided at both Shasta and Friant Reservoirs, and plans are being drawn for Folsom, Pine Flat, and Isabella Reser- voirs. Th.ese recreation facilities in conjunction with watea: projects will help meet the increasing demand for active recreation pursuits such as swim- ming, boating, and fishing. The initial stage con- templates continuation of the programs under way and the initiation of similar activities at other res- ervoir projects as they are undertaken, so as to con- tribute as fully as possible to the over-all recreation needs. Pollution control is being undertaken under State and local auspices. A recently enacted State pollu- tion control law will probably result in increased activity toward solving pollution problems. The initial stage contemplates an expansion in this ac- tivity to the end that all sewage and other wastes will be sufficiently treated so that they will not unduly contaminate waters used for domestic pur- poses, irrigation, and recreation. Similarly, it is contemplated that the current mosquito abatement program will be expanded. The collection of basic data needed to correct present deficiencies should be given high priority in the initial development stage. Future Stages The control and use of the water and related resources must be conceived as a continuing process to meet the increasing needs of the basin and of the adjoining areas. The projects and programs of the initial stage, as described in the preceding para- graphs, can be expected to merge into future stages, which will include as one primary objective the construction of the necessary facilities to provide additional irrigation and municipal and industrial water supply. Power projects, including both multiple-purpose and single-purpose hydroelectric facilities and fuel- electric plants, will be needed in addition to the 3 million kilowatts capacity of the initial stage. Im- provements of navigation facilities would be under- taken as required. As more intensive use is made of lands, some increased flood protection through additional reservoirs and channel improvements will be necessary. Programs such as watershed management, land treatment, fish and wildlife, recreation, and pollution control will also be re- quired on a continuing basis through future stages of development. The Future Region The progressive development of the remaining unused water and land resources of the Central Valley will permit the continued expansion of the economic and social structure of the area. Agri- culture has long been the predominant economic 156 |
