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Show Progress and status of the work are discussed par- ticularly concerning the State in which the meet- ing is being held. Where problems of coordination arise which have not been taken up directly with the States, the committee usually refers the matter to the responsible Federal agency and States for solution. Originally the committee generally con- sidered only the control and use of the water re- sources of the basin, but this concept has been enlarged to include all of the resources of the basin, with major emphasis on the land and water resources. The 6-year program prepared by the Inter- Agency Committee has allowed State agencies to foresee the necessity for increased activity on their part to keep pace with construction by the Federal agencies. To achieve this goal, however, a pro- gram of general improvement in State organiza- tion probably will be necessary, either through strengthening present agencies, or through the crea- tion of others especially designed for participation in resources development. State committees have been established in Montana, South Dakota, Ne- braska, Wyoming, and North Dakota to further the exchange of information. The work of these State committees is likely to be increasingly important, particularly with respect to general economic problems, and encouragement of State or local governmental or private participa- tion in Federal and Federal-aid programs for land management, flood control, and pollution abate- ment. In Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri, quali- fied organizations now undertake this work. In general, however, the size and complexity of the program and the rapidity with which it has taken shape have created serious problems of State par- ticipation, particularly for the less populated States in the central and western parts of the basin. Compacts.-Further coordination of local gov- ernmental units, State organizations and groups of States with Federal authorities, beyond that at- tainable on the Inter-Agency Committee, is required to prepare an over-all basin program. There is a tendency to adopt State compacts on the alloca- tion of water among the States. These probably constitute a valid basis for adjustment of contro- versial rights to the use of water, which may be made without judicial or quasi-judicial determina- tion of existing rights. Examples of existing com- pacts in the basin are the South Platte River com- pact of 1926, to apportion waters of the South Platte beween Nebraska and Colorado; the South Dakota and Wyoming agreement of 1927, to appor- tion waters of the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers; the Republican River compact, for division of waters among Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska; and the Belle Fourche River compact of 1944 be- tween South, Dakota and Wyoming, to promote the most efficient use of water in the Belle Fourche Basin.83 The Supreme Court of the United States has recommended that interstate water controversies be adjusted by compacts to avoid litigation. Such compacts are not limited to water resources but have already been used for the following purposes: boundaries and cessions of territory, control and improvement of navigation, penal jurisdiction, con- servation of natural resources, utility regulations, and taxation. Project planning.-In planning federally spon- sored projects, beginning with the investigation stage, accepted practice is to inform the affected States and local groups as to the various projects and to invite their participation. In the investiga- tion stage, it is either a requirement of law or ac- cepted practice that the governors of the affected States be given an opportunity to present their of- ficial views. After authorization of a project, the States are consulted on such features as operational studies, recreation development, fish and wildlife, highway relocation, and other pertinent matters. An example of such a matter is the problem in regard to inundation of roads. Highway costs have increased greatly and the financial burdens on local highway agencies become greater when a large program is undertaken. Present practice is to al- locate to the water project the cost of relocation in kind, although this often is impossible. New loca- tions are usually around the perimeter of the reser- voir, increasing the difficulties of construction, and increasing both unit maintenance and future con- struction costs. If the road system in these areas is to be efficient, close participation by State agen- cies in planning procedure is necessary. State and local agencies have a wide opportunity to participate in planning, programing, financing, and operating minor water resources projects, either with or without Federal participation. Local agencies such as soil conservation, drainage, rural electrification, and conservancy districts, coopera- tive grazing associations, and others, sponsor proj- 93 Act of March 8, 1926, 44 Stat. 195; Act of February 26, 1927,44 Stat. 1247; Act of May 26, 1943, 57 Stat. 86; Act of February 26, 1944, 58 Stat. 94. 911610-IE -18 243 |