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Show ects which include local irrigation, rural electrifica- tion, reforestation, soil and moisture conservation, and shelter-belt planting. Local participation in the planning, financing, and operation of local flood protection works constructed by the Corps of Engi- neers is required under Federal law. However, methods of taking care of road relocation appar- ently need review in consultation with State officials. A comprehensive agricultural program which will require local cooperation has been presented to Congress. Project construction.-A definite field in which States can take an important part in the develop- ment of water resources is the construction of small projects. The Montana State Water Conservation Board is a good example. Created by the legisla- ture in 1934, it has constructed nearly 200 small projects and many middle-sized ones, irrigating new land as well as furnishing supplemental water. One supplies water to 6,000 acres of new land and supplemental water to 29,000 acres. Several sup- ply water to more than 20,000 acres each. The board also constructs municipal water supply and sewerage projects, does the engineering for Rural Electrification Administration cooperatives, and has become tbie water resources development agency of the State. It has a construction budget of about 1 million dollars a year. Special districts for administration, operation, and financing.-Special districts, like those for irri- gation, wtiich are water users' organizations, are essential to simplify the problem of present Federal- local relations and to enable effective local partici- pation in operating and financing projects. Irri- gation districts have long been known in the basin. Other types of special districts also are known. In Nebr-aska, the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, the Platte Valley Public Power and Irrigation District, and the Loup River Public Power District are examples of State-created agencies established to generate and distribute elec- tric power-, and water for irrigation. These dis- tricts have authority to issue bonds but cannot levy taxes to pay their obligations. With the recent purchase of the Nebraska Power Co. by the Omaha Public Power District, the State has become prac- tically the sole owner and operator of electric power facilities in Nebraska. Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota ha-ve enabling legislation for the creation of conservancy districts to participate in financing reclamation projects. These districts levy small an- nual tax assessments against taxable property with- 244 in them. Such levies are administered by the dis- tricts. Any net proceeds are part of project revenues. The Northern Colorado Conservancy District is an example. It was organized in connection with the Colorado-Big Thompson project and includes rural and urban areas benefited by the project water supply. The district is represented by a board of directors empowered to levy a tax of about 2 mills on all property within its boundaries. Similar conservancy districts can be useful in collecting payments from individuals and groups benefiting indirectly from irrigation and water supply, and directly or indirectly from flood control and other project functions. Other phases of local participation.-On some private lands in the basin, woodland fire protec- tion is below standard, depleted and denuded tim- berlands need treatment, wildlife management is poorly understood and executed, and range lands are in poor condition. State cooperation is essen- tial if appropriate remedies are to be applied. State and local agencies or private concerns must participate in programs for abating pollution caused by municipal and industrial wastes. The treat- ment of municipal and industrial water supplies is a matter of serious local concern. In general, laws in the several States on pollution control and ground water use either do not exist, or are inade- quate. Federal action can assist in these problems by making available a sufficient water supply. A special problem of concern to the States has arisen in areas where large engineering works are being constructed. The main projects, almost without exception, are in rural areas, and most construction workers are transients. Consequently, health hazards are found similar to those encoun- tered in constructing military establishments in rural areas during World War II. The Public Health Service reports there is definite need for the construction agency to take counsel from pub- lic health officials on such matters as water supply, sewerage, housing, milk and food sanitation, and other similar features. There is also continuing need for public health supervision of these and other facilities. An example cited is near Garri- son Dam 34 in North Dakota where in 1950 con- struction workers were housed in about 40 housing units converted from grain-storage bins, were served by an unsafe water supply, and lacked sanitary facilities. 'But not within the area under Federal supervision. |
