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Show facilities, and in some instances assist with pollu- tion abatement. Conclusions Inasmuch as only about 370,000 out of a poten- tial 9.2 million kilowatts of hydroelectric power have been privately developed, it appears that fur- ther hydroelectric power facilities are not likely to attract private financing. Development of fed- erally financed hydroelectric power need not, how- ever, foreclose the market to private enterprise or to State and local bodies. As far as production of energy is concerned, it is likely that the principal opportunities for additional private investment and management will be in steam-electric plants. Private owners and their tenants must play an important role in watershed management, as over three-fourths of the land is in private ownership. On their own initiative and in cooperation with such local bodies as soil conservation districts, farm- ers and ranchers will continue to bring in small irri- gation enterprises, including flood irrigation and water spreading. Private individuals and groups have an important responsibility to provide recrea- tion opportunities within the basin, some naviga- tion facilities, and action on pollution abatement. 9. Reimbursability of Allocations for Fish and Wildlife and Recreation The Problem Desirability of nonreimbursable cost allocations for fish and wildlife conservation and recreation. The Situation The Missouri River Basin Project was author- ized prior to the Wildlife Coordination Act of j 945 45 reiating to fish and wildlife conservation. Hence, nonreimbursable cost allocations to this function have not been permitted, and irrigation and flood control programs usually do not include all the features which would aid in fish and wildlife conservation. The omission is important, because of the scarcity of natural habitat over much of the region. Fish screens are usually provided in dam and 'Act of August 14, 1946, 60 Stat. 1080. reservoir construction. Oth_er features, such as ponds and dikes, are as a jule not constructed. Minimum water releases are made from irrigation reservoirs to sustain fish life when they do not con- flict with the primary purposes of the project. The situation would be improved if State laws recognized the preservation of fish and wildlife as a beneficial water use. State responsibility for pre- serving these resources would be increased, and responsibility for the preservatiion of thete resources brought into line with Federal policy. Procedures are needed for carrying out the pro- visions of the Wildlife Coordination Act so as to gain the full benefits of local and State-wide re- search in fish and wildlife problems. On the basis of such research, the field in which Federal assist- ance is needed may be more clearly defined, and policies may be based on more adequate data. With respect to recreation, conflicting policies exist. There is authority fox the expenditure of funds for planning and constructing recreation fa- cilities in connection with projects built under flood control legislation, but no similar general au- thority is incorporated in reclamation laws. As a result, needed features such a.s access roads, picnic areas, and sanitation facilities are lacking in many water projects unless they are provided by a State or another Federal agency. A corollary situation exists for operation, maintenance, and replacement expenses associated with fish and wildlife and rec- reation facilities. Under flood control laws, ex- cept for local protection works, all project opera- tion, maintenance, and replacement expenses ex- cept those ascribable to power development are nonreimbursable; under reclamation laws, similar costs are reimbursable. Despite these conflicts and limitations, investiga- tions and planning for fish and wildlife and recrea- tion have proceeded. Financing has been made available to agencies of the Interior Department engaged in these activities through Missouri River Basin Project investigations funds. Also, reclama- tion appropriations for fiscal year 1950 permitted such improvements as access roads, picnic areas, and boat docks at Angostura Reservoir on the Cheyenne River in South Dakota, and at Enders and Medicine Creek Reservoirs in the Republican River Basin in Nebraska. No provision, however, has been made for classifying these expenditures as nonreimbursa- ble. At Fort Peck Reservoir specific appropria- tions have provided for the construction of recrea- tion facilities such as roads, docks, water supply, 258 |