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Show They will be lower than the present prevailing high rates, but not among the lowest. Increased agricultural production will provide additiona-1 materials for processing. Recreation facilities associated with the water program will add to the comfort of the region. Finally., water supplies will be improved in quan- tity and equality for all purposes. The quantity of water is important especially in mineral processing, which is the basis for the region's principal industrial possibilities. Phosphate, man- ganese, and synthetic liquid fuels development may require considerable water as well as energy. If industry is substantially expanded for defense or other needs, it might conflict in the future with other uses. Conclusions To afford a broader and more stable economic base, especially in the upper basin, industrial ex- pansion is highly desirable. The chief expansion, at least for some years, must come in the processing of local raw materials. Some local resources, such as phosphate, manga- nese, oil shale, lignite, and other minerals, will re- quire intensive research to make their development feasible. When they are developed, it will probably be through large operations, rather than through the smaller enterprises which would spread the ad- vantages further throughout the economy. The water program will assist industrial devel- opment, but of itself will not assure it. On the other hand, the water needs of synthetic liquid fuel and other possible developments may conflict with other uses. As industrial requirements may have higher competitive power for water than uses like irrigation, foreseeable industrial needs should be carefully canvassed and considered in the planning of the water program to avoid premature obso- lescence of irrigation and related local develop- ments. Accordingly, the principal problem of an un- stable economy in the basin must be approached by regional programs not ordinarily contained in water development, although they should be co- ordinated closely with the other programs, and may be keys to the establishment of successful manu- facturing industry. To promote such development, water programs should maintain the greatest pos- sible flexibility at all stages. 5. Conflicts of Fishery, Wildlife, and Recreation Interests with Other Water Developments The Problem Recreational, fish, and wildlife needs in the basin, and their adjustment to other water use or de- velopment needs. The Situation Recreation is important to Missouri Valley resi- dents. The great areas of prairie and plains with- out marked relief, the general absence of bodies of water, and the long summers have resulted in the establishment of many recreation enterprises within the basin and nearby. Most of these feature water resources. The Rockies, with their cool, clear streams, attract great numbers from the farms and cities of the Plains. The waters of the Ozarks at- tract many from nearby densely populated cities. Minnesota and Wisconsin with their many beauti- ful lakes draw heavily upon the area. Great numbers of people each year visit the na- tional parks, monuments, and forests as well as the numerous State and local playgrounds. Pressures upon the more attractive and accessible areas are growing, resulting in overcrowding and congestion during the peak season. Although the developed areas are heavily used, there are many additional opportunities for spiritual and physical rejuvena- tion in the less formal and more primitive moun- tain areas. Many of these can be provided with facilities to meet more intensive use. Recreation use of forest lands in the basin is growing rapidly. The simple life these afford appeals to many, and is most sought when it can be associated with rippling streams, waterfalls, quiet mountain lakes. It is estimated that recreation use of the national forests, which amounted in 1947 to 2J/2 million man-days, will, in the next decade, increase some 150 percent in Montana, 300 percent in Colorado, and 500 percent in Missouri. The recreational potentialities of these lands are far from being realized. This in itself creates a prob- lem as demands for the simple pleasure of forest outings are outstripping facilities for the comfort, pleasure, and safety of the users. Private interests have already invested 6.5 million dollars in resorts, facilities, and cabins within national forest areas. The great influx of visitors creates added fire hazards as they move into undeveloped areas to avoid the crowds. Installation of even the simplest facilities has been impossible in recent years be- 265 |