| OCR Text |
Show ordinate the activities of the two departments in carrying forward a program in the upper basin par- ticularly. However, the board was disbanded, but the directives creating it are still in effect. Engineering programs have been planned by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engi- neers. Planning has been so done that the works of the two agencies are largely coordinated. These programs affect primarily water use and flood con- trol and recognize all compact, treaty, and water rights requirements. But programs of land treatment and watershed management necessary to comprehensive planning for water and land re- sources are inadequate, and such planning as has been done so far has not yet adequately recognized the other major problems. Early completion of plans for these basic watershed programs is the foremost requirement for comprehensive planning in this basin. Success of present engineering pro- grams will depend in large measure on the charac- ter and completeness of needed land treatment programs. Comprehensive planning also must include con- sideration of other phases of water and land re- sources such as municipal and industrial water supply, pollution abatement, recreation, fish and wildlife. Further consideration of water and related land resources problems in this basin calls for study and planning by local, State, and Federal interests on a thoroughly coordinated basis. From a Federal standpoint it is desirable that studies be carried out concurrently and that the necessary funds for in- vestigations to make this possible be appropri- ated. Conclusions The problems in the Rio Grande Basin are so acute that a coordinated attack is necessary whereby all phases of water and related resources develop- ment are integrated into a program in which each phase complements and supplements the other. A comprehensive plan should be prepared that will consider the total resource management needs of the basin and under which all programs can be genu- inely integrated. There is need for several large-scale experiments where, in addition to finding essential guiding facts, a full and integrated program may be carried out and tested to determine ways and means of ade- quate rehabilitation, both as to technical and ad- ministrative procedures. A commission should be established by Congress for the Rio Grande Basin as recommended in vol- ume 1 of this Commission's report. 6. Adequacy of Basic Data Essential for Planning and Programing Basin Development The Problem Importance of basic data adequate to meet needs for comprehensive program planning and necessary modifications in present facilities for this purpose. The Situation Proper planning and operation of water and re- lated resources programs depend upon availability of basic physical, biologic, and economic data. Some of these basic data, such as that pertaining to hydrol- ogy and related matters, must be obtained as a con- tinuing record for many years to include the range and frequencies of highs and lows of climatological, stream flow, and other pertinent conditions. Cer- tain other data such as that pertaining to geology and major aspects of topography are generally not subject to such wide variations. Broad programs for the continuous and orderly compilation of basic data such as topographic maps, weather information, and stream flow records are the primary responsibility of several Federal and State agencies. Sound working relationships among many of these agencies include coopera- tion necessary to make data mutually available. These broad programs do not, however, provide all necessary basic data. Supplementary informa- tion is required. The Department of the Interior is responsible for collection and compilation of certain funda- mental basic data on water resources, geology, topographic mapping, and cadastral surveys. In- vestigations of water resources are conducted by the Geological Survey through cooperative agree- ments with other Federal, State, or local agencies; these include surface and ground waters. Al- though the data collected under this program have been invaluable in planning many water resources developments, the investigations have been limited principally to the most critical problems at hand. Funds have not permitted comprehensive investi- gations designed to secure basic data adequate to meet the needs and requirements of all agencies and of the entire basin. 333 |
