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Show C. Distribution of Benefits and Responsibilities 1. The Place of State and Local Public and Private Participation in Planning, Programing, Financ- ing, and Operation The Problem Extent to which State and local government agencies and private groups should take part in the planning, programing, financing, and operation of water resources developments in the Rio Grande Basin. The Situation Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas have State organizations of varying types which now engage to a certain extent in planning water resources pro- grams. Colorado has a water conservation board which suggests projects and reviews those proposed by Federal agencies, and Texas has a State board of water engineers with similar activities. New Mexico has a State engineer who acts in a capacity similar to that of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. These three States have made studies of present and potential uses of water during negotiations for the Rio Grande Compact, which divides the waters of the Rio Grande above Fort Quitman, Tex., be- tween Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The same is true with reference to the Pecos River Com- pact between New Mexico and Texas. Negotia- tion of the treaty between the United States and Mexico relative to division of waters of the Colo- rado and Tia Juana Rivers and of the Rio Grande from Fort Quitman to the Gulf of Mexico called for active participation by Texas. Recognizing importance of water resources to their economies, each State spent large sums of money in collecting basic data, studying projects, participating in final planning and, in some cases, in actual construction. The long history of water resources activities by the States, local agencies such as irrigation districts, and individ- uals, which preceded any Federal participation, constitutes a source of valuable assistance to Federal agencies concerned with water resources development. Cooperation and participation by local interests can promote and speed basin programs. To date this has been accomplished in varying degrees de- pending on funds made available. Additional as- sistance in planning might well be provided through further expansion of State-sponsored water re- sources organizations which already are in existence in all three basin States. The States should take part by providing construction funds and assuming financial responsibility for operating and maintain- ing projects after construction. This would be particularly helpful in the case of small water con- trol and use projects. Conclusions Control and use of the water resources of the basin require continued and increased participa- tion by States and intensification of cooperative programs of Federal and State agencies. Local par- ticipation to the fullest possible extent is required in all phases of water and related resources pro- grams. As discussed in volume 1 of this report, State and local participation might well include: (1) Greater participation in preparing basin- wide comprehensive plans, particularly in the early stages of planning, for the control and use of waters by coordinated procedures among State, local, and Federal agencies. (2) Specific recommendations as to the relative needs, priorities of water use, and sequence of ac- complishment in the program. (3) Constructing projects and financing pro- grams, primarily of local concern, which conform to a comprehensive plan. (4) Reimbursement of Federal costs of drain- age, irrigation, and watershed management pro- grams based on the area's ability to pay, without interest, measured by the resulting increase in the land operator's net earnings. (5) General contributions in payment of part of Federal improvements which result in substan- tial and determinable local benefits. (6) Fostering and participating in adjustments in land use and ownership patterns. 2. Application of Principles of Acreage Limitations With Respect to Provision of Family-Size Farms, and Subdivision of Lands Now in Large Holdings The Problem Should the acreage limitation of farm units served by irrigation projects as contained in the Federal reclamation laws be applied to Federal irrigation works within the Rio Grande Basin? 337 |