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Show eral interested States. The scope of the purposes and activities of this committee, therefore, are greatly circumscribed as compared with the Federal Inter-Agency River Basin Committee or its four field committees in the Columbia, Missouri, and Arkansas-White-Red Basins and in the New England-New York region. Conclusions Experience in the Colorado Basin shows that it is possible for a large group of States to consider to- gether a long-range program of water use and con- trol for their mutual benefit. Although there are still large areas of conflict among the States, there has been rather general agreement on basic issues and a willingness to discuss mutual problems. This experience is also reflected in the manner the Bureau of Reclamation has been able to work cooperatively with the States. This ability is also demonstrated by some of the other agencies of the Department of the Interior concerned with or in- volved in the basin program, although there have been real disagreements on many major points. There is not so consistent coordination of work or active cooperation between the various Federal agencies interested in the water and land resources of the basin. This has taken the form of disagree- ment over such matters as land-management poli- cies and such basic data as the source and cause of sediments. Many of these situations stem from ad- ministrative procedures and policies rather than from differing objectives. They also grow out of the widespread lack of basic information as to the conditions within the basin. The complexities of the situation, the size of the watershed, the magni- tude of the problems involved, and the serious con- flicts-Federal, State, and local-all point to the need for some cooperative procedures and coordina- tion beyond those now in effect. From the standpoint of water resources use, the primary purposes in the Colorado River Basin are irrigation, the development of power, related land- use programs, and recreational purposes. No ma- jor problems have been met with respect to coordi- nation for flood control with the needs for irrigation and power. Navigation has not been a problem, and the existing coordination between the various agencies of the Federal Government has been satisfactory regarding pollution abatement. Greater coordination is needed in all matters per- taining to soil stabilization and the prevention and control of erosion, watershed management, and grazing land use. A resolution of conflicts in land management policies and practices is badly needed among the various agencies administering the pub- lic lands. Early and effective coordination among all agen- cies is also needed in collecting and disseminating basic data of all kinds. The major Federal construction activities in the Colorado Basin are for irrigation and power, activi- ties which are now concentrated within the Depart- ment of the Interior. That Department is in a position to coordinate the activities of its agencies: the Bureaus of Reclamation, Land Management, Indian Affairs, and Mines, and the Geological Survey, National Park Service, and Fish and Wild- life Service. Other Federal agencies and the States also have direct interests, but do not have full opportunity for participating in basin plans. The present Pacific Southwest Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee excludes the basin States from par- ticipation. It is recommended for consideration that: (1) A river basin commission, as recommended generally by the Commission, should be established for the Colorado Basin, and charged with integra- tion of planning for water and related land use in the basin. (2) Such a Commission should provide for participation in planning and construction pro- grams by all agencies and interests, Federal and State, having responsibilities in various fields of water and related land use, including irrigation, power, flood control, watershed management, soil conservation, recreation, water supplies, pollution abatement, and highway and utilities relocation. The place of manufacturing industry in develop- ment of the basin resources, and its effect upon and demands for water, also would be considered. 15. Rate and Order of Construction of Basic Developments The Problem Determination of the rate and order of construc- tion of possible water resources projects, and related actions in the basin. The Situation Water supply is basic in developing the resources of the Colorado River Basin. With more than 2^2 447 |
