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Show A. Distribution of Benefits and Responsibilities 1. The Place of Local Public and Private and State Participation in Planning, Programing, Financ- ing, and Operation The Problem The extent to which local public and private in- terests and State governments should participate in planning, programing, financing, and operating water resources facilities. The Situation Local p\iblic and private interests and State governments in the Connecticut River Basin are presently represented in water resources programs. Local public interests plan, construct, and operate all water supply and sewage treatment works; pro- vide, maintain, and operate local recreation areas; construct necesary sewers; provide lands, rights-of- way, borrow and spoil areas, and assume respon- sibility for claims against the Federal Government in connection with local flood protection works and navigation channels; provide adequate water- front facilities; modify bridges for navigational improvements; and maintain close liaison with Federal andi State agencies involved in other water resources developments. Several municipalities maintain and operate small hydroelectric plants. Private interests plan, construct, and operate hy- droelectric power plants, the majority of the con- servation storage reservoirs, well developed com- mercial recreation facilities, and some industrial waste treatment works. State governments plan, install, and operate extensive recreation facilities; States exercise control over electric power genera- tion, water supply and pollution abatement pro- grams, and. maintain close liaison with Federal agencies involved in the Federal development of water and land resources. All of the States are taking advantage of congressional policy as out- lined in the 1936 Flood Control Act1 and subse- quent legislation, particularly Section 1 of the 1944 Flood Control Act, and the 1945 River and Harbor Acts2 which call for review by affected 1 Act of June 22, 1936, § 1, 49 Stat. 1570 as amended, 33 U. S. C. 7"01a. * Act of December 22,1944, § 1,58 Stat. 887,33 U. S. G. 701a-/; Act oM March 2, 1945, § 1, 59 Stat. 10. States of plans developed under flood control and river and harbor acts. The States are presently considering a compact for the purpose of more expeditiously accomplishing this cooperation. The States are participating in various water- shed management programs. The basin is com- pletely covered with soil conservation districts, with which the Department of Agriculture cooperates in planning an agricultural program. The Agri- cultural Conservation Program is also cooperating with the States and counties in an effort to achieve better land use practices. Under the Clarke-Mc- Nary Act,3 all of the States are actively cooperating with the Forest Service in the forest fire control program and recently have entered into an agree- ment among themselves covering the protective needs, distribution of manpower, and measures to be undertaken jointly in case of large fires. Also, under the Cooperative Farm Forestry (Norris- Doxey) Act,* the States have undertaken coopera- tive reforestation and forest land management programs. Recently the New England States, except New Hampshire, formed an organization to take action on pollution abatement problems. This is the New England Water Pollution Control Commis- sion, formed in 1947. New York joined the com- mission in 1949, and it is reported that New Hampshire may join during 1951. Conclusions Cooperation of local public and private interests and State governments with the Federal Govern- ment and among themselves is necessary in plan- ning, programing, financing, and operating facili- ties for full use of the water resources of the basin. Such cooperation should be encouraged and further implemented as far as possible. The strong tradi- tion for individual and local action which prevails in New England will have to be taken account of in any action. It should be enlisted in planning for comprehensive development. In this connection, however, it is important that the people of the re- gion have before them a clear picture of the com- parative advantages offered by alternative plans for comprehensive development so that they will not be misled by the influence of special interests. * Act of June 7, 1924, 43 Stat. 653, 16 U. S. G. 564. 4 Act of May 18, 1937, 50 Stat. 188, 16 U. S- C. 568b. 490 |