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Show the 1945 Census of Agriculture show that in New England 41.8 percent of the people classed as "rural and living on farms" worked away from the farm an average number of 242 days in 1944. While growing-season rainfall is usually sufficient for most of the crops that are grown, there are dry periods in most summers when supplemental irri- gation may prove desirable. Providing additional water to permit more intensive use of existing ag- ricultural land, particularly in that part of the basin adjacent to urban areas, offers possibilities for in- creasing the amount of locally produced food in a deficit food-producing area as well as providing ad- ditional part-time employment. Use of water to provide power for industrial use.-A significant resource potential is the unde- veloped power of the river. A highly efficient in- dustrial region today must have access to ample supplies of electric power at low cost. New Eng- land power costs to manufacturers are over 60 per- cent above the United States average. If power costs, which are an important cost of production in many industries, can be reduced by the development of hydroelectric power, it is reasonable to assume that at least some of New England's industry would improve its competitive position measurably. The possibility of making low-cost power avail- able to small municipalities, and to Rural Elec- trification. Administration cooperatives, public util- ity districts, or similar organizations, has an addi- tional implication for stabilizing the local economy of the area. This advantage may further stimulate the location of small industries in predominantly rural areas. It would thus improve the opportu- nities for growth of private enterprise. The relocation of industrial plants or location of new plants in outlying smaller cities is a trend which is already well-established. Industrial firms have found that pleasant living in smaller commu- nities contributes materially to the stability of industrial labor supply. Conclusions Decentralization and stabilization of industrial areas in the basin is a complex task. However, one part of th.e solution to the problem lies in making maximum use of the water resources of the region. The extension of opportunities for part-time employment in agriculture should be given con- sideration as a means of contributing to the eco- nomic stability of the basin. The extent to which use of supplemental water for agriculture can in- crease the employment opportunities as well as the amount of locally produced food bears investigation. Full development of the hydroelectric power potential of the Connecticut River and its tribu- taries is indicated as a means of contributing to lower cost electric power, especially when consid- ered in connection with other opportunities for co- ordinated operations in New England and New York. This advantage can be used to enable exist- ing industries to improve their competitive position as well as to stimulate the growth of others in the smaller communities of the area. D. Development Procedure 1. Acquisition of Property in a Reservoir Area The Problem The local hardship involved in land and property acquisition for reservoir purposes and its allevia- tion. The Situation When a reservoir project is authorized, a delay occurs under present procedures before property is acquired in the reservoir area. This normally re- sults either from lack of appropriations for the purpose or deferral of the acquisition program. When the land acquisition program is undertaken, it is usually carried to completion as rapidly as possible in order to clear the reservoir area for its intended use. This procedure results in hardships to the prop- erty owners in two principal ways. After project authorization and pending Federal acquisition, the property in the reservoir area is generally unsalable because it has no future for other use. Once ac- quisition begins, accelerated purchasing of reser- voir property immediately throws the majority of the original owners into the market for replace- ment of their former holdings. Although these conditions are common to reservoir projects throughout the country, they apply particularly to the basin where for generations lands have been in single family ownership, and where productive ag- ricultural lands are limited. The lack of a normal market is particularly severe on a property owner who, due to financial circumstances, may be forced to sell his holdings 510 |
