| OCR Text |
Show signed primarily for navigation, flood control, ma- jor drainage, and power production. Several agencies of the Department of Agricul- ture have Nation-wide programs which are in effect in this basin. The Production and Marketing Administration, Soil Conservation Service, Forest Service, Agricultural Research Administration, Extension Service, Farm Credit Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Rural Electrifica- tion Administration, Bureau of Agricultural Economics-all have programs related directly or indirectly to resource use. The Geological Survey, Fish and Wildlife Serv- ice, National Park Service, and Southeastern Power Administration are agencies of the Department of the Interior which have programs in the basin. The Federal Power Commission has prepared a power market survey for the southeastern region and investigates river basin programs to insure that projects will be adapted to meet the needs for water power. The Public Health Service has responsibilities related to domestic water supply and abatement of pollution. State agencies concerned with agriculture, for- ests, minerals, highways, parks, public health, con- servation, industry, and planning for resource de- velopment also have responsibilities. Because so many agencies have specific programs related to resource development and use, the need for coordi- nation of planning is evident. The difficulties in achieving integration of the various interests and programs are likewise apparent. A comprehensive program requires the integra- tion of the activities of all agencies so that each can make its maximum contribution. The various phases of water resources development and land use programs have not yet been coordinated. In- dividual agencies, though they may recognize the need for an integrated approach to the solution of the problems of the area, have been given piece- meal authorizations and funds for planning and have proceeded independently. This results in limited purpose regional planning which overem- phasizes certain objectives to the subordination and neglect of others. Plans for engineering works for flood control, navigation, and power are well advanced. Alla- toona Reservoir, three local flood protection works and one channel clearing project have been com- pleted. Four main stream reservoirs are being planned for early development. Still other projects have been approved for later construction. Land management should be an essential part of a comprehensive regional program for the use and conservation of the basin's resources. This program requires immediate acceleration in order that benefits derived from land treatment measures may be reflected in the detailed planning for future engineering projects. An integrated land use and engineering program may be a less costly long-range approach to basin problems than a program which relies entirely on either a land or engineering approach. Many social problems associated with tenancy and other farming difficulties need attention. Among these are the attainment of higher living standards and greater opportunities for employ- ment. An enlarged industrial base is needed, including plants using local products. Greater out- lets for farm and forest products should be sought so as to take full advantage of the potentialities of the region. Steps should be taken to accelerate the establishment of industries as a means of ex- panding nonfarm employment and of reducing pressure on the land. This phase of planning must receive the attention it requires in comprehensive basin planning. Planning for full use of the resources of the basin should also consider the relation of this drainage area to the larger region of which it is a part. Its basic problems and potentialities are the same as in the entire southeastern part of our country. The adequacy of plans and programs for this basin will be related to developments in adjacent areas. The potentialities for navigation and power on the Mobile, Tombigbee, and Warrior Rivers, and all nearby streams are large and have been only par- tially explored. It should be recognized that the Alabama-Coosa Basin is a part of the larger Mobile-Alabama-Tom- bigbee Basin and that the Tombigbee offers great possibilities, both in the way of a new navigation connection through the Tennessee to the Ohio River system and in the way of adding a major amount of power to the region's supply. These possibilities should be thoroughly explored as a part of the comprehensive program. Conclusions While plans for improving the rivers of the Alabama-Coosa Basin for navigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power are well advanced, much additional planning is required to prepare an inte- grated, comprehensive basin program. 561 |
