July 1959

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October 1959

Calendar of Events Units Water Resources -- National Agenda Item That Unbelievable Saimin Again

Water Resources -- National Agenda Item It is because water resources throughout the United States are threatened that Leagues are studying the subject. The danger lies in the increasing numbers of our population, the accelerated use of water, and the lack of a centralized authority for management of this basic essential. The National Voter for August 1957 reads: "In the absence of a single water policy, separate policies have been established, the chief areas being irrigation, flood control, navigation, power. In addition, other independent policies have evolved, such as water supply, recreation, pollution control, fish and wildlife. "Congress has set up various agencies, then allocated to several of them the same or similar functions, so that in both legislation and administration there have arisen conflicts and jurisdictional disputes. * * * * The confusion within the federal structure is compounded when one examines federal-state and inter-state relationships. "What is the way out of this maze?" Another LWV publication, "Little Drops of Water", puts is strikingly: "Actually, we have a tremendous, unwieldy machine dealing with water resources, similar to a Rube Goldberg invention, which could stand a major redesigning job". At least a dozen national groups have studied the problem in the last 20 years. It is now recommended that the river basin be the unit for planning. This would provide coordinated development of all the uses of rivers with due regard for regional needs and national interests. At the September units we will, therefore, discuss RIVER BASINS AND THE EQITABLE FINANCING OF PROJECTS INVOLVED IN THEM. The national League Board asks us to send the results of our thinking for guidance in possible legislation action. This must be done by November 1959. questions upon which a consensus is requested are: River Basins. Should there be regional machinery to provide for systematic and effective cooperation among federal, state, and local and private interests in formulation and administration of water programs? Should the form of machinery vary to meet the particular needs of the region? Should procedures be developed which offer the public alternative choices in the early stages of planning? Should the results of regional development meet not only the needs of the region but also be desirable or at least not in conflict with the needs of the country as a whole? Equitable Financing. Would uniform standards for project evaluation and repayment be the answer? Equitable Financing continued Is it desirable to aim at assumption, as far as possible, by state and local governments and private users, of their share of the costs in relation to the benefits? Are some areas of water—resource development beyond the ability of state and local governments to finance? Examples: basic data collection, multiple purpose projects. Should the amount of federal contribution be determined in the light of national interest involved? * * * * * * * * * * * * The Water Resource Committee of the Honolulu League has met a number of times this summer to organize material for discussion, and a member of the committee plans to give background review at unit meetings. The subject is so large and so complex, however, that discussions will be more fruitful if members will do reading in advance. LWV publications, "On the Water Front" and Little Drops of Water" provide illuminating information, as do articles which appeared in the National Voter August 1957, July, August and October 1958, and January and June 1959. Our publications chairman, Helen Fredericks, will mail "Little Drops of Water" upon request. Her telephone number is 978-162. Let us not be dismayed by the size and difficulty of the problem. Remember that we are working with 1,000 other local leagues, and that the LWV has taken leadership and achieved results many a time before now.

July 1959

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October 1959