WSP10526

• File Number: 8210.110.60
• Description: Colorado River Water Users Association
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Date: 12/6/1962
• Author: CRWUA
• Title: Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Annual Report

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and a seventh inember, the Department of Labor, chose to participate in associate
member status. It was intended that the committee be used for high level discus-
sion and decision on water policies and major problems.

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Simultaneously, there was established the Presidential Advisory Committee
on Water Resources Policy (PACWRP), consisting of the Secretaries of Agricul-
ture, Defense and Interior, with participation by other agencies concerned, under
the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Interior. This committee submitted a
report on "Water Resources Policy" (the Blue Book) in 1955.

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Meanwhile, new charters were drawn up for the field committees stressing
Federal-State cooperation and grass roots coordination. There are now five field
committees- the Missouri, Columbia, Pacific Southwest, Arkansas-White-Red
and Northeastern. The River Basin Commissions established by Congress fn:i:l9'!X8
for the Southeast and for Texas aID not operate under ICWR auspices. They were
estabHshed to prepare reports and to disband upon completion, but if the pattern
of AWR and NENIAC committees prevails, they may evolve into field committees
under ICWR, or be succeeded by continuing River Basin Planning Commissions,
if legislation proposed in the President's special message of February 23, 1961
on conservation and natural resourCes is enacted into law.

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Such is an all too brief historical sketch of inter-agency developments with
respect to water and related land resources. This story affirms that "History is
Prologue. "

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The historical prologue establishes that inter~agency coordination and
Federal-States' relations in the field of water and related land resources have en-
dured the .tests of time for more than a quarter of a century. The Inter-Agency
Committee on Water Resources at Washington, D. C. level, and the Pacific South-
west Inter-Agency Committee, among other field River Basin committees, are still
functioning whereas other devices for the same or similar purposes have been short-
lived. Thus, the long shadow of coming events has diminished considerably.

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Recent developments, as caSes in point to bear out the prologue of history,
include the provisions of the Water Resources Planning Act of 1961, which is pro-
posed legislation. One important aspect of the legislation is to establish and great-
ly strengthen Federal-States' cooperation in River Basins' planning. Another
aspect would provide for establishment of River Basins Planning Commissions.
The mechanisms and approaches of more than a quarter of a century ago which, in
a sense, were perpetuated by inter-agency procedures, may be reflected in new
legislation, when and if enacted by the U. S. Congress.

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Another element of the Water Resources Planning Act of 1961 that may fur-
ther reflect earlier mechanisms and support the prologue is the provision for
creation of a Water Resources Council at Cabinet level, composed of the National
Departments 'of Interior, Agriculture, 'Army and Health, Education, and Welfare.
Should this proposal become law, it is likely that the work of the Inter-Agency
Committee on Water Resources would be carried out by the Council in addition to
other responsibilities.

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The shadow of coming events is further shortened by the fact that an Ad Hoc
Water Resources Council currently is functioning with respect to certain aspects
of water and related land resources. An Interdepartmental Staff Committee of the
Ad Hoc Water Resources Council has engaged in the preparation of material,

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