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<br />.1 Jnnuf,ry 1952
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<br />AWRBIAC PROCEDURE GUIDE
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<br />Department of Agriculture, the. Federal Power .Commission, other appro-
<br />priate Federal agencies ~ld.with the States,.as required.by existing
<br />law. "l.llthat is l~equ1red by existing law, however, is' that certain
<br />Federal agencies and the States concerned be given an opportunity to.
<br />comment on the plans prepared by the Department' of the Army, before
<br />they are submitted to the President and. the congress.' This is plainly
<br />no substitute for participation in the original preparation of the .
<br />plans.. . . .
<br />F01' this reason, I believe the provision originally adopted' by' the
<br />. Senate, but. omitted from the fino.l act, was far preferable. . This would
<br />have provided thlit comprehensive plans for the Arkansas, White, and Red
<br />River Ballins be prepared by a special interdepartmental commission;.
<br />under a chairman, appointed by the President, and with participation by
<br />the. States. . .... . .'
<br />In the absence of suCh legislation, I shall attempt .to assure con-
<br />certed action and effect'ive planning,s'o far. as that may be accomplished
<br />under e:dsting laws.. I am therefore, issuing instructions to the appro-
<br />priate Federal agencies to work together in preparing comprehensive . .
<br />plans for these basins, insofar as their existing authority permits,
<br />and to invite participation by the states concerned. This should remedy,
<br />to some extent the inadequacy of too present act., But more than this
<br />is needed. I.recommend that the Congress reconsider the matter,and
<br />authorize thi:ltype of investigation and planning that would be ace am- .
<br />plished under the provisions originally adopted by the Senate. .
<br />". A, second,. and even worsB, example of inadequate planning provided'
<br />for in this act relates to New E.:cgland. The act places responsibility
<br />':on the Department.of the Army to survey the ''Merrimack and Connecticut
<br />. Rivers. and tbBirtributaries, and such other streame" in New England'
<br />'vhere power'deveiopment appears teasible end practicable,' to determine
<br />..thebydroelectric 'potentialities', in combination with other water and
<br />resourcQ development." . This assignment '01' l:esponsibility, like that
<br />10 the .case .01' the Arkansas, white, and Red River Basins, obviously in-
<br />volves the work of other Federal agencies, arid of the States, as well .
<br />as that of the Department of the. Army; and thOse other agencies and the
<br />states. should participate 10 tbB planning' work. .
<br />Ip this. case, moreove r, the act doe s not specify the' several other
<br />purposes, aside. from the deve:\.opment of power, which should be' considered
<br />in order to prepare proper resource development plans'.' . .
<br />And yet soil, forest, and. fis'lieries conservation and . manageinent ,
<br />stream pollution abatement,. improved domestic'and municipal' water sup-
<br />plies, recreational development, and. .otl;lerresource problema, are .all
<br />highly important to, the future growth .01' the Northeastern statesuNew .
<br />York as well as 'the New England States--and should be studied together.
<br />Furthermore, the geographical area to be, surve~d .is not wisely
<br />chot3en, even fI:om the sing:\.e viewpoint of power' development. Ithas
<br />been understood for years by' the New'Engle:nd States and b;y-New York'
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