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This variable of "general concern about flood- ing" is used in the model as an input to the public reaction stage which occurs after announcement of a flood control plan to Ihe public. The perceived need affects the dependent variable in that section which is in tum fed back 10 the decision agency and affects its evaluation of a flood control plan. Section Two and Three: Decision and Planning Agencies The second and lhird stages of the conceptual model deal with funclions of the decision and plan- ning agencies. The second stage represents the initial official response as to whether action is needed and the initiation and formation of a preliminal)' plan for dealing with the problems. The third section repre- sents the evaluation of the proposed plan and the de- cision to adopt it by the decision agency and the an. noucement to Ihe public of Ihe decision. The manner in which the various agencies con- cerned wilh flood control in Ihe Sail Lake tesl area were found to funclion is discussed in several parts: I) Characteristics of the agencies responsible for flood conlrol; 2) the role of social power in agency actions; 3) characleristics of the planning agencies; 4) planning and decision functions; 5) the manner in which agen- cies identify flooding problems; and 6) strategies used by agencies for evaluating possible solutions. Finally. the problem of distortions in evaluation is dealt with. Characteristics of decision agencies The decision agency, as specified in Figure 4.1, for the Salt Lake County study area was Ihe County Flood Control Department. While many diverse indi- viduals and groups hold property rights in Ihe water- shed, slate law provides that county govemment has primary decision power on flood control activities and the powers to implement non structural programs through rules and regulations and to use the right of eminent domain to obtain land for structural measures. In the study area, the active county agencies are the County Flood Control Department, the County Plan- ning and Zoning Department, and the Board of County Commissioners. Through its enabling legislation, the Salt Lake County Flood Conlrol Department has been given the charge to: Assist the Board of County Commissioners in the discharge of responsibility for the gathering, control and disposal of storm drainage and flood water; for the conservation of such water for beneficial and useful purposes, and for the pro- tection of personal property, public highways, and waterways within the county from damage re- suiting from such water. The ordinance further states that Ihe department "shall administer all County ordinances pertaitlin~ to flood problems." (Revised Ordinances of Salt Lake Counly, Section 7/2/1.) Thus, Ihe Counly Flood Con. trol Deparlment has broad responsibilities for water control aclivities in Sall Lake County and is consider- ed to be the principal agency related 10 flood conlrol. The Salt Lake County Planning and Zoning De- partment, which in water related issues works with the County Flood Control Departmenl, has authority to control land use changes within Ihe tributary water- shed. Watershed characteristics, such as the degree and rate of urbanization, are greatly affected by decisions of the County Planning and Zoning Departmenl. The County Flood Control and the Planning and Zoning Departments,subjecl to guidance and direction from Ihe Salt Lake Counly Board of Commissioners, are the primary governmental sources of decisions for changes thai affecl the urban watershed within the study area. Under existing ordinances and rules dir- ecting the two agencies. decisions are made in close cooperation in Ihe area being modeled. Because of this coordination, county government is treated as one decision agency in the model; neither the Counly Plan- ning and Zoning Department nor Ihe County Board of Commissioners is represented separately. Divisions of this nature could be introduced as needed in sub. sequent development of the model. The supervisory role played by the Salt Lake County Board of Commissioners is important since the board not only provides general direction, but may also change the characteristics of the decision agencies themselves. In addition, at the local level, other municipal commissioners, mayors and associated agencies can have input and may be considered. The role of social power in agency action In order to determine the funclional role of the various government agencies in flood control planning, several characteristics were examined which involve relationships belween agencies and between agencies and other organizations, groups, and individuals. In. cluded within Ihese rleationships were factors related to social power held by agencies or persons. The power of an agency encompasses both au- thority and influence. Authority is power intrinsic to Ihe agency and given to it to accomplish the lasks which the agency has been assigned. Influence is the ability 10 affecllhe behavior of olher agencies, groups, or individuals wilhout formal authority. As illustra- tions of these two types of power in Salt Lake Counly, the County Flood Conlrol Department has Ihe author. ity to decide whether a particular flood control meth- 45