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<br />000407 <br /> <br />-7- <br /> <br />and the states, although well recognized in some rp.spp.ct~; he00mes confused in <br /> <br />others. The situation in these matters is such that one clear conclusion can <br />be drawn, namely: There is need for a mechanism which vnll effectively integrate <br />the respective Federal and state rights, interests and responsibilities in water <br />development activities. <br />In discussing this matter "e are forced at the outset to accept the fact <br />t~at at the present time, and presumably for all time in the future, the magnitude <br />ano multiple-use character of river basin development requires Federal financing. <br />There will. be, of course, relatively minor instances of projects constructed by <br />private financing. The principal Federal rights and interests under such a <br />program may be mentioned as follows: <br />1. The improvement of navigation and control of water for that purpose <br />is a Federal function exercised under the commerce clause of the Constitution. <br /> <br /> <br />2. Flood control is a Federal activity undertaken in the National interest <br /> <br /> <br />and financed from the United States treasury vdthout reimbursement of cost. The <br /> <br /> <br />Federal authority is sustained by the commerce and general welfare clauses of <br /> <br /> <br />the Constitution. The Flood Control Act of June 22, 1936 (49 Stat. 1570), as <br /> <br /> <br />amended by the Act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 876) contains the following <br /> <br /> <br />declaration of policy: <br /> <br /> <br />"Section 1. It is hereby recognized that destructive <br /> <br /> <br />floods upon the rivers of the United States, upsetting orderly <br /> <br /> <br />processes and causing loss of life and property, in~luding the <br /> <br /> <br />erosion of lands, and impairing and obstructing navigation, <br /> <br /> <br />highways, railroads, and other channels of commerce between the <br /> <br /> <br />States, constitute a menace to national welfare; that it is the <br />