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<br />VUJ..vlJ <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />I'I((JI'(J:,LI) 1'\):, II I Uh <br />j{egiJ nJ i. ng <br />\ DiSCUSSION PUINCIPL~S <br />For Evolving <br />FEDERAL WATER PROJECT FINANCING AND COST SHARING <br /> <br />,..' <br /> <br />~. <br />DISCUSSION <br /> <br />Water resource development projects and programs have produced <br />significant, diverse and widespread social, economic and environ- <br /> <br />mental benefits. These benefits include increased employment, <br /> <br />regional development, adequate and safe water supplies, agricultural <br /> <br />productivity, energy development, trilOsportation divct"si [i.<':iJtion, <br /> <br />soil and water conservation, [load control, water quality improve- <br /> <br />ment, fish and wildlife enhancement, etc. Sometimes, water resource <br /> <br />development projects produce little or no revenue, but often the <br />benefits can't be measured and evaluated in monetary terms. <br /> <br />Annually, government and private entities spend billions of <br />dollars on water resource development. Non-federal interests already <br />'-4Ifinance the greatest share of our national needs (approximately <br />74%). The only comprehensive study of historic expenditures esti- <br /> <br />mated a total outlay through about 1970 of $338.6B. The estimated <br /> <br />state and local financing share was 57%, with the federal government <br /> <br /> <br />financing 26% and private entities 17% [National Water Commission]. <br /> <br />Water t"esource development and management expenditures are an <br />important investment in our national social, economic and environ- <br />mental well being. The demand for water in the West for all uses is <br />continuously growing, and while recognizing the urgency of current <br /> <br />state and federal budget constraints, additional non-federal and <br />federal investments will be required to meet future needs. <br /> <br />Therefore, western states are willing and anxious to discuss new <br /> <br />4liorms of water project <br />'hiatus with respect to <br /> <br />financing in order to resolve the present <br />new federal water project starts. <br /> <br />3/83 <br />