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4. Navigation a. Commercial- The State of Iowa has two major navigation projects developed by the U. S. Corps of Engineers along its borders, the Upper Mississippi River canalization proj- ect on the east, and the Missouri River stabi- lization and navigation project on the west. Each project involves the establishment and maintenance of 9-foot navigation channels. The Mississippi River system has been in op. eration since 1940. The limiting depth of the Missouri River project has been increased to 7 -1/2 feet with additional planning and con- struction underway. b. Recreational- The State Conservation Com- mission administers the water navigation reg- ulations of the State (extensively revised in 1961), which include requirements regarding the registration of motorboats and require- ments applicable to the operation of all watercraft. Boat registration and inspection fees are placed in a special conservation fund to be used by the Commission solely for the administration and enforcement of naviga- tion laws and water safety. The Commission also has its own artificial lake construction program underway and is cooperating with the federal government in planning and pro- viding boating and other recreational facili- ties at such sites as the Coralville, Red Rock, Rathbun, and Saylorvi1\e Reservoirs. The Natural Resources Council makes official comments on federal reports on recreational navigation facilities and reviews State and local plans for any works to be constructed. 5. Hydro-Power Thirteen hydro-power plants, not including the Union Electric Company plant on the Mississippi River at Keokuk, remain in operation in Iowa. Two of these are located on the Des Moines River at Fort Dodge and OUumwa; the relllaiIlller are UII streams in the east and east-central part of the State. Most of these plants are operated to provide power during peak demand periods. Since hydro-power in Iowa is no longer competi- tive with either thermal or diesel-electric power, the operation of existing hydro-power plants for the production of electric power has been steadily declining in recent years. In some cases, the power company is maintaining the dam and' impound- 36 ment as a source of cooling water for the thermal- power replac~ment unit. More often, however, the dam and appurtenant works are being transferred to local interests (municipality or county conserva- tion board) for recreational purposes. The Natural Resources Council and the State Commerce Commission have responsibilities with regard to hydro-power production and facilities. The Resources Council administers the State stat- ute regulating mill dams and races, including the review of application and plans for any new struc- tures and the annual inspection and licensing of existing structures. The Commerce Commission has jurisdiction over rates and other charges, ser- vices provided, and management of property. In addition, before any hydroelectric plant may be constructed, operated or maintained within the State, a certificate of public convenience and nec- essity must be obtained from the Executive Coun- cil of Iowa. 6. General Recreation In February, 1966, the State of Iowa submitted to the U. S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan for Iowa. The plan, entitled "Outdoor Recreation in Iowa", was prepared by the State Conservation Commission to provide a general framework to guide future recreational development in the State and to make Iowa eligible for monies from the federal Land and Water Conservation fund. The plan outlines recreation needs and supplies and suggests specific programs for meeting these needs in the year 1966 to 1970. An up-dated plan is under preparation at the present time and will be submitted to the BOR within the next few months. 7. Fish and Wildlife State programs for the preservation of fish and wildlife are the responsibility of the State Conser. vation Commission. Its Division of Fish and Game carries out numerous activities with respect to fish and wildlife resources, including management of nine fish hatcheries, 209 (ish and wiidiife areas, a wildlife exhibit area, and various fish and wildlife research and experimental projects. A more complete description of the functions of the Conservation Commission is presented in the section on Administrative Structure. Regulation (State regulation with respect to water use, water