WSP04067

• File Number: 8027
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Federal Agencies - US Department of Agriculture-Forest Service
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 5/21/1964
• Author: American Forestry As
• Title: A Conservation Program for American Forestry - Policy Statement - American Forestry Association
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

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The manner in which a watershed is managed can
alter materially the seasonal flow and quality of
water. For example, removal of forest and other
vegetative cover can increase surface runoff. This
practice may be beneficial in semiwari<J regions where
moisture-loving plants pump water from the soil by
transpiration. But denuded hillsides also increase
erosion and flood potential, particularly in regions
of high precipitation. In the latter areas maintenance
of adequate vegetative cover will facilitate the stor..
age of moisture in the soil, delay runoff, lessen ero-
sion, and reduce floods.
Water quality is impaired by a variety of chemi-
cal, mineral and biological pollutants. The presence
of much of this polluting material is due to the use
of water courses for the disposal of industrial and
municipal wastes, inasmuch as such disposal offers
a convenient and economical means for that purpose.
It is also true that lakes and streams can absorb
some organic pollution and repurify themselves to
a degree. However, excessive deposits of wastes can
impose additional costs upon other water users, ad-
versely affect the usability of water for fish, wildlife,
and recreational purposes, and have- other undesirw
able effects. Water quality is also impaired by sus-
pended sediment from soil erosion and by excess
salinity. Therefore, continuing programs for the im-
provement of water quality through treatment of
municipal and industrial wastes, erosion control, and
the establishment of water quality standards should
be vigorously pursued.
Evaporation and transpiratkm return huge vol-
umes of water to the atmosphere. Some success in
reducing these losses has been obtained by applying
mono-molecular films to the surface of reservoirs
and by removing deeprooted plants in arid areas.
More research is needed in the application of such
treatments. Research also should be undertaken in
weather modification practices to increase _ snowpack
and to suppress.the fire causing potential of light-
ning strikes from electrical storms in forested areas.
Construction of storage facilities to assure water
supplies at the time and place of need is desirable
and necessary. However, such. _construction in for-
ested areas - may have an adverse effect on timber
production and the forest products economy. Where
such storage is contemplated, it is essential that all
of the costs and benefits, including the secondary
consequences of such structures, .be taken into ac-
count in evaluating the. desirability of the reservoir
project. .
When .such structures are being .planned, consider-
ation also should be given to compatible recreational
uses. Provision should be made at that time for ac-
quisition of access - sites and suc~ uplands as arl.
needed for recreation purposes. The method of ac"
quisition, whether by' outright purchase, lease or
easement, must be adjusted to the conditions encoun
teredo When less than the fee title is appropriate,
land should be left on the tax rolls under private
production and management with only such restric-
tions as are necessary- to protect recreation- values.

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Conflicting and unclear provISIons of state and
federal statute and case law have retarded the devel-
opment and protection of clearly established rights
to the use of water, and there is no clear delineation
of responsibility for the effect of various practices on
water usage. Uncertainty as to legal rights and re-
sponsibilities can have a serious, and totally unnecesw
sary, retarding effect on development otherwise
clearly beneficial.

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We recommend:

1. The institution of forest and other vegetative
management practice~, where it has been demon-
strated that greater and better timed water yields
result and risks from erosion are minimal. Research
should be continued and intensified to determine the
physical and economic consequences of such pro-
grams. .
2. That in evalnating the merits. of proposed
reservoirs all benefits and costs be given due con-
sideration, including benefits to recreation and wild-_
life. In addition, full consideration must. be given
to such detriments as .Joss _of timber, forage, and
agricultural production.

3. That research be continued and intensified in
the fields of weather modification, evaporation sup-
pression, and control of unnecessary losses from un-
productive, water wasting vegetation.

4. That intensive re-examination of existing laws
governing water rights, in order to clarify federal,
state, local, and private rights and responsibilities,
be undertaken and pursued vigorously.

5. That research designed to establish the rela-.
tionship between land use practices and stream sedi..
mentation be carried forward to the point that the
economic and conservation values of such practices
can be appraised with reasonable accuracy. Those
.practices which clearly result in a minimum of sedi-
mentation should be encouraged on all lands by
appropriate attention thereto by public agencies hav-
ing jurisdiction and by providing technical assistance
and other inducements to local and private land-
owners.

6. That all levels of government exert more influ-
ence and participate actively in all aspects of water
resource development and management within their
boundaries.

7. That ali water users, public and private, be
required to observe practices that minimize pollution
of the nation's waters. Primary public responsibility
for controlling pollution should continue to. rest with
state and local units of government.

8. That federal policies set forth in the Federal
Pollution Control Act which provide for the regula-
tion of pollution of an interstate character and aid to
construction of municipal sewage treatment facilities
. be continued to augment local and state responsiw
bilities.

9. That encouragement be given to the adoption
of interstate and state-federal cooperative arrange-

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