WSP04728

• File Number: 8030
• Description: Section D General Correspondence-Other Organizations
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 9/10/1973
• Author: National Archives
• Title: US Water Resources Council - Federal Register - USWRC-Water and Related Land Resources - Establishment of Principles and Standards for Planning
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

terms or their value to the user. Increaeee .in crop yields, expanding
recreational use, and peaking capacity for power systems are examples
of direct increases in the Nation's output which result from water and
related l...nd resources developments. Moreover, sucn developments
often result in a change in the productivity of natural resourl;ezs and
the produl;ti,vity of labor and capital used with these resources. In-
creased earnings from changes in land use, reduced disruption of
economic activity due to drougbb. flood8 and fluctuating water supplies,
and rcmoval of constraintB on production through increased water
suppliell are examples of direct increalleS in productivity Crom water
and land development that contribute to national output. Development
of water and land resources lnay rellult in increased production from
the emplO'fTl1ent of otherwisc unemployed or underemployed resources,
as well as contributions to increased output due to cost savings resulting
in the release of resources for employrnen,t elsewhere.

wilderness areas, and estuariesi

b. Management, preservation, or ~nhancement of especially
valuable ~r outstanding archeological. historical, biological (including
fish and wildlife habitat). and geological resources and ecological
systems;

c. Enhancement of quality aspects of water. land, and air by COn-
trol of pollution or prevention of erOllion a.nd relltoration of eroded areas
embracing .the need to harmonit.:e land use objectives in terms of pro_
ductivity for economic use and development with conserva.tion of the
resource;

b. The value of output resulting from external economies. In
addition to the va.lue.of goods and services derived by users oC outputs
of a plan, there may be external gains to other individuals or groups.

d. Avoiding .irreversible conunitments of resources to future U6es:
While all forms of development and use affect and sometimes change
the tenuous balance of fragile aquatic and terrestrial ecosy.stem~. the
_implication of all possible effects and changes on such systeme ill im_
perfectly understood at the present time. In the absence of absolute
mea/lures or standards for reliably predicting ecological change, thesc
planning standards enlphasit.:e the need for a cautionary approach in
meeting development and use objectivee in order to minimit.:e or pre_
c1ud~ the poesibility of undesirable and possible irreversible changes
in the natural environment;

z. Envhonmental Qualitv. The environmental objective is enbanced
by the lTlanagement, conservation, preservation, creation, restoration,
or improvement of the quality of certain natural and cultural resources
and ecological systems in the area under study and claewhere in the
Na.tion. This objective reflects society's concern and emphasis for the
natural environment and its maintenance and enhancement as a source.
of present enjoyment and a herita8e for future generations.

e. Others. Given its broad and pervasive nature. it is not prac-
tical to specifically identify in these standards all possible components
oC the environmental quality objective. II other components are
recognized. they should be explicitly identified and accommodated in
the planning process,

Explicit recognition should be given to the desire.bility of diverting
a portion of the Nation's re!lources from productio~ of more conven-
tional Inarket-oriented goode and services in order to accomplish en-
vironmental objectives. As incomes and living levels increa..e, society
appears lese willing to accept environmental deterioration in exchange
for additional goods and lIervicell in the market place.

Respon!live to the ,"aried spiritual, psychological, recreational,
and material needs, the environmental objective reflects man' 8 abiding
concern with the quality of the natural physical-biological system in
which all lile ill sustained.

Components of tbe environmental objectiv.e include the following:

&. Mana.gement, protection, enhancement, or. creation of areas
of natural beauty and human enjoyment such as open and green space,
wild and scenic rivers, lakes, beache6, shores, mountain and

34

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FEDERAL REGISTER, Val. 38, NO. 174-MONDAY. SEPTEMBER 10, 1973

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