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8 The following are the recommendations of this report: efforts should be supported in order to identify critical areas where additional action can reduce losses. GENERAL 5. Small communities throughout the Missouri Basin have inadequate supplies of good quality water. It is recommended that the current programs, especially those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, be ex- panded to provide more emphasis on water supply for rural communities. Agencies at all levels of govern. ment must address this problem to achieve solutions. 1. The Missouri Basin Plan contains a large number of specific project and program elements which are listed in tables in each of the last nine chapters. There is one table for basinwide plan elements and one for each of the eight subbasins. Each plan element is an integral part of the plan and is, therefore, specifically recommended for implementation during its respective time trame. 6. Planning efforts to preserve and enhance fish and wildlife generally have been less than those for other water resource management functions. In order to bet- ter focus on the particular needs of fish and wildlife, specific planning objectives for this function should be clearly enunciated. Basic data collection should be accelerated, and research is recommended to deter- mine the socio.economic values and evaluate the unique needs of fish and wildlife so such interests can become active and equal participants in multiobjective planning. 7. Agencies such as the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Out- door Recreation conduct programs which can meet the planning needs associated with natural, historical and cultural features on publiC lands. It is recom- mended that funding for these programs be ex- panded. Efforts are needed to inventory and evaluate natural, historical and cultural features on both public and private lands that could be affected by water re- sources development and management. BASINWIDE 2. Programs already formulated to control and limit flood damages in the Missouri Basin, when im- plemented and funded, will ultimately eliminate this problem. It is recommended that these programs be continued. Importantly, the programs of HUD's Fed- eral Insurance Administration and the Corps of Engineers as well as the National Weather Service are recommended for accelerated funding. They are designed to improve river forecasting and warning systems, indicate safe living and working areas. in order to minimize urban flooding damages and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic flood losses. 8. Planning studies, such as the ongoing Yellowstone Level B, have considered water needs for energy de- velopment and all other purposes. These regional and river basin programs should be continued and addi- tional studies initiated as required. 9, Basinwide plan elements dealing with transporta- tion are generally adequate. The basinwide plan ele- ment to study transportation, river navigation and other modes is strongly recommended for early im- plementation. Other studies associated with coal movement within and out of the Missouri Basin will also need to be conducted. 3. To stabilize and enhance agricultural production, increased funding and continued support should be given to research programs of States and counties as well as the Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Agriculture programs directed at expanding and im- proving irrigation practices, that complement individual and group effQrts in this field. 10. Water.oriented recreation is receiving substantial basinwide attention in Federal and State programs. However, differences as to the most appropriate re- creation data base and its evaluation have presented a number of difficulties in ascertaining specific needs. Therefore, it is recommended that the present pro- grams be continued and adequately funded. Further, that a program should be undertaken immediately to resolve the differences in the data base and evalua. tive techniques in order to properly assess the mag- nitude of the water-oriented recreation need. 4. The land conservation and management programs of the Soil Conservation Service and the States in the Basin have been generally effective at controlling rural flooding and associated damages. It is recommended that these programs be sustained and that funding be accelerated. Also, related research and data collection