|
<br />
<br />36
<br />
<br />stream and instream uses is needed, along with the eventual
<br />establishment of means for administering water for nonconsump-
<br />tive uses.
<br />
<br />Alternative Water Uses
<br />
<br />The broad issue of alternative uses (i.e., competition
<br />between potential users for different purposes) of water in the
<br />Missouri Basin derives mainly from the inherent problem involv-
<br />ing the lack of needed quantities of water at the right place and at
<br />the right time. A prime example is the growing demand for indust-
<br />rial water for energy development, which many times is distant
<br />from the abundant stored supplies of Missouri River water. Con-
<br />sumption by one use of limited water supplies might preclude
<br />other potential uses of water. In certain parts of the Basin, for
<br />example, industry must compete against agriculture for scarce
<br />water supplies. Alternative uses also involve the competition
<br />between consumptive vs. nonconsumptive uses, such as the
<br />impacts of irrigation or other consumptive diversions upon
<br />riverine wildlife habitat. Conflicts involving alternative uses
<br />shouid be addressed through the multiobjective process of com-
<br />prehensive planning, in which all significant alternative water
<br />needs, interests, values, and tradeoffs are considered.
<br />
<br />MAJOR WATER RESOURCE FUNCTIONS
<br />
<br />To aid in planning for management of water and related
<br />land resources in the Missouri River Basin, this section sum-
<br />marizes current conditions and presents broad goals for future
<br />management for each of 13 water-related functional needs being
<br />addressed in this planning effort. Since this is an initial effort, the
<br />goals are broad and presented as basinwide directions. As the
<br />planning process continues in the future, these goals can be
<br />sharpened to direct them at specific problems within each of the
<br />subbasins.
<br />
<br />Comprehensive Planning
<br />
<br />Situation Statement
<br />
<br />Congressional, State legislative, and administrative ac-
<br />tions during the last 15 years have pointed increasingly to the
<br />need for comprehensive water resources planning. These ac-
<br />tions have been necessary due to the evolution of more complex
<br />and highly interrelated Federal, State, local, and private water
<br />planning and development programs and projects.
<br />
<br />The largest comprehensive planning effort to occur in the
<br />Missouri River Basin to date has been the Missouri Basin Com-
<br />prehensive Framework Study, prepared under direction of the
<br />Commission's predecessor organization, the Missouri Basin
<br />Inter-Agency Committee, and published in 1971. This study was
<br />followed by a more detailed Level B study of the Platte River
<br />Basin in Nebraska, completed in 1975, and a Level B study of the
<br />Yellowstone Basin and adjacent coal areas.
<br />
<br />While these regional studies were being conducted, State
<br />water planning activities have developed to a point where each of
<br />
<br />the 10 Basin States either has or will have within the next few
<br />years, a reasonably complete water resources development and
<br />management plan. In many Instances, the regional and State
<br />water planning studies have effectively supported, reinforced,
<br />and complemented each other.
<br />
<br />A number of Federal agencies have developed com-
<br />prehensive water resources planning programs during the last
<br />few years. In most cases, these programs have reiated closely to
<br />the regional and State water pianning studies.
<br />
<br />Directions
<br />
<br />The numerous compiexities and interrelationships
<br />between potential and existing water and related laud resources
<br />development and management measures dictate that the role of
<br />comprehensive planning should continue to grow. This growth
<br />should begin with basic data collection and research activities
<br />such as water and land use inventories that provide the founda-
<br />tion for the Basin's comprehensive planning activity.
<br />
<br />Fundamental to the Basin's comprehensive planning Is
<br />State water planning, including the support it has received and
<br />should continue to receive through Title III of the Federal Water
<br />Resources Planning Act of 1965. Functioning in close coopera-
<br />tion with State-level water planning are the Federal agency com-
<br />prehensive planning programs, including the Bureau of Reclama-
<br />tion's water management studies, the Corps of Engineer's review
<br />reports and urban studies, and the U.S. Department of Agricul-
<br />ture's cooperative studies, together with F,ederal agency assist-
<br />ance and the States' evolving outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife,
<br />and quality of water statewide plans. Closely associated with
<br />these government planning activities are numerous resource
<br />pianning efforts being conducted by private interests.
<br />
<br />Providing coordination and support for all of the Federal,
<br />State, and private planning activities are the regional study pro-
<br />grams conducted by the Commission. Principal components are
<br />the Level B studies and the subregional analyses, which provide
<br />the mechanism to bring together the results of completed detailed
<br />studies, evaluate the water resources management and de-
<br />velopment alternatives for an area, and recommend a course of
<br />action for public and private interests. Where planned activities
<br />may require the disturbance or removal of geodetic control
<br />monuments, it has been requested that the National Ocean Sur-
<br />vey be notified in ample time prior to the undertaking of such
<br />activity and that any costs involved be included in the funding of
<br />the project.
<br />
<br />Working together, the comprehensive planning programs
<br />should produce an integrated, widely accepted comprehensive,
<br />coordinated, joint plan as the direction for the Basin's water and
<br />related land resources.
<br />
<br />Flood Damage Abatement
<br />
<br />Situation Statement
<br />
<br />Most flood occurrences on the Missouri River main stem
<br />
|