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40 vistas of natural lakes, deciduous woodlands, rolling prairies, and prairie marshes provide a stark contrast to the surrounding agw ricultural lands in the valleys of the James, Big Sioux, and Mis- souri Rivers. Downstream, especially in Missouri, there is the diversity of land forms and terrestrial ecosystems that include cliffs, springs, caves, subterranean waters, oxbow lakes along streams, tall grass prairies, oak-hickory forests and flood plain forests. Several of these natural features served as guideposts for the explorers and settlers who established the historic trails that began in or traversed the Basin, generally along the rivers. The proposed Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail involves lands and streams throughout much of the Basin. Conflicts of interest over resource use and management sometimes arise. For example, in the South Dakota badlands, difficulties may be encountered in attempting to preserve land forms that are natural producers of large volumes of sediment. Also, areas proposed for wild, scenic, or recreational river desig- nation preclude future development not compatible with such designation. Cultural resources are distributed throughout the Basin and are often closely associated with water areas. Proposed water projects studies have uncovered historical and cultural vaiues linked with old mines, trails, white settlements, and paleo- or prehistoric Indian cultures. Directions Preservation, restoration, or improvement of the water- associated natural, historic, and cultural features should be an integral element in all levels of planning for future water resource management in the Basin. To achieve this objective, adequate funding is required to properly inventory through a systemized program of data collection the archaeologicai, paleontological, natural, and historic features of the Basin, coordinate the public and private efforts, and appraise the quality and quantity of the information. Support of those programs to monitor natural. historic and cultural features that are subjected to potential damage or com- plete loss by erosion, or possible disturbance and ruination by construction and general use are strongly advocated to preserve meaningful remnants of the history of the Basin. Power and Energy Development Situation Statement By the end of 1974, there were about 400 electric generat- ing plants located within the Missouri River Basin with an installed capacity of nearly 22,000 megawatts and a net generation capa- bility of nearly 86 million megawatthours. Conventional fossil- fueled steam-electric plants furnish 73 percent of the total energy generated, hydroelectric plants produce 20 percent, and nuclear, diesel, and combustion turbine plants generate the remaining 7 percent. Projected electric generating capacity needs for the year 2000 in the Basin range from three to five times the 1973 demand.