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42 Fishing In Missouri Water Quality Management Situation Statement Water quality in the Basin streams ranges from excellent to poor. Water quality enhancement efforts to date have been directed primarily at improvement of the Basin's surface wat- ers. Control programs have shown significant progress in re- ducing the sediment, pesticides, and nutrients delivered. to streams, . but the enormity of this problem is such that much work remains to be accomplished in many areas of the Basin, particularly in those areas with high rates of erosion. Federal, State and other programs dealing with point-source pollution control have been implemented and have had significant im- pact on reducing this form of water quality degradation. Non- point sources are more difficult to control, but are being studied. A growing concern in much of the Basin is degradation of ground water quality, especially since many individual rural and urban supplies come from this source Directions Continued funding and effort should be directed toward improving water quality. Current programs contributing to ero- sion abatement and reduction of other non- point pollution sources as well as elimination or adequate treatment of point source pollution should be continued and accelerated where possible. Specifically, Federal agencies in concert with the Basin's research community should set applied planning research goals and objectives to improve water quality through a study of runoff-borne pollutants that affect the lifespan of lakes, res- ervoirs, and other receiving waters. Other planning-related re- search should be directed toward developing strategies for water quaiity and quantity management that deal with non-point source pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture need to strengthen re- search efforts to identify and evaluate sources of agricultural pollution and their magnitude, to determine the short- and lon9-term effects of pollutants on crops, soil, and water, and to develop agricultural management practices that maintain or improve water quality and other environmental conditions. Protection of ground water quality should be em- phasized in both near-term and long-range planning efforts. Since many areas lack adequate basic data, and certain re- search and analysis activities are needed, emphasis should be placed on advanced water quality data collection and as- sociated research efforts so that the necessary planning and implementation decisions can be made. Legal and Institutional Factors Situation Statement While the Federal Government has certain water re- sources administration responsibilities under its interstate commerce, management of Federal lands, defense, Indian and international treaty, and general welfare authorities, a great deal of legal responsibility remains with the States. The States are responsible for functions relating to the rights to use water and planning for the utilization, development, and conservation of water and related land resources within their respective areas and, in some cases, between States. Legal responsibilities, in many cases, are reasonably clear. However, as in other parts of the country, institutional arrangements for resolution of current issues in this Basin often lag the technologic and financial means for implementation. Current examples are proposals for coal-slurry pipelines and other lines of transport that would cross several State and hyd- rologic boundaries; water marketing from main stem reservoirs for industrial purposes; allocation of scarce ground water re- sources; and determination of Indian and Federal reserved water rights. There are many questions of availability and alter- native uses of water that focus on the need for advance study to guide efforts in the equitable allocation for consumptive use of water, yet making provisions also for needed reservations for instream uses. In considering the large Indian and Federal lands in the region and legal and institutional problems associated with