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- . " - - problems of the basin by subbasin, (2) estimate<> of presenl and future water use in the b.1Sin and a list of the most urgent waler resources problems by drainage area, (3) analysis of effects of nOI resolving those urgent problems, and (4) descriptions of the major problems of the basin from an interstate perspective, including conclusions and recommendations from the assessment. The first Commission study used as a building block for the water management plan was a comprehensive water resources study of the Plane River basin in Nebraska. The term comprehensive meant that the study addressed all water and related land resource interests in the study area. The Commission agreed at its fim meeting in June 1972 10 accept management responsibility lor this study, which covered 40,000 square miles of the Plaue River drainage basin in Nebraska and was called the Platte River Basin. Nebraska, level B Study. The term level B referred to a reconnaissance-level evalu.ltion of water resources in a large area, but a study more specific and covering a smaller area than a level A or framework study. level B studies ad- dressed complex planning problems; involved many slate. federal, and local agencies; and relied on public participation. The U.S. Water Resources Council provided federal funds for level B studies. Stales participating in the study provided matching in-kind services in lieu of actual funding. The purpose of the Platte study was to formulate a water manage- ment plan for the area focusing on the period 10 to 25 years in the future. The plan was published in 1976 and included more than 100 structural and nonstructural elements and 33 recommendations re- quiring action by state. federal. and other agencies and organizations. ~ Another comprehensive study, the Yellowstone River Basin and Adjacent Coal Are.'! level B Study, covered 123,000 square miles in ManU:la, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Mammoth amounts of low sulfur coal are found in this area, creating development pressures and affecting water resources in the region. The Yellowstone study focused on four major issues: (1) water for energy development, (2) water for agricultural development. (3) instream flow requirements, and (4) Indian water resources and related problems. The study report published in 1978 stated that water supplies would not limit energy development in the study area and included a recommended plan of action for state. federal, and other agencies and organizations. The Commission conducted one other level B study - the Upper Missouri River Basin level B Study - that encompassed 83.200 square miles lying almost wholly in Montana. The study addressed stream- bank erosion. flooding, irrigation water and instream flow shortages, water quality degradation (especially sediment). and municipal water supply problems. Published in 1981, the study report outlined a plan of action for the area and an implementation schedule. Another comprehensive study conducted by the Commission was the James River Basin Subregional Analysis. The term subregional analysis meant a study similar to a level B study, i.e.. a study of complex water planning problems involving many state and federal agencies. but with reduced scope, funding, and study duration. The Commission funded the James study from its planning budget without using special Water Resources Council funds. The James study focused on flooding; fish and wildlife; water quality; agricultural. domestic and industrial water supply; and water-associated recreation problems. The study report was published in 1980.