A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND
DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVERS OF THE UNITED STATES
WITH A VIEW OF GIVING THE CONGRESS INFORMATION
FOR THE GUIDANCE OF LEGISLATION WHICH WILL PRO-
VIDE FOR THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FLOOD CONTROL,
NAVIGATION, IRRIGATION, AND DEVELOPMENT

OF HYDROÈLECTRIC POWER

JUNE 4, 1934.-Referred to the Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union, and, with the accompanying

Copies of this publication may be procured from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

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to these reports:

To the Congress of the United States:

On February 2, 1934, by resolution, the Congress requested me to report ona comprehensive plan for the improvement and development of the rivers of the United States, with a view of giving the Congress information for the guidance of legislation which will provide for the maximum amount of flood control, navigation, irrigation, and development of hydroelectric power.

Pursuant thereto I requested the Secretaries of the Departments of the Interior, War, Agriculture, and Labor to advise on the development of a water policy and on the choice of projects. I am sending herewith copies of their report, together with separate letters from the Secretary of War and the Secretary of Labor, and also:

(1) List of technical advisory Committees of the President's committee.

(2) Review of reports of technical subcommittees on water flow.

(3) Review of report of technical subcommittees covering additions in the arid section, prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation.

(4) Seven reports of technical subcommittees covering various regions. I ask that the Congress bear in mind certain obvious facts relating

(1) That the time for the preparation of these reports was extremely limited.

(2) That the subject is one of enormous magnitude, covering the whole of the United States.

(3) That the resolution of the Congress, covering the subjects of flood control, navigation, irrigation, and development of hydroelectric power, automatically opened the door to all interrelated subjects which come under the general head of land and water use. This broader definition brings to our attention very clearly such kindred problems as soil erosion, stream pollution, fire prevention, reforestation, afforestation, marginal lands, stranded communities, distribution of industries, education, highway building, home building, and a dozen others..

(4) All of the reports were based primarily on information already at hand and further study is strongly recommended.

(5) For the purpose of making a preliminary test, I requested a wholly tentative trial selection of 10 specific projects. Ås I had expected, the report strongly doubts the advisability of recommending these projects, on the ground that any selection at this point must necessarily omit many meritorious projects which further analysis may show to be preferable.

(6) The reports of the technical subcommittees, covering various areas, are of definite value. But before any work is done, it is obvious that a competent coordinating body must go over all of these reports,