A State Viewpoint on River Basin Planning

Administrative and policy implications of water resources planning and development are discussed with regard to planning concepts, federal-state-local relationships, implementation and management, and new trends. Inconsistent national water policies, overlapping new programs, and the myriad of federal agencies with divided jurisdictions dictate the need to strengthen the role of the states as partners with federal and local governments. Recent federal legislation (Appalachia and Water Resources Planning Acts, especially) will help the states in this respect. The newly created Water Resources Council can provide top-level coordination and may ultimately resolve competitive situations at the federal level. States generally have not taken advantage in the past of available opportunities, because they failed to provide the means and motivation for partnership planning and development. Current trends indicate that mutual interdependence among all levels of government will increase. New York State policies, organization, and programs are described to illustrate growing state responsibilities. Guidelines for the states in developing policies and organizations are presented.