Evolving National Water Policies

Abstract

The Federal role in developing a policy for water and related land resources planning is briefly outlined. The organization and functions of the U.S. Water Resources Council that was established by the Water Resources Planning Act, Public Law 89-80, is outlined. The major policy issue that the Council is currently giving priority to are discussed and include: (1) Water for energy self-sufficiency; (2) the grant program authorized under Title III of Public Law 89-80; (3) level B planning under Section 209 of Public Law 92-500; (4) the Council's Principles and Standards for planning water and related land resources; and (5) Section 80 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-251) which calls for a 1-yr presidential study of the Principles and Standards for water resources planning including planning objectives, cost sharing, and discount rates.