ROBERT E. MERRIAM 235 



to that of its predecessor committee, namely, to provide a mecha- 

 nism for the co-ordination of policies, programs, and activities of the 

 federal departments and agencies working in the field of water and 

 related land resources. It also undertakes the resolution of interagency 

 differences, and has authority to suggest to the President such changes 

 in law or policy as seem necessary or desirable. 



The committee has chartered regional interagency committees for 

 the Columbia Basin, the Missouri Basin, the Pacific Southwest, and 

 Arkansas-White-Red Basin and the New York-New England area, all 

 of which had been operating previously under various administrative 

 arrangements. Since the affected states are represented on each of 

 these field committees, an opportunity is provided for a co-ordinated 

 state, local, and federal approach to the water resource problems of 

 these major drainage systems. 



In December 1952, the Bureau of the Budget took a further step 

 toward the development of uniform standards and criteria for the se- 

 lection of the most needed and worthwhile projects proposed by 

 Executive agencies by issuing its widely known Circular A-47. Al- 

 though this circular cannot, nor is it intended to, modify any provi- 

 sions of law, it serves as a useful yardstick, and establishes a standard 

 for Executive review of water resource projects proposed by federal 

 agencies. I must add, however, that even this rather modest step has 

 not met with great enthusiasm from the Congress. 



In addition, I should mention the useful function played by a num- 

 ber of ad hoc committees such as the one now preparing a plan for 

 the full development of the water resources of the Delaware Basin. 

 There are also continuing study groups, in the Executive Branch and 

 elsewhere, which provide useful information on the intricate and con- 

 troversial problems involved in attempting to assure the most effective 

 development of our nation's water and related land resources. Thus, 

 while we admittedly have a long way to go, we also can look with 

 some satisfaction on our progress to date. 



What about prospects for further progress? 



Mr. White has noted some of the difficulties that have blocked at- 

 tempts to bring about agency consolidations or to set up arrangements 

 for the review and co-ordination of resources programs and projects. 

 During the past several years I have had an opportunity to learn at 



