An ideal and adequate conservation policy, for example, should so 

 conform to the laws of Nature that ultimately all factors shall become 

 so adjusted that the basic functions of the soil, water, and atmosphere 

 cannot be impaired. 4 



The things that must be done to restore this harmonious 

 relationship with Nature cannot be accomplished by indiffer- 

 ent and haphazard actions. There must be a policy and 

 plans, and a common understanding of these. Many things 

 must be done by individuals, others by private organizations, 

 while some can be done effectively by governments only. 

 The motive of self-interest must be strengthened and enriched 

 by the motive of national welfare; and all the strength of 

 science, education, and organization brought to bear on the 

 problem. 



1. SOME BASIC CONSIDERATIONS 



WHATEVER may be attempted in the United States to make 

 reparation for past errors by rational regulation and control 

 of little waters, it must be recognized that there is a frame 

 of physical laws and conditions within which the work must 

 be done. Arrangements for the natural circulation of waters 

 must be the base of reference in the regulation and control 

 of little waters. It is necessary to determine what conditions 

 must be observed strictly, from what there may be depar- 

 tures, and the degree of departure where it is permissible. 

 It is desirable also to determine what things Man may do in 

 particular localities to modify existing conditions; things 

 that are consistent with natural laws. It may, for instance, 

 be desirable to drain a swamp which covers fertile soils, and 

 desirable and feasible to compensate Nature by a new man- 

 made permanent or part-time swamp or pond on lower 

 neighboring soils of poor quality. 



The governing objective in regulation and control should 

 be, for general rehabilitation of rural culture, all practicable 

 conservation and profitable use of waters and soils, and 

 revision where necessary to that end of land occupation and 

 use. Involved in this would be component objectives: 



4 George Wilton Field, Biology as the Panacea for Some National Problems, Transactions 

 of the American Fisheries Society, Vol. 62, (1932), p. 370. 



57288-36 4 43 



