trol of headwaters and even of run-off on tilled and grazed 

 lands. And more important to governments than the influ- 

 ence of little waters on big waters, is their responsibility for 

 the general welfare; for because governments can do things 

 that individuals and small communities cannot do elimina- 

 tion of erosion and increase in the use of waters now going 

 to waste. 



Governments have an inescapable responsibility for the 

 conservation and wise use of all natural resources, especially 

 soil and water. Owners have actually merely a lifetime 

 interest in their lands; but communities, counties, States, 

 and the Federal Government have a perpetual interest in 

 the preservation of this indispensable asset. 



While undoubtedly there are some undertakings in respect 

 to headwater streams, small rivers, and lakes in which gov- 

 ernments should engage directly, the principal opportunities 

 of a State are: First, educational work through agricultural 

 colleges and other technical schools, much of it in cooperation 

 with the Federal Government; second, planning the selective 

 land-use development of entire intrastate watersheds; third, 

 financial contributions with attached conditions which will 

 bring about standardization of the best methods and coordi- 

 nation of the efforts of independent communities and author- 

 ities; and fourth a matter of great importance permissive 

 and directive legislation which creates a favorable environ- 

 ment for the organization and operation of voluntary and 

 incorporated associations of the citizens of lesser areas. 

 Statutes governing the organization of drainage districts are 

 illustrative of such legislation, although these particular 

 statutes are not completely to the point, for their influence 

 has been to promote excessive rushing of waters to the big 

 streams. 



What is now needed is similar permissive and directive 

 legislation for the creation of conservancy districts and 

 authorities much simpler and smaller than the districts and 

 authorities contemplated in acts for the creation of conserv- 

 ancy districts which have recently been passed in various 

 States. These have looked more toward flood control and 



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