operating costs that reimbursement policies can come, the better will be 

 the position of remaining farm operators, who will in all ]nobahilitv use 

 the reservoir lands in the post-construction period. 



B. Devising an Improved Lantl Management Policy 



With the four projects studied, the acquisition phase has been long ac- 

 comjdished. and the passage of time has removed much of the original 

 agricultural land from practical participation in any new programs without 

 heavy reclaiming costs. Hence, the possibilities for future accomplishment 

 through improved land management policies are relatively more limited than 

 would be possible on future projects, and the importance and magnitude 

 to the four projects of certain suggestions is greatly reduced. 



Obviously, what can be done in maximizing post-construction agricultural 

 output will be affected by the ty])e of project, i.e.. whether designed solely 

 for flood control purposes, with the reservoir area normally empty during 

 the growing season; or whether designed as a dual-purpose project involv- 

 ing, in addition to flood control, power or recreational uses. The four pro- 

 jects studied were designed essentially for flood control, though Blackwater 

 represents a potential power site and Surry Mountain has been considered 

 for recreational use. 



As alternatives to maximum use of reservoir lands for agricultural pur- 

 poses must be considered the use of portions of such lands for recreational 

 and reforestation purposes. This study was not designed to evaluate these 

 substitute uses. In effect, however, forest and woodland growth has en- 

 croached on former agricultural lands where these were not kept in that use. 



Retaining Accessibility 



Discontinuance of pre-construction public and private roads, removal or 

 abandonment of bridges, and the failure to construct and maintain access 



A covered bridge formerly spanned Ine Blackwater River at this point. 

 Inaccessibility is one deterrent to greater use of reservoir lands. 



42 



