"Discontinue leasing agricultural land on the basis of highest sealed bids. 



"Employ a qualified land manager to handle the agricultural land and 

 negotiate agricultural leases.'" 



In discussing these matters, it is assumed that the lands are purchased 

 and retained under government ownership and/or management. Under such 

 arrangements, former owners might well continue to receive some prefer- 

 ential treatment so long as they meet prescribed standards relative to land 

 use and management. To implement this, the administering agency should 

 have the right to terminate a lease for non-compliance at the end of any 

 growing season. Leases should come up for renewal periodically, but a 

 lessee who has done a good job should have the opportunity to meet the 

 highest bid of another good operator. Thus bidding would not be eliminated 

 but merely subordinated to other more important considerations. 



One of the problems to be solved in securing more widespread and better 

 use of reservoir lands is the spread of information on actual risks. In addi- 

 tion, there may be room for a limited program of insuring against risks, 

 according to location and use, by a small charge, either voluntary and in 

 addition to the rental charge, or compulsory and incorporated within it. 



The policies of the Corps to date have not resulted in maximum use of 

 reservoir lands suitable for agriculture, nor in the maintenance of such lands 

 in a high state of productivity for future needs. There is need for additional 

 resources, within the Corps' organization, or by delegation to another agency 

 closely connected by its basic responsibilities to land use and conservation 

 aims, in the form of personnel and equipment to carry out a more active 

 land management program. 



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