Federal Government is not a signatory to such compacts, but may participate as observer or as nonvoting 

 chairman or member. Federal participation is normally desirable, as a minimum, to provide liaison with 

 Federal programs related to the problems confronting the States in fisheries management. The 

 commission estabUshed under the interstate compact could coordinate appropriate programs that 

 concern the States and the Federal Government in fisheries development and management. If deemed 

 desirable, the compact commission could be given broad and flexible regulatory powers. As noted above, 

 two of the marine fisheries commissions have been authorized to carry on regulatory functions, but no 

 States have delegated such authority to either commission. The compact commission could perform 

 needed studies (such as review of State laws and regulations); make recommendations for action (such 

 as removal of institutional barriers); or make expenditure of funds appropriated or granted to it 

 contingent upon adherence by the States to policies established by it or the grantor. 



b. Federal-Interstate Compacts (e.g., Delaware River Basin Compact) The principal differing 

 characteristic between the Interstate Compact and the Federal-Interstate Compact is the full status as 

 partner-participant that the Federal Government has in the latter arrangement. Otherwise, all potential 

 characteristics of the interstate compact could be incorporated into such a compact. The principal 

 advantage to the Federal Government would be its stronger position in the compact as a voting member. 

 There is no particular voting formula that must be applied in such compacts. Decisions in the Delaware 

 River Basin Commission are by majority vote of the members. However, other voting procedures could 

 be adopted, depending upon the respective roles of the members. 



c. Regional Federal-State Commissions The most notable example of a regional Federal-State 

 Commission is the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Decisions by the ARC are by affirmative 

 vote of the Federal Co-chairman and a majority of member States. The Commission's greatest strength 

 lies in its ability to obtain cooperation, in part owing to its control of the expenditure of substantial 

 Federal funds in the region. All programs seeking assistance under the Appalachian Regional 

 Development Act must have the Commission's approval. Noteworthy is the fact that the Commission has 

 no authority to regulate, nor to operate and maintain projects. Planning is done by the operating 

 agencies at the State and local level, reviewed by staff of the Commission which must apply Federal 

 criteria where applicable, and otherwise apply the policies, priorities, and criteria established by the 

 Commission. 



d. Federal Regional Agency This type of agency is typified by the Tennessee Valley Authority. TVA 

 was, and is, unique as a single Federal agency assigned responsibility to plan and operate a 

 multiple-purpose development of a complete river system. Basically, TVA is a Federal undertaking, a 

 fact that is not diminished by the numerous arrangements wdth States and local governments for 

 coordinating their planning activities with those of the TVA. The basic river development program is 

 financed principally by Federal appropriations, although in 1959 it was authorized to sell revenue bonds 

 and use other borrowed funds to finance its power operations, a vendible product. 



However, the TVA has no power to regulate State and local programs, authority for which rest either 

 with the States or with Federal regulatory bodies. 



e. Single Federal Administrator The single example of single Federal administration of a river basin is 

 the regulation of the Colorado River by the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary has broad regulatory 

 powers over the main stream of the Colorado River for flood control, water supply, power generation, 

 recreation, and fish and wildlife. Financed solely by Federal appropriations, the Colorado River 

 operations are subject to Congressional authorization. There is no formal State participation in 

 comprehensive river basin planning. 



VU-83 



