CLASSIFICATION IN RELATION TO WATER RESOURCES. 177 



gradually teing accumulated. This information is of negative as 

 well as of positive character and shows where power sites are not 

 located as well as where they are located. For convenience in mak- 

 ing later reports on adjacent areas, this information is summarized 

 from time to time and State maps are prepared showing the lands 

 that are of no value for power development. This essentially con- 

 stitutes a negative power classification and the use of such maps 

 greatly facilitates the future work. In connection with these maps 

 minutes are prepared in which are set forth the data on which the 

 classification is based and the conclusions drawn therefrom. 



ADDITIONAL REQTJIKEMENTS TO MAKE POWER CLASSIFICATION EFFECTIVE. 



In order that the classification of land a^s chiefly valuable for 

 the development of power may be made effective, it appears desirable 

 that there be additional legislation providing for the control and 

 utilization of land so classified under such conditions and regula- 

 tions as Congress may decide to be necessary and for the proper 

 administration of such land if, as now seems desirable, the title is 

 to be retained in the United States. 



As a feature, or perhaps as a preliminary step in such legislation, 

 a " separation act " would be desirable, providing for the disposition 

 of power and agricultural estates independently of each other in a 

 manner similar to that now provided for coal land and for oil and 

 gas land in Utah. Such independent disposition of these estates is 

 believed to be entirely feasible, because, except where reservoirs are 

 provided, the land actually occupied by a power plant constitutes 

 only a small part of the legal subdivisions on which the dam, flowage*' 

 water conduits, power house, and transmission lines are located. The 

 bulk of the land is available for agricultural or other use and may be 

 largely so utilized without detriment to the power development. 



The alienation of the agricultural estate and the retention of the 

 water-power estate in any land, with provision for payment of 

 proper damages to the agricultural estate when the power is devel- 

 oped, appears to be practicable and desirable in the interest of the 

 orderly development of the natural resources involved. In fact, a 

 separation of estates and a disposition of each estate as such appear 

 10 be desirable, even though it may be decided not to retain control 

 by the United States of the water-power estate. 



"Whether or not a law providing for separation of the power estate 

 is enacted laws providing for the development of power on public 

 land under such conditions that the industry would be materially 

 encouraged and capital attracted would be most beneficial. The true 

 purpose of power-site withdrawals is the use of valuable power lands 

 primarily for developing power, not the withholding of such lands 

 78894°— Bull. 537—13 12 



