regulators of the kind and amount of fresh water available to western 

 people. The National Forest water conservation program will im- 

 prove soil stabilization, result in more regular streamflow, and en- 

 hance water quality. It will foster infiltration of water in under- 

 ground storage. These results will lessen the need for construction 

 of surface reservoirs, settling basins, and other water construction 

 works. 



Nor can there be any complete assessment in dollars of the lives 

 saved, damage prevented, and resources preserved by improved ac- 

 cessibility, suppression of insect and disease epidemics, fires pre- 

 vented or controlled when small, and reduction and prevention of 

 floods. All of these are benefits of the conservation program pro- 

 posed for the National Forests. 



Substantial progress has been made. The foundation for progress 

 is in place. This program builds on that foundation. The result 

 will be full development of these extensive and valuable public 

 properties. 



PROGRAM COSTS 



The program includes costs for both recurrent work (operating 

 costs) and nonrecurrent project work (development and capital in- 

 vestment costs). 



Kecurrent costs include such work as program administration and 

 supervision, planning, maintenance of all structural facilities, main- 

 tenance of roads, protection from pests and fire, and other annually 

 recurring costs. These costs would increase in relation to the in- 

 crease of public needs and the installation of additional facilities. 



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