摘要: A dominating theme of life in the Pacific Northwest in the second half of the 1970's was the allocation of water resources. Perhaps at no time since the formation of the Bonneville Power Administration in the 1930's have debates o... 展开 A dominating theme of life in the Pacific Northwest in the second half of the 1970's was the allocation of water resources. Perhaps at no time since the formation of the Bonneville Power Administration in the 1930's have debates over development of the Columbia River system and the distribution on of its resources reached the present level of intensity and public attention. The Walla Walla District of the Corps of Engineers--steward of the region's waterways, hydroelectric production, fisheries and wildlife, and a myriad of other water-related concerns--found itself in the midst of these controversies. In fact, the District contributed to the acknowledgment of the finite nature of the region's water resources with its 1976 Columbia River and tributaries report, Irrigation Depletions/Instream Flow Study. Although those concerned with water resources were aware of the situation before the study's publication, the impact nevertheless crystallized the issue with the unequ i vocab 1 e conc 1 us i on that "the Col umbi a River as presently developed is no longer a surplus resource." Controversy arose largely from a recognition of scarcity. A drought in 1977 graphically showed that the water resources of the Pacific Northwest were limited. As the population of the region grew, the need for more power increased correspondingly. Further demands on limited water supplies were made by irrigators, fishermen, recreationists, Indians, and environmentalists. The Walla Walla District actively participated in the decision over streamflow allocations arising from these various concerns. In addition, the District was faced with meeting its traditional responsibilities of flood control and navigation. 收起