To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith the annual reports of the six river basin commissions, as required under section 204(2) of the Water Resources Planning Act of 1965.
The act states that commissions comprised of State and Federal members may be established at the request of the Governors of the States within the proposed commission area. Each commission is responsible for planning the best use of water and related land resources in its area and for recommending priorities for implementation of such planning. The commissions, through efforts to increase public participation in the decisionmaking process, can and do provide a forum' for all people within the commission area to voice their ideas, concerns and suggestions.
The commissions submitting reports are New England, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, Ohio, Missouri, and Upper Mississippi. The territory these six commissions cover includes part or all of 32 States.
The enclosed annual reports indicate the activities and accomplishments of the commissions during fiscal year 1974. A brief description of current and potential problems, studies, and approaches to solutions is included in the reports.
GERALD R. FORD
The White House,
July 24, 1975.
Note: The six reports are entitled:
"New England River Basins Commission: 1974 Annual Report."
"Great Lakes Basin Commission: 1974 Annual Report."
"Pacific Northwest River Basins Commission: Annual Report--Fiscal Year '74."
"Ohio River Basin Commission: 1974 Annual Report."
"Missouri River Basin Commission: Annual Report-1974."
"Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission, annual report."
Gerald R. Ford, Message to the Congress Transmitting Annual Reports of Six River Basin Commissions. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/256322