Browsing by Subject "water resources problems"

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    Water Resources Problems and Research Needs in Minnesota, 1974 - Guidelines for Research Programs
    (Water Resources Research Center, University of Minnesota, 1974-06) Walton, William C.
    In May 1973, there were 194 faculty members at the University of Minnesota and State and Private Colleges in Minnesota with water resources expertise. Water resources research effort in Minnesota, 1963 through 1972, in terms of numbers of ongoing projects increased from 65 in 1963 to 140 in 1972. The estimated annual man-years of effort rose from 41 in 1963 to 200 in 1972. Total expenditures increased from $620,000 in 1963 to $3,900,000 in 1972. Federal agencies conducted the greatest amount (50 percent of total research) with the University of Minnesota, Consultants, Private Organizations, State and Private Colleges, and State agencies following in that order. About 485 water resources research projects were completed during the period 1963 through 1972. In 1972, approximately 76 percent of expenditures for water resources research were Federal funds and about 24 percent were non-Federal funds. Eight water resources problem-research need analysis conferences were held during 1973 to determine research needs and to set research need priorities. A committee reviewed institutional arrangements for coordinating water resources research efforts in Minnesota and recommended that he Water Resources Research Center expand its Advisory Committee to include additional members from State Colleges and Branches of the University of Minnesota. A statewide priority list of 230 needed research projects was generated and research costs ($9 million) and manpower (500 man-years) needs were estimated. High priority needed water resources research topics were identified as follows: Methods for making beneficial use of waste heat from thermal power production in Minnesota. Identification and evaluation of groundwater pollution caused by municipal and industrial waste discharges, urbanization, and agricultural practices; monitoring groundwater pollution in Minnesota; and identifying groundwater pollution hazard areas. Management methods and techniques for protecting groundwater resources in Minnesota. Improving the water resources planning process in Minnesota by integrating water resources planning with land-use planning; integrating water quality planning with total water resources planning; and more fully considering alternatives, environmental consequences, public interests, and priority setting. Alternative solutions for small community waste disposal problems in Minnesota; income index-hardship cases involving pollution control policies. Determining the optimum balance between preservation and protection of wetlands and drainage for agricultural practices in Minnesota; social and economic impacts of wetland drainage. Ways and means for encouraging the private sector to preserve and protect wetlands in Minnesota; feasibility of providing tax (individual and county) incentives for wetland preservation. Estimating the effects of future large groundwater withdrawals in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area on groundwater levels, stream flows, lake levels, and pollution hazards; social and economic impacts of withdrawals; design of computer hydrologic system model. Projecting average annual flood damages with a vigorous floodplain: zoning program involving both urban and rural lands in Minnesota; assisting the State in mapping flood plain areas and determining flood hazards; assisting local governmental entities in carrying out floodplain management programs Economic sanctions and incentives that could more effectively eliminate pollution in Minnesota Feasibility of wastewater land disposal systems in Minnesota; environmental impacts; recycling nutrients present discharged into water bodies Determining the physical, social and economic impacts of alternative methods of taconite tailings disposal in Minnesota; environmental aspects of on-land disposal of taconite tailings; ecological and health hazards associated with taconite tailings disposal in Lake Superior Evaluating the water quality impacts associated with possible future copper-nickel mining and processing in Minnesota Estimating groundwater recharge under various watershed characteristics in Minnesota; dynamics of groundwater flow systems Institutional arrangements for improving the coordination of water resources agencies and programs in Minnesota; improving communication between professionals and professionals and professionals and citizens Reuse and sequential use of water in Minnesota; increasing the efficiency of water use According to future projections based on past trends, total expenditures for water resources research conducted in Minnesota could increase from about $3.9 million in 1972 to about $8 million in the year 2020. Projections of expenditures can only be classified as modest. About 67 percent of water resources research proposals submitted by faculty of the University of Minnesota and State and Private Colleges in 1972 was funded. There is a need for about $700,000 of additional annual financial support. This need could be met within a reasonable period of time if Congress were to appropriate and the President were to release additional funds consistent with its full authorizations associated with the amended Federal Water Resources Research Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments of 1972, and the State Legislature, through the Minnesota Resources Commission, were to increase its annual financial support for water resources research by at least $100,000.