The United States Army Corps of Engineers' Role in Natural Resources and Recreational Management
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Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses Graduate School 1998 Human Dimensions of Water Resources Policy: the United States Army Corps of Engineers' Role in Natural Resources and Recreational Management. Herman Roger Hamilton Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses Recommended Citation Hamilton, Herman Roger, "Human Dimensions of Water Resources Policy: the United States Army Corps of Engineers' Role in Natural Resources and Recreational Management." (1998). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 6675. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/6675 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of LSU Digital Commons. 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ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS' ROLE IN NATURAL RESOURCES AND RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Geography and Anthropology by Herman Roger Hamilton B.S., The Ohio State University, 1959 M.A., University of Texas at Arlington, 1985 May 1998 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 9836875 UMI Microform 9836875 Copyright 1998, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Any major task involves the support and contribution of several people. Any attempt to list all who contributed to this project would surely fail. There are certain ones, however, who will always be remembered for their unwavering support through this period of intense study. First and foremost is my wife, Judy. The sacrifices which she endured while I studied, researched, and wrote are well beyond what any person should expect from a spouse. In addition, her technical support in computer science was extremely helpful when I had difficulty with certain computer applications. This dissertation is dedicated to Judy. Corine Pugh assisted in preparing the maps and graphics which are so important in conveying ideas and facts to the reader. Her willing attitude and technical computer skills were extremely helpful in completing this study. Several Corps of Engineers employees were helpful in providing information and sharing their thoughts about the Corps' current situation and its future. Notable is Scott Jackson who was always ready for an in-depth discussion, references to Corps events, and moral support. My major professor was Dr. Carville Earle. Other committee members were Dr. Gregory Veeck, Dr. Keith Henderson, Dr. Jane Luzar, and Dr. Richard Bengston. I ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. could not have asked for a more professional, competent, and cooperative committee. Any success associated with this dissertation is due, in large part, to their support, critiques, knowledge, and rigorous reviews which they willingly shared with me. Particular recognition goes to Dr. Earle for his thoroughness, rigor, and attention to details. Dr. Veeck was always available for counsel and conversation. I will always be grateful, and would like to consider these professors as my friends and colleagues. I learned a lot from them. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station supported a large part of this study financially. Without that financial support, this effort would not have been possible. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements....................................... ii List of Tables.........................................vi List of Figures....................................... vii Abstract.............................................. ix CHAPTER I Introduction............................................1 1. The Emerging Problem: Demands for Recreation 2 2. Problem Statement.............................. 4 3 . Study Ob j ectives............................... 5 4. Scope of Study................................. 5 5. Overview of Policy Changes..................... 18 6. Study Methods and Approach..................... 21 7. Contribution of Research....................... 25 CHAPTER II Review of Pertinent Literature.......................... 28 1. Policy........................................ 28 2. Resources..................................... 44 CHAPTER III 18 Steps to Glory Plus: Policy and Development.......... 57 1. Federal Involvement in Water Resources..........58 2. Overview of Federal Land Management............ 64 3. The Role of the Corps of Engineers............. 74 4. Evaluation of the Corps........................ 79 5. The Planning Process...........................93 CHAPTER IV Overview of Corps Reservoirs........................... 107 1. General...................................... 107 2. Scale of Reservoirs........................... Ill 3. Authorization and Completion of Reservoirs 125 CHAPTER V Historical Review ofPolicies: 1775-1944................ 157 1. Genesis of the Corps.......................... 157 2. Civil Works.................................. 161 3. The First Reservoirs.......................... 167 4. Sharing Responsibility........................ 181 5. Early Natural-Resource-Recreation Management... 185 iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CHAPTER VI Historical Review of Policies: 1944-1970...............194 1. Public Use of Corps Lakes..................... 194 2. Reservoir Planning............................198 3. Land Acquisition............................. 200 4. Nonfederal Involvement........................206 5. Growing Demands.............................. 208 6. Costsharing.................................. 211 7. Public Perception............................ 219 CHAPTER VII Historical Review of Policies: 1970-Present............231 1. The Opening of the Decade....................231 2. The Corps Response to NEPA.................... 233 3. A Look Inward................................ 23 5 4. Independent Reviews...........................238 5. Summary of Independent Recommendations......... 255 6. Lakeshore Management..........................263 7. Recent Events................................ 269 CHAPTER VIII Discussion and Conclusions............................. 278 1. Synopsis of Major Policy Events................ 278 2. The Corps Today............................. 287 3. The Future..................................3 01 References Cited...................................... 312 Appendix: Corps of Engineers Reservoirs................ 331 Vita.................................................. 348 v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. LIST OF TABLES Table III-l: Federal Agencies Involved in Water Resources Planning, Management, and Development..................... 65 Table III-2: Federal Natural Resource Management Agencies............................ 67 Table III-3: Traditional Costsharing in Water Resources Projects..................102 Table IV-1: Intensive Recreation Management, 1996.......110 Table IV-2: Wildlife Management, 1996.................. Ill