Abstract |
The report points out that the problems of maintaining fish and wildlife resources are compounded by the combination of the rapidly increasing population and increase in leisure time available, with more and more people finding time for fishing and hunting activities, and the gradual and increasing encroachment of man's activities on the habitat available for fish and wildlife. The report discusses the increases in demand for and decreases in availability of our fish and wildlife resources and explains the impact which many water-use projects have on these resources. The present and projected water requirements for fish and wildlife are given, including those for our inland sports fisheries, for wildlife habitat, and for our commercial fisheries which are based in tidal estuaries along our seacoasts. The report contains discussion of the problems involved in achieving adequate recognition for fish and wildlife in the water resources program, and contains recommendations as to general policy considerations which should be carried out to improve our fish and wildlife resources. |