its agricultural lands in the filling of the Kentucky reservoir. These
accomplishments reflect what has been done through the cooperative
planning and work of all the groups in the county and the agencies
assisting in the agricultural development of Benton County.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER CONTROL LEGISLATION IN TENNESSEE
1. Three successive years of drought (1952-54) in certain areas
of the state stimulated interest in water use legislation. The scarcity
of water developed a recognition of possible conflict between various
user groups in certain areas. Various groups became concerned over
the absence of state legislation in water use. Only court decisions
based on riparian rights indicated the rights of individuals or com-
panies in water use.
2. On March 31, 1954, the Tennessee Association of Soil Con-
servation District Supervisors called a meeting of representatives of
public agencies and private groups interested in water use to discuss
the problems and “establish machinery to develop a long-time water
policy.” One of the University of Tennessee Extension Service repre-
sentatives was elected as chairman of a group concerned with broad
issues of water use and control. Each major group of water users
present was requested to select two representatives to serve on a
committee to prepare a report for submittal to the governor and
state legislature. This report was to include statements of water prob-
lems as viewed by the various user groups, a resume of the present
status of water use legislation, and proposals for appointment of a
Water Conservation Study Commission to make investigations and
report to the 1957 legislature.
3. In August 1954, the chairman of the committee (the exten-
sion leader in test demonstration) prepared a public policy bulletin
for use by Extension and Farm Bureau in public education on water
use and control. This was used by county agents and discussion leaders
in community meetings over the state, and by the Farm Bureau in
sixteen policy meetings over the state.
4. Recently a committee of technically competent people was
appointed by the legislature to study the state water use situation
and to draft appropriate legislation.
This activity in water use and control illustrates the approach
that has been taken in several matters of public interest where gov-
ernment action was needed or was under consideration. The steps
involved were:
1. Agitation for government action by special interest groups.
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