Land resource management a guide for city councils, planning commissions and county commissioners

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Coastal Zone
information COASTAL ZONE INFORMATION Center

LAND RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

Guide for City Councils
Planning Commissions and
County Commissioners

INDUSTRIAL

IERD
HD EC0NOMICS RESEARCH

DIVISION
111
.R83
1974

DIVISIO

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LAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

A GUIDE FOR CITY COUNCILS
PLANNING COMMISSIONS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2334 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE

CHARLESTON SC 29405-2413

Prepared by

CARLTON RUCH AND LARRY VETTER
INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS RESEARCH DIVISION
-,'TEXAS ENGINEERING ExPERimENT STATION,
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY,
COLLEGE STATION., TEXAS

Property of CSC Library

FOREWORD

This report is a summary of the land resource manage-
ment aspects of a report entitled, A Pilot Project With
the Nortex Regional Planning Commission to Study Land
Resource Management Criteria in Texas.
The original report was supervised by the Texas
General Land Office and was made possible by grants from
the U. S. Office of Education, Title I, administered by
the Director of Community Services, Coordinating Board,
Texas College and University System., from the provisions
of Section M of the Housing Act of 1954 as canended,
allocated through the Nortex Regional Planning Commission,
and from the Texas Engineering Experiment Station at
Texas AV University.
The printing of this summary report was financed by
the Texas General Land Office and the industrial Economics
Research Division of the Texas Engineering Experiment
Station at Texas A&M University in recognition of the
critical need for an understanding of some of the principles
involved in Land resource management. This is especially
L
true in view of pending Federal and State legislation
regarding land use management.
This report explains some of the principles of land
resource management ' and then relates these principles to
residentiaZ., commerciaZ., industriaZ_, recreational, and
faxming-ranching land uses. Following this, the roles of
various units of government in land resource management are
discussed. The report concludes with an application of
these principles to a tract of land in Wichita County near
Sheppard Air Force Base.
March, 1974 P@rry J Shepard, Head
Incb,istriaZ Economics Research
Division

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
1. Land Resource Management Considerations 1
Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Topography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Hydrology . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . 3
Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. Practical Land Use Considerations Regarding
Different Land Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Industrial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Recreational . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Farming-Ranching . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3. Natural Resource Management and the Role
of Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Legal Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Municipalities . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Councils of Governments . . . . . . . 23

State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Agency and Organizational Roles . . . . . 25
Municipalities . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Councils of Governments . . . . . . . 26

State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roles Related to Scope of Problems . . . 28
4. A Case Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

MAY 16 1974

F-l

LAND RESOURCE

MANAGEMENT

CONSIDERATIONS
CD

There are many items which need to be considered
in land resource management. Some of the chief items
are atmosphere, soil, topography, hydrology, and
vegetation.

ATMOSPHERE
Air can carry pollutants which could cause
illness and shorten lives. Proposed developments,
therefore, should consider the relationship of
pollution to the prevailing wind patterns. Another
consideration is noise levels. Certain noise levels
could interrupt sleep and cause psychological irri-
tation. Storm patterns can be studied in order that L
the necessary safeguards may be taken to prevent
damage to buildings and landscapes.

SOIL
Soil may place certain limitations on con-
struction. Some soils shrink and swell considerably
due to moisture loss and gain causing building
foundations and surfaced areas to break. Soils 1@
possessing a high level of corrosivity can cause
underground pipes to corrode. Soils with a low
rate of water penetration (percolation) are not
satisfactory for septic sewage systems, while the
supporting (bearing) capacity limits the size of
buildings.
in addition to building precautions regarding
soil, other areas of concern need to be considered.
Erosion of soil can be caused by the removal of
vegetative covering and/or tree rooting systems.

'This is of special concern along river banks where
the water can erode the bank causing landslides.
Pesticides can pollute soil and enter food chains
if they are not properly applied or biodegradable.
In areas of high land subsidence (sinking ground)
underground pipes and cables can break and surfaced
areas crumble. Before an area is urbanized, it
would be good planning to first extract any valuable
mineral resources. Also, when considering extending
an urban area, it may be remembered that while
agricultural land can be readily converted to urban
land, urban land cannot be easily returned to
agricultural land.

TOPOGRAPHY
The slope of land sets certain limitations.on
its utilization. For instance,agricultural land
with a slope over 18 percent will erode when cul-
tivated, while a zero slope will result in poorly
drained land.. Commercial and industrial develop-
ments become costly if the slope is over five
percent, while residential areas may.have a slope
up to 15 percent before costs.escalate for roads,
utility provisions, and erosion control.

HYDROLOGY
Recharge zones are those areas which most
readily transmit rainfall from the surface to ground
water reservoirs (aquifers). Care needs to be taken
that these recharge zones do not encompass activ-,
ities which could pollute the aquifers.

Building in flood plains is always risky.
Some of the most attractive land near or in urban
areas for development often lies in flood plains.
Unfortunately, many homes located in flood plains
are sold without properly conveying this informa-

tion to the new owners. The existence of a flood

plain may be determined by a number of different
methods,- such as, utilizing topographical maps and/
or comprehensive plans, newspaper accounts of past
flooding, recollections of residents in the area,
checks of the area following a heavy rain, asking
the city planner or the city engineer, and in the
case of larger flood plains in a major river system
by consulting the Army Corps of Engineers.
Drainage can also cause problems. Natural
vegetation helps hold rain water, while paved
surfaces provide added runoff. If too much water
is diverted to drainage systems and not permitted
to return to the ground, the water table will be

'll die.
lowered and trees wi

Surface water can become polluted in a number
of different'ways- Industry can pollute by dis-
charging toxic substances, particularly chemicals,
and by thermal discharges. A variation of a few
degrees can upset breeding cycles and result in
direct fish kills. Excessive discharge of sewage
can utilize the oxygen in the water resulting in
fish kills. Fertilizer run off stimulates aquatic
plant growth which can lead to increased water
treatment costs, loss of water oriented recreation,
and clogged irrigation channels. Finally, surface

water can be polluted by rain falling through the
atmosphere. About 40 percent of the particles in
raindrops are man introduced.

VEGETATION

Wildlife is dependent upon vegetation. Before
vegetation is removed, three things should be ascer-
tained. Are any endangered species dependent upon
this vegetation? Does it provide a necessary
resting point for migrating wildlife? Does it
serve as a vital connecting corridor for wildlife?
Vegetation and tree root systems play a vital
role in preventing erosion, dust storms, and land-
slides. Trees and ground vegetation can also reduce
the amount of pollutants in the air and serve as

buffers for noise.

PRACTICAL LAND USE
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING
DIFFERENT LAND USES

Various land uses require different conditions.
Some of the more practical land-use considerations
are listed for residential, commercial, industrial,
recreational, and farming-ranching land uses.

CONDITIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS
ATMOSPHERE

Air patterns should not add pollutants to
area (check wind patterns, velocity, and
distance from any polluting industry).
e Limit development in areas of high noise,
i.e., airports.

SOIL

* Should possess low shrink-swell characteristics.
* Avoid building on uncompacted land fills,
such as buried garbage areas (sanitary land
.fills)
Percolation rate should be adequate for
septic tank outflow (effluent) where there
is no public sewer system.
Any high shrink-swell area could be left in
open space, or utilized in a Planned Unit
Development where the high shrink-swell
sections would not be used for building.
� Limit building in areas where valuable
mineral resources are located.

� Any moderate to high corrosivity needs to be
controlled by a small electric charge (cathodic
protection), or plastic pipes should be
utilized.

TOPOGRAPHY

� Variation in terrain is desirable.
� Slope should be under 15 percent.
� Check for any possible landslides which could
be caused by sharp slopes.
� For septic field systems, there should be no
more than a 10 percent slope.
� Avoid building over fault lines.

HYDROLOGY

o Well drained.
o Outside flood plains.
9 Attempt to preserve natural drainageways by
preventing their blockage through incorpor-
ating them into some open space pattern.
o Limited building over aquifers and recharge

zones.

Identify dangers that would result from
increased.runoff by the removal of vegetation.

VEGETATION

e Wildlife pathways and "resting points" should
be.identified and preserved.
* Some tree cover is desirable for shade, wild-
life and wind-breaks.

o Shade trees are desirable for mobile home

developments.
o Housing developments should be designed to
save the maximum number of trees.
e Unique and economically important wildlife
habitats-should be,preserved.

9 Vegetation may help control noise, air
pollution and erosion.

EXISTING DOCUMENTS

� Check any existing subdivision regulations,
building and housing codes, and zoning
regulations.
� Check any local and regional comprehensive
plans for the areas.
� Check any deed restrictions.
� Check for the existence of any special
purpose districts and what limitations
these may impose.
� Check existing laws for the protection of
endangered species of plants or animals.

OTHER CONSIDMTIONS

� Should be separated from industrial areas.
� High density developments need to be in close
proximity to permanent open spaces, community
shopping, and transit systems.
� Suitability for an int egrated design should
include local shopping, schools, churches,
playgrounds, and park areas.

CONDITIONS FOR C OW ERCIAL AREAS

ATWSPHERE
Check pollution which may be generated by
traffic.

� Identify corridors of noise pollution and

determine the effect on various establish-

ments.

SOIL
� Capable of being graded without undue

expense.

� Low shrink-swell.

� Good bearing capability.
� Limit development in areas of valuable

mineral resources until the resources have

been removed.

TOPOGRAPHY

9 Not more than a five percent slope.
e Avoid building over fault lines.

HYDROLOGY
Let water return to soil if possible (too
much drainage by solid surfacing can lower
water table and kill trees).

Well drained.

9 Outside flood plain.
9 Attempt to preserve natural drainageways and
prevent their blockage.
e Identify dangers that would result from
increased runoff by the removal of vegetation.
9 Limit development over aquifers and recharge

zones.

VEGETATION

� If there are trees in the area, attempts.
should be made to incorporate them into the
development..
� Protect wildlife pathways and "resting points."
� Natural areas enhance commercial areas and

provide wildlife protection.
� Vegetation may help to control noise and air
pollution.

EXISTING DOCUMENTS

� Check any existing comprehensive plan,
building codes, and zoning regulations.
� Check any deed restrictions.
� Check any laws for the protection of endan-
gered species of plants or animals.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

9 Should be located near heavy traffic
patterns.
Is Needs adequate and accessible parking.

CONDITIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS

ATMOSPHERE

� Prevailing wind patterns should blow away
from residential areas.

� The possibility of temperature inversion
layers trapping noxious pollutants should be

checked.
Check on possible noise problems.

SOIL

� Low shrink-swell.
a High bearing capacity for heavy industry.
� Ca pable of being graded without undue.

expense.

TOPOGRAPHY

� Not more than a five percent slope.
� Avoid building over fault lines.

HYDROLOGY

9Let water return to soil if possible (too
much drainage from area can lower water
table and kill trees).
eAttempt to preserve natural drainageways and
prevent their blockage.

Well drained.

Outside flood plain.
Avoid any type pollution runoff which could
pollute surface or ground water.
Thermal effect of the use of any stream,
lake, or river for cooling needs to be

checked.

9Identify dangers that would result from
increased runoff by the removal of vegetation.
*Limit development over aquifers and recharge

areas.

MrZTTATION
0kovide a green belt or open space area
betv",7een industrial and residential areas.

e Any existing tree cover should be incor-
porated, if possible, into the development.
(D Protect wildlife pathways and Tyresting points."
� Unique and economically important habitats
should be preserved.
� Vegetation could help to control noise and
air pollution.

EXISTING DOCUMENTS
* Check any existing comprehensive plans,
building codes, and zoning regulations.
* Check any deed restrictions.
* Check any legal pollution standards.
* Check any laws for the protection of
endangered species of plants and animals.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
* Direct access is needed to transportation
facilities.
* Within easy commuting time of residential

areas.
* Availability of necessary utilities.
* Compatibility with surrounding land uses and/or
consideration of the use of a green belt area.

CONDITIONS FOR RECREATIONAL AREAS

ATMOSPHERE
* In high use exercise type areas (tennis,,r,,-@
courts, ball parks, etc.) the air poll riltion
level should be low.
* Avoid areas of high noise pol@,ution.

SOIL

No particular qualities, but good percolation
will keep area more usable following rains.
Facilities that are without public utility
systems need soils suitable for septic fields.

TOPOGRAPHY

9 No slope limitations for large areas.
e About a five percent slope is possible for
smaller areas.
e Unique scenic characteristics are advantageous.
* Avoid building over fault lines.

HYDROLOGY
� Can-utilize flood plains.
� No drainage limitations for large areas.
* Might utilize natural drainage creeks for

open space system.

Some road construction near streams can
cause pollution runoff into the streams and

lakeshores.

� Private septic tanks and numerous powerboats
can pollute lakes and rivers.
� Ponds can be stocked for fishing.

VEGETATION
� Stream banks need vegetation to prevent

erosion.
� Where possible, live oak and other year round
vegetation is best.
� Protect wildlife pathways and "resting
points."
� Unique and economically important habitats
should be preserved.

EXISTING DOCUMENTS
e Check any existing comprehensive plans.
@0 Check general recreation standards to deter-
mine.need.
Check any laws for the protection of
endangered species of plants or animals.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

0 Availability for use by residential commun-
ities either by mass transit, walking, or

roads.

CONDITIONS FOR FARMING-RANCHING AREAS
ATMOSPHERE
� Trees may be used as windbreaks, especially
where there is sufficient wind to blow soil.

� Determine the effect of noise or air pollu-
tion on crops and animals.

SOIL
� Determine soil capability through Soil

Conservation Service classifications and the
Agricultural Experiment Stations.
� Check records or persons living in the
vicinity for past yields.

TOPOGRAPHY

0 Erosion control is needed where there are

steep slopes.

0 Cultivated slopes should be under 18 percent
and not completely flat.

'HYDROLOGY
� Drainage of pesticides can pollute water.
� Check soil salt buildup in irrigated areas.
� To prevent soil surface runoff and reduce
siltation in the receiving rivers, streams,
or lakes, a buffer of permanent vegetation

should be maintained between tilled areas

and water.

.s Confined animal feeding operations should be
located so they do not pollute surface or

subsurface water.

VEGETATION

* Consider wildlife corridors in cultivated

areas.

* Consider tree windbreaks.

a Consider management techniques to increase
the productivity of natural vegetation.
* Consider effect on wildlife due to elimina-

tion of vegetation.
a Protect wildlife pathways and "resting points."
e Unique and economically important habitats
should be preserved.

EXISTING DOCUMENTS
9 Check county and/or area soil maps together
with their interpretations.
* Check Soil Conservation Service reports.

� Check on whether land is located in any
special purpose districts and what obliga-
tions this may entail.
� Check any laws for the protection of endan-
gered species of plants or animals.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

� Once agricultural land is converted to urban
use, the process is difficult to reverse.
� Agricultural land maintained near urban
areas provides a more aesthetically pleasing
environment, provides some wildlife shelter,
and makes local produce available to the

consumer.

� May be combined with open space planning.

T&
L)

C-

/ .1

NATURAL RESOURCE
I

MANAGEMENT AND THE
I
A, A

ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

It is helpful not only to understand some of
the processes and concerns involved in land resource
management, but also to have some insight into the
roles various units of government play in land
resource management. These rules are shaped by
existing legal mechanisms, agencies and organiza-
tions maintained by government units, and by the
scope of each problem.

LEGAL ROLES
The legal mechanisms of various units of govern-
ment which may be utilized for land resource manage-
ment problems vary considerably.

MUNICIPALITIES

A municipality can utilize only those legal
powers conferred upon it by the State. In Texas
some of the chief legal mechanisms are zoning,
subdivision regulation, and land-use restrictions
placed in private property deeds.
Zoning permits cities to establish land-use
districts such as residential, commercial, and
industrial areas. This is done undenthe police
power of a municipality. The standards for invoking
police power are normally legitimate goals,
reasonable means, and that the reasonable means be
rationally adapted to achieve the,go.als. In zoning,
the goals are to lessen street congestion, secure
safety from fire and panic, provide adequate light
and air,,avoidance of'large. concentrations of
population, and the better provision of city

services. The United States Supreme Court declared
these to be legitimate goals for which a city could
restrict the usage of privately owned land.
Zoning regulations by court rulings and legis-
lative measures must contain the following safeguards:
1. Regulationsfor each class and kind of
building must be uniform within a zoning
district.

2. There must be a reasonable basis for
classifying areas*differently based on
comprehensive-planning.
3. A zoning ordinance must cover the entire
jurisdictional area of a city.
4. Zoning regulations must be reasonably
applied.
5. Zoning is not a retroactive device, but a
guide for future developments. Although
a city may not require existing "noncon-
forming uses" be terminated upon passage
of a zoning ordinance, they may require
linonconforming uses" be eliminated after
the landowner 'has sufficient time to
amortize the investment lie has in his

"nonconforming use" property.
Subdivision regulations are needed to ensure the
orderly development of municipalities. The health
department is concerned about safe water, sewage
disposal, and proper drainage of new areas. The tax
office views subdivisions as the first step toward
the recording of land.titles for subsequent taxation.
The engineering department is concerned with the

construction of new streets, utilities, and drainage
systems. The fire department is concerned about
water availability and the streets the trucks must
use., And, finally, school and park officials need
to reserve land to serve People who will be living
in these subdivisions.

Cities and towns may extend their subdivision
ordinances into extraterritorial areas by adopting
specific ordinances to that effect. Extraterritorial
.jurisdiction in Texas is governed by population

class:

EXTRATERRITORIAL
POPULATION CLASS LIMITS IN MILES

0 -@ 4,999 S
S,000 - 24,999 1.0
25,000 - 49,999 2.0
50,000 - g9,999 3.5
100,000 + 5.0

Private deed restrictions are based on the law
of private contract and not governmental power. As
such, there4s; no "health, safetyand welfare" or
fireasonableness" limitations placed upon deed
restrictions. The theory behind deed restrictions
is.that lot owners. agree to deed restrictions when
they buy and the.courts merely enforce that agree7
ment as a contract. Restrictions can run for.50
years with renewal clauses. In law these deed
restrictions are called "covenants running with.the
land" or "negative easements" and affect the land
even if the owner is unaware of the deed restrictions

when he purchases the property. In 196S the State
authorized Houston to use its tax supported legal
department to sue deed restriction violators.
Some of the other legal,means a municipality
may use to manage its land resources are taxation
policies, annexation, building and housing codes,
policies for extending municipal services, capital
improvement programs, school expansion policies, and
its flood plain management powers.

COUNTIES
The county as the municipality is a child of
the State and all of its,powers are conferred by the
State. Counties have limited power to manage sub-
divisions,established outside the extraterritorial
jurisdiction of municipalities by forbidding the
county clerk from recording plats of unincorporated
lands without the prior approval of the commissioners
court. In unincorporated areas, they also have flood
plain management powers, authorization to maintain
and operate parks, and the,right to license public
waste disposal facilities (and private sewage facil--'
ities where there is a pollution problem).

COUNCILS OF GOVERNMENTS
Regional councils of governments are also
creations of the State and are required to review
and comment upon many applications for State and
Federal funds. By this means they can coordinate
planning,efforts-in.their area.-

STATE

The Tenth Amendment of the U. S. Constitution
reserves to the states all powers not delegated to
the Federal Government nor prohibited to the states.
The states' residual powers are limited by the
Fourteenth Amendment which denies any state the
right to deprive persons of property without due-
process of the law or to deny equal protection under
the law. In addition to powers delegated by the
State to local, county, and regional bodies, Texas

has a number of other means of land resource

management. Texas retained title@to its public
lands upon entering the Union in 1845. The State
also owns the submerged bay land and islands with
the exception of small amounts sold to navigation
districts. Both the management of the public lands
and their mineral interest are handled by the General

Land Office.

Texas has passed public beach laws which ensure.
public access to State-owned beaches on'the seaward
side of the Gulf of Mexico. Generally, this is
interpreted to mean the beach area extending from
the water to the vegetation line. The State also
requires that, with few exceptions, no outdoor
advertising and automobile-junkyards be established
or maintained within certain distances of interstate

and primary highways in Texas.

FEDERAL
The federal government influences-land resource
management primarily through its spending policies.

24'

This may be seen in some of the recent acts passed
by the Federal Government. The National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 requires environmental impact
statements for all proposed projects requiring
Federal aid. The Rural Development Act of 1972 pro-
vides loans and grants to acquire and develop land
for rural -industrialization, water and waste disposal
systems, and conservation related activities. The

Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of
1972 set strict limits upon water pollution.
Industries discharging pollutants into the nation's
waters must have the "best practical" control
teeh-nology by July 1, 1977, the best available by
July 1, 1983, and Po discharge of pollutants by
1985. The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
provides grants for developing comprehensive
coastal zone management programs and administrative
grants to assist the states in implementation

programs.

AGENCY AND ORGANIZATIONAL ROLES
The roles governmental units fulfill in land
resource management are also determined by the agencies
and/or organizations a particular.unit of government
maintains to assist with land resource management
problems.

MUNICIPALITIES

Although a city council passes ordinances to
establish building codes, housing code8l-'subdivision
regulations, and zoning, there are three other

groups directly involved in land resource management.
The city planning commission makes recommendations
to the city council concerning present and future
land use and is statutorily assigned the duty of
approving subdivision plots. A city planning depart-
ment assists the planning commission, mayor or city
manager, and the city council in all areas where
professional planning studies and/or consultation
is needed. Finally, if a city has a zoning ordin-
ance, a zoning board of adjustment attempts to
interpret disputed sections of the ordinance.

COUNTIES

At the county level the commissioners court
functions in the area of land resource management
through approving certain subdivisions, establishing
parks, licensing some waste disposal facilities, and
in flood plain control, while the county clerk's
office is important for filing deeds and subdivision
plats.

COUNCTLS OF GOVERNMENTS
A regional Council of Governments serves as a
coordinator of the various types of planning taking
place in its region. This coordination involves
such items as Resource Conservation and Development
Projects which are locally initiated to provide for
natural resource planning, conservation, and develop-
ment in contiguous counties with similar social,
economic, and natural resource problems.

STATE

The Interagency Council on Natural Resources
and the Environment works with State-level planning
related to land use. The member agencies and their
land use functions are:
� The Texas Department of Agriculture deals
with service programs related to agriculture
and the enforcement of agricultural laws.
� The Texas Air Control Board works in the area
of air pollution control and abatement.
� The Bureau of Economic Geology of the
University of Texas is responsible for the
State geological survey.
� The Texas Forest Service offers management
and service assistance for private forest

lands.
� The General Land Office is.in charge of
managing the public lands and is the desig-
nated State agency to implement planning for
the Coastal Zone Management Act.
� The State Highway Department does highway
planning and construction.
� The Texas Industrial Commission promotes arid
plans industrial development for the State.
� The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
conducts park planning and development along
with wildlife resear&h and management.
� The Railroad Commission promotes oil-and gas
conservation and regulates oil.field waste
and water pollution control.

� The State Soil and Water Conservation Board

is.concerned with watershed protection and
flood prevention. It.also supervises the,

conservation districts.
� The Texas Water Development Board is active
in water resource planning and development.
� The Texas Water Quality Board works in the
area of water quality planning and control
and with the regulation of industrial solid
waste disposal.
� The Texas Water Rights Commission regulates
the use of public waters.

FEDERAL.

On the Federal level there are several agencies
specially concerned with land resource management.
The Army.Corps of Engineers provides for the planning,
development, and management of water and related land
resources in the nation's major river basins.
Responsibilities of the Department of the Interior
include helping manage, conserve, and develop the
nation's water, energy, minerals, timber, forage,
fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation resources.
The Environmental Protection Agency's task is to
reduce pollution related to water, air, radiation,
pesticides, and solid wastes.

ROLES RELATED TO THE SCOPE OF PROBLEMS
The role of a unit,of-government in relation to
problems involved in land resource management is
determined to some extent by the scope of the

problem. A problem may be classified as local if it
is in an area covered by a city's comprehensive or
general plan; as county if it lies within the county
and is outside the areas controlled by municipalities;
as regional if the problem involves planning coordin-
ation; as State if the problem requires legal powers
either delegated to other governmental bodies or
enacted by the State, and/or needs State appropria-
tions; and as Federal if it cannot be handled by the
State alone. An example of the Federal scope may
be air and water pollution. Although all units of
government are concerned about pollution, the
primary scope of the problems generated by these
pollutants is Federal since they move freely over

State boundaries.

A CASE STUDY

An example of what can be done by utilizing
some general ideas involved in land resource manage-
ment is illustrated by a study of a 320 acre tract
of undeveloped land in Wichita.County in the vicinity
of Sheppard Air Force Base.
Because of the proximity of the Sheppard Air
Force Base, the area at times experiences deafening
noise. This limits the development to uses other

than residential.
Several other considerations limit development.
Although the soil is well suited for agriculture,
about 50 percent has zero slope and, therefore,
limited drainage. The ground water is slightly
saline to saline which permits only limited usage.
Assistance in assessing the problems posed by the
ground water could be obtained from the Texas Water
Development Board and the Texas Water Quality Board.
There are indications of mineral resources in either
this tract of land or land immediately adjacent to
it, including gypsum, sand, gravel, and oil.
Attempts should be made to extract these resources
prior to any development.
The Texas Organization for Endangered Species
lists.the Loring Kangaroo Rat, a native of this
area, as an endangered species. Future developments
in this area should be assessed for possible effects
on this endangered specie.

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