Engineering activities in the United states have been carried on extensively by the Federal Government. The new construction work has been handled by the Bureau of Reclamation, the Engineers Corps, the Works Progress Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and other agencies primarily intended to relieve unemployment temporarily.
The Bureau of Reclamation has handled several developments, among the largest being the Central Valley project in California, costing about $170,000,000, which will safeguard that state against drought, and divert water from the Sacramento River to the San Joaquin valley for irrigation. Work on various parts of the project have been started, including the Shasta Dam and the Contra Costa Canal, which will be about 50 miles long. Another large undertaking is the Grand Coulee Dam in the Columbia River basin. The Bureau has 24 hydroelectric plants in operation, 3 more under construction, and 7 others authorized.
The Engineer Corps, United States Army, is in charge of flood-control measures on the Ohio, the Mississippi, and other rivers, as well as of general river and harbor improvements. Part of the work done by the Tennessee Valley Authority was subject to the approval of the Engineer Corps, as were dams at Fort Peck, Mont., and Bonneville, Ore. (See also FLOOD CONTROL.)
The Tennessee Valley Authority has been active in building dams and power stations, and engaging in various kinds of construction work in the Tennessee Valley.
The Federal Power Commission has jurisdiction not only over water-power projects on navigable streams and those affecting interstate commerce, and public lands, but also over all interstate movement of electricity.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) continued to function during 1938 to increase employment by providing for useful public works. Projects as proposed by state and local public agencies, after review by state and local offices of the Works Progress Administration, are forwarded to the Washington office for final action.
The Public Works Administration (PWA) continued to promote the construction of worth-while projects by loans and grants to various public bodies, and loans to private corporations properly qualified under the law. Types of project to which preference is given include sewage disposal, waterworks, highways, bridges, public schools and hospitals.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), another Federal agency, provided employment and vocational training to many young men. The work consists in the protection, restoration, improvement and maintenance of the natural resources of land and water: specific projects including reforestation; prevention and control of forest fires; elimination of forest-tree pests and diseases; protection against soil erosion; flood control, and the protection of forest wildlife, and fish.
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