Show house passes bill for more aid on small irrigations the house passed and sent to the senate last tues bues a bill to expand the watershed protection and flood prevention act to include more federal assistance for small irrigation projects the program which is administered m inist ered by the department of agriculture now assists local organizations in planning and carry carrying inq out watershed programs the bill expands the program to cover irrigation drainage flood control municipal and industrial water supply recreation rea tion fish and wildlife improvement prove pro merit pollution abatement by stream flow regulation and 5 saline aline water intrusion control highlights of the amendments are 1 general scope of the act is broadened tn in include all aspects of the conversation development utilization and disposal of water in the present act 2 permits the building of dams darns with a capacity in excess of acre feet it if the capacity in excess of that figure Is tor for purposes other than flood prevention and the construction cost of such excess capacity is borne entirely by bi the local cooperating organizations 3 provides that the local organization a aniza niza tion shall not be required to assume any part of the construction st of structural measures applicable to flood prevention delay in the handling of small projects Is eliminated by providing that projects involving a federal contribution of 0 less lea than need not be submitted separately to congress through the president 8 5 provides tor for long term loans at the government interest to local organizations tor for the purpose of financing their share of ol the cost of programs |