AbstractThe 88th Congress has passed more landmark legislation in the conservation field than any preceding Congress. This seems to indicate a badly needed awakening of concern on the part of the American public for the preservation of its environment and a growing awareness that our soil, water, and atmosphere are only components of an integrated coherent environment that must be kept in balance in all of its aspects.One good example of recently passed legislation is the Water Resources Research Act of 1964, which will be administered by the Department of the Interior. This bill provides three important programs: an annual allotment to state water resources research centers plus two other programs in the nature of contracts and grants, matching or otherwise to state research centers and to other qualified research institutions, foundations, individuals, and agencies. Other important aspects of the bill include the training of scientists in hydrology.Another bill, the S. 1111 or Water Resources Planning Bill, being considered by Congress, would, by means of a Water Research Council, serve to coordinate all water resource purposes and use all components of the resource base in unified plans for river basins, combinations of basins, and sub‐basins. This commission would provide assurance that the valid interests of every state are given full recognition by the action agencies of the federal government and the states having comparable program