Report Preface: The use of the Nation's land and water resources is receiving widespread attention. Misuse of our natural resources could have long-term adverse effects on the Nation's economy and the quality of the environment. The Federal Government, and State and local governments, have a continuing responsibility to assess the adequacy of our natural resources to meet future needs and to improve the quality of the environment. The Economic Research Service provides socio-economic information on a broad range of subjects relating to rural land and water resources, and projects future requirements for these resources. This series of articles appeared in The Farm Index issues dated December 1972 - April 1973. They are assembled here for separate release by the Natural Resource Economics Division. They provide general information on the use and ownership of our land and water resources, and project future supply and demand of these resources for different uses.
