In authorising federal participation in water resource development projects, Congress seeks to maintain a reasonable balance between the powers of the federal government and those retained by the states, local governmental entities and private enterprise. Acts of Congress, and interpretations thereof by the Supreme Court, also clearly indicate that the federal government may participate to some degree in all aspects of water and related land conservation, development and management. However, in practice, the degree of federal participation and financing in water policy making is not very high and varies between planning, construction, operation and maintenance activities according to applicable precedent and law and the likelihood of widespread and general benefits.