you should focus to balance JUST the resources that currently have a use. From the other resources you should learn how many they could be gathered and balance whatever comes next to use them, to fit those numbers. for example, lumber and branches are not used atm, so it would be pointless to "balance" anything about them..instead be aware of their numbers and gathering speed (avg per regular player and avg per motivated gatherer) and consider that info when setting new things that require wood. Water will be used in massive quantities in the new quest, but in the sense that it will be used by many, not in large ammounts actually. Increasing the number of buckets, plus the low efficiency buckets i think i mentioned in autumn2050, will contribute to water balancing.
I am also very curious what the most unbalanced resource is atm... because i have no idea what it could be and being "blind" in any aspect of md evolution kind of kreeps me out a bit :P