388 THE YUMA RECLAMATION PROJECT. 



The entire cost of this enterprise, providing all the, area is irrigated 

 which is indicated above, will amount, according to the estimate, 

 to about $35 per acre irrigated. It is entirely possible, however, 

 that as the construction work proceeds this cost may be somewhat 

 increased or lessened, although an effort has been made to cover all 

 contingencies, and the estimates of cost have been liberal. The price 

 will range near $35 per acre, this to be paid for according to the pro- 

 visions of the reclamation act and regulations of the Secretary of 

 the Interior, in ten annual installments after the first delivery of 

 water. The annual charge for maintenance and supervision of this 

 system will be very low and probably materially less than $1 per 

 acre. There will be no charge for interest, profit, or taxes. 



In order to keep the price as low as that estimated upon and to 

 proceed with the construction of the works, it is necessary for all 

 of the landowners of the portion of the district that is in Arizona, 

 under the projected canal, to enter into an agreement with the 

 Secretary of the Interior, through their local water users' associ- 

 ation, for the payment for the water when it is delivered to them. 

 The reclamation service has made the surveys and estimates required 

 for the Secretary of the Interior concerning the costs and character 

 of these works; but it is absolutely necessary for the local land- 

 owners to submit to the Secretary, through their local associations, 

 the contracts for the acceptance of the water; and also to provide 

 for the rights of way required for the levee, power plants, trans- 

 mission lines, etc. This has been done, about 98 per cent of the entire 

 area under the project now being subject to the reclamation act. 



The Secretary of the Interior has set aside $3,000,000 of the recla- 

 mation fund for the construction of this project, contingent upon 

 the action of the landoAvners of this valley and their entering into 

 contracts Avith the Department, in accordance with the provision 

 of the reclamation act passed June 17, 1902. 



On March 15, 1905, bids for the construction of the dam were 

 opened, and responsible bidders offered to build this structure for the 

 amount estimated upon by the engineers. 



