Jin at iear oa 



what such . 

 I could change my r the present, I believe 



that we could benefit clear at the top; a 



merger of the State Wa,,. .„„._ and the State Soil Con- 

 servation Committee. They might both be put Under a 

 Department of Natural Resources for Instance. We seem to 

 have some personality conflicts or jealousies at the 

 present and such a merger would eliminate the problem 

 of who is to oversee tlie nev/ Cojiservancy Districts. 

 In the Districts, we should have urban representation 

 on the governing board, not on a population basis, however. 

 Perhaps directors could be apportioned on the basis of 

 project-cost percentages. If recreation development inakes 

 ROBERT ANDERSON up 20% of the cost of a project, then 20% of the directors 



Director, MASWCD should come from recreation interests and should be elected 

 by all voters in the district. Recreation development 

 should be paid for by taxing all property in the distxict. 

 Irrigation water should probably be paid for by taxing only agricultural property and the ^ower 

 to levy these taxes should rest solely with agricultural property ovmers. ''' 



The courts should be left out of routine organizational procedures, thereby eliminating many 

 delays. Conservancy Districts would need powers of taxation, eminent domain, condemnation, etc. 

 Individual rights are protected by the coi rts. 



Many of our present day Soil & Water Conservation Districts would prefer to remain in the 

 role of a sponsoring agency only. This might be possible in some cases; however, it is also 

 possible that an entire district, or even two or three districts, v/ould be included in a new 

 Conservancy District. This leaves the fate of the present day district somewhat in question. 



These points mentioned are only a few of the many encountered when trying to write legisla- 

 tion suitable to all. It is the duty of every Supervisor to study the problems and Inform 

 your legislators of your desires. Your Ideas may be different and better than mine. 



It has been said that wlien the American people have a job to do, they will get it done, 

 maybe not in the best or most logical way, but the job will be done. A little forethought now 

 might help guide our footsteps in the future. 



******************** 



PUBLIC RELATIONS 



We, as farmers, ranchers, and stockmen, should change our ways. We should as a group hire good 

 public relations men, advertise and let the rest of th^. people see a true picture of the way we 

 live and work, as well as our expenses and returns. Above all things, try to stop a lot of the 

 misinformation that is published. 



Ue should as a group make a much greater effort to get acquainted and learn to know as well as 

 to educate the other side. Right now our relations with hunters and other people are just about 

 zero. 



True, we all have had a lot of hunter problems. We will have a lot more, but I think we should 

 consider the over-all long time picture and atten4)t to meet these people half-way. I think we 

 could establish a much better relationship with all concerned and perhaps shov; a true picture of 

 ourselves instead of the one v;e have now. From the Judith Basin SWCD Newsletter - 5/2/66. 



