LOWER WILLOW CREEK DRAINAGE DISTRICT 

 HAS PROPERTY TAX PROBLEM 



Granite County has levied property taxes on the 

 Willow Creek irrigation dam of the Lower Willow 

 Creek drainage District, in excess of $3000 for 

 the year 1963-64. This is a P. L. 566 project and 

 is considered to be private property. If this is 

 allowed to stand it would seriously slow down any 

 further irrigation developments throughout the 

 state of a private nature. All cost share improve- 

 ments of ACP, Great Plains Program, and the like 

 would no doubt be subject to tax. 



The Attorney General has ruled that irrigation dis- 

 tricts are subject to property tax as a result of a 

 state supreme court case of 1924 involving the 

 Buffalo Rapids Irrigation District. This takes 

 precedence over legislation which was passed years 

 earlier (1909) specifically exempting irrigation 

 dams, canals, structures, etc., from property tax. 



The State Soil Conservation Committee is working 

 to investigate the above to find what alternatives if 

 any can be worked out. It is generally thought that 

 the irrigation dams and works apply to the land that 

 is served. This land is reclassified as irrigation 

 land and taxed at a much higher valuation. In reality 

 this amounts to double taxation if the structures are 



taxed also. 



• 

 One stenographer to another: 

 "They not only give you a pension 

 in this office, but you age here 

 more quickly." 



SSCC APPROVES RC & D APPLICATION 



Beaverhead and Carbon County SWCD supervisors 

 appeared before the State Soil Conservation Com- 

 mittee in November to gain approval of applications 

 for Assistance in developing a Resource Conserva- 

 tion and Development Project Plan. These are the 

 first applications of this type to come before the 

 committee. 



Beaverhead has a problem with the new East Bench 

 Reclamation project which needs technical help to 

 meet the demand of new settlers there in getting 

 their irrigation projects properly laid out. Carbon 

 County has several problems. Weed Control, re- 

 forestation, reorganization of irrigation systems, 

 watershed development, being the most pressing. 



Called to examine an electric 

 refrigerator that was using too 

 much electricity, the service man 

 could not find the reason. 



He idly asked the cook. "How do 

 you like the refrigerator?" 



"Like it fine," she said. "I open 

 the door and it cools off (he whole 

 kitchen." 



'M§ ve/iRfimRps 



Shown above are recipients of ten and twenty year 

 awards at the Convention in Great Falls. From 

 left to right are: John Bartlett receiving the 20 

 year award for Dominic Vescovi of Roundup who 

 many will remember for his faithful participation 

 in many state and national conventions. 

 Henry Evans and Mrs. Evans are ten year members 

 Henry is a past president of the Montana Associa- 

 tion, is Chairman of the Judith Basin SWCD, and 

 the Association Great Plains Committee. Henry 

 and his wife have never missed a Convention. He 

 has contributed greatly in many ways with strong 

 ideas and encouragement for the association and 

 conservation. We are sorry to know that Henry is 

 seriously ill and on a milk diet, but it was ever so 

 good to see him at the convention in Great Falls and 

 we hope that we may be blessed to see him at many^ 

 more. ^r 



Next in line above are Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Hippe, 

 twenty year supervisors from Froid. Oscar is 

 past president of the Montana Association, and 

 presently NACD Area V Vice President. Gladys 

 Hippe is NACD Auxiliary President. The Hippes 

 are a fine couple, and are devoting a lot of time to 

 conservation. 



On the right are Mr. & Mrs. Leo Hackley, ten 

 year supervisor from Sidney. Leo is Chairman of 

 the Richland County SWCD and he is mighty proud 

 to receive this award. He also represents a dis- 

 trict which is outstanding in its achievements. 



ASC COUNTY DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS 



Douglas G. Smith, Executive Director, Montana 

 Agricultural Stabilication and Conservation Service 

 writes the following to us: We have just completed 

 a series of 1964 agricultural conservation program 

 meetings throughout the State. The contributions 

 made by district supervisors is very much appre- 

 ciated. It is very important that each county pro- 

 gram contain as much of the local thinking as poss- 

 ible. Thank you for your part in making these \ 

 meeting a success, and please thank the district 

 supervisors for us. 



