foxt&t laolitical S^isttllany 



(XL.) NATIONAL IRRIGATION LAW OF JUNE 17, 1902: 



1. States: The law is applicable to all States and territories, ex- 

 cepting Texas, traversed by or west of the 100 degree of longitude. 



2. Funds: The expense of survey, construction and maintenance 

 of the works erected under the law is to be paid out of a "reclama- 

 tion fund", supplied by, 



a. Receipts from public land sales (deducting 5% for educational 

 purposes) within the State benefited; 



b. Receipts from sale of water rights at works constructed. 



3. Motive: 



a. The individual settler can enter or acquire small tracts only; 

 the expense of irrigation works, however, is so great, that operations 

 must be conducted on a large scale, for the benefit of many thousand 

 acres at a time. 



b. Irrigated farmland is more productive than farmland in the 

 humid region depending on uncontrollable water supply. 



4. Entry by settlers: 



Land supposed to be irrigable can be withdrawn, by Secretary of 

 Interior, from all entry, excepting homestead-entry. Unfortunately, 

 settlers file claims invariably on withdrawn land, before feasibility of 

 project is manifest. Commutation, clause is here invalid. Entryman 

 must reclaim 50% of irrigable land patented. Size of claims entered 

 after publication of boundary to be irrigated is decided by Secretary 

 of Interior. Secretary also fixes the water charges to be paid per acre 

 of patent. Otherwise land is free to settler, like ordinary homestead. 



5. Governmental work consists of: 



a. Examination and survey (under F. H. Newell). 



b. Construction, by contract, and maintenance of works for 

 '"storage, diversion and development" of waters. 



The Secretary of the Interior reports at each regular session to 

 Congress, what works have been and are being carried out, and tha 

 expenses incurred on their behalf. 



6. Operation of the irrigation works is left to an organization of 

 the settlers obtaining water, under regulations approved by the Sec- 

 retary. Minor distributing works are built by the homesteaders. 

 Title to the reservoirs remains with the U. S. 



7. Expropriation of private rights and private property required 

 for the works is permitted. Indemnities to be paid out of the reclam- 

 ation fund. 



8. State laws and private water rights obtained under State laws 

 are not cancelled or interfered with by the National Irrigation Act. 



g. Main projects under consideration in 1903: 



in Arizona: On Salt and Gila rivers; 



in California: On Colorado river; 



in Colorado: On North Platte, Gunnison and Grand rivers; 



