192 CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLIC LANDS. 



withdrawal of public watering places under the authority conferred 

 by the acts of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat., 847), and August 24, 1912 (37 

 Stat., 497), has been sanctioned by the President. The first with- 

 drawal for this purpose was approved by him on March 29, 1912, 

 The effect of withdrawals of this character is to prevent alienation 

 of the lands pending legislation governing their use under public 

 control, but the use of the watering places by all is meantime possible 

 under such conditions that no user can acquire the right of permanent 

 exclusive occupation. 



These withdrawals are based upon field investigation by members 

 of the Geological Survey and some of them on reports of General 

 Land Office inspectors. Careful consideration is given to the rela- 

 tion of the watering place to the surrounding range and its value in 

 connection with grazing on the public lands. Agricultural lands sus- 

 ceptible of successful cultivation have been excluded from with- 

 drawal except in regions where most of the watering places have 

 passed into private ownership and it becomes imperative to reserve 

 water for stock, even at the expense of settlement. 



MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLY. 



An incidental classification of lands as valuable for domestic water 

 supply arises through right of way applications for municipal sys- 

 tems. In general, where sources of water supply are sought for 

 municipal purposes their value therefor far exceeds their v^alue for 

 power or irrigation. Approval of such right of way applications 

 therefore amounts to a definite classification of the lands affected. 

 The lands may be used for reservoirs, conduits, stream protection, 

 or any other purpose relating to municipal water supply. 



Such right of way applications are referred to the Geological 

 Survey for report. In view of the relatively high value of water for 

 municipal supply, the question whether the application provides for 

 the highest use is seldom considered. The most troublesome question 

 is to determine whether the application is really made for municipal 

 purposes. If the application is made by a municipality this ques- 

 tion is readily answered, but if a private water company makes the 

 application it may be difficult to determine whether the purpose is 

 private or municipal. A strict showing of municipal authorization 

 to the private company is required in such cases and constitutes the 

 chief criterion for classification. 



Lands embraced in permits for municipal water supply are with-N 

 drawn and reserved in order that occupation in the interests of the 

 municipality may be suitably protected. 



