OCR Text |
Show At the first meeting of the committee, held December 14, 1955, the committee discussed the problem of flood control in its over- all aspects by considering the kinds or classes of floods, namely: ( a) Normal, which would be caused by snow melt and torrential rains. ( b) Man- made, caused by overgrazing, deforestation, fire and encroachment upon streams by the construction of buildings, bridges, highways, etc. Eo J. Skeen, Robert Porter and LaVar Stark were assigned to make a study of the statutes of Utah and of all other states in the union pertaining to flood control. The findings of the committee are reflected in the Appendix 4 and the following summarization of their report: It appears that the subject of flood control has several aspects which must be considered separately. They are: 1. Land use and improvement as flood preventative measures. 2. The construction of flood control works. 3. The emergency regulation of existing water control facilities for flood prevention. These aspects of the problem will be discussed under appropriate headings. Land Use and Improvement. The present law, ( Section 65- 1- 75, Utah Code Annotated 1953) authorizes the state land board to make surveys of any land in the state which it may deem necessary to prevent and control floods and to survey all areas where there have been damaging floods. If, after such surveys, it appears that such floods are likely to occur again, the state land board is authorized to cooperate with the people of the community affected thereby, the counties, cities, or towns, the state road commission, the federal government and others interested to control or prevent such floods. The statute specifically authorizes the state land board to cooperate with the federal government in acquiring lands which are being made barren by overgrazing or any other cause, thereby creating a condition likely to cause floods. The board is also 4. Recap of other state laws included as Appendix B. - 24- |