OCR Text |
Show eluded that legislation should be enacted to provide for emergency control of existing reservoirs, canals, and distributing systems. To accomplish this, there is included in the report proposed legislation which provides, among other things, as follows: ( 1) That the State of Utah shall take over in emergencies and operate various water facilities such as existing reservoirs, canals, distributing systems. ( 2) That the State Engineer shall be designated ex officio Flood Control Commissioner whose duty, among other things, shall be to study causes of floods and methods of prevention and minimize the same. He shall report his findings to the Governor of the State as to anticipated floods, and upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, the Governor shall declare a public proclamation, if in his opinion the emergency exists. ( 3) The State of Utah shall be solely responsible for any and all damages caused as a result of the operating of the water facilities, whether caused to property along streams, to the facilities operated or the loss of water to irrigators, the owners of a reservoir, etc. ( 4) The Commissioner shall cooperate with counties, cities, state agencies, federal agencies and other organizations nationally or in the state which are concerned with the problem of flood control. For the information of the Legislative Council, that a clear understanding m, ay be had as to the reasons for the final decision made in this report, there is included in the report, as Appendix E, a copy of the minutes of the Flood Control Committee. The committee desires to express appreciation to Messrs. E. J. Skeen, Robert Porter and LaVar Stark who made a study of the statutes of Utah and -..••. ... •• - - other states in relation to flood control. 5. Proposed flood control legislation included as appendix A. - 27- |