AZ vs. CA:04 California Exhibits, Vol. IV; Nos. 151-192

page 56

56 THE ALL-AMERICAN CANAL. The agreement between the Secretary of the Interior and the Imperial irrigation district bearing date October 23, 1918, is in substantial agreement with the foregoing. The text of this agreement is appended to this report. Attention may be called to the wording of the clause in this agreement under which the cost of constructing power plants is to be apportioned. According to the agreement the Imperial irrigation district would be charged with one-half the cost even though the installation were limited to the maximum requirements of the Yuma project. The agreement apportions the cost of power-plant installation "to the Yuma project and the district, respectively, in the ratio that 8,500 water horsepower bears to the aggregate water horsepower of the plant installed." If the intent is to have tJie Yuma project bear such a portion of the cost as is represented by the ratio of 8,500 water horsepower to the total water horsepower for which a plant is installed, this would be in agreement with the board's recommendation. The language used in the agreement does not, however, permit this interpretation and should be modified. THE CONTROL AND OPERATION OF WORKS IN WHICH THE YUMA PROJECT AND IMPERIAL VALLEY ARE JOINTLY INTERESTED. The diversion of water from Colorado River at the Laguna Dam will be for the joint benefit of irrigable areas on both sides of Colorado River. It does not appear desirable that the entire canal system on both sides of the river should be under one management nor does any such arrangement appear possible. Separate organizations for the management of the Yuma project and for the management of the Imperial irrigation district will probably always be maintained. Other interests, too, will undoubtedly at some later time be supplied with water through headworks at the Laguna Dam and through a common main canal. Conflict of authority in the operation of all works for mutual benefit must be avoided. The maintenance and operation of the dam and diverting works and of the canal down to the siphon drop and of the power stations which are to be operated for the benefit of several interests should be permanently under the control of the United States. The Secretary of the Interior, who directs the work of the United States Reclamation Service, should retain authority, or, if necessary, be given any additional authority, by agreement or otherwise, to operate and maintain the water diversion, to divide the waters between the Yuma project and the Imperial Valley interests, and to manage and control the power development and power sales from any plant in which both have an interest. It would then fall to the Secretary of the Interior to apply the principles this board is recommending, relating to such questions as