OCR Text |
Show 257 tary. Over the years, the original 10-year repayment period has been increased until today when a 40-year period plus a 10-year development period is provided. Still longer periods have been provided for particular projects. In general, Recla- mation Law requires that water-user repayment contracts be executed in advance of delivery of water. The Bureau's usual practice has been to consummate contracts in advance of proj- ect construction. Congress has enacted many laws governing various aspects of operation of irrigation projects. The Bureau supervises development and settlement of project lands, screens applicants for settlement, and advises project settlers concerning improved farming techniques. The "primary objective" of the 1902 Act has been described as the establishment of farm homes. The Act limited entry of irrigated lands to a maximum of 160 acres. In 1912, it was required that any water-right applicant dispose of holdings in excess of 160 acres as a condition precedent to the securing of water. The acreage limitation has been construed, how- ever, to permit 320 acres to be held jointly by man and wife. Moreover, the law does not preclude combined farming en- deavor by any number of owners, members of a family or otherwise, so long as each owns no more than the acreage limit for any one owner. In addition to acreage limitations, Congress has enacted various provisions designed to curb speculation in irrigated lands. Under a 1926 statute applicable today, the irrigation district withholds project water from land "in excess of 160 irrigable acres" unless the owner agrees in a "recordable con- tract" to sell the excess land under terms and conditions satis- factory to the Secretary. In addition, there are special acts which seek to prevent speculation in particular areas. Operation and maintenance charges are assessed against irri- gated lands during the period of government operation. In addition to irrigation, permissible multiple purposes of reclamation projects include power, navigation, flood control, preservation and propagation of fish and wildlife, and municipal water supply and other miscellaneous purposes. |