OCR Text |
Show -7- Seeking new resources independently of the Navajo Reservation, the Long Range Program looked to the development of Colorado River resources to their full agricultural potential of about 100,000 acres of irrigated land, of which half could be utilized for the resettlement of Navajo and Hopi farmers. Assuming 40 acres per family to be sufficient, it was originally planned to move a maximum of 2,000 colonists to the area, and to develop the necessary land the appropriation of $5,750,000 was authorized by the Long Range Act. During the period 1951-56, inclusive, a total of $2,939,-750 was made available to meet an immediate objective involving the subjugation of 15,000 acres in the Southern Reserve and an equal acreage in the Northern Reserve. During the period in reference, 11,950 acres were developed in the Navajo-Hopi portion (the Southern Reserve), and about 11,350 acres were subjugated in that portion of the Reservation reserved for the use of the Colorado River Tribes. However, the acreage developed to date is only a fraction of the total irrigable area, and the Santa Fe Compact protects the water rights of the Colorado River Reservation only to 1962. Thus, a major problem at present involves development of the full potential by 1962. The required development can be carried out in two manners: by the Federal Government, or by private capital through improvement leases. Federal appropriations are not adequate for the purpose, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs has acted to offer the undeveloped acreage for lease to operators of private agricultural enterprises who would subjugate the land in exchange for the right to use the acres thus developed for a 25-year period. |
Source |
Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |