AZ vs. CA:08 California Exhibits, Vol. VIII; Nos. 371-398F

page 8

8 ITftK OF, WATERS OK LOWER COLORADO RIVER FOR IRRIGATION. works for diversion, regulation, or control of the waters shall Ik? subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. The waters already put to beneficial use should l>e devoted to the lands which have been reclaimed and made appurtenant to them, and the large and irregular supply of the river should be controlled by storage works. The diversion of water from the lower Colorado River where it in navigable is without authority of law, and in order to protect those parties who are using such waters for beneficial pur|x>ses their rights to the use thereof should !>e confirmed to the extent of their actual beneficial use upon land capable of producing remunerative crops up to the end of the irrigation season just passed, which may be fixed, for convenience, as October 1, 1JJO4. The quantity of water so applied to beneficial use can readily l>e ascertained, localise the reclamation service has during the {Mist year made a number of careful surveys, and has mapped substantially all of the cultivated areas in the lower courses of the river. The further appropriation of water from the Colorado Kiver in Nevada, Arizona, and California should be allowed only with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, and all appropriations of water heretofore or hereafter allowed for irrigation purposes should be appurtenant to s|M>cilic tracts of land, and beneficial use should be the basis, the measure, and the limit of the right. Those who have already constructed canal systems would l>e fully protected by this arrangement, as they will l>e allowed to carry the water already Injiietic'mlly used, making reasonable charges therefor as in the past, and would be allowed to extend their systems subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. The re|H>rt is submitted in duplicate. Very resjM'ctfullv, Cha8. D. Walcott, Director, The Skckktaky of tuk Intkkiok.