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Show The proposed new and supplemental irrigation would create about 19,000 new farms, equivalent to nearly five new farms for each farm family displaced. It would simplify matters if the dis- placed families could move to the new farms. Three factors appear likely to prevent this. One is timing. At least 40 percent of the reservoir con- struction-and consequently the displacement of roughly 2,000 farm families-can be expected be- fore 1955. On the other hand, only 9 percent of the new irrigation program is expected to be com- pleted by that time. As nearly all the farms created by irrigation projects will be on new land, probably only about 1,900 new farms can be ex- pected by 1955. This is a ratio of only one new farm per displaced family instead of the total of five to one. Another and perhaps more serious consideration is location. About half, or 2,500, of the farm families in proposed reservoir sites are in the lower basin, where the reservoirs would be used primarily for flood control. Only 200 new irrigated farms are expected in this area, although some new land may be brought into use in the flood plain below the dams. On the other hand, in the upper water- shed, where most land is used for grazing, only about 200 farm families are in proposed reservoir sites; but 3,500 new farms are expected as a result of proposed irrigation. The upper part of the basin therefore has the greatest possibility for locating substantial numbers of the displaced families on new farms. The following figures show the location of farm families now in proposed reservoir sites compared with new farms to be created by irrigation in four areas. Area Upper watershed Western plains. . Eastern plains... Lower basin.... Total_____ Farm families in reservoir sites Number 200 1,400 1,000 2,500 5,100 Antici- pated new farms Number 3,500 4,800 10,100 200 18, 600 from a grain to a cattle or hay economy. This hesi- tancy would probably stand in the way of shifting many families from the lower basin to irrigated farms. With these three factors to oppose the settlement of displaced families on new irrigated farms, most families probably will want established farms near their former homes. However, some displaced families could be relocated on new irrigated farms where the project is near the reservoir and where irrigation and reservoir developments take place at the same time. The following summary indicates the acreage in- cluded in proposed reservoir sites and irrigation projects to be developed in specified time periods in the Missouri River Basin. Before 1955 1955-64 1965-84 Total Thousand acres Land in reservoirs.......... Newly irrigated lands....... Supplemental irrigated lands. 1, 054 480 365 1,384 2,335 944 25 2,418 634 2,463 5,233 1,943 Percentage of total acreage Land in reservoirs.......... 43 56 1 100 Newlv irrigated lands....... Supplemental irrigated lands. 9 19 45 48 46 33 100 100 A third consideration is the hesitancy of many farmers to shift from dry to irrigated farming, or The owners of the inundated land are recom- pensed for the loss of their land. A Missouri study indicates that 12 percent of the owners were paid less than the Government's appraisal figure, but the capital provided by the sale of their property is usually enough to establish them in other localities, under normal conditions. In a constantly rising market, the sale price will not provide equal oppor- tunity. Tenants on such lands are in a much worse situ- ation. While they have no equity in the land, they are interested in it, and to be turned adrift to seek other opportunities works a hardship on them. About 35 percent of basin farm families in 1945 were tenants. Of those counties in North Dakota which were affected by dam construction, the percentage of tenancy varies from 40 to 78. In South Dakota 232 |