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Show CHAPTER V THE BEGINNINGS OF STATE INVOLVEMENT, 1894 THROUGH 1906 The Necessity of Changing Basic Water Institutions At the time Utah achieved statehood, the opportunities for water development were diverse. However, basic changes in the structure of Utah's water administration and development institutions were necessary for Utah's citizens to take advantage of the possibilities. With the developments at the federal level and in neighboring states, as well as pressures from the investment community prompting them, Utahns became increasingly aware of the need to update the state's water law and the administrative machinery by which water resources were handled. Three related realms of action can be identified. The first, speculative or corporate response to opportunities for private investment has already been considered. In this chapter it will be necessary to analyze the response of the State Board of Land Commissioners and the State Engineer's Office to the new federal reclamation programs and water policy developments of neighboring Colorado and Wyoming. In addition, it is well to recall the local traditions upon which Utahns built. By 1896 the pioneer method, cooperative groups of water users, mutual irrigation companies, county selectmen, private corporations, and municipal needs and agreements had all influenced, to varying extents, the development and distribution of water. The cumulative experiences of Utah's citizens from 1847 to 1896 established a foundation upon which state government enacted water laws and created institutions to administer, develop, promote, and encourage the proper use of water resources. The guiding philosophy during the decade after statehood was that the state should promote both private and public development of water resources to their fullest capabilities. By utilizing both public and private planning and development, it was hoped that the potential of every stream might be realized. Policies which guided state officers in dealing with water reflected a commitment to developing Utah's water resources in line with the philosophy of maximum beneficial use. Identifying a Role and Establishing a Water Management Policy That Utah was falling behind in water policy and management began to be apparent as early as 1891 and continued throughout the entire era. 1 Engineers, promoters, city fathers, and 1Leonard J. Arlington and Dean L. May, " A Different Mode of Life," Agricultural History, Volume XLDC Number 1 ( January 1975), p 11. Commenting on the applicability of early Utah institutions to other states and territories, these authors state: The Mormon example persuaded other settlers that extensive irrigated agriculture was possible, but when settlers from California, Colorado, and other states and territories looked to Utah for detailed instructions on how to build and maintain an irrigation system they were mostly thrown back upon their own experiences and resources. The Mormon system worked well enough for the Mormons in Utah. It was not especially instructive to others. |