OCR Text |
Show consumptively use water* It evaporates into the air and it is transpired by vegetation. Accordingly, he cannot irrigate land, by diversion of water from an interstate stream? without depleting the natural water supply, and thereby affecting the regimen of that stream to some extent* In addition to a considerable monetary investment, he also has to invest his own life and energy as well as that of his family in establishing an irrigation farm.. In other words, his money, his life, and the welfare of his family are at stake* For that reason it is inconceivable that the Federal Government should exercise any right which would divest the irri- gation farmer of water after he had once put it to beneficial use, with- out just compensation for damages sustained. Furthermore, he must depend upon State laws, State regulations,' and State court decrees to establish and to protect his water right, Those laws, regulations, and decrees have been evolved throughout a long period of years'largely by cut*-and-try methods* They cannot be set aside precipitately without disastrous con- sequences* The legislative procedure set forth in article XI would give as- surance to the irrigation farmer, and to the States as well^ that rights to use water from an interstate stream which he has acquired under Sta-te lav/, will be recognized* ' GRATIFYING COLLABORATION Every one who participated in. or•served as advisers at, the meetings of the compact commission at Denver and Lincoln had an earnest desire to protect and preserve the interests of the United States in the waters of the Republican River Easin, as provided in article X of the final compact, .and at the same time to lay the groundwork for practicable development of the irrigation possibilities of the basin. The Federal and-State repre- sentatives were at all times courteous and considerate, even when widely divergent views were expressed* The willingness to weigh suggestions carefully, whether made by Federal or State participants, was highly com- mendable* The whole proceeding at Lincoln, though long and tedious, fully demonstrated that men imbued with a desire to further the joint interests of the United States and the States are able to reach harmonious conclusions by the exercise of patience and tact« RATIFICATION BY THE STATES The proposed compact has been ratified by the States of Coloradoy Kansas, and Nebraska through action taken by their respective legislatures and Governors* CONCLUSION I believe that the newly proposed compact does not infringe upon, the rights of the United States or its agencies and that it affords the best means of assuring the best use and control of the water resources in the Republican River Basin for multiple purposeso Glenn L» Parker Representative of. the United States, March 29, 1$^3» Republican River Compact Negotiations* |