OCR Text |
Show 38 COMMISSIONER INDIAN ABPAIRS. The work for the benefit of the Mission Indians and others in California has been prosecuted with diligence, and it is believed that, except for some minor projects, the main part of this work will have been completed by the end of the fiscal year 1915. Among the most important undertakings coming under the irriga-tion branch of the office is the development of water for domestic and stock purposes on the Navajo Reservation and in the Papago coun-try. On the Navajo Reservation several well-drilling outfits have been employed as the funds available would permit in developing water by drilling and erection of windmills and tanks, with very satisfactory results. This work has materially extended the effective range of the grazing lands, and the number of stock of these Indians has shown a gratifying increase as well. Similar work is being done in the Papago country, and also sur-veys have been made to determine the feasibility of small storage projects and to assist the Indians in the construction of dams for stock water and the development of springs, where the necessity appears. Estimates were prepared and included in the Indian ap-propriation act for 1915 for continuing the work and for the con-struction of permanent systems at several of the villages, so that the Indians might reside there the year round. About 25,000 Indians will benefit by this underground water development. The long-standing contention for water rights for the Yakima Indians for irrigation on their reservation in the State of Washing-ton has been settled by legislation as a result of the work of the Joint Congressional Indian Commission. Congress has passed a law by which the Indians are to receive water from the storage reservoir free of charge for 40 acres of each allotment. This settlement, while not fully satisfying all the claims made to water for the In-dians, will afford each Indian a water right free of storage charges for the irrigation of a tract of land which will furnish a very good income when properly cultivated. Provision is also made for a report to Congress upon the most feasible and economical plan for a distribution system in connection with the present system, and for reimbursing the Government for any sum it may have expended or may expend for a complete irrigation system on the Yakima Reser-vation. During the year the report of the Board of Engineer Oacers upon the proposed San Carlos Dam and irrigation project was re-ceived, and upon the suggestion of this office an item was included in the Indian appropriation act for sufficient funds for completing the investigation shown in the report as necessary before proceeding with actual construction of the project. The situation affecting irrigation projects and the interests of the Jndians thereunder appears to be greatly improved over the condi- |