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Show REPORT OF COMMISBIONER OF INDIAN AFFA~B 17 Approximately $48,000 is available for the construction of a spill-way and drainage ditch to control the level of Lake Andes, 5. Dak. Tb is contingent upon securing satisfactory guarantees from the State for the payment of one-half the cost of construction. On the Pine River project in Colorado considerable progress has been made in clarif the situation in regard to the interloclung rights and operation? o t he canal system and contracts have been entered mto with several of the water users and ditch compames covering the payment of operation and mamtenance charges. Some progress has been made in the pending sut to define the rights of the respective parties in and to the waters of Gila River. A conference between the representatives of the defendants of this suit and the Government, represented by officials of the Department of Justice and this department, was held in Phoenix during the month of Januav for the purpose of reducing the amount of work involved in adjudication of the case by entering into stipulations agreemg to certam facts. While the representatives of both sides were unable to reach an agreement as to the stipulations, nevertheless it is believed a better understanding of tho clauns of the respective partles now exists by reason of this conference. - The development contemplated b the Salt River Valley Water . Users' Association, involvin h droefectric power and utilization of the flood waters of the Ver3 e 5.iv er, has not yet been carried out. Under this proposed development as provided for in an agreement of June 19, 1929, the Indians of the Salt River Reservation may receive an adequate water supply to.the extent of 6,310 acres. They have the nght also to participate m the ower development upon payment of the pro rata share of its cost. ft is to be hoped that this development will be carried out at an early date as these Indians are in need of more water for the irrigation of their lands. The severe drought that bas been in evidence for the past several years in the Southwest has brought home more forcibly the need For . additional water for these Indians. An agreement was reached mth the Salt =ver Valley Water Users' Association under date of J y e 18, 1929, authorizing the association to operate three wells withn the ri: :h t of way of the reservation, upon condition that 500 acre- feet o water would be furnished free of charge for use of the Indians. A controversy arose over the action of the city of Phoenix in emptying its sewage into the Salt Rivw above the irrigation heading of the Maricopa Indians in that river. The matter became so acute that direction was issued by the Deparbment of Justice to institute legal action for the abatement of the nuisance. At a conference held in Phoenix with the city officials an agreement was reached resulting in the abatement of the nuisance and avoidance of litigation. The Flathead irrigation district, comprising within its confines approximately 50 per cent of the lands of the Flathead irrigation pro'ect, Montana, executed an agreement with the United States on b ebruary 27, 1929, which made available funds for much-needed construction work and aved the way for a better understanding between the district lanfownem and the Government and for better success of that part of the contract. The other two distriols, the Mission Valley and Jocko districts, have not yet entered into an agreement, rmth the result that they do not receive the benefits |
