1961

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OGDEN RIVER WATER USERS' ASSOCIATION 1483 \ken_ Avenue,

Ogden, Utah

November 20, 1961

William E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager National Reclamation Association Washington D. C.

Dear Mr. Welsh:

As you know our project sent 4 members to the rec Billings. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of Conservation District held last Thursday considerable on the splendid convention, the prorram, the way it w haspitality of the Montana folks, etc.

Aside from the Tlolitical overtones of some of the s the opinion of those who attended that ne of the ever held.

Our representatives attended held Friday afternoon conducted by felt that this was one of the most in of the entire convention. d ha

In this connection mM we make

agricultural land have b

has undergone serious g ing pains that after Ogden became a important

conver

meetin Ba

Convention in South Ogden

ent was made conducted, the

. es it was

60t

conventions

the Water Users' Section of Loveland, Colorado. We ive and worthwhile meetings

re of this sort of thing.

ugges ion? You know that our project e last 15 or 20 years due to the fact efense area large tracts of nearby into residential subdivisions. Respond-ing to the inVesten eqt4e, -04-t. e, landowners we have attempted to continue to serve lanc14ith irrigatfoiraiter in most instances under pressure in intrenched el pipes.ei/This process is still continuing in fact at present we have focontractor 6nstructing additional facilities of this character

71

and another\ roject is • _\ the planning stage under the Small Projects Act.

At the pr. about 20,000 small tracts are receiving irrigation water under our ct over half of which are being served through high

pressure steel pipes.

We are wondering how many other projects are having this urbanization of agricultural land and how the ,problems incident to this kind of development are being handled by them. Wh know that certain areas of California are in this category. If the trend is as widespread as we suspect we suggest that some consideration be given to it at the Water Users' Forum at the next con-vention.

When you come west next time we invite you to drop in and see us.

With best regards

Arlie S. Campbell Secretary

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November 28, 1961

Mr. Arlie S. Campbell, Secretary

Ogden River *titer Users' Association

1483 Wall

AVOWS

Ogden, Utah

Dear Mr. Campbells

I appreciate very much this reced.pt of a copy of your latter of Norma.

bar 20, 1961 addressed to William E. Weld" and whitish contained your

observe-time in regard to the convention

IHESSitail

in Rtllings.

As you know, from the brief conversation we had following the Water

Users section meetings I quite agree that your suglested subjest natter for

future discussion is most appropriate.

As I do not know who the chairman of the Water Users Committee will be

for the next year, I would suggest you remind both Mr. Welch and your Utah

Director of your suggestion dtotng the course of the cooing summer so that

the subject matter will have a chance of making ea appearance on the spats

for the Portland Convention,

Again, I appreciate your comments regarding the Water Users sectiosal

meeting as well as the opportunity to see and visit with you at least one'

each year.

Kindest regards.

Sincerely yours

Secretary.Manager

diahls

CC1 William E. Welch

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November 10, 1961

Mr. William Alexander

1422 W. Belleview

Portervilles California

Dear Bill:

In cleaning out the pockets of my

a note to forward to you the full text

memo of June 202 1961 in regard to 3CS

The same is enclosed nerettith and

sending it to you.

JRBtls

t

convention luit I found

of Pr. D.

A.

Williau

conservation practices.

regret that I delayed

Sincerely yours

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October 249 1961

Mr. Awe11 C. Maxwell* Seeretarpwileneg

Ikea it Irrigation rhtatrict

P. cis Mu 546

Madree, Crept

Dear Darren,

In behalf of the Xational

Aesssiatioa asd, particularly.

is %Mat of the ..ater Users Oninittas, Iwilik to *wren IV sincere appro..

ciation for per ipposormoo on the notional seastinia of water wore cm the

a:tenon of Octobar 20, 1961.

Ogle I did not lora noth dont thenotice on grand water. the

atiosirsee mad intarest at thesootiest in which yen participated bore out

my belief that thews motional anartinge are yell vartkoddla end will attract

the pops who are interostod

spoirio &roes at infornation.

Oa triday ~Am

and an Z41throttlIty aolidne. siesoklia immibor at Jodi.

',idols to* tie troikas to lo

Ok ma sponOlaWaroos OldraVfolaistlas tas

the totornatiO nick us.promoted to Om

WI

you and the other nakars of

the panel* Peesonally, I as vorsgratant to in for tea effort yoa put

, forward in proporstUon

eilmory We

paper mad for all at your participation

in the affairs of the *tor Vora Comittoi

Sincerely jewel

4.ite Sarklay, Chairman

'oistor User* Comitto

%Salle

CO

LaSalle E. Coles

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1104maii M.

Sentscak Issloctisa

100 _{c4 aut Ott}

Popo13, wroictog

Door Sib'

In behalf of the Ittiesel leslametica Association 40,

seletleslarly#

is Wolf of the AWter Wore Omeittope, I wish to ewess eer appresistieo

ter per perticipation is the pawl program as the afteriessof °stellar Ws

1961.

as sere that it met haw. been *beim to

that seek interest**.

moments' fmms the papers Whlik yea

.04 SO

Miler pilot somiers Pr*Ionted6

This vas *videos.' by the mbar at goeotiadiehich area following the

preeemtetion by seek am of

)046 101144,mnd

the

:to teeters in expel.

lest feeble* ands as I meld to as silevime46 I soproeisto* the content mere

fully mpoo heerLog the preoestetima ter the mooed time.

igsis I Ash to woo* poiressot epprooletica the time *ad eneri

which

Mk

pet into tho prepoweties at seer material end for the time gives

to so in making the trip to maim.

fir per prieentetioo.

Simerely per.

CM Las.lie t Celes

wel oh

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Vhzondg

g

iiiiodalz072•

OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER • WM. E. WELSH • 897 NATIONAL PRESS BLDG. • WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

November 3, 1961

Mr. J. R. Barkley

Mr. Darrell C. Maxwell Mr. Robert M. Fagerberg Gentlemen:

Upon arriving home and checking over copies of speeches, etc., I find that we have only the speech of Kenneth McSwain from those presented at your Water Users Sectional Meeting.

I would appreicate it very much if each of you would send me a copy of your remarks which were prepared for that meeting. As you know, we sent a man over to your meeting with a recording machine and he undoubtedly will have a recording of your remarks, but I think it will be far better to have your prepared statement.

From all of the reports that I received, you had an exceptionally fine and worthwhile meeting and I personally appreciate the effort that you gentlemen put into this phase of our program. I thought the entire meeting at Billings was exceptionally fine and well worthwhile.

Sincerely,

William E. Welsh Secretary-Manager WEW:mmt

OFFICERS DIRECTORS

Guy C. Jackson, Jr., President J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon L. E. Coles, First Vice-President Charles L. Kaupke, Fresno, California Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada Arthur Svendby, Lemmon, South Dakota H. H. Christy, Second Vice-President Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado Fred E. Wilson, Albuquerque, New Mexico Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas Herbert L. Buck, Treasurer N. V. Sharp, Filer, Idaho Harry E. Polk, Williston, North Dakota H. T. Godfrey, Murray, Utah Wm. E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager Herbert L. Buck, Billings, Montana Ira C. Husky, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma E. R. Wells, Prosser, Washington

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VL

WATER USERS COMMITTEE

6d,d.,,,„„

J. R. BARKLEY, CHAIRMAN P.O. BOX 117, LOVELAND, COLO.

October

4, 1961

NOTICE OF ANNUAL CONVENTION MEETING

To Members of the Water Users Committee:

You are hereby notified that the annual meeting of the Water Users Committee to be held in conjunction with the Convention in Billings, Montana, will be held on Tuesday, October 17, at the Northern Hotel in Billings at 10:00 A.M.

I regret the necessity for calling the meeting two days in advance of the Convention opening. However, it appears necessary to do so in order to permit those of you who so desire to participate in the

Conven-tion tour on Wednesday, October 18th. It will also give your Chairman opportunity to draft the necessary annual report during the date of the

18th to make the same available for the Convention at the time of opening on Thursday, October 19.

I will look forward to seeing all of you in Billings on October 17th.

JRB:js

CC: Mr. L. E. Coles Mr. H. H. Christy Mr. Wm. E. Welsh

OFFICERS

L. E. Coles, President J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Hugh Shamberger, First Vice President Bert L. Smith, San Francisco, California H. H. Christy, Second Vice President Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado Lorin W. Markham, Treasurer Alex Coleman, St. Anthony, Idaho Wm. E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager C. C. Green, Courtland, Kansas

D. P. Fabrick, Choteau, Montana

Yours very truly

DIRECTORS C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada I. J. Coury, Farmington, New Mexico Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismarck, North Dakota Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

Arthur Svendby, Lemmon, South Dakota Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas Leo P. Harvey, Pleasant Grove, Utah Lorin W. Markham, Spokane, Washington Earl T. Bower, Worland, Wyoming

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4,

Duplicate pages

not scanned

See originals in folder

Water Resources Archive

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September 2, 1961

Mr. Charles R. Neill

North Fork Water Conservancy District Hotchkiss, Colorado

Dear Charlie:

Thank you for your letter of August 15, 1961 and for the infor-mation which it contained regarding the number of ditches and reservoir companies in western Colorado.

We are enclosing herewith the material which MUR omitted from our letter of July 26th.

Sincerely yours

J. h. Barkley, Chairman Water Users Committee JRBI Is

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DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND NORTH FORK

WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT HOTCHKISS, COLORADO

15 August 1961

J. m. Barkley, Chairman, NRA ,:ater Users Committee, P.G.Box 117, Loveland, Colo. Friend Bob: OFFICERS ROYDEN G. GIRLING FRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCHKISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER HOTCHKISS

At the June 27th meeting of the Committee I a,Jieea to secure certain information as to the number of bitches and kteservoirs in a general manner pertaining to western Colorado.

After returning home and perusing the matter at some length as well as observing a map of Colorado, 1 concluded that our District, Commissioner -fistrict i,4o.40 was ant is typical of the slope.

I had a conference with our Commissioner, r. it. E. iLobinson, of Cedaredge, Colorado, in which we discussed the mater and coming to the conclusion that we would only consider ditches of not less than 10 csf and reservoirs of not less than 250 af.

Fr. Robinson had been quite ill for some time and stated that he would get the information to me as soon as he could.

His report to me of August 12th is to this effect "i have endeavored to make this count as accurate as possible, but 1 am sure that you realize that there are both ditches and reservoirs which might be counted or not, depending on the

person who was makin,7 he count. count shows 44 reservoirs and 68 ditches"

Both he anG I agree that the actual number of decrees to ditches will be many times that number and we both know of many more reservoirs of much smaller capacity.

Commissioner iJistrict embraces delta County with small areas of 1..cntrose, Gunnison ana iesa Counties aujecent to ,Jelta County, in the same water shed.

I hope this information will be of some assistance in the passage of the desired Act of Congress.

Incidentally, in your letter of July 28tn you stated "I am enclosing an extra copy of the 1.rograu set forth for the ,.ater Users Coqmittee---" You failed to enclose it.

Sincerely, cc h.h.Christy

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September 2, 1961

Mr. Charles R. Neill

North fork Water Conservancy District Hotchkiss, Colorado

Dear Charlie:

Thank you for your letter of August 15, 1961 nation which it contained regarding the number of companies in western Colorado.

We are enclosing herewith the material which letter of July 28th.

JRB:12 Encl.

and for the ditches and was omitted Sincerely yours inf or-reservoir J. R. Barkley, Chairman Water Users Committee

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g

lowingln gioadrimp OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER . WM. E. WELSH . 897 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING . WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

August 2, 1961 Mr. J. R. Barkley, Chairman

NRA Water Users Committee P. 0. Box 117

Loveland, Colorado Dear Bob:

Thank you very much for the copy of your reply to Charley Neill. I think you should join the Diplomatic Corps of the State Department. I really think they need some practical, hard-headed man in the organization anyway and you have shown about as much diplomacy with Charley Neill as anyone possibly could.

Sincerely,

William E. Welsh Secretary-Manager

WEW:icw-OFFICERS _DIRECTORS

L. E. Coles, President J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Hugh Shamberger. First Vice President Bert L. Smith. San Francisco, California H. H. Christy. Second Vice President Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado Lorin W. Markham. Treasurer Alex Coleman. St. Anthony. Idaho Wm. E. Welsh. Secretary-Manager C. C. Green, Courtland, Kansas

D. P. Fabriek, Cliotean, Montana

C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln. Nebraska Hugh A. Shamberger. Carson City, Nevada I. J. CeurY. Farmington, New Mexico Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismark, North Dakota Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

Arthur Svendby, Lemmon, South Dakota Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas L. B. Caine, Logan, Utah

Lorin W. Markham, Spokane, Washington Earl T. Bower, Worland, Wyoming

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MI

July 28, 1961

Mr. Charles R. Neill

North Fork Water Conservancy District

Hotchkiss, Colorado

Dear Charlie:

In answering your ti o letters of 15 July 1961, I will first refer to

the letter mhich contains general sw-gestions about the procedure and

policy of the N.R.A. Water Users Committee. Referring back to your letter

of 18 April 1960, I find you have reiterated many of the same thoughts

which were expressed in that doemment. I believe that my letter of 3 NAT

1960 in answer to your earlier letter, contained numerous of my thoughts

along the same line.

AS

a matter of review, I enclose herewith a copy of

my previous letter in answer to yours of April 19609

AS

you recall, the report of the Water Users Committee at the

Bakers-field Convention contained the suggested program of the committee under the

title, incidentally borrowed from you, *Take NR

A To The Water Users."

Within that suggested program I believe we have covered most of the points

contained in your let sr of this July with the exception of specific refer.

ence to the earlier appointment of committee members by the respective State

Directors, As all those points were covered in the committee report,

sub-mitted to and adopted by the Convention of 1960, I

liSISOIS

that the general

membership agrees with many of the thoughts which you expressed. Further,

specifically, I verbally suggested to the Board of Directors meeting at that

convention that appointment of the Water User Committee smelters be nags

MS

early as possible because of the vary thing that you point out, i.e., the

availability- of water users to participate in meetings between the close of

the crop season in October and the commencement of the spring season in

April. While I certainly agree with you on the necessity for earlier appoint..

sent than has occurred in the past, I know of nothing fUrther that the coo.

mittee can do other than to urge each individual State Director to asks

appointment to the committee immediately tonality-, the convention in Billings

this coming October.

For your convenience, I am enclosing an ektra copy of the program set

forth for the Water Users Committee and hope that you will interline any

suggestioos or additions or deletions which you might think appropriate for

use of the committee at the time of the next convention.

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In referring to your second letter o11$ July 19611 I do not feel

that it was particularly necessary to make anyemplanation of your action

at the committee meeting of June 27th. Especially,* it is not necessary

to make any apologies to me whatever. Personally, I did not resent any

remarks rased* about the Forest Service nor ad I have any objection

to a brief discussion of the transmission problem relating to the

partici-pating projects under the Colorado River Storage Project Act. Frankly,

however, I felt that this was a problem which related to only the four

upper basin states and there were many other states on the committee who

had no specific interest is the problea. Secondly, it is a very complex

problem relating not only to immediate investment by either federal or

private entities but a long tem eeessetio analysis with which, I presume,

only the beet of experts in the pow immodest= and power

00411SM4e

field

could adequately waver. There lee eertainly nothing wrong with your

ques-tion. My only realms was that there was a better forum for famer than

the peep which was there assembled.

an sure that I ease told yoa I eemmemeed in this wateriPlegged

business as a ditch rider in 1929. Therefore, for the past 32 years our

experiemee has not been vastly different. I have had my share

ofnego-tiating with federal agencies and have been as disgusted and as frustrated

by bureaucrats as anyone in the business. Therefore, you need nom feel

that pm need apologise to me for the use of occasional harsh language

relating to representatives of the federal agencies.

Sincerely yours

J. R. Baikley,

Water Users COmMittee

JR.Bi is

GCS Wu E.

_{Welsh, smrstarriXamager}

National Reclamation Association

Harold H. Christy, Colorado Director

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OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER . WM. E. WELSH . 897 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING . WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

July 24, 1961 Mr. J. R. Barkley, Chairman

Thank you very much for sending me a copy of the minutes of the Water Users Committee meeting of June 27 in Denver, and also the SCS General Memorandum.

I have received copies of two letters by Charles R. Neill, addressed to you, in which he makes various suggestions as to policy, procedure, and so forth. Since his letters do refer largely to policy and are a matter for consideration by the committee, I don't believe it would be appropriate for me to comment.

However, as to the time of the announcement of the appointment of the committee members, this was delayed last year for quite some time because we were unable to get from several directors the appointments they re-commended for their particular states for certain committees. But I don't know how we can avoid that. I hope, however, that next year the Board of Directors can be persuaded to make their recommendations at

the time of our annual meeting, so that the President can go ahead immediately with his committee appointments.

Sincerely, William E. Welsh Secretary -Manager WEW:icw cc: Charles R. Neill OFFICERS DIRECTORS

L. E. Coles, President J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Hugh Shamberger, First Vice President Bert L. Smith, San Francisco, California H. H. Christy, Second Vice President Harold H. Christy, Pueblo. Colorado Lorin W. Markham, Treasurer Alex Coleman, St. Anthony. Idaho Win. E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager C. C. Green, Courtland, Kansas

C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada I. J. Coury, Farmington, New Mexico Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismark, North Dakota Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

Arthur Svendby, Lemmon, South Dakota Guy C. Jackson. Jr., Anahuac, Texas L. B. Caine. Logan, Utah

Lorin W. Markham, Spokane, Washington Earl T. Bower, Worland, Wyoming

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DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND NORTH FORK

15 July 1961

Kr. J. -. Barkley, Uhairman, ,ater Users Committee, it- A, Loveland, Colo. Friend Bob: OF ROYDEN G. GIRLING 4, PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCHKISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER HOTCHKISS

Perhaps a word of explanation of my actions at the meeting of the committee on June 27th is due both you and Bill -elsh.

First let me say that the only time I have ever been on a PUBLIC FAY ROLL is while I was in the Army and a brief period of time in the mid-thirties as actin/ post master in Hotchkiss.

Other than that it has been my problem to meet my personal

pay-roll and plan for meeting the pay-pay-roll of the two irrigation com-panies that I have been secretary-treasurer for, one

37

years and the other 27 years.

Now as to the comments 1 made relative to the Forest 6ervice, it seems that the rangers in our area change quite often, and each time a new ranger comes on in our area he wants to show his

super-ior thPt he is on the job, so he is disposed to pick, so to speak, on the irrigation company. One of these com-anies -L represent has

a reservoir in the Forest Area with more than 20 miles of canal also in the Forest Reserve. Even though the reservoir and the canal

was there before the Forest Reserve was set up, to meet his demands and requirements, which is no improvement on our system, takes a lot of money, money from the irrigators. - e,41-le spenaing his own funds it might be different. On several occasions I have gotten relief for our irrigators oy going to the Supervisor. On two

oc-casions I have had to go to the Regional Forester in ,Jenver for relief. The last time it invloved an expenditure of some ,k6,000 so I took it up with the Congressional elegation to -ashington, the Chief Forester, the Secretary of Agriculture and the iLegion-al Forester. Things happened fast. The Forest Supervisor backed up plenty fast. in this last instance, the local ranger took no stand and thus was with us.

Thus, I have no hesitancy in asking that the Forest iLangers be on the look-out for any noxious weeas showing up, either annual or otherwise, ana report the same.

Possibly it was lacking in good taste that I made my remarks.

ever, it burns me to have the burecrats,vho have never known it is to be on other than a public ray-roll to tell you how to spend your hard earned money.And, I had had just such an ex-perience that morning before 1 went into the co-amittee meeting. In that instance it was 'you should worry, the Government will have to do it' in ,commenting on a local Bureau program.

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-1-DIRECTORS RoYDEN G. GiNLING LEON A. HOTcHKisS ALAN MCDERNITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND NORTH FORK

WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT HOTCHKISS, COLORADO OFFICERS RoYDEN G. GIRLING PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAON1A CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT NOTCH KISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Now as to the iarticipating krojects. J. haa listened for some HOTCHMSS

time to the uentlemen from Oregon, or -ashington, not ix.

which to me seemed quite a field from ourgeneral,,Rrfiprimary field of water users. So, i interposed the question of'Vni-d prouuce

funds for Participating Projects, the transmission lines to be built by the bureau or Private Power Companies. By reason of the fact that these lines should be built or constructed in the not very distant future to be ready to take the electricity from the generators, had supposed the answer would be 'There should hot be any apprecia-ble difference to the rarticipating Projects as to who builds the lines' Tom Jensen's comments were not particularly out-of-line. i-owever, i was rather astounded when i- od took off on what seemed to me, a tangent, and dissertated at length on a question that . will only be settled by the Congress.

The cuestion was prompted by work that i am doing with and far the newly created Grand Lesa "ater Conservancy i_strict which borders this district on the north, water for which develops or originates in part in both Jistricts and will be used, the major part, in the Grand iesa :,ater Conservancy ,-iistrict, with a part of it for use in the North Fork dater Conservancy Ldstrict.

In order to expedite the studies in this instance, last December I introduced a resolution in this District to appropriate 41,000 to be used by a farmer Bureau z4ngineer to make studies during the winter frol the records of the quantity of water that would be produced in the given area. I sold the resolution to the Board and the money was made available and the studies were carried on during the winter so that the Bureau coula put a field party in the area as soon as the season would permit,in order to be in position to

request appropriations for fiscal 1963.

This stuay has resulted in a rather radical conception of what the Bureau has had in mina for several years and ± unaerstana that the Bureau is well pleased with the situation as it has aeveloped and

will likely begin work on a feasibility report as soon as funds are made available.

I came into the picture in this area in July 1924 to take on Xlm as secretary-treasurer of The :ire iountain Canal ana Aeservoir Company. So, for

37

years i have been uirectly involved in irrigation water. Prior to that for 5 years i had been indirectly involved.

Thus,I am, in addition to having water on my joints and brain, am thoroughly water-logged.

So much for the meeting of June 27th. In another letter herewith I make suggestions for the committee. You may peruse them, take certain, modify others or completely disregard the e ire.

Sincerely,

/ -CHARLES it. NEILL cc to ,elsh and t .6hristy

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July

18, 1961

North Fork Water Conser-rancy District Hotchkiss, Colorado

Atent Hr. Charles R. Neill Dear Mr. Neill:

Thank you for your letters of Jay 15, 1961 addressed to Mr. Barkley.

Mr. Barkley is away from the office for the rest of this week but he will no doubt be pleased to hear from you immediately upon his return.

Very truly yours

NORTHERN COLORADO WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

(20)

DIRECTORS RoYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND

NORTH FORK

WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

HOTCHKISS, COLORADO

15 July 1

0J_

J. .Barkley, Chairman,

water Users Committee, NitA

Loveland, Colo.

Friend Barkley:

OFFICERS RoYDEN G. GIRLING PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCH KISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER NOTCH KISS

The first official information that i had of my appointment to

the ,ater Users Committee for 1961 was in the 1.,AY issue of the

Reclamation hews, which meant that practically half the year

WPS over, the annual convention to be held the following Oct.

Such time factor practically prohibits any degree of work with

actual water users. ly experience with irrigation water users

is that the time for general contacts is generally from late

October to the next late April or such. As from perhaps early

April to October they are going; to be busy using the water with

which to produce a crop.

Certain demonstrations may be given during the irrigation season

but general meetings will have to be had at night and all too

often the attendance is limited.

In virtually all of western Colorado, there are but two large

1- 4‘44Q--ts irrigation projects that keep full time specialists,

engineers and such. They are the Uncompahgre Project of i,_ontrose

and t, e Grand Valley Project of Grand Junction. So, there are

literally hundreds of small projects who operate with the local

part time assistance of residents. ho engineer, no full_ time

employee, a part-time secretary-treasurer. Not members or part

of a District which does employ full time services of any one

specialist to whom they may go for partial assistance.

The enerally narrow valleys and mesas of western Colorado do

not lend themselves to the organization of a District which

would take over supervision of the various programs within such

a district.

So, these hundreds of small irrigation groups of water users

have practically no contact with other than the local Deputy

hater Commissioner who is like-wise a part time employee of

the State, and the County Agent of their County.

But these groups of water users have various problems the same

as the larger groups, such as seepage, siltation, water-weeds,

aquatic weeds, phreotophits and noxious weeds. i..oreover, the

source of their water is usually in a rbrest reserve with some

from the Public Domain.

These are such groups as i would like to see Let some benefit

from the National r,eclamation Association or other source.

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-1-DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN HCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND NORTH FORK

WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT HOTCHKISS, COLORADO OFFICERS ROYDEN G. GIRLING PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCH KISS JOHN R. Nmu SECRETARY-TREASURER

So, come October with the Convention ano a new, or continued, HOTCHMSS organization, my term as a member of the Committee expires.

Thus, it would be presumtious of me to say, December thru April, Z21 sxy to any group of water users that I am a member of the "ater Users Committee of the hational iLeclamation Association and that under the auspices of that committee of that association 1 wouldlike them to sponsor a group meeting, to have presented to them problems that are being confronted and solved by other and similar groups.

ex:erience with irri-etion water users is that they are generally suspicious. Too often they have been assembled for the purpose of

being so1,1 a bill of goods of some kind, for the profit of the seller. Now a partial solution to this situation is. Following the Convention, the President or Board, as the case may be, select the one to Chair the Committee. Then the member of the Board from his state, appoint his member and notify him at once. This would give that member a

chance to get off ano get going, if he were so mirded, with the prob-lems peculiar to his State and Area, under the auspices of the hRA. with the spring meeting of the whole Committee he could report on whet he had learned and what hd aeveloped, etc.

'z,ext, it appears to me that there should be several sub-comuittees, with a chairman for each. This chairman coula perhaps hold sub-committee meetings at streteFic locations and times.

In this connection it occurs to me that the followinp. quotation is not inappropriate

"Senator Gale .. 'oGee of ':yorllinP-, spaking before a recent -Thter hesourues Conference, said: "For all too lonL:, water

experts, resource engineers, and assorted technicians have spent a disproportionate amount of time talking to each other, usually in professional jargon unintelligible to the rest of us. Along the way, there has been altogether too little effective communication with the man on the street. In my judgement, the time has come when you should talk less with your colleagues and more with your neighbors"

Any way the above is now off my chest and out of my system, and since it will not be too long before I begin to get xxX in the shade of the NINETIES and take a long vacation. Perhaps my wife is more right than wrong when she says that my babies have become surbordinate to TJATSR, and its various uses and particularly to irrigators.

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OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER . WM. E. WELSH . _{8,7 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING . WASHINGTON 4. D. C.}

May 3, 1961 Mr. L. C. Strawn

Route 2, Box 249

Timumcari, New Mexico Dear Mr. Strawn:

You were no doubt advised some time ago by Mr. I. J . Coury that you were recommended for appointment to the NRA Water Users Committee, and I am pleased to advise you that Mr. Coles has appointed you to this committee.

In my opinion this is one of the most important committees of the National Reclamation Association. It is only be keeping a strong membership among water users that the National Reclamation Association can continue to maintain prestige and standing that is necessary in Washington and elsewhere.

A copy of the report of the Water Users Committee, submitted last fall, will be found on page 195 of the Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association, which was held in Bakersfield, California, in November 1960. You will observe from that report that this committee has been very active.

You will, I am sure, be hearing from the chairman of your committee, Mr. J. R. Barklay, before too long. It appears now that we may have a meeting of

several of the committees in Denver some time in June, but Mr. Barklay will advise you definitely as soon as arrangements are completed.

Enclosed are two pamphlets which I am sure you will find interesting. One

relates to crop research on weed control. This is a program, that has been sponsored

and supported by the NRA Water Users Committee over a period of several years.

The other gives the status of state legislation relating to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.

I shall look forward to working with you in the interests of the water users of the West.

Sincerely,

//we P646a.,

_{William E. Welsh}

WEW:icw Secretary-Manager

P.S.: We are mailing you under separate cover a copy of the 1960 Proceedings.

OFFICIRS _DIRECTORS

L. R. Celan, Fresideut _{J. If. Meow, Phoenix. Arizona} Hugh .moreer. First Vies ProslelsaK Bert L. Illatith. Sea IPTIA2101110), California M. H. Chrlat.;. Rocco..0 View Is.ea.tieut Telas-..i.. R. C.:ii.ig.,, 7uaL1.-.. t',...-11:r4on Lorin W. Markham, Treasurer _{Alex Coleman, St. Anthony. le' ho} Wra. II Wviak. aseretarv-hisaaver _{C. C. Croft, nourtland. li.:".- P•}

D. P. isbriek. rlanteenn. PiTai -2/1

C. Petrus Festarsua. Lincoln. Nebraska Hush A. Shiusbergar. Carson ety. Nirvada I. J. C..rary. loaafro MIIn W liojavaan, k;er.:Erk. Ncrth Naas 7 Raab, e,

& celeZt ni:11171;01,4 Or'airCra

Arthur Sven. _{Lsenkuost, South Dakota} Guy C. Jackaos. Jr.. Anahuac, Texas L. A. Cal..., ijtAh

Lorin W. Markham. Spokarn. 28x! T. Sow", Worland. Wrsvninir

(23)

OFFIC7I OF SICRXTANYJIANAGIER . Wit. I. WeLen . Ui NATIONAL PRIM HULLOING . WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

May 3, 1961 Mr. Walter Taylor

Route 2

Rapid City, South Dakota Dear Mr. Taylor:

You were no doubt advised some time ago either by Art Svendby or Raymond Lund that you were recommended for appointment to the NRA Water Users

Committee, and I am pleased to advise you that Mr. Coles has appointed you to this committee.

In my opinion this is one of the most important committees of the National Reclamation Association. It is only by keeping a strong membership among water users that the National Reclamation Association can continue to maintain prestige and standing that is necessary in Washington and elsewhere.

A copy of the report of the Water Users Committee, submitted last fall, will be found on page 195 of the Proceedings of the 29th Annual Meeting of the Association, which was held in Bakersfield, Cdifornia, in November 1960. You will observe from that report that this committee has been very active.

You will, I am sure, be hearing from the chairman of your committee, Mr. J. R. Barklay, before too long. It appears now that we may have a meeting of several of the committees in Denver some time in June, hit Mr. Barklay will advise you definitely as soon as arrangements are completed.

Enclosed are two pamphlets which I am sure you will find interesting. One

relates to crop research or weed control. This is a program, that has been sponsored and supported by the NRA Water Users Committee over a period of several years. The other gives the status of state legislation relating to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.

I shall look forward to working with you in the interests of the Water Users of the West.

Sincerely,

William E. Welsh

WEW:icw Secretary-Manager

P.S. We are mailing you under separate cover a copy of the 1960 Proceedings.

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(24)

DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND

NORTH FORK

WATER CONSERVANCY DISTRICT

HOTCHKISS, COLORADO

24 A nr; 1 1961

'qr. J. Barkley, Chairman, Water Users Committee, NhA., P.O.Box 117, Loveland, Colo. Friend Bob: OFFICERS ROYDEN G. GIRLING PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCHKISS

No notice of a meeting of the committee for this week, so I assume no meeting until well into the month of

JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER

HOTCHKISS

As to a meeting in MAY. I could make it on either the

7th or 8th-- Any date May 10th thru 15th-- iviay 21st or 22nd or 24th thru 29th.

The first Monday and Wednesday of each month I have on each of those dates rather important meetings with Boards of Ditch Companies, -articularly late winter and thru the early spring. Then on the 3rd Wednesday of each month a meeting of The Board of this Conservancy district.

Since all of the others connected with any of the above associations have to work for their living, the shaping of the policies si6Rach of them, for some years, has

more than less,/Ieft up to me, ,,articularly the financial asects. I spend quite a lot of time with the individual members of the various Boards, Attorney and Engineer, in proPTams for authorization by these Boards.

As to the modification of the Construction contract on the Paonia Dam, mentioned in my letter of the 8th. It looks like about all that is left on that phase is the working out of the final modification of the contract between this -istrict, the Bureau and the Contractor, as the finances have been cleared for the program. This will so far as I know be consummated at the i'qay meeting on the 17th.

Since I can combine other business with a committee meet-ing, I would still PnEFEh DENVER for the upcoming meetmeet-ing, this particularly so as

I.

do not charge this istrict for the expense of attending water users committee meetings.

Sin-erel

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OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER . WM. E. WELSH . 897 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING . WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

April 22, 19 61

Mr. J. R. Barkley, Chairman Water Users Committee

National Reclamation Association P. 0. Box 117

Just a note to let you know that I am not overlooking your letter of April 18. Regarding the "desirable time of a Committee meeting," I think it usually works out better if our committees can all meet at the same time, but I don't think LaSelle Coles has as yet suggested a date for the meetings.

As to subject matter, I will try to get either Gil Stamm or Don Mitchell from the Bureau of Reclamation and Lloyd Reed from the Soil Conservation Service together for a session and see if we cannot come up with some suggestions that

might be worthwhile.

I appreciate your statement that you personally would like to have me available and I can assure you that I enjoy meeting with your committee and surely plan to be there when you meet.

OFFICERS L. E. Coles, President

Hugh Shamberger, First Vice President H. H. Christy. Second Vice President Lorin W. Markham, Treasurer Wm. _{E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager}

J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Bert L. Smith, San Francisco, California Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado Alex Coleman, St. Anthony. Idaho C. C. Green, Courtland, Kansas D. P. Fabrick, Choteau, Montana

Sincerely,

eezef,,

William E. Welsh Secretary-Manager

DIRECTORS

C. Petras Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Arthur Svendby, Lprniiion, South Dakota Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas I. J. Coury, Farmington, New Mexico _{Milo W.} L. B. Caine, Logan, Utah

Hoisveen, Bismark, North Dakota Lorin W. Markham, Spokane, Washington Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Earl T. Bower, Worland, Wyoming L. E. Coles, Prineville. Oregon

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April 18, 1961

William F. Welsh, Secretary-Manager National Reclamation Association 897 National Press Building Washington 4, D. C.

Dear Bills

As you realize, there have been several members of the Water UEers Committee who have annually-requested a late spring meeting of the Committee. Certainly, the timing has advantages for those of us who get tied up with operations later in the seaso.... Fr„nkly„ however, I can see ad-rantages to meeting at the same time and place

as the Board chooses for its early summer meeting.

In order to advise the Committee members at the earliest pos-sible opportunity, I would appreciate your advising mt. of':

1. Such subject matter as you deem appropriate for the Committee's consideration.

2. The date and location of the nc:-t meeting of the Board.

3.

lour own thoughts on the more desirable time of a Committee meeting.

I am sure you know that I personally feel the Committee should have you available for advice and counsel whenever it meets. Hence, I think that should be a prime consideration in helping us decide the time and place of meeting.

Sincerely

J. R. Barkleyi Chairman Water Users Committee JRBsIs

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DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. SIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H. WAND NORTH FORK

8

A-ril lobl ivr. J. ,. Barkley, Chairman,

pter Users Comittee, NRA., Loveannd, Colo. -.F.G.Box 117, Loveland, Colo. Friend 3ob: OFFICERS RoYDEN G. GiRLING PRESIDENT LitzEPot THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCHKISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER HOTCHKISS

To date I have not received any notice of my being re-appointed to the Water Users Committee, NRA. (and none may be made)

In the event I am appointed and n meeting is scheduled for

the near future, 1 would like for the following dates to be considered as being PREVIOUS, for me at least.

I hav been doing a lot of work on P local level and with

the Bureau of iteclamation on both the Iaonia Iro:ect and another Frp:ect that is in the making, 4_ hope.

Next week open. I could attend a meeting to be scheduled the 21st or 22nd. Also the last week, Aril 24th thru 29th. The 1st week of Play is rrety well taken up for me.

So much for dates. The middle of January I began working on a -chase of the construction of the Faonia Dam. raid Dam will not he co-ipleted and bought, by the Bureau prior to mid- or 1Pte-October. Ny position wPs to ask the bureau of Reclamation to make P small modification of the plans and

specs of the -Dam, final phase. The Bureau of fieclamPtion

not only did not oppose the schepe but took it whole-heartdly as did the Contractor.

This small modification, with other things being equal, would permit temporary storage of some water in the iacnia iteservoir for release in late September when the need for supplemental water is acute.

Conditions, primarily, the weather will determine whet if any things will be accomplished in this instance. So, I do not wish to be away for any considerable length of time, as I want to be here to see that no opportunity is over-looked. For an- meting in the not too distant future, DENVER.

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April 12, 1961

Mr. Charles R. Neill Hotchkiss, Colorado Dear Charlie:

jaSI: one day-prior to your letter of April 8th, I received from Bill

*JAI a list of the committee assignments for 1961. I note that you were re-ppointed to the Water Users Committee as the Colorado representative. In spite of our urging to the contrary, it seems that the committee assign-ments do not come out until quite late in the year.

Due to the volum of our own business, I have not given much thought to the matters which should be covered by the Water Users Committee at its spring meeting. However, I will attempt to do so in the immediate future with the hope of setting a committee meeting for the last week of this month. Should it transpire that it is impossible to arrange a meeting by that time, please advise me of dates which might be convenient to you dur-ing the month of May.

Sincerely yours

J. R. Barkley, chairman Water Users Committee JRB:ls

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SALT RIVER PROJECT

P.O. BOX 1980 PHOENIX, ARIZONA February 6, 1961 Mr. J. R. Barkley Chairman

Loveland, Colorado Dear Bob,

VICTOR I. CORBELL,PREsIDENT BERT M. PRINGLE, VICE PRESIDENT R. J. MCM ULLIN, GENERAL MANAGER

I have been holding off advising you regarding my attendance at the Water Users Committee in Washington, D. C., on February 10, hoping that I would be able to work it out to attend.

As my schedule worked out I was in Washington from January 24 to January 28, and work has piled up to a point I can't possibly get away again so soon. Our legislature is in session, negotiations have started on our new labor contract and

many other matters need attention. I will probably have to be in Washington again during the latter part of February, so I had better stay here and get some homework done.

Please convey my regrets to the other members of the Committee, and wishing you every success for the meeting, I remain

Cordially yours,

RJM-mer R. J. McMullin General Manager

DIRECTORS AND GOVERNORS

C. S. ANDERSON G. H. BALL A. R. CARTWRIGHT A. M. CONOVALOFF H. C. DOBSON J. H. EVANS J. S. HOOPES W. L.SCHRADER F. N. SMITH C. H. WILLIS

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MONTANA RECLAMATION ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS

DEAN N. OLSON, PRESIDENT

Wolf Point, Montana AXEL PERSSON, VICE PRESIDENT

Sidney, Montana STANLEY HOWARD, SECRETARY

Bozeman, Montana 0. A. BERGESON, TREASURER Dillon, Montana D. P. FABRICK, DIRECTOR National Reclamation Association Choteau, Montana DISTRICT DIRECTORS 1 DEAN OLSON Wolf Point 2 OTTO M. CHRISTINSON Glasgow 3 WORTH LAWSON Chinook 4 J. A. TIDYMAN Valier 5 DAN P. THURBER Great Falls 6 BERT JOHNSON Whitefish 7 RAY LOMAN Ronan El HAROLD HAGEN Stevensville 9 R. C. SETTERSTROM Butte

Pillor, Mont. Feb. -Mr. J. P. Barkley, Chairman

Weter Users Committee P. 0 Box 117

Loveland, Colored°. Per Mr.

Perkley:-I find it will be imposrible for me to ttend the Meeting of your committee in Washington. 7. C. Februnry 10th.

Ass'n We hive a Directors meeting of the Montane Rec1nration/schedul0 for Helene next week , end ns I am r member of the Legislntive

Committee we have some very important legislation un for consieerrtion b7 the Legislature 'et thnt time.

10 11 JOHN J. BAUCUS Helena 0. A. BERGESON Dillon

Very sorry I cnrnot ettenr1 en-7 I hope you vill send me

12 JOHN G. BUTTELMAN

Willow Creek a copy of your proceedings. Give my best retards to the other 13 WILLIAM D,EWART

Wilsall

14 CLARK CARTER members of your 8ommittee. Lewistown

15 0. P. BALGORD 16

Lavina

W. H. BAKER With best wishes, I remain Bridger 17 J. CARTER JOHNSON Billings Sincerel7 77 18 ROY COOL Hardin -rt 19 ELMER BRINK

Miles City 0. A. B'e;geqon

20 AXEL PERSSON

Sidney Mmeber

THIS ASSOCIATION IS ORGANIZED TO PLAN, PROMOTE, AND CONSUMMATE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF LAND AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION FOR THE ENTIRE

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January 30, 1961

Mr. Charles R. Neill

North Fork Water Corr ervancry District

Hotchkiss, Colorado

Dear Charlie:

Thank you for your letter of January 25, 1961 in regard to your schedule

for late January and (may February. While I am sorry that you cannot attend

the Water Users Committee meting, I fully appreciate the kind of schedule

that you are following this time of year.

Apparently your water supply situation is not greatly different than ours.

SimilAr to your situation, most of the eastern slope up to the Continental

Divide is in not much different shape than that which you describe on Grand

Mesa.

You are correct in presuming that the Water Users Committee will meet in

either Denver or Salt Lake early this spring. Thank you, also, for your

sug-gestion of the persons who might appear at one city or the other at the time

of that meting.

Sincerely yours,

J. R. Baikius Chairman

Water Users Committee

JRB:Is

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n

iinagAnnide.

cthI olifjon OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER . WM. E. WELSH . 897 NATIONAL PRESS BUILDING . WASHINGTON 4, D. C.

January 30, 1961

Honorable Arnold Olsen

The House of Representatives

Washington 25, D. C.

Dear Congressman Olsen:

Responding to your recent letter, we are very happy indeed

to know of your interest in the matter of haring included a line item in

the appropriation of the Soil Conservation iiitxvke- to provide for accelerated

technical assistance to be used as needed in Soil Conservation District* on

Bureau

a

Reclamation Project*.

Our %star Users Committee, with one member from each of

the 17 Western States, is very much intereuted in this matter and of course,

the National Reclamation Association intends to support the same item which

you referred to when hearings are held before the Appropriations Committee.

According to informal** coaSsibeed in the report of our Special

Committee, two projects in Memo

_{which are very much concerned with}

this metier including the Zest

IN*

_{end the Helena Valley. Also, there are}

a number of projects in other states throughout the West which have an interest

In this particular matter.

We do, most assuredly, appreciate your offer of assistance.

WEW:br

OFFICERS

Sincerely,

William E. Welsh

Secretary-Manager

DIRECTORS

C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Arthur Svendby, Lemmon, South Dakota Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas I. J. Coury, Farmington, New Mexico L. B. Caine, Logan, Utah

Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismark, North Dakota Lorin W. Markham, Spokane, Washington Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Earl T. Bower, Worland, Wyoming L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

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Rtco

DIRECTORS ROYDEN G. GIRLING LEON A. HOTCHKISS ALAN MCDERMITH CHARLES R. NEILL RAYMOND WHITE HENRY R. SWANSON THOMAS H WAND NORTH FORK

January 25, 1961

Mr. J. 11.. Barkley, Chairman, water -Users Committee, National Reclamation Association,

Loveland, Colo. Friend Bob: OFFICERS ROYDEN G. GIRLING PRESIDENT LAZEAR THOMAS H. WAND VICE-PRESIDENT PAONIA CHARLES R. NEILL EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT HOTCHKISS JOHN R. NEILL SECRETARY-TREASURER HOTCHKISS

I have your notice of the meeting of the ,ater Users uommittee in ;vashington on l'ebruary 10th.

I regret that I will not be able to attend the meeting. From about January 20th to February 15th I have a series of meetings, share-holders in three for their annual meetings. Plus other interests that it has been quite essential that I

attend.

These meetings preclude my attending the 4-states meeting. Incidentally, I would appreciate a copy of the proceedings of the above.

In addition to the annual meetings of January and Feoruary, this year the situation here in respect to irrigation water for the coming season is, to say the least, AOUGH. The least snow in the mountains for this time of the year, in the mem-ory of many, and the Paonia Dam not completed, and a most remote possibility of its being, completed in time for any filling this coming spring.

The soil moisture is extremely low and much of the high coun-try is practically bare of snow with the ground frozen. This

can mean that unless we get a lot of WET SNOW in the very near future to draw out much if not most of the efrost, the run off in the spring will be heavy to be followed by another dry

year.

It is presumed that a meeting of the a_ter users Committee will be held in Salt Lake or Denver in possibly i,larch or April.

If in Sale Lake City, suggest that lir.Lauritzen of Logan and a representative of some Chemical Company on aquatic weed control. If in Denver, R.D.Dirmeyer of Et.Collins and a representative of a Chemical Company on aquatic weed con-trol.

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WATER USERS COMMITTEE

g

i

,

th,165,7z

J. R. BARKLEY, CHAIRMAN P.O. BOX 117, LOVELAND, COLO.

January 18, 1961

To:--Members of the Water Users Committee

As provided in the program of the Committee adopted at the Bakersfield Convention, a winter meeting will be held in Washington, D. C. during the time that the other committees and the Board of Directors are also meeting.

After correspondence with J. H. Moeur, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, it appears apprcpriate for the Water Users Committee to meet on the same date as the Legislative Committee and, thereby, permit joint consid-eration of such matters as may be necessary.

Therefore, the Water Users Committee meeting is called for 10:00 A. M., February 10, 1961 in Washington, D. C. We will meet in the Interior Depart-ment Building in a room yet to be assigned. Since the Legislative Committee will be in Conference

Room 6618,

I suggest that we also meet in that location. Either Bill Welsh or I will see that the location of our room is posted at Room

6618.

To prevent any possible confusion regarding expenses for Committee meet-ings, Bill Welsh has been good enough to furnish copies of the enclosed letter which sets forth the Association policy. In that regard, I should tell you that my expenses are not paid by the Association but by my own District.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Washington on February 10th.

CC: LaSelle E. Coles Harold Christy William E. Welsh

OFFICERS

L. E. Coles, President J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Hugh Shamberger, First Vice President Bert L. Smith, San Francisco, California H. H. Christy, Second Vice President Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado Lorin W. Markham, Treasurer Alex Coleman, St. Anthony, Idaho Wm, E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager C. C. Green, Courtland, Kansas

Sincerely yours

J. R. Barkley, Chairman

DIRECTORS C. Pettus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada I. J. Cotuy, Farmington, New Mexico Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismarck, North Dakota Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

(35)

Duplicate pages

not scanned

See originals in folder

Water Resources Archive

(36)

V/4.40,./Sd.nd,.

ciaI krz OFFICE OF ARIZONA STATE DIRECTOR • J. H. MOEUR • 416 SECURITY BUILDING • PHOENIX, ARIZONA

January

6, 1961

Mr. J. R. Barkley

Chairman, Water Users Committee N. R. A.

P. 0. Box 117

Loveland, Colorado My dear Barkley:

Replying to your communication of January 4th, the meeting of the Legislative Committee is called for Friday at 10:00 A.M., February 10th, in Conference Room

6618

Interior Department Building, Washington.

I would be very glad to have you and other mem-bers of your Committee attend any of our hearings that you desire to

I expect to arrive in Washington the evening of February 8th. My reservation is at the Washington Hotel.

Mrs. Moeur is making progress towards recovery but it is slow. I hope she will be able to make the Washington trip with me.

JHM:s

cc - Wm. E. Welsh LaSelle Coles Harold Christy

OFFICERS

DIRECTORS C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln, Nebraska Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada I. J. Coury, Farmington, New Mexico Milo W. Hoisveen, Bismarck, North Dakota Frank Raab, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon

(37)

January 42 1961

Mr. William E. welsh, Secretary-Manager National Reclamation Association

F,I97 National Press Building Washington 4, D. C.

Dear Bill:

I appreciate your letter of December 30th relating to your comersation

with LaSelle Colas in regard to the membership of the eater Users Committee.

In view of the schedule already established* it would be my per-sonal choice to have the Water Users Committee meet on the same day as the Legislative Committee. Also, if Hub Moeur has no objection, it is possible that some of us might sit in with his committee on items of possible mutual interest. I will write to "Hub's immediately in regard to this point.

have one correction on the committee list which you forwarded. The Orogen representative is now Darrell Maxwell, Box 548, Madras, Oregon. As I understand it he replaced Mr. Randolph in that district and* there-fore* has the same address.

In order to give adequate notice* I intend to write to the committee members now listed to set the meeting date for Friday* February 10th. If committee changes are made, due notice will be sent to the new members.

It will be appreciated if you will arrange a meeting place for the committee. I have no idea how many umbers will be able to attend but assume that the representation will be relatively small.

Sincerely yours,

J. R. Earkley, Chairman Weer Users Committee JRB:ls

CC: L. E. Coles H. H. Christy

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January 14, 1961

Mr. J. H. *sew

1416 'Security Building

Phoenix, Arimna

Dear Hub:

At the annual comentioa asstiag in Bakersfield, the Wear Users

Committee arreed that as many ambers am possible should nest in Washing.

ton durint the tine of the awl

meting there of the Beard of Directors.

In view of the fact that your camittee id.11 met on Friday, February 10th,

I believe it would be evantagesse for us to met on the sum date. If

you have ao objection, it night be of sone advantage for us to meet

infor-mally with your eogaittee near the fed It the day to discuss any item of

mutual interest. 'allay advise se it this meets with your approval.

I einserely hope that Mrs. 111!Deur is *Wm satisfactory progress

toward reeevery.

Bost wishes to both you and iles. Now

for 1961.

Sincerely yours,

• ..

Water Users Comities

•Ki4;le

CC: wet. E. Welsh

LaSelle Coles

Harold ChriaW

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE

Washington 25, D.C.

GEN1RAL KINDRANDUM SCS

-Re: Technical Assistance to Landowners and Operators in the 17 Western States Who Have Responsibility for Complying With State Water Laws and Regulations

This memorandum states Soil Conservation Service policy on technical assist-ance to landowners and operators in planning and constructing water storage

and utilisation facilities. It applies to work in connection with assist-ance to soil conservation districts, the Agricultural Conservation Program, the Greet Plains Conservation Program, and related programs in the 17

Western States. The Watershed Protection Handbook sets forth requirements for compliance with State lays regarding acquisition of water rights and approval of construction plans for structural measures in P.L. 566 and the 11 flood prevention and the pilot watersheds.

The Soil Conservation Service is not a water user and does not acquire water rights. The Service furnishes technical assistance to individual and groups of water users in planning and constructing water storage and util-isation facilities. Such water users are responsible for acquiring water rights and obtaining State Agency approval of construction plans as required by State laws and regulations. The Soil Conservation Service assumes no responsibility for procuring these rights or approvals. or does the Serv-ice assume responsibility for enforcing State water laws and regulations. When furnishing technical assistance for planning or constructing a water storage or utilisation facility that is subject to the requirements of State water laws and regulations, it is Service policy:

STC WF WD

1. To inform the landowner or operator, before giving any technical assistance, that it is his responsibility to couply with State water laws and regulations in constructing and using such facility. This Mir be done in writing or orally. If in writing, file a

copy in the Soil Conservation Service files; if orally, make en appropriate notation in the file*.

2. To design any water storage facility so it will provide adequate water but not in excess of needs for the purpose or purposes to be served. Other water storage facilities on the faru or ranch for such purpose or purposes shall be considered in doteruining

the quantity required.

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-2

3.

To furnish to the landowner or operator, on request, available pertinent information he needs in applying for a water right, for recording a water right, or for obtaining State Agency approval of construction plans. Such information would consist of material (such as surveys, naps, and construction plans) that has been

pre-pared by Service enployees during the development of his farm or ranch conservation plan or during the planning and installation of conservation practices.

State Conservationists are responsible for informing concerned Service en-ploys.' of applicable previsions of the State water laws and regulations. Smployees must be wall enough informed (a) to recognise when a contemplated facility is subject to the requirements of State water laws and regulations, (b) to inform the water user of the general provisions of such requirements,

and (c) to provide him with the name and address of the State agency or official where application forms and detailed information can be obtained. The State Conservationist in each of the 17 Western States shall prepare a guide covering the items listed below. The guide shall be prepared in appropriate collaboration with officials or agencies responsible for admin-istering the State water laws and approving construction plans.

1. A summary of the provisions of the State water laws about which concerned Service employees should have sufficient knowledge to recognize when a contemplated water storage or utilisation facility La subject to the requirements of the water laws and regulations of the State and to inform the water user of such requirements. If the official or agency administering the water laws in the State has published rules and regulations for water users to follow in complying with the water laws, include a copy with the summary.

2. The kinds of information, if any, the Service may furnish to water users in connection with their applications for or recording of water rights. Such information shall not include any interpreta-tions or determinainterpreta-tions regarding the legal status of water rights in any specific case.

3. The kinds of assistance, if any, the Service nay furnish to water users in connection with their getting State agency approval of construction plans for water storage or utilisation facilities for which the Soil Conservation Service is furnishing technical assistance.

4. Criteria for livestock water ponds as to size and spacing. The size shall be based on the quantity of water needed by the number of livestock the range or pasture unit will support for the season

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or period it will be used, together with allowance for seepage, evaporation, and consumption by wildlife. The spacing shall be based on the use of the pasture or range unit and the topography and other factors affecting the accessibility of the area served by the pond. Provision should be made to permit adjustments _in design when the landowner or operator desires to use livestock water ponds for additional purposes.

5.

_{Any special situation in the State of significance to water users.}

This might be an application by the Bureau of Reclamation _{or a} State agency to appropriate all unappropriated _{waters of a strain} or other source of supply.

The guide should be prepared in a form suitable for binding _{in a looseleef} binder. Bach Service employee in the State who assists _{landowners or} opera-tors in planning or constructing water storage and utilisation _facilities should receive a copy. Submit draft copies of the guide _{to the River Basins} Division for review and comment by the Washington _{Office before final} repro-duction or distribution in the State.

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I I .

A BILL

To 'provide for the payment of construction and increased operation and maintenance charges when Irrigable lands on Federal reclamation projects are taken by Federal agencies for non-agricultural uses.

Be it enacted by the Senate and kidiase of Representatives of the United States of America

eme •

in Congress assembled, That whenever any lands or interests in lands es-soosernt-ef which •

construction charges iimiki.lee payable to the United States under the Federal reclamation laws, the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388) and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto,.

•r4

6-4-1,- 4

14. 444444

are included within any project, undertakingior activity of any Federal agencyttand are acquired, withdrawn or reserved by said 'agency, including any lands or interests in lands acquired by States or other public bodies under any authorized loan or Federal grant in aid, the construction charges attributable to such lands or interest in such lands under the Federal reclamation laws as determined by the Secretary of the Interior, hereinafter called the Secretary. shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable.

SEC., 2. Whenever any project or division of a project, as defined in section 2 of the 1939. • Sf

Reclamation Project Act (53 Stat. 11/37), is sUbject to the provisions of section 1 of this Act, A

the Secretary. will determine theoffect of the proposed program of the Federal agency on any additional costs of operation and maintenance Or relocation of facilities of the project and advise

of .

the head of the Federal agency concerned wilbhis findings. The Federal agency is authorized to the extent determined reatonable•and just by the Secretary and the Federal agency involved, to transfer sufficient funds from any monies available to the Federal agency for the program activity involved, including monies available to States or other public bodies on a grant in aid or a loan basis, to the credit of the project under the jurisdiction of .the Secretary, and which may be utilized to reimburse the water users for such additional costs to the project either annually or on a lump sum basis.

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SEC. 3. The Secretary is hereby authorized to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. This Act shall be considered amendatory of and supplemental to the Federal Reclamation laws.