OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER • WM. E. WELSH •
"rttr,
897 NATIONAL PRESS BLDG. • WASHINGTON 4, D. C.
41iy 16, 1955
Attached ar Committee held i Please notify us if these minutes. osur OFFICERS C. Petrus Peterson, PresidentGuy C. Jackson, Jr., First Vice-President L. E. Coles, Second Vice-President Herbert L. Buck, Treasurer Wm. E. Welsh, Secretary-Manager
he id tes or the meeting of the iatc lorado, May' fl.
u wish to make any changes in
tAz
Will Welsh Seoro
J. H. Moeur, Phoenix, Arizona Charles L. Kaupke, Fresno, California Harold H. Christy, Pueblo, Colorado N. V. Sharp, Filer, Idaho
C. C. Green, Courtland Kansas
DIRECTORS
C. Petrus Peterson, Lincoln. Nebraska L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon
Hugh A. Shamberger, Carson City, Nevada Arthur Svendby, Lemmon South Dakota Fred E. Wilson, Albuquerque, New Mexico Guy C. Jackson, Jr., Anahuac, Texas Harry E. Polk, Williston, North Dakota H. T. Godfrey, Murray, Utah Ira C. Husky, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma E. R. Wells, Prosser, Washington
Pr-MINUTES OF A MEETING OF N.R.A. WATEHUSERS COMMITTEE HELD IN THE SHIRLEY-SAVOY HO1EL
Denver, Colorado May 130 1955
The following members of the committee were present: L. E. Coles, Prineville, Oregon
O. A. Bergeson, Dillon, Montana R. J. McMullin, Phoenix, Arizona A. A. Meredith, Borger, Texas
Charles R. Neill, Hotchkiss, Colorado Also present were the following
C. Petrus, Peterson, President, N.R.A., Lincoln, Nebraska Floyd Dominy, Bureau of Reclamation, Washington, D.C.
William E, Welsh, Secretary-Manager, N.R.A., Washington, D.C. Absent from the Committee was:
Leo Harvey, American Fork, Utah
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, L. E. Coles, who, in an opening statement, explained the purposes and responsibilities of the Committee as assigned to them by the Association President C. Petrus Peterson. Mr. Coles emphasized particularly that the Waterusers Committee had been requested to give consideration to the problem of increasing the membership of the Associa-tion. Mr. Coles then called upon C. Petrus Peterson, who elaborated on that particular assignment given to the Committee, stating that he felt a larger membership, particularly among the waterusers, would be helpful to the Associa-tion and would give it greater strength.
AMENDMENT OF FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT:
It was moved by Charles R. Neill, seconded by C0 A. Bergeson, and unanimously carted that the N.R.A. Waterusers Committee go on record in favor of and supporting the amendment to the appropriation bill.
H.a.
4506 now pending before the Congress and that the Committee also support in principle the permanent legislation as proposed and as embodied inNOR.
740 and give its support to such legislation if and when it is deemed advisable to press for such legislation.SMALL PROJECTS:
It was moved by 0. A. Bergeson, seconded by Charles R. Neill, and unanimously carried that the Committee go on record in favor of supporting the small projects legislation as now reported out by the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee and as it is presently supported by the N.R.A. Small Projects Committee.
SNOW RUNOFF FORECAST:
It was moved by A. A. Meredith, seconded by R. J. McMullin, and unanimously carried that the Waterusers Committee express its appreciation to the Soil Conserva-tion Service and especially to Mr. R. H. Work for making available to the Associa-tion sufficient copies of a report on the 1955 water supply.
digh
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AQUATIC MOSS MOSS AND NEEDS IN IRRIGATION CANAL
The chairman of the committee called to the attention of the members present the article on the subject "Need For and Suggested Research Program for the Control of Aquatic Vegetation and Phreatophytes" which. had been distributed by the Secretary Manager to each member of the committee.
The article pointed but that weeds are a major problem in most of the irriga7 tion systems of the Nest, particularly moss. Itewas...also stated that
research work which haq;been carried on in control of weeds has been done mostly with land weeds and bivert- not too much attention has been given to aquatic vegeta-tion and phreatophytes. It was pointed out that some research had been carried on by the Department of Agriculture which established four weed research locations in the Nest in cooperation with state agricultural experiment stations for this purpose. Most of this work was devoted to the development of methods for control-ling crop weeds peculiar to irrigated areas, land weeds on ditch banks and only to a limited extent, as personnel and funds would permit, research on aquatic weeds and phreatophytes.
The Bureau of Reclamation established a weed control laboratory at Denver and as long as funds permitted the Bureau paid the salary of a Department of Agriculture plant physiologist who was stated at Denver to assist the Bureau chemist in the weed control investigation but this was discontinued because of lack of funds.
It was agreed by the committee members present that the responsibility for carrying on an adequate research program in this field should rest primarily with the Department of Agriculture which would cooperate with state experiment stations and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Members of the committee pointed out that the cost of controlling moss and weeds in irrigation canals, which are a problem in practically every irrigated area of the West, amounts to many thousands of dollars each year. They emphasized the fact that it was of sufficient importance to justify further research. It was agreed, however, that inasmuch as N.R.A. does have an Agricultural Research Committee, that perhaps the Materusers Committee should coordinate its work with and collaborate with the Agricultural Research Committee. Therefore, the chairman of the committee was requested to meet with the Agricultural Research Committee to present the problem and endeavor to work out with the Agricultural Research Committee a program for
promoting the type of agricultural research needed in the field of controlling moss and phreatophytes.
MEMBERSHIP
After considerable discussion by all of the committee members and others present, it was agreed by the Chairman, L.E. Coles, that he would write to each member of the Board of Directors explaining to the Board the discussion and viewpoints presented by the committee members on this general subject of member-ship and would urge the Board to increase the membermember-ship within their state and also do what could be done towards raising additional funds with which to carry on the publicity program as authorized by the Board at its February meeting in Washington, D.C.
In the membership discussion referred to above it was suggested and quite generally agreed to, subject to approval by the Board of Directors, that each state should be permitted to carry memberships equivalent to one name for each $10 state quota contributed.
NE1INvq
OFFICE OF SECRETARY-MANAGER • WM. E. WELSH • 897 NATIONAL PRESS BLDG. • WASHINGTON 4, D.C. P. O. Box
6
Prineville, Oregon July 220 2.955 LaSelle E. Coles P. 0. Box6
Prineville, Oregon Dear Mr. Coles:As Chairman of the Waterusers Committee of the National Reclamation Association, I would like to extend to you and to your organization an invitation to take out a membership in our Association. If we have erred and you are already a member please advise us.
The N.R.A. is the only organization in a position to speak for the entire West on irrigation. Two-thirds of our members represent wateruser organizations. They come from every state in the West. That gives us strength. And believe me, it takes strength to get results in Washington these days. N.R.A. is effective. It rates high with the committees of the Congress and the Federal agencies with which it deals. But it could be more effective with more wateruser members.
How, you may ask, can the National Reclamation Association help me and my organization. Here is one answer. Moss is a problem in almost every irrigation canal in the West. Our present use of aromatic solvents is only a temporary control and thus a recurring expense. Undoubtedly a way can be found to reduce this expense and eventually to kill the moss without injury to crops. But that will require research and study.
Two N.R.A. committees, the Waterusers Committee and the Agricultural Research Committee, at recent meetings in Denver, decided to urge jointly before the
com-mittees of Congress that a research and study program by the Department of Agriculture be initiated looking towards better control of moss and aquatic weeds in irrigation canals as indicated by the attached resolution.
As the manager of an irrigation district in Oregon, I recognize the control of moss in our ditches as one of our important problems. George L. Henderson, Chair-man of our N.R.A. Agricultural Research Committee, is equally interested in this problem. In fact, the full membership of both these committees recognizes the serious loss of water as well as the annual cost of mossing canals. Through the efforts of these committees and with full cooperation from western waterusers, we believe that a great deal can be accomplished towards finding a cheaper and better means of controlling the growth of moss in irrigation ditches.
A few problems on which N.R.A. has already given a great deal of assistance includeg (a) loans to settlers on new projects, (b) loans for construction of
irrigation distribution systems, (c) small projects legislation, (d) studies looking toward solution of the problem of crop control on new lands, (e) agricultural re-search in soil and water, and (f) studies in salinity control.
OFFICERS DIRECTORS
C. PETRUS PETERSON, PRESIDENT GUY C. JACKSON, JR., FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT L. E. COLES, SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT HERBERT L. BUCK, TREASURER WM. E. WELSH, SECRETARY-MANAGER
J. H. MOEUR, PHOENIX, ARIZONA CHARLES L. KAUPKE, FRESNO, CALIFORNIA HAROLD H. CHRISTY, PUEBLO, COLORADO N. V. SHARP, FILER, IDAHO
C. C. GREEN, COURT LAND, KANSAS HERBERT L. BUCK, BILLINGS, MONTANA
C. PETRUS PETERSON, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA HUGH A. SHAMBERGER, CARSON CITY, NEVADA FRED E. WILSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO HARRY E. POLK, WILLISTON, NORTH DAKOTA IRA C. HUSKY, OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
L. E. COLES, PRINEVILLE, OREGON ARTHUR SVENDBY, LEMMON, SOUTH DAKOTA GUY C. JACKSON, JR., ANAHUAC, TEXAS H. T. GODFREY, MURRAY, UTAH E. R. WELLS, PROSSER, WASHINGTON EARL T. BOWER. WORLAND, WYOMING
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-/n view of the foregoing, I am sure you will agree that a membership in the N.R.A. is worthwhile. We shall look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Icat, naeli
L. E. Coles, Chairman Waterusers Committee
(Resume of Minutes of N.R.A. Agricultural Research Committee held in Denver, Colorado, May 13, 1955)
La Selle E. Coles, Chairman, N.R.A. Waterusers Committee, met with the Agri-cultural Research Committee. He stated that his Committee was very much concerned with the problem of controlling moss and aquatic weeds in irrigation canals and requested that he discuss the problem with the N.R.A. Agricultural Research Com-mittee with a view to coordinating the efforts of the two comCom-mittees in endeavoring to have the Department of Agriculture inaugurate a research program. After con-siderable discussion, in which all members of the Agricultural Research Committee participated, the following Resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the growth of aquatic weeds in artificial water channels creates many problems relating to the operation and maintenance of canal systems and in-volves great expense in removal, and
WHEREAS, water logging plants of all kinds are wasters of water, and
WHEREAS, specific research is urgently needed to solve the complex and costly problems relating to aquatic weeds and water logging plants,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED; that the Agricultural Research Committee of the National Reclamation Association, at the request of and in close collaboration with the Waterusers Committee of said Association, direct a memorandum to the Agricultural Research Administration with a copy to the Secretary of Agriculture setting forth the need and urgency of such research and recommending the inclusion in the research budget for 1956 and subsequent budgets funds for conducting
specific research, either by contract or by appropriate branches or sections of the Agricultural 'Research Service of the Department of Agriculture.
B. The Agricultural Research Committee, directly or through the Secretary-Manager of the National Reclamation Association, appear before the Secretary, the Agricultural Iesearch Administrator, the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, and appropriate congressional committees, in support of adequate funds for such research.
il("71
...Jite Voice ol the Mot
RESOLUTIONS
RECOMMENDED BY THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE APPROVED BY EACH OF THE STATE CAUCUSES
AND ADOPTED BY THE
National Reclamation
Association
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING Portland, Oregon
November 8-10, 1954
RECLAMATION—Food and Fibre for our rapidly increasing population.
NATIONAL
RECLAMATION ASSOCIATION
897 National Press Building Washington 4, D. C.
FOREWORD
The Resolutions contained herein were adopt-ed at the Twenty-Third Annual Meeting of the National Reclamation Association held in Portland, Oregon, November 8 - 10, 1954.
Again we say these Resolutions are the "Voice of the West." They set forth in a forcible manner the long-range policies as well as the immediate objectives of the members of the Association on conservation, development and use of the water resources of the West.
Specifically, they point out the importance to the nation of continued Reclamation development in the West and, at the same time, emphasize that in order to continue with Reclamation we must maintain such long established and fundamental policies as the use of power revenues to assist in the repayment of Reclamation costs which are beyond the ability of the waterusers to repay. These Resolutions also point to the need for a National Water Policy — a policy sufficiently broad to encompass the needs of the nation and at the same time permit continued development under ever-changing conditions and with con-stantly increasing costs.
Western Reclamation benefits the entire nation. It is a sound federal investment. It creates new
wealth, broadens the tax base and balances the economy. It will assist in meeting the food and fibre requirements of our growing population and maintaining our present high standard of living. Our aim is the ultimate accomplishment of the objectives set forth in these Resolutions and at the same time to maintain for ourselves and our posterity our American way of life.
To these ends we earnestly solicit the support of every citizen of the West.
Respectfully submitted,
C. PETRUS PETERSON, President WM. E. WELSH, Secretary-Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS RESOLUTION
NO. PAGE
1. Authorization and Appropriations for Continued
Reclamation Program 5
2. Subjection of All Federal Agencies to State
Water Laws 6
3. Coordination of Duties of Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of
Agriculture 7
4. Amend Federal Power Act with Respect to State
Dams 8
5. Supplemental Water Projects 8 6. Subjecting Water to Beneficial Consumptives Uses 9 7. Limiting Secretarial Authorization 9 8. Electric Pumping Power Rate Study 10 9. Land Limitation - Litigation 10
10. Cost Studies 11
11. Expanded Program of Soil and•Water Research 12 12. Adequate Appropriations for Water
Development 13
13. Non-Re imbursables for Non-Federal
Projects 14
14. Excess Lands Held Under Foreclosure and
by Inheritance 15
15. Extension of the Sugar Act 15 16. Study of Crop Flexibility for New Lands 16 17. Modifying Bureau of the Budget Circular
No. A-47 17
18. Amendment of Fair Labor Standards
Act 18
19. Definition of Non-Reimbursables 18
20. Study of Project Revenues 19
21. Publication of Repayment
Contracts 19
22. Small Projects 20
23. Appropriations for Reclamation
Planning 20
24. International Joint Commission 20
25. Land Limitations Committee 21
26. Transfer of Title 22
27. Cadification of Reclamation
Law 22
28. Small Areas Adjacent to
Recreation 23
29. Loans for Projects Initiated Under
State Law 23
30. National Water Policy 24
31. Federal Credit for Irrigation and
Reclamation Development 25
32. Permitting Sale of Government Owned Project Property to the States and
Their Political Sub-Divisions 33. Irrigation Distribution Systems 27
34. Appreciation 27
AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR CONTINUED RECLAMATION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, it is an indisputable fact that water is the lifeblood of municipal, agricultural and industrial existence; and
WHEREAS, remaining undeveloped water sup-plies are limited in amount, erratic in availa-bility, requiring major storage for control, and located long distances from necessary points of use; and
WHEREAS, continuous conservation, develop-ment, and utilization of the water resources of the states of this nation are necessary to the growth of the nation and must keep pace with the in-crease in population and with the needs of the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Reclamation States will pro-vide expanding markets for eastern goods and be called upon to absorb a large share of the in-crease in population in the United States for years- to come because of the location of needed and newly discovered raw materials in the area and the ever present necessity for the decentral-izing of industry in the interest of national de-fense; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government, since its inception, has recognized its responsibility in the support of improvements resulting in public benefits, including the Reclamation Act of 1902 and subsequent legislation relating to the de-velopment and construction of major multiple-purpose water use projects; and
WHEREAS, planning and construction of proj-ects for such conservation, development, and utilization must be carried forward in keeping with the increasing needs of the nation; and
WHEREAS, the development of plans and the construction of basin-wide projects for the full use of a water resource is a difficult, compli-cated time-consuming process, sometimes requir-ing decades of effort; and
WHEREAS, basin-wide multiple use projects frequently involve many states having common interests in interstate streams; and
WHEREAS, the magnitude and necessity of multiple use basin-wide developments require joint action by the states involved and the full unanimous support of all Reclamation States; and
WHEREAS, if the great local, regional and national benefits from Reclamation are to be realized, those interested in such benefits must make every effort to resolve any differences in the interest of the full development of the nation-al water and power resources; and
WHEREAS, opposition even exists to the basic principles of Reclamation development in many areas and there is a demand on the part of s ome to bottle up the remaining undeveloped re-sources of the West:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that: 1. The National Reclamation Association vigorously reaffirm its position in support of the basic principles of reclamation accepted as national policy for more than fifty years, namely, the use of interest-free money for the irrigation features, the use of power revenues to help pay the cost of reclamation and the inherent right and obligation of the people of the Reclamation States to develop fully their water and power resources.
2. The Reclamation States, through the Directors of the National Reclamation Associa-tion, be urged to maintain closed ranks and vig-orously and unanimously support a reclamation program designed to fully develop the land and water resources of the Reclamation States within the limit of available water supplies.
3. The National Reclamation Association bring. to the attention of the President and Con-gress the extent to which the national welfare and available expanding markets will be impaired and curtailed if the Federal Reclamation Program is not expanded.
4. The National Reclamation Association bring to the attention of the President and the Congress the urgent need for authorization of new projects which will develop, control, conserve and utilize the water resources of the Reclama-tion States.
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Resolution No. 2
SUBJECTION OF ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES TO STATE WATER LAWS
WHEREAS, the authority to regulate and con-trol the appropriation, distribution and use of the waters of streams arising in states lying wholly
or partly west of the 98th Meridian is properly the exclusive sovereign function of the states; and
WHEREAS, existing laws have not resulted in clear and uniform practice in accordance with said principles by all Federal agencies and officers having to do with use or development of water resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Reclamation Association, reaffirm-ing and amplifyreaffirm-ing its policy developed durreaffirm-ing past years by appropriate resolutions, that the Association urges the enactment of a Federal law clearly and unequivocally recognizing the title of the states to waters therein, and requir-ing all Federal agencies and officers to
proceed
in conformity with state water laws in all matters having to do with appropriation, adjudication, use, ownership, and distribution of water and water rights in such states;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Asso-ciation strongly urges the cooperation of the Executive branch of the Government in the at-tainment of the above objectives.
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Resolution No. 3
COORDINATION OF DUTIES OF CORPS OF ENGINEERS, THE BUREAU OF
RECLAMA-TION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WHEREAS, It appears that there are areas of conflict in interpretation of existing law respect-ing the duties and responsibilities of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Agriculture for planning, surveys, investigation, construction and operation of flood control and reclamation projects; and
WHEREAS, in areas where said departments of Government have cooperated in the use of their techniques and personnel it has resulted in quicker action, better coordination, a
more
eco-nomic
administration, and a more efficient de-velopment and use of soil and water resources; andWHEREAS, it is believed that present
laws
could be rewritten better defining such duties and responsibilities and providing for the co-ordination of the activities and the techniques
•
and the personnel of said departments when working upon the same project;
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Reclamation Association that the Association's Legislative Committee be directed to forthwith study and prepare recommendations for presentation to Congress to better define the duties and responsibilities for planning, surveys, investigation, construction and operation of flood control and reclamation projects by the Bureau of Reclamation, the Corps of Engineers and the De-partment of Agriculture and to provide for the coordination of the activities and the techniques and personnel of said departments when working on the same project.
*
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Resolution Nc 4
AMEND FEDERAL POWER ACT WITH RESPECT TO STATE DAMS WHEREAS, under present Federal law, states and state agencies are required to secure li-censes before building certain dams across navigable streams; and
WHEREAS, the term "navigable" has received a very broad interpretation for this purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Reclamation Association urges the amendment of the Federal laws so that neither a state nor a state agency shall be required to secure a permit or li..ense from the Federal Power Commission for constructing a dam across a navigable stream unless the presence or operation thereof shall materially and ad-versely affect the navigability of such stream as found by the Department of Defense upon application for a determination of that fact made by the state agency proposing to construct such dam.
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Resolution No. 5
SUPPLEMENTAL WATER PROJECTS WHEREAS, in many localities throughout the West, established farming areas are facing cur-tailment of their future operations by reason of deficient or failing water supplies; and
WHEREAS, in such communities hundreds of millions of dollars of investment are in jeopardy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Reclamation Association, reaffirm-ing its past expressed policy, that adequate con-sideration be given in the preparation of investi-gations and reports by all Federal, state, and local agencies to projects for furnishing supple-mental water to areas now inadequately supplied.
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Resolution No. 6
SUBJECTING WATER TO BENEFICIAL CONSUMPTIVE USES WHEREAS, the subordination of the use of water for navigation in the West, to beneficial consumptive uses such as domestic and irriga-tion, as provided in Section 1 (b) of the 1944 Flood Control Act is sound in principle and should be extended to other public works, in-cluding hydro-electric power development, undertaken by the United States; and
WHEREAS, uses of water for navigation or other non-consumptive purposes should be sub-ordinated to such beneficial consumptive pur-poses as domestic and irrigation uses, a prin-ciple recognized in Section 1 (b) of the 1944 Flood Control Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association, in further-ance and amplification of its past policies urges the adoption of Federal legislation to establish a policy effectively broadening the principles of said Section 1 (b) so that the authority of agen-cies of the United States, in constructing any works, and claiming any water rights connected therewith for generation of power or for naviga-tion shall be so limited that such works and rights shall be and remain subject and subordi-nate to present and future uses of the water in-volved for beneficial consumptive uses, notwith-standing any law which might be claimed to permit creation of greater or more extensive rights in the United States.
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Resolution No. 7
LIMITING SECRETARIAL AUTHORIZATION WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has the basic responsibility for authorizing the construction of Federal irrigation projects; and
WHEREAS, a trend to Secretarial authoriza-tion of reclamaauthoriza-tion projects without specific authority of Congress tends to prevent official consideration of such projects by the duly con-stituted officials of the states involved as well as by the people's elected legislative represen-tatives in Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association urges en-actment of legislation necessary to prevent ad-ministrative or Secretarial authorization of Rec-lamation projects without express Congressional approval except for projects costing less than $5,000,000.
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Resolution No. 8
ELECTRIC PUMPING POWER RATE STUDY WHEREAS, pump irrigation by water users' associations, irrigation districts, and private in-dividuals is of increasing importance to the seventeen western Reclamation states; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that the power rate for pumping be reasonable and equitable for all types of such water users, whether furnished by private or public power;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the National Reclamation Asso-ciation with the approval of the Board of Direc-tors shall continue the committee to study the establishment of more uniform rates for such projects within the same operating areas.
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Resolution No. 9
LAND LIMITATION — LITIGATION WHEREAS, several decisions of trial courts have declared that the acreage limitations con-tained in current 9 (e) contracts are invalid as in violation of State Water Laws; and
WHEREAS, many irrigation districts and simi-lar organizations are confronted with prospective enforcement against them of such possibly in-valid provisions; and
WHEREAS, the Reclamation Act provides that in carrying out reclamation activities the Secre-tary of Interior shall conform to State Water Laws; and
WHEREAS, the said decisions of the courts are not final;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the public good will be served by all affected inte-rests conforming to State Water Laws until final decisions in such cases have been reached.
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Resolution No. 10
COST STUDIES
WHEREAS, the efficient and economic opera-tion of Federal Agencies in performing all fea-tures of Reclamation Projects is a matter of concern to the Federal Agencies, to the Con-gress and to all associations, groups and in-dividuals interested in Reclamation; and
WHEREAS, all members, including state or-ganizations, have opportunity to observe the operations of Federal Agencies and often form opinions as to possible improvement of pro-cedures and operations; and
WHEREAS, it can be assumed that the Fed-eral Agencies would appreciate receiving con-structive criticism and suggestions from the people and organizations they serve;
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Reclamation Association cooperate with Federal Agencies toward effecting an im-provement in operation, including efficiency of staff, organization, procedures, design for mini-mum cost with maximini-mum effectiveness, cost allo-cations, inspection, and investigations, through the following measures;
a. All members are requested to submit to the National Reclamation Association any sug-gestions on specific instances where improve-ment in procedures of operations can be ac-complished;
b. A committee be appointed by the Presi-dent of the National Reclamation Association to perform the following duties
1. Receive and evaluate suggestions.
2. Submit those suggestions deemed pertinent to the Federal Agencies concerned.
3. Present information from Federal Agencies on any aspect of their procedures such as costs, distributions of costs, compu-tation of benefits, etcetera, which will assist in understanding the problems involved.
4. Through a study of suggestions and reactions by the Federal Agencies to formu-late recommendations to the Board of Direc-tors as to the effectiveness of this program and as to any other steps which should be taken.
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Resolution No. 11
EXPANDED PROGRAM OF SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH
WHEREAS, the water supply and arable land area available in the United States for the pro-duction of food and fibre is definitely limited; and
WHEREAS, a rapidly growing population will within the next 20 years require more food and fiber than can be produced on the available land with available water using current methods and practices in water, soil and watershed manage-ment; and
WHEREAS, long-range, increased agricul-tural production can be obtained only by in-creasing the efficiency of water use, practicing better soil and crop management and managing the watersheds so that they will yield the great-est usable supply of water; and
WHEREAS, accelerated research in the fields of the 'engineering aspects of irrigation and drainage, soils, fertilizers and watershed man-agement is a prerequisite to increased agricul-tural production; and
WHEREAS, the Agricultural Research Com-mittee of the National Reclamation Association in 1952 prepared a comprehensive report sum-marizing the problems and research needs of the West as they relate to water supplies, their con-trol and utilization, soil management, and forest and range development and use, verifying the foregoing paragraph;
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Officers and Directors of the National Recla-mation Association be hereby requested, author-ized and directed to support an expanded program of water, soil and watershed management re-search in but not limited to the following:
a. The engineering aspects of irrigation and drainage including (1) Water Supply and Its Physical Control, (2) Determination of Irrigation
Water Requirements, (3) Methods of Water Ap-plication and (4) Drainage of Irrigated Lands. b. Watershed research including the man-agement of forest and range watershed lands for maximum water production.
c. Soil characteristics and moisture re-quirements for optimum growth.
d. Fertilizers and soil management.
e. Use of Development Farms for adapting findings of research to farm conditions.
The officers and directors are further request-ed to foster co-ordination of effort by all Frequest-ederal, state and local agencies that can contribute to such research; to take such steps as are neces-sary to keep the members of Congress informed of the increasing population pressures and the importances of research preliminary to a demand for increased supplies of food and fibre; and to support legislation sponsoring this program.
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Resolution No. 12
ADEQUATE APPROPRIATIONS FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, the primary objective of the National Reclamation Association is the com-plete development of the land and water re-sources of the West; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishment of this ob-jective calls for adequate appropriations by the Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association hereby, directs its officers to support before the Con-gress requests for sufficient appropriations to: A. Permit the Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers to continue progressive construction programs in consonance with the needs therefor;
B. Support acceleration of the Forest Serv-ice Program of revegetation, watershed restora-tion, range improvements, and physical improve-ments of National forests;
C. Support and continue the Snow Surveys and Stream Flow Forecasting of the Department of Agriculture;
D. Permit prompt and continuing acquisi-tion, publication and distribution by the Geologi-cal Survey of basic data respecting both stream flow and ground water resources throughout the Nation;
E. Permit completion of standard topo-graphic mapping of the United States, if possi-ble, by the year 1970;
F. Support and accelerate the program of the Soil Conservation Service to provide more adequate assistance to the soil conservation districts;
G. Support research, investigation, and action programs in soil and water conservation, basic and essential to the sound development and full,continued care of the Nation's land and water resources basin-wide and in harmony with multiple-use projects development;
H. Support the land capability inventory to be completed as soon as practicable;
I. Support collection and dissemination of basic meteorological data by the United States Weather Bureau;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the vari-ous affected states are urged to give full support to the foregoing program.
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Resolution No. 13
NON-REIMBURSABLES FOR NON-FEDERAL PROJECTS
WHEREAS, under existing law, in the con-struction of Federal projects, that part of the estimated cost allocated to flood control, naviga-tion, and fish and wildlife, is deemed to be non-reimbursable; and
WHEREAS, projects initiated under state law, by state bodies, irrigation districts, or non-profit water companies, financed wholly by funds other than those appropriated by the Congress, may produce similar national flood control, navigation and fish and wildlife benefits on said projects; but under present law there is no contribution from the Federal government;
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association favors Congressional authorization for the contribution by the United States of funds for such non-reimbursable costs on these projects.
Resolution No. 14
EXCESS LANDS HELD UNDER FORECLOSURE AND BY INHERITANCE
WHEREAS, it is essential that mortgage money be available to land owners in reclama-tion projects; and
WHEREAS, some lending institutions are
hesitant to make mortgage loans on land in such projects because they fear losses through ar-bitrary secretarial control of the price, terms and conditions of sale and limited time for re-sale and possible forfeiture to the United States; and
WHEREAS, authority for such arbitrary sec-retarial control of lands acquired through in-heritance exists;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by
the National Reclamation Association, that the reclamation law be so modified as to permit mortgagees to hold lands acquired through fore-closure, and lands to be inherited without being deemed excess lands, until such time as such lands can be disposed of for their fair and reasonable value.
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Resolution No. 15
EXTENSION OF THE SUGAR ACT WHEREAS, the prosperity of many existing reclamation projects, and the successful devel-opment of new reclamation projects, depends in a great measure upon the inclusion of sugar beets in a sound crop rotation; and
WHEREAS, the profitable production of sugar beets is different from that of the bulk of recla-mation crops in that the price of sugar within the United States is highly influenced by the world-price, since at present 73 percent of the sugar consumed in the United States is produced in off-shore areas; and
WHEREAS, the marketing of sugar in the United States is controlled by the Sugar Act of 1948 as amended, which expires December 31, 1956, which has made possible the growing of sugar beets and the production of domestic sugar regardless of the cheap off-shore competition; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that reclamation farmers know in 1955, the acreage of sugar beets they will be permitted to market from the 1956 crop, and so must rely upon congressional action in 1955; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that an increased continental quota be established in order to make it possible to allocate quotas to newly con-structed reclamation projects; and
WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Asso-ciation has heretofore recognized the essenti-ality of the sugar beet crop in rotation programs for western irrigated land and has appeared re-peatedly in behalf of legislation to protect sugar price levels and the right of American farmers to supply the sugar requirements of this country to the extent of their ability;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association support vigorously legislation in the 84th Congress which will:
A. Re-enact the major provisions of the 1948 Sugar Act as amended on a permanent basis;
B. Clarify provisions which direct and guide the Secretary of Agriculture in his announce-ments of this country's consumptive require-ments to the end that an expanding continental sugar beet and sugar cane industry can be main-tained and sugar prices made adequately re-munerative;
C. Provide yearly sales quotas for sugar derived from beets or cane grown in continental United States on an escalator basis, increasing yearly as consumptive requirements increase;
D. Provide for the relief of the immediate problems of disposing of above-quota sugar pro-duced in 1953 and 1954 in continental beet and cane areas by granting them sugar sales quotas in 1956 based on the percentages of the Ameri-can market which they enjoyed at the time of passage of the 1948 Act.
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Resolution No. 16
STUDY OF CROP FLEXIBILITY FOR NEW LANDS
WEREAS, new settlers on reclamation pro-jects have no crop history in the growing of crops controlled by acreage restrictions; and
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WHEREAS, it is imperative that these set-tlers grow some of such crops, during the first years of their operation, both to develop a sound rotation culture, as well as providing immediate cash income;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association call to the attention of the Secretary of Agriculture, this great need of flexibility in planting by these growers during the first years of culture, and that this Association conduct a study in all member states, so that a solution can be formulated for consideration by the Association as part of its approved policy.
Resolution No. 17
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MODIFYING BUREAU OF THE BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. A-47
WHEREAS, the determination as to what Fed-eral Reclamation Projects shall be authorized is the function of the Congress of the United States and not that of any subordinate executive officer or agency; and
WHEREAS, Budget Circular A-47, has been issued setting forth certain standards which were to govern the Bureau of the Budget in de-termining whether federal reclamation projects would meet the approval of the President; and WHEREAS, it appears that the Bureau of the Budget has been and still is construing said circular or administering the same so as to jus-tify it in refusing to report or in unduly delaying the reporting of federal reclamation projects approved by the Secretary of the Interior; and WHEREAS, such action has caused and is causing the Department of the Interior to be fear-ful of recommending such projects which it has decided are feasible unless it can obtain infor-mal advance approval of the Bureau of the Bud-get;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association urge the President, in harmony with his expressed policy of encouraging reclamation to cause said Circular to be so modified or administered as to require the Bureau of the Budget promptly to submit to the Congress those federal reclamation projects which have been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, together with the Secretary's reasons for such approval, and the comments of the Bu-reau of the Budget with respect to such projects.
Resolution No. 18
AMENDMENT OF FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT
WHEREAS, many mutually owned and operated irrigation organizations in the Western States are, under existing interpretations, subject to the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (Wage-Hour Laws); and
WHEREAS, said National Labor Relations Act and the Wage-Hour Law constitute remedial legislation for relief in the industrial rather than the agricultural economy of the nation and agri-cultural activities were intended to be and should be exempt therefrom; and
WHEREAS, H. R.7768 and S. 2969 were pend-ing in the last session of the Congress to amend subsection I of Section 3 of the Fair Labor Stan-dards Act so as to include the operations of irrigation organizations within the definition of "agriculture" but the Congress failed to enact such legislation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association support the general principle and intent of H. R. 7768 and S. 2969 and urges the introduction of similar bills at the next session of Congress for the early enactment of such legislation.
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Resolution No. 19
DEFINITION OF NON-REIMBURSABLES WHEREAS, the costs allocated to Flood Con-trol, Navigation and Fish and Wild Life benefits are now authorized by law as non-reimbursables; and
WHEREAS, many water development and re-clamation projects provide recreational, salin-ity control, sediment control, public transporta-tion, protection of public health, promotion of national defense and fulfillmeat of international obligation benefits which are of more value to a River Basin and the Nation as a whole, than they are to the irrigation water users under the pro-jects; and
WHEREAS, it is no more logical to make the local irrigation waterusers pay for these bene-fits to the region and the Nation than it would be
to make them pay for flood control, navigation and fish and wild life benefits which are now non-reimbursables;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association goes on record as favoring the authorization by Congress of: (1) recreational, (2) general salinity control, (3) sediment control, (4) public transportation (5) protection of public health, (6) promotion of national defense and (7) fulfillment of interna-tional obligations benefits as non-reimbursables on Federal water development projects to the full extent of the national interest.
Resolution No. 20
STUDY OF PROJECT REVENUES WHEREAS, the complicated and costly multi-purpose projects which are today essential to the fullest utilization of the West's limited water supplies, are making power a more and more im-portant paying partner in reclamation develop-mient; and
WHEREAS, the use of power revenues to aid
in the repayment of irrigation costs is almost as old as the Federal Reclamation program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association recognizes that the use of power and other revenues from reclamation projects to aid reclamation develop-ment is essential to the future developdevelop-ment and full utilization of water resources, and that the Association endorse the principle of the use of said power revenues for said purposes and that the President of the Association appoint a com-mittee to continue to study the application of such principles.
Resolution No. 21
PUBLICATION OF REPAYMENT CONTRACTS BE IT RESOLVED, that the National
Recla-mation Association request the Senate and House Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs to make a compilation of all reclamation repay-ment contracts entered into since 1939 and to publish such compilation as a public document in order that any district entering into a repay-ment contract with the Bureau of Reclamation may have the benefit of a study of such contracts as have been consummated with other districts.
Resolution No. 22
SMALL PROJECTS
WHEREAS, for a number of years the National Reclamation Association has favored legislation to promote the development of small reclamation projects; and
WHEREAS, a bill incorporating the principles of a desirable small reclamation project program was drafted, which bill, HR 5301, was passed by the House of Representatives but which was lost in the Senate in the closing hours of the Eighty-Third Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association hereby endorses the principles of the Small Project Bill, HR 5301, and asks the passage of such legis-lation in the Eighty-Fourth Congress substan-tially in accordance with the provisions of that bill.
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Resolution No. 23
APPROPRIATIONS FOR RECLAMATION PLANNING
WHEREAS, reclamation development requires sound planning and investigation ahead of the actual construction of projects; and
WHEREAS, the rate of planning of such work is lagging behind the rate of construction;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association urge and actively work for the annual appropriation of approximately $10,000,000 to carry on needed planning of Reclamation projects by the Bureau of Reclamation.
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Resolution No. 24
INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Associ-ation in furtherance of its past expressed policy affirms its belief in the aims and accomplish-ments of the International Joint Commission-United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, The personnel of the American section of the Commission is now being recon-stituted, and an immediate and aggressive gram is imperative because of development pro-jects now proposed for early construction on tributaries of the Columbia and Missouri Rivers; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Reclamation Association that it urge the International Joint Commission to speed its deliberations to bring about an early and equitable apportionment of the flows of inter-national streams between the two countries.
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Resolution No. 25
LAND LIMITATIONS COMMITTEE WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Associ-ation, in annual conventions assembled, has repeatedly adopted resolutions calling for the modification of the excess land provisions of the Federal reclamation law in respect to lands in private ownership and especially lands need-ing only a supplemental water supply; and
WHEREAS, the excess land provisions as contained in the Reclamation Act of 1902, and amendments thereof, are not compatible with improved irrigation practices, present-day mech-anization and current living standards; and
WHEREAS, the Congress has exempted sever-al federsever-al reclamation projects in the west from the excess land provisions in recognition of the impossibility of applying same under present day conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Land Limitations Committee of this Association has done considerable work on this subject during the past year and reached the conclusion that further study is required in an effort to draft legislation that will be accept-able to the west and meet with general approval in Washington, D. C.;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Reclamation Association that, the President of the Association be, and he is here-by authorized and directed to appoint a Land Limitations Committee to continue study of the excess land provisions and draft such legislation as it deems advisable for submission to the Board of Directors for approval at its next semi-annual meeting and for introduction in the Congress.
Resolution No. 26
TRANSFER OF TITLE
WHEREAS, under existing reclamation law general provision is made for the transfer of operation and maintenance of project works and facilities to the contracting agency, but there is no provision of law for the transfer of title to such project works and facilities upon the com-pletion of repayment of contractual obligations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Reclamation Association urges the early enactment of legislation to authorize and require transfer of title and control of project works and facilities and all project personal property to the contracting agency upon repay-ment in full by such agency of its contractual obligations provided the contracting agency re-quests such transfer of title and obligates it-self accordingly.
Resolution No. 27
CODIFICATION OF RECLAMATION LAWS WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Associ-ation by its former resolutions initiated a move-ment for the codification of the reclamation laws; and
WHEREAS, the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Revision of the laws has pro-vided a draft of the ccdification of said laws, and it has been printed as a "Committee Print"; and
WHEREAS, a number of said Committee Prints have been distributed and the Board of Directors of the National Reclamation Association has undertaken some steps toward thorough exami-nation of said Committee Print;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by
the National Reclamation Association that the Directors be commended for their efforts in this behalf, and that the President of the Association with the approval of the Board of Directors is requested to make necessary arrangements, both financial and through continuing a committee of competent persons to examine, study and analyze the draft of code, and the comments received thereon, with such professional assistance as the committee may need, and submit its views to the Board for action.
Resolution No. 28
SMALL AREAS ADJACENT TO RECREATION WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation is cooperating with the National Park Service in order to make available recreation areas along the shores of reclamation reservoirs throughout the 17 Western States; and
WHEREAS, under existing Federal law the Bureau of Reclamation lacks the necessary au-thoritY to acquire supplementary small areas of land lying contiguous to reservoir areas for re-creation purposes and lacks authority to con-struct the minimum basic recreation facilities required for access, public health and safety and protection of public property; and
WHEREAS, under existing Federal law the Bureau of Reclamation lacks the necessary au-thority to transfer such Federally-developed re-creation areas to States, or subdivisions of the States, wherein the reservoir and recreation area is located;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that
the National Reclamation Association approve in principle the enactment of appropriate legis-lation to authorize:
(1) The Bureau of Reclamation to purchase small areas of land vital to public recreation development lying contiguous to reservoir areas, and (2) the Bureau of Reclamation to construct minimum basic facilities such as access roads and public health and safety facilities prereq-uisite to proper public use of such recreational areas, and (3) costs involved in land purchase and in the construction of minimum basic facil-ities for recreation be allocated to recreation and be nonreimbursable, and (4) the Bureau of Reclamation to transfer title to lands and facil-ities of primary importance to public use for re-creation to states or subdivisions of states.
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Resolution No. 29
LOANS FOR PROJECTS INITIATED UNDER STATE LAW
WHEREAS, the contract cost of constructing storage facilities, canals, irrigation distribution systems, hydro-electric power facilities where economically advantageous, and other construc-tion in connecconstruc-tion with reclamaconstruc-tion development,
as designed by the Bureau of Reclamation for construction on reclamation projects, is often beyond the ability of a contracting agency to repay; and
WHEREAS, less costly development planned and constructed by such a contracting agency would often serve agency requirements, if the agency were financially able to construct such development;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by
the National Reclamation Association that Congress be urged to enact legislation authoriz-ing the Secretary of the Interior to grant loans to such agencies for the construction by such agen-cies of storage facilities, canals, irrigation dis-tribution systems, hydro-electric power facil-ities where economically advantageous, and other construction in connection with reclamation development, on the same basis as if constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
Resolution No. 30
NATIONAL WATER POLICY
WHEREAS, several agencies, including the Hoover Task Force and the President's Cabinet Water Policy Committee, are working independ-ently on proposed national water policy legis-lation; and
WHEREAS, it now appears that at least three or four such proposals with divergent points of view will be before the next Congress for con-sideration and action; and
WHEREAS, water conservation and use is a non-partisan subject of prime concern to the people, their local and state governments and sub-divisions thereof; and should therefore be susceptible to dispassionate, careful, and con-structive consideration by all interested parties; and
WHEREAS, it is an historical fact that
Congress tries to avoid insofar as possible serving in the role of referee between groups holding divergent views, and therefore varying approaches to creation of a national water policy should be reconciled before being submitted to Congress for embodiment into law; and
WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Associ-ation has always pioneered in Water Policy matters;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by
the National Reclamation Association:
1. That we urge our members, through their local and state organizations, to give careful study to all such legislative proposals, and so far as possible, to assist the regularly consti-tuted officers and directors of the National Re-clamation Association to confer with spokesmen from both reclamation and other states for the purpose of arriving at an agreement on a basic national water policy.
2. That to expedite such harmonious meas-ures, we propose to other recognized water or-ganizations throughout the nation, the holding of a national conference at a convenient place, and at a time which shall fall after major pro-posals for enactment of a national water policy have become available for study and evaluation, and before the time that the Committees of Congress start hearings on such proposals, in order that a water policy measure beneficial to all sections of the country, and one that can be generally supported by all sections of the nation may be sponsored for enactment.
3. That in encouraging such a conference among water organizations it be emphasized that none be obligated to final agreement, but that all make an earnest endeavor to find a mutually acceptable solution of the problem of a basic national water policy.
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Resolution No. 31
FEDERAL CREDIT FOR IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION DEVELOPMENT WHEREAS, many irrigation and reclamation development districts are desirous of financing their project by private borrowings, but because of the usual long construction period of projects, extended payment dates, and for other reasons, the rates of interest bid by investment houses are greater than such projects can pay under existing economies; and
WHEREAS, the development of such projects are in the national interest as is housing, agri-cultural stability, and other national interests assisted by the nation's credit; and
WHEREAS, such projects financed by private borrowings and guaranteed in whole or in part by the federal credit would receive a rate of interest permitting development of projects which other-wise could not be developed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Congress be requested to provide authority for the credit of the federal government to be used to purchase or guarantee in whole or in part bonds or borrowings for irrigation, re-clamation, or multi-purpose developments under reasonable standards of repayment security.
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Resolution No. 32
PERMITTING SALE OF GOVERNMENT OWNED PROJECT PROPERTY TO THE STATES AND
THEIR POLITICAL SUB-DIVISIONS WHEREAS, this Association favors the prin-ciple of joint participation in water development projects by the respective states and the United States in those projects which are beyond the financial ability of the states and their political subdivisions to construct; and
WHEREAS, this Association favors the prin-ciple of maximum feasible participation in such water development projects by the states and their political subdivisions; and
WHEREAS, in some water development pro-jects heretofore constructed by the United States it is now practical and feasible to increase the extent of the financial participation by the states and their political subdivisions;
NOW, THEREFORE, 'A IT RESOLVED, by the National Reclamation Association, that it endorses in principle the sale of project works or facilities by the United States to the states and their political subdivisions, provided such sale recovers to the United States at least all of recoverable costs allocated to the facility being sold, and further provided that the sale of such facilities shall be only upon such terms and conditions as will not impair the rights and financial stability of any irrigation features of the project, and receives the consent of the con-tracting agency representing the users of the irrigation features.
Resolution No. 33
IRRIGATION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WHEREAS, for a number of years the National Reclamation Association has favored legislation to provide for construction of irrigation distribu-tion systems by local agencies: and
WHEREAS, a bill incorporating the principle of local construction of irrigation distribution systems was drafted, which bill, HR 9981, was passed by the House of Representatives but which was lost in the Senate in the closing hours of the Eighty-Third Congress;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association hereby endorses the principles of the Distribution Sys-tem Bill, HR 9981, and asks the passage of such legislation in the Eighty-Fourth Congress sub-stantially in accordance with the provisions of that bill.
Resolution No. 34
APPRECIATION
WHEREAS, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the National Reclamation Association held at Portland, Oregon, November 8, 9 and 10, 1954, has been an outstanding success, and an ex-pression of appreciation to those responsible therefor is in order,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association, without singling out the many enthusiastic and willing workers whose joint efforts culminated in this fine convention, does hereby extend its sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the Convention Committee, the press and radio, the hotels and restaurants, the city of Portland, the Oregon Reclamation Congress, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Federal and State agencies and offices, Oregon State College, the U. S. National Bank of Portland, the First National Bank of Portland, the women's com-mittees, and to all individuals and organizations who have contributed to the success of this Annual Meeting.
National Reclamation Association 897 National Press Building
Washington 4, D. C.
Officers
C. PETRUS PETERSON, President Lincoln, Nebraska
GUY C. JACKSON, First Vice-President Anahuac, Texas
LASELLE COLES, Second Vice-President Prineville, Oregon
II. L. BUCK, Treasurer Billings, Montana
WM. E. WELSH, Secretary-Manager Washington, D. C.
Resolutions Committee H. G. GREENAM YttE, Chairman
Lincoln, Nebraska LEW GARBUTT, Secretary
Yakima, Washington
Arizona—J. D. MANSFIELD, Yuma
California—HARRY W. HORTON, El Centro Colorado—GLENN G. SAUNDERS, Denver
JOHN CLAYTON, Greeley (Alternate) Idaho—WILLIAM S. HOLDEN, Idaho Falls
Kansas—
Montana—JOHN BUTTLEMAN, Willow Creek Nebraska—H. G. GREENAMYRE, Lincoln Nevada—JOHN HANIFAN, Fallon
New Mexico—D. A. MacPHERSON, Albuquerque COL. HENRY F. HANNIS,
Albu-querque (Alternate) North Dakota—R. J. SAILER, Bismarck Oklahoma—
Oregon—JASON LEE, Salem
South Dakota—RAYMOND LUND, Rapid City Texas—MARVIN C. NICHOLS, Fort Worth Utah—GEORGE D. CLYDE, Salt Lake City Washington—LORIN W. MARKHAM, Spokane Wyoming—L. F. THORNTON, Thermopolis
"74 Vaece c ae Wedt"
RESOLUTIONS
Recommended by the Resolutions Committee
Report of Wafer Policy
Committee
Pertaining to the Hoover Commission Recommendations on Water Resources and Power
APPROVED BY 17 STATE CAUCUSES
Adopted By
National Reclamation Association
TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL MEETING
Lincoln, Nebraska
OCTOBER 24 - 26, 1955
RECLAMATION — Food and Fibre for Our Rapidly Increasing Population
NATIONAL RECLAMATION ASSOCIATION
897 National Press Building Washington 4, D. C
Resolution No. 1
WATER POLICY STATEMENT
WHEREAS, the National Reclamation Association has during many years and on repeated occasions declared the need for a national water policy; and
WHEREAS, the Association at its 21st annual meeting held in Long Beach, California, adopted a National Water Policy ex-pressed in terms of the Reclamation West; and
WHEREAS, the Association at its 23rd annual meeting held in Portland, Oregon, adopted a resolution recognizing the work under way by several independent agencies on proposed national water policy legislation; and
WHEREAS, among these agencies is the "Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government," other-wise known as the "Hoover Commission" and this Commission has submitted its report; and
WHEREAS, the Water Policy Committee of the National Reclamation Association has carefully analyzed the Hoover Com-mission report in the light of positions previously taken by the Association;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the report here submitted by the Water Policy Committee be adopted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on the 15 specific recom-mendations of the Hoover Commission, the comments of the Water Policy Committee be accepted as the position thereon of the Na-tional Reclamation Association and that the committee report is incorporated in this resolution by reference.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Reclamation Association reaffirms its position taken at the Portland convention that a national conference be held with other recognized water organizations throughout the Nation at a convenient place and at a time which shall be after current proposals for enactment of a National Water Policy have become available for study and evalu-ation and before the time that the Committees of Congress start hearings; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that to represent the Association in further matters related to the formulation of a national water policy, the President of this Association be directed to appoint a water policy committee composed of one person from each of the member States, each such appointee to be approved by the re-spective State Directors, fhe entire Committee to be approved by the board.
Resolution No. 2
AUTHORIZATION AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR CONTINUED RECLAMATION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, it is an indisputable fact that water is the life-blood of municipal, agricultural and industrial existence; and
WHEREAS, remaining undeveloped water supplies are limited in amount, erratic in availability, requiring major storage for con-trol, and located long distances from necessary points of use; and WHEREAS, continuous conservation, development, and utili-zation of the water resources of the states of this nation are necessary to the growth of the nation and must keep pace with the increase in population and with the needs of the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Reclamation States will provide expanding markets for eastern goods and be called upon to absorb a large share of the increase in population in the United States for years to come because of the location of needed and newly discovered raw materials in the area and the ever present necessity for the decentralizing of industry in the interest of national defense; and WHEREAS, the Federal Government, since its inception, has recognized its responsibility in the support of improvement result-ing in public benefits, includresult-ing the Reclamation Act of 1902 and subsequent legislation relating to the development and construc-tion of major multiple-purpose water use projects; and
WHEREAS, planning and construction of projects for such conservation, development, and utilization must be carried forward in keeping with the increasing needs of the nation, and on a feasible local and national economic basis; and
WHEREAS, the development of plans and the construction of basin-wide projects for the full use of a water resource is a difficult, complicated time-consuming process, sometimes requir-ing decades of effort; and
WHEREAS, baswide multiple use projects frequently in-volve many states having common interests in interstate streams; and
WHEREAS, the magnitude and necessity for multiple use basin-wide developments within the framework and limitations prescribed by interstate compacts and state laws require joint action by the states involved and the full unanimous support of allReclamation States; and WHEREAS, it is obvious that the entire reclamation program is currently under the most serious and threatening attack of its 53-year history; and
WHEREAS, this attack, especially in recent months, has tended to cloud, misconstrue, and ignore basic facts and knowledge gained through careful investigations and past experience; and
WHEREAS, if the great local, regional and national benefits from Reclamation are to be realized, those interested in such
benefits must make every effort to resolve any differences in the interest of the full development of the national water and power resources; and
WHEREAS, provision for the continuance of human existence and improvement of the American standard of living fostered by reclamation and development of the Nation's natural resources for the use of the people have been and are still being the sub-ject of unwarranted attacks by special interest groups directed against major reclamation projects;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:
1. The National Reclamation Association vigorously reaf-firms its position in support of the basic principles of reclamation accepted as national policy for more than fifty years, namely, the use of interestfree money for the irrigation features, the use of power revenues on a feasible economic basis to help pay the cost of reclamation and the inherent right and obligation of the people of the Reclamation States with the assistance of the federal government to develop fully their water and power resources in accordance with applicable interstate compacts and the water laws of the respective states, which are and should be binding on the United States in the development of water resources.
2. The Reclamation States, through the Directors of the National Reclamation Association, be urged to maintain closed ranks and vigorously and unanimously support a reclamation program designed to fully develop the land and water resources of the Reclamation States within the limit of available water supplies.
3. The officers of the National Reclamation Association be urged to continue vigorously their constructive program of infor-mation relating to reclainfor-mation to counteract irresponsible and unwarranted attacks on reclamation generally and on specific water development programs by selfish and special interest groups, through a fearless and factual presentation of the truth.
4. The officers of the National Reclamation Association bring to the attention of the President and Congress the extent to which the national welfare and available expanding markets will be impaired and curtailed if the Federal Reclamation Program is not expanded.
5. The officers of the National Reclamation Association bring to the attention of the President and the Congress the urgent
