Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-02-17
Preamble and Resolutions.

WHEREAS The best agricultural lands OF the
Sacramento valley in constant danger OF being
inundated during the rainy season by reason OF the
heavy rainfall and melting of snow in tie noun
tains in which the Sacramento river and its trIbu-
taries have their source; and
WHEREAS Numerous and extensive mining COM
panies are, by a system known as hydraulic
mining dscharging their debris into the waters OF
the Sacramento, Feather, Yuba, Bear and American
rivers and their tributaries consequence of which
the waters of said streams have become submerged
with gravel, sand and mud, which gravel sand ana
mud are, during our annual floods, washed into the
valley filing and Obliterating the river channels,
and spreading over our most valuable bottom lands,
so that already thousands OF acres OF the most
valuable aud productive lands In the world with u
improy, ngntS thereon, have been converted INTO
barren wastes and thousands Of acres Of growing
gran rotten and destroyed all our real estate
Incaculaby deprecated in value; scores OF families
in consequence Of this species OF mining driven
from comfortable homes, and In many Instances
beggared compelled to make a livelihood as bsst
they stgTve and
WHEREAS, The same fate awaits all the residents
Of the sacramento valley IN the near future, unless
proper and efficient e islation is had 70 preve-t this
great wrong and
WHEREAS, The scheme heretofore adopted under
The % Drainage Act" is, we verify believe wholly
inadequate to meet the eXgeD Of our case, SO long
as hydraulic mining is continued therefore be It
Resolved, That the Legislature OF the State OF
California, now in session. be urged to pass sueh
enactments as shall compel the immediate cessation
Of lNuF1ulC uEtli SuCH blill6 ~ biS
Of said hydraulic mines shall devise ways and means
by which tine debris from such mines Shall be
effecually restrained and prevented from entering
the river channels of this State, or the tributaries
thereof.
Resolved, That the Joint Senator from Yuba ana
Sutter counties, together with the members Of the
Assembly from said counties, beinstructed, and they
hereby Instructed and urged to use every endeavor
to secure the legislation asked Tor in Resolution
First.
Memorial 10 the Legislature.
To the Honorable Senate and Assembly of the State
of California
Gentlemen-We, your petitioners, residents of the
Sacramento valley and members OF the "Anti-Debris
Association of the sacraueuto Valley, beg most re-
spectfuly to represent to your honorable bodies the
very urgent necessity OF prompt action to arrest the
further and impending destruction OF the Sacra-
mento valley by debris washed into the streams and
rivers from hydraulic mines.
The so-called g Drainage Act other relief, is
necessary in any event to rectfy and assist the river
channels which have been gOrged with debris. But,
in our opinion, should hydraulic mining continue as
at present conducted, this valley will very be-
come an ninhabitable desert in spite Of State aid
The Of the past few weeks point out this de-
struction more clearly than ever before.
We therefore most respectfully, but earnestly, ap-
peal to YOU gentlemen, to regulate by statute the
class Of mining known hydraulic, so as to prohibit
them from depositing any more tailings into our
rivers or tributaries.
Nothing less will or can inspire hope confidence
in the minds of our people, necessary 10 enc0ur-
age them to 20 ahead and seek to repair the damage
TO our homes and property caused by the recent
floods. The choked condition OF our rivers makes it
impossible for them to carry ordinary floods, not
withstandng levees have been built higher than
ever. But when these extraordinary floods occur we
are completely engulfed, not only with water but
mud and Sand
Gradually, but surely, we become less able finan-
cially to cope with the increasing sand and debris
until our situation has become desperate in the
treme. without the aid we seek, we feel that our
ruin will soon be accomplished, and then will follow
the total ruin of the whole valley, its rivers towns
and cities and last but not least the harbor Of San
Francisco. When contemplate the enormous de-
structiOn caused by this mining within the past few
years feel that we would be recreant in the duty
we owe to ourselves the State and pOsterity did
not seek a remedy for the future, and that remedy
can only be found, in our judgment, by preventing
any more tailings being washed or deposited into
the streams We do not concede the right to any
industry the exclusive of the streams, especially
when such use is destructive. But litigation is
slow, tedious and very costly which expense We
should not be forced 10 endure. You have it in your
power to regulate this whole matter and before the
adjournment OF tins session to so protect the streams
and guard the great interests OF the State, that
new era of prosperity and improvement will at once
open to the vision Of people, and the same en-
eTgy and determination which has characterized
CalifOrnians in the past, viii be infused with new
life and power IL the future And such steps will
be taken as will protect our great interests
and save this invaluable Sacramento valley to pos
terity Should the steps so important to be taken
at once be evaded by you, or left for your
ors, the two intervening years will witness the loss
Of millions of property, and enfeebe if destroy
our powers Of protection.
We would therefore respectfully but earnestly
urge you to SO regulate the mining industries, but
d=ve.op in harmony with them and uniteily build
great and prosperous people. TO this end your
memoralists will ever pray.