The record-union., 1892-02-11
CALIFORNIA INTERESTS.
River and Mining Bills introduced by
Mr.. Caminetti.
appropriations Asked for Debris Re-
straining Dams, and for Other
River improvements.


Representative Caminetti on the Isl
inst. introduced in the House of Repre-
Sentatlves the following measures, which
are elsewhere editorially considered:
House Resolution No. 7S-Read twice, re-
ferred to the Committee on Mines and
Mining. Joint resolution, concerning
mining debris in California, and re-
questing certain estimates from the Sec
retary of War.
WHEREAS, under the provisions of an
Act, approved October /, 1888, COM
mission, composed of members Of the
Engineer Corps of the United States
Army, was appointed to investigate the
lnlning-debris question in California;
and, whereas, said commission devoted a
great deal of time TO the examination OF
The country and rivers affected, and IN
gathering data to enable it to report a
plan of action; and, whereas, the report
of said commission has been submitted
through the Secretary of War, and
among other recommendations therein
appears the following: cit is proposed
10 improve the rivers, first, by restrain
ing the debris now lodged in the can
yons of the 1uba and Bear, and in the
plains below, by dams and other restrain
ing works; second, by contracting the
widths of the rivers by brush wing dams
N their beds. The estimated cost of these
improvements is: Feather River wing
dams, S3O0,0OO; Sacramento River wing
dams, $500, 900; dam on Yuba River al
De Guerre Point, according to hight,
from 100000 to S640, 900; dam in Bear
River at Van Giesens, SI50000; restriction
works on Yuba River below foothills,
$500, ,O0U'; and, whereas, Notwithstanding
that said report absolutely shows the ex-
listence of 'vast deposits of material lying
IN the canyons and in the plains below
the foothills, portions OF which will be
carried down during floods and eventu-
ally lodge in the streams" no estimate
was made by the Chief of Engineers tO
commence that system of improvement
required to restrain the mining debris
where now lodged; and, whereas, ii
seems from said report to be a necessity
so to do without delay in order to prevent
is final lOdgment in the naYigable
streams, causing incalculable damage,
and also in order to make effective the
expenditure of money in improving the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers; there
lore be it
ReSOJUed, By the Senate and House OF
Representatives of the United States OF
America in Congress assem- bled, that the
Secretary of War be, and he is hereby,
requested to submit for the consideration
of Congress such further estimate of the
amounts required, and which can be
spent protitably during the coming year,
N making the improvements recon-
mended by said commission to restrain
said mining debris and prevent its lodg-
lnent in the navigable rivers.
House Resolution No. 5164-Read twice,
referred to the Committee on Rivers
and Harbors. A bill making an appro-
priation for the Improvement of MolIel-
umne River, in the State of California.
Rn II faI IVytl 70
Of Representative of the United States OF
America in Congress assembled: That the
sum of So, 100 be, and is hereby, appro-
Driated, to be paid out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated,
10 be Immediately available, and to be
expended under the direction of the Sec
retary Of War, for the Improvement OF the
Mokelumne River, in the State of Cali
1ornia, removal Of distractions therein,
and clearing same of snags and trees.
House Resolution No. 5l63-Read twice
and referred to the Committee on
Rivers and HarbOrs. A bill making
an appropriation for the improvement
of the Sacramento and Feather Rivers,
in the State of California.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representative Of the United States
of America in Congress assembled: That
The following sums of money be, and are
IltIGDH, appropriately W DC pdld buI Ol
Guy money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated, to be Immediately availa-
bic, and to be expended under the Secre-
tary OF War, for the construction, COM
pletion, repair and preservation of the
public works hereinafter named:
l. A permanent yearly appropriation OF
5000 for the Improvement and cOnSerVa-
tion of channels and banks, by use of g
snagboat and crew, on the Sacramento
River, above the city of Sacramento.
2. A specific appropriation of S275, ,00(
1or removal of obstruction in the lower
Sacramento River.
g. For the closure of Jacob Slough
600.
f. A specific appropriation of $500, ,O0(
Tor the treatment of the Huba River neal
and above Marysville, as per recon-.
lnendation of commission appointed un
der Act of October l, 1888 volume %
statutes, page 49S).
5. A permanent yearly appropriation o
200 for the Improvement of the naviga
Die channel of the Feather River.
8. In accordance with recommendation
of commission appointed under Act O
October l, 1888 Volume %, statutes, pag,
%9S): For Feather River wing dams, S300
600; for Sacramento River wing dams
$500, 900; for dam on Yuba River, at DC
Guerre Point, $780, for dam on Bear
River at Van Gieson's, Sl50,0O0.
House Resolution No. 5l62-Read twice
referred to the Committee on River:
and Harbors. A bill providing for Ger
tain surveys and estimates and the
adoption of comprehensive system O
river improvement in the State of Cali
fornia.
Be it enacted by the Senate ana House
of Representatives of the United State!
of America in Congress assem- bled: Tha
the Secretary of War is hereby EN-
powered and directed to assign three Off
GERS of the Engineer Corps Of the United
States Army, stationed IN California, t
examine and survey:
l. What is known as the Golden Gate, ,
,he entrance to the harbor of San Fran.
cisco, in the State of California, to de-
termine what changes, if any, have taken
place since the last survey thereof, and
what improvements and safeguards art
required therein for security To life and
property and in the interest OF commerce
:. All nayigable rivers, waterways lanc
channels in said State to such point OF
each as the same have ever been, or MAY
Ue, made navigable.
3. Lakes and sites at and near the head
waters Of the several rivers OF California
including all the streams that flow int
the Yosemite Valley, and also the basin.