The record-union., 1896-11-29

contemplated in this report, as fol-
lows:
Excavating channel of Wood o
Island 80. ...::...::....:..... s25O,ooO
Cost of training walls, Newtown -oooo
Shoals .'.-..'..''' oSo'00o 80
Construction of easements 2o5,UU0
Construction of levee system 3oo,oVo
rT,o+a1 cost of work proposed Isl. .l15, 600
The improvement of the head OF
Steamboat Slough is not included in
this estimate, although it is Of almost
equal Importance with any improve
ment suggested, and will, to some ex-
tent, be considered in the construc-
ton of the levee system above sug-
gested.
There is, at the present time, great
deal of friction existing between the
mining interests of the State and the
landowners of the Sacramento Valley.
Hydraulic mining has been suspended
almost entirely, for the reason that
years of careless work has almost
ruined our river system in the Sacra-
mento Valley. Broad, deep waterways
have been contracted and filled with
mining debris, until the low-water plane
has been unnaturally raised enormous
ly. 1t is now evident to both interests
that better judgment must prevail. The
creation of a river commission by the
last Congress; the appropriation Of the
sum of S250,000 by Congress to meet a
like sum appropriated by the State, for
the purpose of building restraining
dams, indicates the interest manifested
in the subject of river improvement.
OF what avail will be this labor, unless
ha ,.ix- CO To- %oly aI
vantage of the light flow of silt?
1t appears, therefore, that it would
not be inconsistent with the nature Of
things if the Legislature Of the State
should make provisions for a system of
dredger work, such as would build the
proper levees and make necessary cor
rections of waterway. Surely, If the
State has been a party to the filling of
its navigable waterways it should, in
justice to the farming interests of the
State, be the first party to act in the
line Of relief.
1t is our opinion, after due delibera-
tion, that the State and National Gov
ernments should cooperate in the i'm
provement Of the lower river. 1t is a
question that affects as we'll one branch
of the Government as the other, viz:
drainage and navigation.
The funds for the construction of the
easements mentioned in this report
might we'll be assessed to the lands ben
Gifted thereby, which would include the
flood lands of the Sacramento Valley.
and if there are one million acres so
benefited 1t would cost but 261b cents
per acre. Certainly this is but small
pittance in comparison to the benefits
derived. In fact, would it not justify
every man, woman and child who owns
property affected by the proposed i'm
provements to at once put in motion the
machinery whereby the work can be
perfected? If the General Govern
ment will not undertake the work on
the lower river, then must the State
do so.
1T MUST BE DONE AT ALL HAZ
ARDS,
AND delay must not be permitted. The
work, therefore, may be undertaken in
the following manner: The improve
nent OF lower river by concert of action
OF the United States Government ana
State authority; the levee system should
De constructed by concert of action be-
tween State and landowner: and the
easements should be constructed bv the
landed interests benefited thereby.
We desire to close this branch OF orr
report with the admonition that no land
owner in the Sacramento Valley shouId
infer from the foregoing report that we
do not appreciate the fact that this re
port does not include a plan for the
complete reclamation of the food lands
of the Sacramento Valley. We are
cognizant of the fact that detail worlr
not named herein must be specified
whenever a complete system is fnaup-
urated; but regard it absolutely essen
tial that the reforms herein named
must be made before any effective plan
of reclamation can be devised.
1t is therefore the intention of this
report to indicate the leading steps TO
be taken in order that reclamation may
be reduced to a system, and after COM
pletion that it will be effective. IT is
not, therefore, necessary to discuss a
detail system of reclamation at this
time
The perpetuity of all river channels
now in use in the Sacramento Valley
alike depend upon the strengthening of
the river from the confluence of the
sacramento and Feather Rivers to Sui
sun bay. The usefulness of the Feath-
er ana upper Sacrapento for water con-
ouctors will inevitably depend upon
this question; therefore we have not
attempted discussion of the improve
ment OF these rivers. The relief we
confidently expect to obtain from tha
work suggested herein will be so plain
ana seif-evident that the land owners
or the upper valleys will at once recog-
nize It's Importance. and a new impetus
Will be given to systematic plans in
river Improvement. Let us make the
first step sure and in the right direc-
ton, and the road will be clear to per-
feet navigation and complete reclama-
tion.