Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-28
rnE NEW IRRIGATION BILL

The News" has already made ia
vorable reference to the irrigation bill
introduced on Friday by Senator Me-
Kay Of Weber county chairman Of the
committee on irrigation, but some ex-
PLANTATION OF the chief features Of the
measure VIII be OF interest TO the pub
lie
The object OF the bill Is to secure a
determination and settlement Of all ex-
listing water rights IN the state, with
out mourning the great expense which
usually attends the litigation Of water
rights, aud to secure an economical and
just apportlonment and distribution Of
the water to those who are entitled to
use IT,. and to provide for future APP
preparations Of water
If this bin should become a law, the
procedure ulder II would be substan-
italy as follows; The state Engineer
would select some large river system,
IKE the Weber or SEWER Rivers, and
make photographic survey Of the en-
tire watershed OF that system. includ-
Ing all water sources and tributaries
10 the river lie would not only meas
IRE all the water IN the system at dif-
feront seasons OF the year, but also
measure all the dlyertlng bitches, TAX
Ing water from the river or It's tribu-
tarles for the purpose OF determining
the water supply and the use then
made of Il. which would enable him to
determine whether there was any un-
appropriated water in the system. Az
ter completing The survey, map
would be made Of the entire river sys-
tenn Showing the natural streams. d.
vertng bitches ana other data collect
cd by the engineer, Including the char
acter Of the soil, the names OF water
users. and such other information as
might be necessary A copy OF this
map would be filed In the Office Of the
County Recorder of each county in the
fivor system
The State Engineer would then file a
statement with the County Clerk Of the
county within the river system which,
In his opinion, would be most conven.
lent for the water users, stating that
the photographic survey had been
made. and giving the names and
addresses OF an the water users. This
statement would be accompanied by
copy OF the map. Thereupon, the coun-
~ clerk would publish a notice In
newspaper having general circulation
Ia the river system, requiring an per-
sons claiming any Of the wator Of that
system TO appear and file their claims
within six months after the first publ
cation OF the notice. and he would send.
by registered letter, a copy of said no.
lice and blank statement Of claim adj
dressed 20 each Of the water users: and
any pereons falling TO nla his claim
within the time prescribed by the law.
would forfeit bis right to the use OF
the water
AZ the expiration Of the six months
mentioned in the notice. the court
Would appoint a referee to take testl-
mony in th1 localities whore the claim
ants reside as 90 their claims under the
statements filed, and he would give
pabic notice OF the time when and
where he would commence taking tes.
umony, and have notice served on
epch person, stating the time and place
where testimony would be taken as to
bis particular claim. After the referee
has gone through the water system and
taken testimony ON an the claims. he
would report 10 The court. stating the
quantity OF water that each person was
entitled 10 use, for what purpose. aud
tbe date Of his appropriation. II no OBJ.
jcctons were made to the report The
curt would enter decree accordingly
fut II objections Were made. the court
would consider tAe matter, ana make
such alterations and notifications as
justice might require when the de-
cree Is finally entered the county clerk
would issue certificate 90 the claim.
ana Tor his water right which would be
recorded IN the office OF the county
recorder Of the county where the water
81 diverted from the natural stream II
conflicts should arise among The claim.
ANS as to their rights. the bin provides
how contests may BE- made and deter.
mined, and % also provides Tor an an.
peal to the supreme court. n the par.
ties are not satisfied with the decision
u the district court
When the water rights on that river
system had been established. Il would
become water division. and the State
Engineer. with the consent Of the Coy.