Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-01-05

expected that our state engineer, with /
so many varied duties. can devote /
the careful attention o any one Of /
hem that their Importance requires. /
IL should be made possible by statu-
tory enactment for the state land /
board to cali to their assistance and /
tina OF he state engineer whenever !
absolutely necessary, a board of ad-
vlsory or consulting engineers. whose /
duty II should be TO examine the par
ticular projects with reference to |
which they were appointed and make |
full investigation and due report /
thereof. This has been done to GER
tain extent heretofore by the land /
board. under the presumption that
they had the power so to do in the
absence of any statutory enactment
This means OF determining the ad-
visibility Of projects. the method of
ters should be extended. and ! urge
their construction and similar mat
should be warranted by express pro-
visions of law. II can be managed
without entailing any appropriation
nv the state and the expenses should
be paid from Carey act funds
l suggest, further. that in enact
ing statute upon these matters,
there should be an express provision
incorporated that no acceptance If
any project could be made until the
board had the report of the state en-
gineer and whenever necessary of the
advisory board Of engineers as to it's
completion under the terms of the
contract. | would also suggest that
no modification of any contract en-
tered into between the board and pro-
moters of these projects should be
made until after proper notice had
been given TO all settlers or other
persons interested in the matter.
Penalty for Officers Becoming In
terested in Carey Act Projects.
There is doubt as to the suficiency
of our laws to properly reach and
punish officers violating their duty
with reference to Varey act lands. In
any event. the provisions of law re-
lating thereto are widely scattered
throughout our codes and are ambig-
uous in their terms. I recommend the
enactment of a law making 1t a fell
ony for any member or appointee
thereof. to become interested either
directly or Indirectly in any Carey
act lands or any contracts with the
state relating to Carey act projects
then under the jurisdiction of the
land board.
Land Board Investigations.
In view Of the repeated charges Of
Observation-Disclosures of various Carey
act enterprises by the state land
board. ! suggest that joint commit
tee be appointed to thoroughly in
vestigate the charges made. and to re-
vestigate and fully inquire into the
charges made. and TO report upon
the action necessary to be taken TO
promote the cause of justice and the
interests of the state.
Amendment of Laws Regulating APP
. preparation and Use OF Water.
{ The laws with reference to the use
o. of water should be amended in sew
eral particulars. The second foot has
5 been made the unit of measurement
I under our system. This is a satisfac-
I tory method of determining the flow
: of streams. and at the time It was
I made necessary for storing waters
had not arisen Now. however many
5 reservoirs are being constructed FOR
p storage purposes and a new unit of
D measurement should be adopted for
= strictly food or stored waters. which
I unit should be- in my judgment, the
. acre foot.
- House bill 1877. passed at the last
session Of the legislature for the pro-
lection Of the rights Of those con.
serving public waters, should be
= amended so as to define more clearly
1 he powers of special deputies ap.
s pointed by the state engineers to take
e charge Of the special storage water.
( from the reservoir wherein contained
= 10 the divers bitches of the person,
s having the right to the use of suct
e waters. The powers Of these depu,
S ties should be made clear and under
r standable, and this would do mucl
+ toward the presentation of interior
( ence with such DEPUTIES in the dis
e charge OF their duties
Section 28S2 of the revised code.
o provides "A method of compulsory in
f stallation Of measuring devices and
G headgates. so as to enable the water
j. commissioner and his assistants 70
r. properly distribute waters under theil
- control. The procedure under thi,
8 section rs so cumbersome as to rem
q der the statute almost useless ! rec
j. ommend that It be so amended as e
e to give the water commissioner au
y thority to shut OFF the delivery o
e water to any consumer who refuses
= to put in the proper headgate o
p measuring device after having beer
= given a reasonable time in which q
Y comply with the order to that effec
l. by the water missioner.
e Under section 3247 Of the revise
l. codes. the appropriation may chang
IS the place of diversion whree other
q are not damaged by such change. on