The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-01-06
new WATER CODES
FOR STATE
EXTENSIVE CONTROL SCHEME
PROVIDED FOR IN PRO-
POSED LEGISLATION.
Water Appropriated by Power Com
pai1ies to Be Paid for at Fixed Rate
State Divided Into Two Main Divi-
Ysions, With Smaller Divisions Under
Water Masters.

D.
Olympia, Jan. 3.-The commission
appointed to draw up water code 70,
the next legislature has placed in the
hands of Gov. M. E. Hay it's findings
embodied in which are three bills.
One of these acts is intended to pro
hlblt the turning of sewage or waste
of any kind into any lake or stream
that can be used as source of water
for domestic purposes without first
having all harmful solids removed
This act will apply not only to indi
ylduals, but to cities, and is intended
to prevent them from acting without
first obtaining a permit. It is made
misdemeanor to fail to obtain such
permit.
Another act provides for the grant.
ing and franchising of water by the
state and the collection of fines there.
for.
Elaborate System of Control.
A third act, which alone covers fifty
three typewriter pages, provides a
system for the control of water supply
and for the determination of existing
rights. The act provides for the es-
tablishment of a board of water COM
missiOners and divides the state into
two water districts, water division No.
1, consisting of the counties of Okano-
gan, Ferry, Stevens, Douglas, Lincoln,
Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Franklin,
Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and
Asotin, and No. 2, consisting of the
remaining counties.
Subject to existing rights all waters
within the state can be appropriated
for beneficial use and not otherwise,
provided that the first in time shall be
the first in right, and that nothing in
the act shall be construed so as to take
away or impair vested rights.
New Offices Created.
There is to be an engineer and for
each water division a water superin-
tendent is to be appointed by the gov
ernor. The superintendent is to have
general control over the water masters
of the several districts in his division,
as each division is to be divided into
water districts.
Any aggrieved person may take an
appeal to the commission, consisting of
the engineer and division superinten-
dents. The former is to be paid $4,000
and each superintendent is to receive
S2,4OO per year. A bond in the sum Of
$4,000 is to be furnished for the en-
gineer and one of $4,000 for each of
the superintendent A secretary at a
salary of $1,000 annually is allowed
and other necessary assistants may be
engaged, an appropriation of $4,000
yearly being carried for the mainte-
nance of the commission.
System of Records.
A certified copy and abstract of all
records and DEGREES relating to water
rights in the various counties is to be
prepared and forwarded by the county
auditors and county clerks of the re-
spective counties. These are to be
classified and arranged by the hydrau-
lie engineer. Each water division SUI
perintendent is to be furnished copies
of these and is also to receive copies
of all records of permits and licenses.
To the United States, states, irriga-
ton districts and every person, firm,
corporation or association is given the
right of eminent domain to acquire for
public use any property or rights now
or hereafter existing which are found
necessary for the application OF water
to benefit any public concern or to
enlarge the same in common with the
former owner, and the right is also
given to conduct water across any land
for public or private purposes.
Rental to State.
In a case where water is appropriate
ed for any person, firm or corporation
except municipal for the purpose OF
applying the same for development OF
power for beneficial use, there is to be
paid to the state of Washington a fiat
rate of not less than rs cents nor more
than 50 in advance on or before Janu
ary 2 of each year for each and every
| horsepower represented.
The amount of horsepower used is to
be determined by the water commits
sioners and the act defines as horse
power for this purpose $50 pounds Of
water per second of time for each foot
| of available fall.
It is further provided that no fran
chise is to be given for more than thir
ty-five years from the date of appro
priating.