Newell reclamation news. [volume] (Newell, Butte County, S.D.) 1910-19??, 1917-11-01

'@sfsGctL&S u the bcife rouTcHt Vdi-
Wassr Users Association, as APP
pears On tie minutes OF the proceed
lngs Of said Board on May 2s. 1917.
tSEALl o. E. FARNHAM,
Becretary Of the Belle Fourche Valley
Water Users Association.
During the past year quite mum
Der OF applications for reajustment OF
the irrigable areas have been consid-
cred by the Board. and in some instan-
ces adjustments recommended. Pet
ti0Is were also heard requesting post
poneemnt of charges on account Of
loss Of crops by hail in 1916 Relief
was recommended BY your Board for
those affected, but as the law appar-
entity prevents the Secretary Of the In
terror from abating the penalty, there
y considerable question as to whether
the relief granted is really benefit
to the applicant.
Several claims for damage to
the 1916 crops by the overflowing OF
canal banks were considered; but the
claims we're presested SO long after
the damage, il any, occurred. that it
was impractical to make an intell-
gent investigation thereof. AS attor-
ney for the association, drafted law
The first of the year which was enact
ed by the recent legislature. reuuir-
ng the filing OF such claims within 30
lays of the occurance OF the damage.
{ copy of this law was mailed to each
vateruser this last Spring, together
with copy of resolution adopted by our
,oard OF Directors requesting the wa
cruisers to be careful In the use OF
,leir water and not permit waste
ater to overflow the crops or lands
others. We have had no claims pre-
ented for damage during the past
year.
Tho question Of drainage OF GER
ain sections of the project was con-
sidered by your Board again the past
ear. and the following resolution con-
serning the same was adopted.
RESOLVED. That it is apparent to
he Board that there is immediate need
If construction OF drainage works in
ertain localities Of the project, and 1t
) the sentiment of the Board that the
proposition can be more practically
taken care of by the particular Ioca1i-
lies affected thru the organization Of
irainage districts to take care of the
building of the necessary drainage sys-
tems.''
am glad to be able to report at this
lime, that the litigation between the
Association and certain officers of the
Service has by stipula-
ton between certain parties been set
tied.
A matter which vitality concerns
large body OF our waterusers and in
fact the entire project was called to
he attention of your executive officers
during the past summer. Probably
most of you are aware of the fact that
the City of Belle Fourche has deemed
it necessary to construct a sewage
system. That in itself is to be COM
mended as an up-to-date, progressive
undertaking. but the City has rot
used due regard for the rights and vel
fare of others concerned. Your Board
has been advised that this sewage
system Is so constructed as to empty
its contents, this accumulated filth,
Without treatment or publication di-
rectiy into the Belle Fourche River
above the diversion dam, or IN other
words, practically into our system OF
water supply, in many instances the
sole source of water supply in the sum
mer and ice in the winter time for
many of the waterusers and their fam
lilies. When you consider that this is
the most practical way Of disseminat-
ing many malignant disease germs and
thus constantly endanger the health OF
the entire valley, when this sewage
could be effectively treated and puri-
fled at comparatively small expen-
Sc, this presents situation which it
seems should have the immediate at
tention OF the Association. Your Board
has by resolution adopted at its last
meeting informed the City of Belle
Fourche, that unless it desist from its
proposed undertaking, or purify the
sewage before it is turned loose, that
this association will take proper steps
to enjoin it.
Another matter which has been the
source OF much worry and concern
by the waterusers under the inlet cam
al and Johnston Lateral came to a
head this past summer, when the
shortage OF water for this portion Of
the project extended over SO much of
the growing season as to materfllay