The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-04-07
FAVORS GRANTING
PARK RESERVOIR
House Committee Ap
proves Bill for Wa
ter Storage
{ Boise Statesman)

/
terror to permit the construction o
a storage reservoir, with canals an,
so forth, in the extreme southwes
corner of the Yellowstone nationa
park. The purpose is to increas
the supply of water available 70
lands in the upper Snake river val
ley in Idaho. In reporting the bill
the committee says:
"The farmers occupying the uppe
Snake river valley lost during tn
season, because of the shortage o
the water supply, between ten mil
lion and fifteen million dollars
worth of crops, which resulted in the
movement on their part to augment
the water supply by storage reser
voir. The only site available fol
such storage reservoir is in the ex
IRENE southwestern corner of the
Yellowstone national park, a section
which is marshy in character and
which is never visited by tourists be-
cause of the lack of roads or trails
Application was made to the Sec
rotary Of the interior for right of
way for a reservoir, and after con-
sideration the secretary stated he
was in doubt in regard to his au-
thority to grant such a permit of
easement under the general law, and
submitted proposed legislation,
which is embodied in the bill under
consideration, which gives the secre-
tary of the interior authority to
grant to grant the necessary right of
way in the extreme southwestern
corner of the Yellowstone national
park, for the construction of a res
ervoir, canals and so forth; for the
purpose of storing water for the pur-
pose of irrigation.
There are about 10000 people re-
siding on farms, which are now in a
high state of development and cul-
tivation and in need of additional
water supply in order to secure the
maximum crops. The area affected
Is about two hundred thousand acres,
situated in Fremont and Madison
counties, Idaho.
Except during dry years these
lands are fairly we'll supplied with
water, but during the periods of
1routh great shortage of crops is
During recent years, particularly
1919, a considerable menace existed
to the entire Yellowstone national
park from forest fires. One of the
fires most difficult ito control oc-
cured at the headwaters of Fall riv-
er, and was only extinguished with
great difficulty, owing to lack of
'oads and means of access. When
his easement is granted, high
way will be constructed from the
abroad station at Ashton or Marys-
,ale to this part of the park, in or
Ter that they may gain access to
heir work. This highway will serve
IS a means of access to the park for
ire protection and other purposes
or all time TO come. |
Like many of the other western |
tates, Idaho is dependent entirely |
N the development, Of its agricultur-
i resources by irrigation for furth- |
r growth and prosperity. This de-
elopment can only progress by the
of our water resources
through the construction Of reser-
oirs. Such reservoirs obviously can
My be constructed where favorable
ties exits and where adequate water
upply is available.
"At time when the world is
argely filled with unrest, due to the
adical activities Of Russia and else
there, to say nothing of our own ma
ion, it is we'll to remember that the
wners of farm property and the peo-
lie who are tilling their own soil are
OF radicals, but really constitute
UT most loyal and patriotic Ameri-
an citizens. In this respect it is
therefore, important to further in
rease our farm areas and build up
ur rural communities.
when this reservoir is construct
1 the adequate water supply pro-
ided thereby and the increased pro-
uction resulting therefrom will per- (
lit of material reduction in the pres
ut farm units in this territory and {
lild up additional homes for many
eople."
Governor Davis Thursday wired to
overnor Carey of Wyoming re-
lest that the Wyoming executive
quaint legislators at Washington
it'll his states attitude relative to !,
lie Fall River-Meadows reclamation '
,velopment, which, involving
ght of way through part of yell
wstone park, requires an act of
'ngress. /
The Wyoming state engineer, Gov G
nor Davis said, has passed upon the t
opposition and reported that there ?
no possibility of Wyoming's using
e waters expected to be diverted t
: the project.
If House Leader Mondell and other v
personalities are informed Of this .
titude, it will remove the only c
umbling block to the passage Of !,
e congressional act, say Idaho Of p
,ials. $
. . . y y y .