The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-11-03
reOOOOOO DEVELOPMENT ONLY
- NEEDS AN ACT OF LEGISLATURE

fields are practically out Of business
now on account of a water grass
which grows in the fields and makes
them unfit for rice cultivation. Tie
irrigation water OF California is also
being used very largely for the pur-
pose of growing other crops which
can afford to pay a higher water rem
tai Arkansas growers have found
the cost Of irrigation from deep wells
prohibitive. Texas is now practically
on a balance as the cost is so high
that low price for rice makes it a.
losing proposition.
Mr.. Bradley stated that the entire
project, comprising the three units
would be completed In less than five
years. providing the necessary legisla-
ton could be secured. It is estimated
that the entire cost of the project
viii be $13,0O0,OOO and the company
has arrangements made for the fl
nancing.
What is needed now Is an act Of
congress declaring the Bayou Coco
drie non-navigalbe stream from its
junction with Bayou Chicot Mr.. Brad
| ley explained the proposition to the
police jury and they adopted the fol
lowing resolution:
! STATE o FLOUISIANA,
Parish of ST Landry
Whereas, the general assembly Of
the state of Louisiana. at the regular
session OF 1918, unanimously enacted
an amendment to the state constitu-
tion (which was later overwhelmingly
adopted by the voters Of the state),
granting the use Of the waters Of the
state for irrigation, navigation and
power development, under rules and
regulations to be prescribed by the
state board Of engineers. making soch
corporations public service corpora
tons and providing that after seven
lty wears from completion. such deVel-
opments to become the property OF the
state without cost; and,
Whereas, the general assembly at
/ its regular session in 1920 enacted leg
isIation in accordance with the above
mentioned constitutional amendment,
and granting powers OF appropriation
for reservoirs and rfghts-of-Way foT
such developments; and.
Whereas, 1t is found that certain fed
eraI legislation is necessary to encour'
age the construction of "grvaify sys
tenn to supply fresh water for the II
rigation of rice lands in Southwestern
Louisiana. such a system as is contem
Mated by the Louisiana Gravity Ca
nal Company, Inc" organized for that
purpose, and to aid which the constltu
4 tion was amended in 1918; and,
Whereas. the waters Of the upper
i 3Calcasieu and Coeodrie watershed ane
the Red River now go to waste. where
a. they may be utilized to furnish an
abundant supply Of fresh water SO muci
needes = make the productive rice
crops exe.y and prevent the ire
.-7dous losses oi--4 ecurring n tha'
reee,l .er want of an adequate supply
of water; and, -
Whereas. il is important Tor the de
veIopment OF the rice industry II
Southwestern Louisiana that an 4oun
idant and sure supply of fresh watei
~ obtained for irrigation, thus avoid
ing the fearful losses to rice growers
! 81 often recurring and for the deYei
opment of power SO much needed TO
the industrial development Of tn
state; and, -
whereas. the basin Of Lake GO
eodrie' could be converted into
: most useful reservoir in the interes
, ~ irritation. navigation and power de
veIopment; and.
Whereas. il is necessary IN ordeE Z
eonsummate the plans proposed oy q
/ Il Louisiana Gravity Canal CoInpahy
Inc, that the old bed Of Lake Cocoa
lrie be converted into great reservoir
} and. n,,r
he necessary to close the head Q
? Iavou Cocodrie. an insignllcan
: stream running out of said lake an
! dsbouching into Bayou CourtaDisa z. /.
. which is not navigable or naYigaied =
eset hut nevertheless appears on IN
( government charts and surveys as
+ nsvigable stream, thus rendering
[ doubtful whether the same can oe la
: fully closed; and, -,
Whereas, the saIu stA SoAAAA -
"intra-state; and, a
Whereas. the construction ol lIhpol ~
tant public highways requiring tn
y crossing OF the said stream in questio
would require (undeT present feaers
repnlations) the unnecessary ar AZ
bridges." or structures IN keeplh
with streams that are navigabie an
c nayigated; and, -.
y whereas. the declaring OF the uppe
portion Of the said Bayou Cocodrle
bejnp ~non-navigable" would also 7
N he aid of PERMANENT hignWay
d their construction and maintenance
e now therefore, be il
. Resolved by the police jury OF y y
narish of st. Landry, La. that our Sc
afors and representatives in congEe'
g be and they are hereby requested
r endeavor to secure the passage Of
o bin. As soon as practicable, decla[lI y
Bayou Cocodrie ! a 'non-naVlgao oit
Sfream from its source TO its Juncus
with Bayou Courtablean, in Section
q Towngl1ip 8, South, Range "a
e Southwestern District Of Louisiana 2
J. ing near the crossing Of the said nays