Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-08-24
RECLAMATION HAS
BOARDS BACKING
a78O, 900 ARID ACRES AWAITING
TOUCH OF WATER TO SPRING
INTO FERTILITY

A brief but what is intended as a
conclusive summary of the work OF
the state reclamation board since its
creation in 1919, together with an
outline of what projects the board
has in hand and argument in support
Of extended reclamation enterprise
BY the state has been compiled by w.
W. Sherman, state treasurer and
chairman of the state reclamation
board. The statement reads:
The 1919 legislature passed the
state reclamation act and therein
created the state reclamation board,
composed of the state treasurer, COM
missioner of public lands, commits
sioner of agriculture, hydraulic engi-
neer and president Of the State Col
lege. A reclamation revolving fund
was created and is supplied with the
proceeds from a half mill levy,
which amounts to about 100000
per annum.
2,75O,OOO Acres Waiting.
The state board organised little
over a year ago. engaged q chief en-.
gineer and has been very active since
Ia laying the foundations for state
reclamation activities. II has been
estimated from aseneral survey that
there are approximately 2.75o,o0o
acres OF arid land susceptible OF feas-
ible reclamation in this state. A
general survey is now being made by
~ board OF drainage and swamp
lAlt resources. and It is expected
Ut half Q million acres Of such
knds wfll be found, susceptible Of
development. mostly in Western
Washington. 1.
The state board has made extern
sive surveys and investigations per-
tanning to the Methow-O Okanogan
project. and made a contract with
the district for its development. sub
ject to certain cooperation by the
district, and the district is now en-
deavoring to carry out its part. The
first unit Of the development is
Brwester Flats, which Is a remark
able body of land, capable Of pro-
ducing the finest grade of apples,
and there is now a partial develop
ment with an inadequate water sup
ply. which the board expects to pre-
serve by applying the waters Of the
Methow river.
The state board has made an ex-
tensive examination of the Kenne-
wick project $4,000 acres) In the
Yakima valley. one OF the units of
the government Yakima project, not
developed for lack of funds, has ap-
proved the project, made a contract
with the district for its development
and will undertake the same as soon
\ ~ the financing can be successfully
4 worked out.
ID The board has approved the Black
Lake drainage project in Thurston
county (1,710 acres). has agreed to
purchase the bonds ($60,000). and
actual construction is now ander
way under its direction.
Snake and Kittitas Projects.
In addition to actually taking up
the three above mentioned projects
the board made an examination Of
the dam site in the Five Mile rapids
on tn Snake river, for which the leg
hlature made a special appropriation
OF 10000, and found 1t satisfactory;
made an examination of the Kittitas
project and approved 1t. and definite
steps towards it's financing and de-
velopment are now being carried out
oy the district under the guidance
ana assistance of the board. The
ooard has contract with the Methow
reclamation district near Winthrop
!or the survey of this project. which
y now under way Investigation of
liking Improvement District No. B..
~ Clarke county, and Padilla Bay
'ands, In Skagit county, is now IN
progress The Whitestone project,
okanogan county, is now under in
'ostigation by the board.
upon the request Of the governor.
ae board made an examination of a
u''trict being bonded in Franklin
county which proved to have an in
a1equate water supply, and as a re-
'u's the election was called off and
persons saved serious loss.
owing to the condition of the pres
& money market bonds Of irrigation
srlcts now developed have not