, 1922-10-12
Reclamation Legislation.

INV NpAAlA'Nl ul'ilttl VI litt iDIlllilll-
tee on Irrigation of Arid Lands at the
time the National Reclamation Law
was under consideration by thai COM
mittee, he was, by II vote Of the com
mittce, authorized to report the bill
and pilot it through the House. which
he did, and President Roosevelt gave
him the pen with which the bill was
signed, and it is now preserved in the
archives of the State Historical So
cicty ut Cheyenne.
Shoshone Project.
In connection with the practical APP
plicatiOn Of the Reclamation Law. Mr..
Mondells knowledge of the state en-
ablcd him to secure the benefit of the
legislation for Wyoming. Before he
went to Congress Mr.. Mondell was en-
gagged in development enterprises, and
while so engaged visited the Big Horn
Basin and helped survey out several
projects there, among others what
afterwards became the ShoshOne Pro-
ject. In the meantime, Colonel Cody
had become interested in development
ON the Shoshone and largely through
Mr.. Mondells influence he was per-
suaded To urn over his rights to the
Reclamation Service; the result wa
the great Shoshone Irrigation Pro-
ject, On which nearly $7,500.O00 has
1902 ~ h''''hH fAAA' VIZ fiAA WIN -
being vigorously prosecuted. When
fully developed by the construction of
the wildwood, the Highline and the
Oregon Basin units, this will be one of
the largest compact irrigation projects
in the United States.
North Platte Project.
Through cooperation with his col
leagues, Mr.. Mondell called attention
of the Reclamation Service to the pos
sibilities of development on the North
Platte. and the Pathfinder dam and
the North Platte Project was under
taken. Nearly S10,OOO.0OO has Deer
expended for the Wyoming portion of
this project. and much additional work
is contemplated both by the extension
of the irrigated area under the
Guernsey and Fort Laramie units, and,
in Il very large way, in the construc-
ton of the Casper Project.
Recently Congressman Mondell ar
ranged for Director Davis to visit the
Guernsey Project, and accompanied
him in Il personal inspection. As n
result, immediate arrangements were
mad to secure the flowage rights.
Later contracts We're closed for the
purchase of most OF the lands to be
submerged, the other areas being in
process of sale. This was the final
step necessary before actual construc-
tion could begin.
Opening VIM River Reservation.
Very early In Mr.. MondelT's service
his attention was called to the neceS-
sity Of legislation for the opening n
development of Il portion of the Sho-
shone or Wind River Reservation in
Central Wyoming. He tool hold OF
the matter with characteristic energy.
with the result that n treaty was OBJ
.Fv.U .-T H.. .--.s.. q II --.
area north Of the Big Wind River was
secured. For quite a number of years
the state endenvored 10 secure the
reclamation of the irrigable portion of
these lands, hut only succeeded in Sc
curing a limited amount of Develop
ment IN the vicinity of RivertOn.
Riverton irrigation Project.
During the campaign of 1914 Mr..
Mpndell gave notice that whoever was
elected governor, he would, unless the
state authorities promptly extended
the irrigation development, seek to
have Tie lunds irrigated 10y the aid Of
the Federal Government. A few
months later, no further state develop
meut having taken place, Mr.. Mondell
began the efforts which have finally
resulted in the adoption Of what is
known as the Itiverton Project ms "A
National Reclamation Project. This
project is progressing f%uvornbly and
will. within q few years. add In the
vicinity Of 100000 ncres TO the irrigat-
eel area of the state. Mr.. Mondell still
oOkS forward to the ultimate develop
ment of the lands under what is
known as the Fremont Canal or the
Riverton Project.
Further irrigation Development.
Efforts of Mr.. Mondcll and other
Western members in securing a large
portion of the rents and royalties un-
der the leasing net for irrigation un-
der the national reclamation law viii
render possible more speedy develop
mcnt OF projects under way, and the
taking up Of new projects. Further
irrigation development is confidently
hoped for under the Soldier Settle
mcut and other Reclamation Extension
bills, and Mr.. Mondell has expressed
confidence in the undertaking, in the
no distant future, rs Il result of the
enactment of legislation above re-
ferred to, Of several more projects in
the state 10y under consideration.
particularly the Casper Project. the
Pass Creek and Big Greek Projects On
the upper Platte, and the projects on
the upper Green River.
Irrigation on Indian Reservation.
Early In his service Mr.. Moudell be-
came active in encouraging the Bu.
reuu of Indian Affairs TO develop the
irrigation possibilities Of the Dimin-
ished Wind River Reservation and TO
take out its water rights under state
law. He has been active IN securing
nearly n million and "A half Of npprO-
priUtions for the work. Later he be-
came active in the encouragement OF
the sale Of the lands Of deceased In
dlnns. The reservation needed roads
md ne became active In securing an
nunl rond appropriations.
Saves the Settlers From Reclamation
Payments.
During the latter part OF the Wilson
- III. nfffan 10.