The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1922-01-20
THREE DOLLARS
ESTIMATED COST
DRAINAGE | n WORK
Delinquent Payments on
Special Assessment Is
Holding up Programs,
Says Secretary.

Drainage for the Boise project will
cost in the neighborhood Of So per
actk, T. sMagee, secretary of the
Payette- Boise Water Users association
told Caldwell Kiwanians Thursday.
For Boise project lands, including the
Nampa- Meridian district, drainage will
cost in the neighborhood of 100000
of which $28000O will be spent on the
Boise project proper.
That the present method employed
to get drainage, lie, by an additional to
the operation and maintenance charge,
is the only way that this work can be
done in the immediate future is the
opinion Of Mr.. Magee The only other
means open is through the organiza-
ton district and that, in the opinion
of Mr.. Magee, will be so slow that it
will be detrimental to the project to
endeavor to go through the years
necessary to perfect that organization.
Normally from l8 months to three
years is required to perfect the or
ganization OF a drainage district and
this time, Mr.. Magee feel, will be great
ly heightened through opposition on
the project to this form of organiza-
ton. h
IF all payments had been made or,
the special drainage assessment, four
dredges would be working today in
stead of only two" Mr.. Magee said.
The assessment which should have
raised about 100000 has produced
only $4,000 and the work is slowed
up because of delinquent payments.
Mr.. Magee expressed the belief that
The fight that is being made for an
Irrigation district has in some meas
ure contributed to increasing the num-
Der of delinquent payments.
Z, The best way to get drainage, in the
opinion of the board of directors of the
water users association is the quick
est way and that is the policy that is
now being employed, Mr.. Magee said.
Direct assessments on project lands is
4 the only way to get drainage in a rea-
sonable length of time, Mr.. Magee
believes. rs
\ 1--WE cannot hesitate or the project
will suffer-" Mr.. Magee said, in point
ing out that already some 5000 acres
had suspended payments on construc-
! ton charges because they were unpro-
ductive while an additional 1900 acres
have the water plane within the five
foot danger zone. Less than 10 per
cent of the project lands are seeped or
in danger of seepage, Mr.. Magee said
That drainage might not even now
be necessary If the Arrow Rock dam
had been large enough to dispense with
Deer Flat as storage reservoir is the
.Sopinion of Mr.. Magee. Figures were
presented to the club indicating that
the seeped areas on the project are
l specifically related to the Deer Flat
reservoir and showing such an interre-
/ lation that the reservoir must be cred
\ tied in some measure with the need
for drainage.
4 Mr.. Magee told Kiwanians that
/. there were many farmers on the prof.
ect not in a position to meet their
u drainage assessments. Those who are
4 delinquent in these assessments. how.
I ever, may have their water supply cut
\ off unless a blanket concession can be
4, arranged that will permit the reclama'
i ton. service to supply them this COM
i ing irrigation season, In the opinion
II of Mr.. Magee.