Imperial Valley press., 1931-11-10
Continued From Page ~

for ALLEGATIONS of water to Imperia,
Valley and to Mexican lands, the
secretary says: THE association
desires an ALLEGATION of water great
ly in excess of any that could be
made and leave water available for
other California interests which
cannot be ignored. The ALLEGATION
embodied in the contract is in ac-
cordance with the recommendation
of the chief of the division OF
water resources of the state of CAL
ifornia, who made an investigation
and submitted findings at my re-
quest, and is adopted as being fair
and equitable to all concerned.
The ALLEGATION made to the district
is regarded as sufficient for its
legitimate requirements.
"As to the economic objections
made by the Protective association
and the Coachella Landowners as
ISOLATION, it should be pointed out
here that the maximum annual
payment to the United States (com-
mencing Is years after construction
is completedD will be three per cent
of S38,500,000 or $l,l55,0 900. assum-
ing that the project costs the max
imum authorized. As the district
now has assessment-paying land in
excess of 100000 acres, the maxi
mum per acre annual charge would
be less than So, even if no new lands
are added Actually, an ultimate
acreage of about 100000 is eX
pected- AS to Coachella, the mat
ter is one of necessity in view of
the areas dependence on pumping
from a rapidly falling water plane.
Imperial also faces a necessity
which cannot be reckoned solely
in terms Of cost. 1t is under court
Injunction to remove its Temporary
diversion works, and permanent
works to replace them will run into
many millions. Further, silt-re-
moval cost in excess Of 5000 an
nually to the district and prob
ably larger amount to the individ-
ual farmer will be materially les
sened when Hoover Dams desilt-
ing effect comes into operation.
Cites Savings
Entirely aside from power rev.
enue, savings in silt costs, savings
from the alternative requirement Of
new diversion works, elimination
of leyee flood control costs and the
Mexican carrying costs, and as
suming that the cultivated area
i never expands and that all Of the
cost Is borne by the farmer on an
acreage basis (actually, al cities In
the district contribute on an ad
valorem basis, nevertheless, the
gross annual charge per acre would
be less than q dollar for each Of
the first five years, less than two
dollars for the next 10. and less
than thre for each Of the next 25.
That the lands are amply able to
carry these charges. our soil and
economic surveys show.
LAS for the argument that drain
age will be inadequate. the United
States reserves the right to measure
water uses at any points 1t pleaseS,
/ and as water deliveries depend
largely on releases from Hoover
dam, the water will be fairly used.
1t should no longer be necessary to
sluice out canals to free them OF
silt. But If drainage is a problem,
it is obviously essential that all
lands be furnished water from one
irrigation district controlling all
individual deliveries"
Referring directly to the protect
i've associations request for Mex
ican water ALLEGATION and sales, Sec
retary Wilbur observes:
1T is impossible to reserve to
J the district the right to sell water
to Mexico, as the protective asso-
citation asks. There is no basis for
such action. No treaty has been
made with Mexico for the division
and delivery of water. No one can
foretell how much water will be
awarded Mexico under such treaty,
I