Source: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=1138567
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:56:38+00:00

Document:
185 "actual bona fide resident of such land, or occupant thereof residing in the neighborhood of such land."206 Use of the Reclamation Fund for operation and maintenance of works is authorized.207 In this connection, the Act contains a significant provision that, when payments required by the Act have been made for the major portion of the lands irri- gated, "management and operation" of the works shall pass to the owners of the lands irrigated to be maintained at their ex- pense under such organization and rules as are acceptable to the Secretary.208 However, "title to and the management and operation of the reservoirs and the works necessary for their protection and operation" remain in the Government "until otherwise provided by Congress." m The Secretary may acquire necessary rights or property by purchase or condemnation.210 Nothing in the Act may be con- strued as interfering with state laws relating to the "control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water used in irrigation, or any vested right acquired thereunder."211 In carrying out the Act's provisions, the Secretary "shall proceed in conformity with such laws."212 And nothing in the Act shall affect any "right of any State or of the Federal Government or of any landowner, appropriator, or user of water in, to, or from any interstate stream or the waters thereof."213 In addition, it is provided that the right to use of water acquired under the Act 808 § 5, 32 Stat. 389, 43 U. S. O. 431. *" § 6,32 Stat. 389, 43 U. S. O. 491. 808 § 6, 32 Stat. 389, 43 U. S. 0. 498. 809 Id. 810 § 7, 32 Stat. 389, 43 U. S. 0. 421. 811 § 8, 32 Stat. 390, 43 U. S. C. 383. 213 Id. In Nebraska v. Wyoming, 325 U. S. 589, 614 (1945), this provision was characterized as "a direction by Congress to the Secretary of the Interior" to proceed in conformity with state laws in the appropriation of water for irrigation purposes. In this connection, it should be noted that some states have provided a simple procedure for application to federal irrigation undertakings. For example, a special New Mexico statute applies in the case of federal reclamation projects. Reservation of certain unappro- priated waters of the State may be effected by a notification from the proper federal officer to the State Engineer that the United States intends to make use of those waters, N. Mjs. Stat, Aim. 1941, f 77-531, mId.

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