Page:Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission to the Governor (1908 - 1914).djvu/159

Rh Copies of the law and forms for applications, together with instructions, can be secured by addressing the State Engineer, Salem, Oregon. They are simple and can be filled out by any one, sssitad, perhaps, by a surveyor, as a map of the proposed works and lands affected thereby is required as a part of each application.

Work must commence within one year from the date of application and he completed within a reasonable time, as fixed in the permit, not to exceed five years.

If the water i applied to the benefieia use within the time allowed, proof is taken of such fact by the division superintendent and a certificate issued the applicant-by the Board of Control. This certificate is of the same form as issued to early appropriators upon detennination of their rights, and is the foundation of his water right, in the same manner as a patent from the JJnitth States is the foundation of his land title. Chain of title can thereafter be traced through the land recoFds, as the law makes the water appurtenant to the land.

The penalties whieh will- make this law ffectiye awl tI public recordomp1ete And reliable are as follows: - It. shall be- a misdemeanor to la., store, or thvert any water until after the issuance of a permit to appropriate such wat.r. Any person who IjaII -willfuII divert-or u. water to the detriment of others, without compliance with law, shall be dad guilty of * miodeniesoor- s--- - - The poneasion âr ao of water, except WITeTI a right of ise is acquired in- accordance -‘with law, shall be prhMo fade evidence of the guilt of t*..person uth.g ii- - -

RECLAMATION UNDER TERMS OF THE CAREY ACT.

A new law accepting the provisions of the -Carey act was passed at the last esgion of the legislature which includes many of the recommendations made by the former commission. It reoealed the old law which was very defective. During the eight menths of 1909 in which the new law has been in force, four Carey act pFojevts were initiated, which will ultimately result in the reclamation of about 300000 acres of ]and.

In Baker County over $30,000 has already been exoended upon surveys and olans for the construction of an irrigation system in Lower Powder Valley, 14 mfles northeast of Baker City. There are over 60,000 acres of land under the canals as planned. Water will be secured from the regular flow of Powder River. aurmented by storage in Thief Valley, where an 80-foot dam will impound 40,000 acre-feet of water. The upper portion of the project will receive water from Eagle Creek.