Page:Report of the Oregon Conservation Commission to the Governor (1908 - 1914).djvu/161

Rh The law has, therefore, proved satisfactory to investors. It is strict in its provisions as compared with the old law and sets forth the main provisions which must be included in contracts by the State. The main feature is the requirement that a reasonable bond be given by construction companies to h.aure compliance with their contract, and that not less than one dollar per acre be paid to the State as the lands are sold.

The fundamental principles of both these laws have been under trial and proved a success in other states. Through the extensive )ubflcity by the United States Reclamation Service, and the wonderful success of Carey act projects in other states, the bonds of Carey act projects are now in great demand.

For five years prior to the passage of these laws, no new projects were initiated, and with one exception all of the old projects had proved more or less of a fsllure.

CONCLUSIVE PROOF OP THE USEFULNESS OP THESE lAWS

During the last 10 months of 1909, 464 aDplications for permit to appropriate water were filed with the State Engineer. The total cost of DF000sed project8 as given by the applicants will aggregate $80,000,000. The significance of these figures can be appreciated when It Is remembered that two million dollars represented the total cost of all irrigation works built prior to 1902, as shown by the United States census, and six million dollars will doubtless cover all expenditures, including those of the Government, on irrigation works since that time.

Out of 464 applicaUons, 62 have been cancelled and the water restored to entry. Water right applicants have paid to the State a total of $9700, a sum which fully meets all the exoenses of the State Engineers office, including the cost of surveys made in connection with the determination of old water riwhts. The beneñts of the office are thus secured to the State without direct cost tb the taxpayer.

During these 10 months 49 petitions for the determination of water rights on variou! streams of the State have been filed with the Board of Control. The popularity of the law in this respect far exceeded the expectation of the legislature, as the aopropriation for the State Engineer’s office was so limited that the surveys cannot keep pace with demands.

During the past season, all ditches, irrigated lands, power plants, ete., along 16 streams have been surveyed and mapped at a total cost of $4,100. Anoroximately $57500 acres of irrioaftd land have been measured and the area in each legal subdivision determined at a cost of seven and one-half cents per acre. The most important of these streams are the