local aspect of the problem is to arrest immediately the destructive processes and to restore the land to its highest productive capacity as rapidly as possible. There are, at present, approximately 9,547 acres under irrigation, 27,962 acres in floodwater farms, and 4,723 acres in what might be termed dry farms. Within the physical potentialities of soil and climate, this could be increased to an ultimate total of approximately 34,000 acres of irrigated land, 46,496 acres of floodwater land, 10,000 acres of dry-farm land, and in addition, water could be spread on approximately 160,300 acres to increase the production of native grasses-a small amount of which might be cut for hay. Under The average size family on the Navajo Reservation is five persons and, on the basis of a population of 50,000, there are at present 10,000 families. If the present farm land were divided equally among all families, each would have 0.9 acres of irrigated land, 2.7 acres of floodwater land, and 0.4 acres of dry-farm land. the ultimate agricultural development, assuming that there is no increase in population, there would be available for each family 2.2 acres of irrigated land, 4.6 acres of floodwater land, and 1 acre of dry-farm land. The range resources are as strictly limited as are the agricultural possibilities. The present carrying capacity of the range is 560,000 sheep units. Assuming that the average family needs 3 horses, an allowance should be made for 30,000 horses which, converted into sheep units on a basis of 5 to 1, would mean that 150,000 sheep units should be subtracted from the 560,000 total carrying capacity in order to obtain the possible productive units which would be 410,000. It makes little difference whether these be considered as cattle or sheep, as the productive capacity of the range would be approximately the same. On the basis of sheep alone 10,000 families would have 41 sheep each. It is rather difficult to predict the future increase in capacity of the range. Assuming that the present capacity could be doubled by proper range management and that the human population remains constant, each family could have 97 head of sheep. If the present program is not carried out, the range will be rapidly denuded and most of the present farm land will be entirely destroyed. Under such conditions, it is quite apparent that at least half of the population must become dependent upon Government subsidy. Present records indicate that the absolute minimum for per-capita subsistence needs is $36 per year. With 25,000 Navajos receiving subsistence, the taxpayers would have to contribute $900,000 toward the support of the Navajos. This would be in addition to the regular administrative expenditures. On the other hand, if the present program is carried out to a successful completion, the resources of the Navajo Reservation should be at least adequate for the present population. With 50,000 Navajos, there is but a very small margin of safety above the actual subsistence needs. Considering the present condition of the reservation, the subsistence needs of its population are not being met. If it were not for the present Government subsidy, a large proportion of the population would be in actual need. This is due in part to the uneven distribution of wealth and in part to the depleted and undeveloped resources. The various economic surveys which have been made on the reservation have shown that the subsistence income of an average Navajo family is about $235 on a trading basis. It has been calculated that it takes 57 ewes or about 6 acres of irrigated land to produce this amount of income. It is estimated that 7,500 families are chiefly dependent upon livestock as a source of income. The remaining 2,500 families secure part of their income from livestock and the remainder from farm produce, arts and crafts, and labor. On the basis of 57 ewes per family, the forage resources of the reservation, under proper stocking, would take care of 7,193 families. If all the available and potential irrigated farm land were divided equally among the remaining 2,807 families, each would have 7.7 acres. If all the agricultural and range resources were divided equally among the 10,000 families, the probable income would be somewhat as follows: 6 tons alfalfa hay from 2.2 acres of irrigated land, at $15.50 per ton............. $93 60 Income from 40 eves, at $4.10. 164 Total income per family from all agricultural resources.. 317 Thus it will be necessary to have a more equitable distribution of wealth among all the families if they are to be maintained above a bare subsistence level. TOTAL COST OF PROJECT Mr. O'NEAL. What is contemplated as the total cost of completing the job? The estimate is $100,000 this year. What is the rest of the program? Mr. WATHEN. $1,300,000 is our present estimate to complete all of the work in the Navajo area; both in Arizona and New Mexico. Mr. O'NEAL. Of which $100,000 is asked for this year? Mr. WATHEN. Yes, sir; we are asking for $100,000 this year. Mr. O'NEAL. That leaves a balance of $1,200,000 anticipated? Mr. WATHEN. Yes, sir; that is right. Mr. O'NEAL. Will this bring in additional land for cultivation, or is this to furnish additional water for land that is already irrigated? Mr. WATHEN. This will bring in additional acreage. Mr. O'NEAL. What proportion of it is new acreage? Mr. WATHEN. Practically 100 percent. The entire amount will be spent to bring in acreage for the Navajos. Mr. O'NEAL. Is any of that now under irrigation? Mr. WATHEN. No. No part of the land upon which this particular money will be spend is under irrigation. This is principally for extending facilities to new land. Mr. LEAVY. You have a range problem down there that makes it necessary almost that you do bring in new land? Mr. WATHEN. That is correct; yes, sir; both for forage and subsistence land. Mr. LEAVY. The Indians' former range is almost lost by reason of overgrazing? Mr. WATHEN. Yes, sir. Mr. DODD. I think we should emphasize, in connection with these projects, that they are not commercial projects at all. We are developing tracts of land that can be used by the Indians for subsistence gardening. Mr. O'NEAL. None of this is reimbursable? Mr. WATHEN. No. It will not be reimbursable so long as the land remains in Indian ownership. IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, SALT RIVER IRRIGATION SYSTEM Mr. O'NEAL. The next item is Salt River, for which you are requesting $650,000. Mr. DODD. The justification in support of this item is as follows: The estimate includes $150,000 for extension and improvement of the irrigation system on the Salt River Reservation, and $500,000 for transfer to the Bureau of Reclamation as part payment for the Indian share of the cost of the Bartlett Dam on the Verde River, now under construction. Distribution system, $150,000.—The need for increased irrigation facilities for the Salt River Indians has long been recognized. By the act of May 18, 1916 (39 Stat. 130), Congress authorized the Secretary of the Interior to provide additional water for 631 allotments of 10 acres each. The additional water supply is to be provided through participation by the Indian Office in the cost of the Verde River regulating reservoir. To make proper use of this increased supply it will be necessary to provide an irrigation system and to subjugate the land. There are at present 3,448 acres under constructed works which the Indians have attempted to irrigate with the meager supply of 700 miners' inches. These Indians have always made the fullest use possible of their irrigation facilities and there is every indication that full advantage will be taken of the increased project benefiting some 950 Indians. The completion of the irrigation system for the increased area and the subjugation of the additional acreage will require an expenditure of approximately $315,000. It is proposed to spread this work over a 5-year period. The first year's work contemplates performing the major part of the work of constructing the irrigation system. The second year's work contemplates completion of the irrigation system and the beginning of land subjugation work. The remainder of the program would then consist of land subjugation, estimated to cost $25 per acre for 6,310 acres. The total irrigable area eventually will be about 9,758 acres. The constr ction costs to June 30, 1936, amounted to $112,851.93 and the operation and maintenance costs $25,443.15. Bartlett Dam, $500,000.-The Indian Service, by contract between the United States and the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association, agreed to participate to the extent of 20 percent in the cost of the Verde River regulating reservoir at the Bartlett site, now estimated to cost approximately $4,220,000. Congress contemplated furnishing an additional water supply for the Salt River Reservation Indians in the act of May 18, 1916, but plans heretofore have never been perfected for fully carrying out the provisions of the act. Participation with the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association in the cost of the construction of the Verde storage works offers by far the most feasible means of obtaining the required water supply of any plans so far considered Under the terms of the contract the Indan Service has a one-fifth interest in the works, which is expected to yield a water supply of 20,000 acre-feet per annum for the irrigation of 6,310 acres of irrigable land in the Salt River Reservation free of carriage charge to the reservation and free of ordinary operation and maintenance expense of the proposed works. During the fiscal year 1936 a partial payment of $200,000 was made to the Bureau of Reclamation with an allotment by the Public Works Administration. It is proposed to make a further payment of $500,000 in the fiscal year 1938 and final payment of approximately $144,000 in the fiscal year 1939, during which year the dam is expected to be completed. Mr. O'NEAL. I notice that is new language. Mr. WATHEN. The estimate for Salt River is $650,000; $500,000 of that is for transfer to the Bureau of Reclamation for our participation in the cost of the construction of the Bartlett Dam on the Verde River. We have paid the Reclamation Service $200,000 from a Public Works allotment, and this $500,000 will make a total of $700,000. Next year we will owe the Reclamation Service an additional $140,000; that is, that is the present estimate. Our participation in the cost of that dam is 20 percent, and we secure 20 percent of the water. Mr. O'NEAL. When you say "our" you mean whom? Mr. WATHEN. The Indian Office participation. Mr. O'NEAL. The Indian Office? Mr. WATHEN. Yes, sir; the Indian Office's participation in the cost. of constructing the dam that is being built on the Verde River. Mr. O'NEAL. Does this bring new land into cultivation? Mr. WATHEN. Yes; land on the Salt River Reservation. Mr. O'NEAL. Both for Indians and for whites, is that right? Mr. WATHEN. It will bring in very little additional land for the whites. The Salt River Valley comprises now about 450,000 acres. While they have four dams on the Salt River, they are short of water, and during the past 10 years they have been short each year. Mr. O'NEAL. What amount do you anticipate you will require? Mr. WATHEN. For this dam? Mr. O'NEAL. Yes; for the completion of the development you are now starting with the $650,000 and the $30,000. Mr. WATHEN. We expect that we will need $140,000 next year to finish paying the Reclamation Service for the construction of the dam, 139751-37-pt. 1—33 and about $250,000 to complete the canal system for some 6,000 of new Indian land on the Salt River Reservation. Mr. O'NEAL. Is that for subsistence purposes only, insofar as e Indians are concerned? Mr. WATHEN. No; they will raise some cash crops, such as cottin The maintenance and operation will be taken care of by them. Mr. O'NEAL. What percentage of the construction cost is reli bursable? Mr. WATHEN. No part of the construction cost is reimbursable e long as the land is in Indian ownership. Mr. O'NEAL. I mean as to the whites. Mr. WATHEN. As to the whites, it is 100 percent reimbursable Mr. Page undoubtedly covered this in his testimony the other day because he, of course, asked for an appropriation to complete e Bartlett Dam. CONSTRUCTION, SAN XAVIER IRRIGATION SYSTEM Mr. O'NEAL. The next item is San Xavier, $30,000. Mr. DODD. The following justification is offered for the record: This amount is to be used for the completion of work already begun which considerable progress has been made. If not completed, it wil he sible for the Indians to benefit to the fullest extent from the work areads and, moreover, the uncompleted work may be subject to excessive depres or damage. The detailed estimate of the total on this reservation is as fo (a) 3 water wells, 20 inches by 100 feet at $2,500. (b) 3 motor-driven turbine pumps at $2,500.... (c) 5 miles transmission line at $1,500.... (d) 3 substations and starting equipment at $2,500 (e! Rehabilitation and extension of infiltration gallery {) Construction of irrigation system and installation of control strietures (g) Protection of irrigable area from floods and erosion.. Total..... It is proposed to sprea 1 this work over a 5-year period, complete giten.8 to (d), inclusive, during the fiscal year 1938. On this reservation, 14 miles south of Tucson, there are about Sen) Indians Approximately 400 more Papagoes live in Tieson, The ir gy productive area, provided an adequate water supply can be deve, pelas acres, which, at the customary duty of 1 second-foot to 80 acres, w 44 second-feet The Indians for sothe years have been farma g 1 princitally by dry-farm methods Less than 1 second-foot of water infitration gallery, has been regularly avauable during recent wels, recer tẩy sunk and tested, vieid 9.9 second-feet; 7 5 secotad-fort us avalable from the Santa Cruz River; and 0.6 second-fect flows from a tion galery cor structé I some years ago makig a toʻal walked feet ir hrytarga %odatiotal r(QarIneet of ?to weut id-fr ༣པའི It to c that the diversion from the Satta Cruz River cy be in cross to supply one-haif of the additional quantity req ared, although such at diver, ŋ may be accompared by the recessity for 1 sta 『 punjeg Dart This leav 15 seco* }-feet to be derived if pa It is believed, on the basis of recent investigators and stides been accompii-bed by work recently completed that the aid tera' water re can be developed by a ta 'g and so, thing with pumps tree n. Po wy real tatrgar』,tt}y¢t" e་༡༠ ནི་རྙིམ་པའི t. gallery T..s wrk our te by items a to e, inclusive, of the above est mates, Some studies have already been made, and further detail studies will be prosecuted as soon as funds are available. Such studies may indicate that a new infiltration gallery will be more economical and productive than an extension of the old gallery. This may require a minor revision of the above program, but in any case the funds set up will permit much of the work to be started and the required studies to be completed. There is urgent need for items (ƒ) and (g). Item (ƒ) is for construction of an irrigation system, including concrete lining of canals and installation of control structures for the irrigable area of 3,500 acres. Item (g) is for constructing a levee, a storm-water channel, and river inlet structures for the protection of the irrigable area against floods and erosion. This project will provide an adequate and dependable water supply for 3,500 acres of extremely fertile and productive Indian-owned land within a few miles of the prosperous and growing city of Tucson, Ariz. An effort was made between 1910 and 1915 to develop water for this project by means of open caissons, wells, and galleries, but without success, principally because of the inadequate equipment available at that time. These early efforts, including the cost of an infiltration gallery subsequently constructed at a cost of approximately $47,000 and now in use as a part of the project, represent an expenditure of $248,737.19. Of this amount, $228,980.91 was canceled in accordance with the provisions of the Leavitt Act of July 1, 1932, (47 Stat. 564), since the work accomplished was of no permanent benefit to the project. IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, MISSION AND SACRAMENTO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Mr. O'NEAL. The next items are California, Mission, $25,000; and Sacramento, $25,000. Mr. DODD. The justifications in support of those items are as follows: Southern California (Mission), $25,000.-The work involves principally the rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems. Many of these, especially those including pumping machinery, pipe lines, or concrete-lined ditches, have deteriorated so badly that there is excessive waste of water, and water in this locality is worth from $50,000 to $100,000 per second-foot. It is of extreme importance that all waste be prevented and that the water be used in the most efficient manner possible, otherwise water rights may be acquired by those who will make efficient and beneficial use of them. The prevention of waste and the efficient use of water are possible only with the best modern equipment and facilities. A few thousand dollars expended now in rehabilitating these irrigation systems may prevent the loss of water rights aggregating in value many times the amount required to protect them. In addition to the protection of water rights, there is the more immediate consideration that these irrigation projects, being devoted largely to gardens and fruits, are a very important factor in the life of these Indians. In many cases, the Indians have been forced from productive valley land to second-class hillside land, where water development is difficult and expensive. Other groups of Indians refuse to move from their historical home areas, even if offered better locations. They have their homes built on the present locations, and most of the reservations are accessible to hunting and adjacent to grazing lands. They vitally need gardens and small tracts in order to complete a subsistence program for them and to remove them from their present position, in which many of them depend directly on the Government for food and other bare necessities of life. The funds requested are to be used for replacing worn-out pumping machinery, disintegrated pipe lines, flumes, and other structures, and, in a few instances, for irrigation systems for small areas not heretofore provided for. In some cases studies will be necessary to determine the best method of supplying at least a small amount of water to practical arid areas now inhabited by Indians. The proposed work will benefit approximately 3,000 Indians who live in this locality. |