There are approximately 22,794 acres under constructed works on the Fort Peck project. The water supply on some of the units is insufficient for all-season irrigation, and on those units only flood irrigation is possible. On two of the units storage reservoirs have been constructed, and a pumping plant was also constructed on one of these units to supplement the gravity water supply available. During 1935 a total of 2,367 acres were irrigated, of which 1,029 acres were farmed by Indians, 522 acres by lessees, and 816 acres by white owners. The principal project works consist of 2 storage reservoirs having a combined capacity of 7,700 acre-feet; 190 miles of canals and laterals; 1 pumping plant with a capacity of 36 cubic feet per second; 734 structures; 41⁄2 miles of telephone lines; 4 diversion dams; and 10 buildings. The construction cost to June 30, 1935, was $865,460. MAINTENANCE, IRRIGATION SYSTEM, FLATHEAD RESERVATION, MONT. Mr. JOHNSON. The next item, on page 131, is for the Flathead project in Montana, and there is an increase of $10,000. Mr. DoDD. I offer the following justification for this item: The The Flathead irrigation project contains an area of 138,000 acres which will ultimately be irrigable. The irrigable area under constructed works is 114,000 acres. The acreage irrigated in 1935 was 67,513 acres of which 1,831 acres were irrigated by Indians and 5,275 acres were irrigated by lessees of Indian land. crop return was estimated at $1,162,338. The water duty varies from 1.5 to 6 acre-feet, the average requirement being 2 acre-feet per acre. Twelve reservoirs with a capacity of 132,180 acre-feet are being operated in delivering water to the water users. The construction of one more reservoir is contemplated during the fiscal year 1937. The constructed canal mileage is 79 miles of feed canals and 854 miles of laterals. Seven field camps are maintained as operating points for watermasters and ditchriders. The operation and maintenance organization consists of 4 watermasters and 1 general foreman, all reporting to the project engineer, and a maximum of 24 canal riders and 9 patrolmen, reporting to the watermasters and general foreman. The canal riders and patrolmen work from 4 to 10 months per year. The operation and maintenance costs for the irrigation system during the calendar year 1935 were $79,585.32. (1) Storage system, $10,600 (increase, $1,000).—The estimate for 1938 is $1,000 more than for 1937 for the reason that it will be necessary to make minor repairs on the storage system. (2) Distribution system, $85,400 (increase, $10,000).-This item covers the cost of operation and maintenance of the 79 miles of feed canals and 854 miles of laterals. The amount estimated is $10,000 in excess of the 1937 estimate, accounted for by the fact that a more intensive weed and rodent control program is to be initiated; more canals are to be cleaned, the repair and replacement of structures cost more each year, and laterals must be improved with an increase in irrigated acreage. (3) Telephone system, $1,000 (decrease, $1,000).—A 58-mile telephone system is being operated connecting the several field camps with the central office. The estimated cost is $1,000 less than that for 1937. (4) Buildings and grounds, $5,000.-Forty-six buildings are owned and must be maintained in operating the project. The estimated cost is the same as for 1937. POWER SYSTEM The project operates a hydroelectric power plant located on Big Creek. Under provisions of the repayment contracts with the three irrigation districts, the net revenue derived from the operation of the power plant must be used to reimburse the United States for its investment in the power plant, and for other named purposes. (5) Generating station, $6,100.—The generating station located on Big Creek has a rated capacity of 320 kilowatts. It is operated 16 hours each day, requiring the services of two operators—one operator for each S-hour shift. The estimated cost is the same as for 1937. (6) Distribution system, $20,900.—The distribution system consists of 7 substations having an aggregate capacity of 1.885 kilovolt-amperes and 336 miles of transmission and distribution circuits. Electric service is carried to a total of 1,900 customers, 665 of which are on project farms. The town of Polson, Ronan, Charlo, St. Ignatius, Pablo, Dixon, Hot Springs, Ravalli, Arlee, and Camas make up the balance of the load served. (7) Commercial expense, $18,000.—The project power system has grown to a point where the small generating plant on Big Creek is only capable of carrying a small part of the total load. Every advantage is taken of the water supply when available by running the plant in parallel with the Montana Power Co. system. With this arrangement practically no water is wasted, because during periods of high water any surplus generated is fed into the Montana power system, which reduces the amount of power to be paid for when taken back from that system later on. Because of such operation our power plant generated & total of 1,563,890 kilowatt-hours of the total of 3,385,010 needed for all purposes. The total amount purchased from the Montana Power Co. was 1,821,120 kilowatthours. Mr. JOHNSON. There is an increase of $10,000 in this item. Mr. DODD. That $10,000, however, is all accounted for by an increase in the collection side of the appropriation. There is no increase in the amount from the Federal Treasury. Mr. FITZPATRICK. But you are spending $10,000 more? Mr. DODD. Yes, sir; from collections, because we have, with P. W. A. funds, brought a larger acreage under cultivation and it is necessary that we have the O&M funds. Mr. O'NEAL. Would there be an increase of receipts from that as we go along? You have opened up more acreage. Will there be an increase in receipts? Mr. DODD. Yes, sir. That is why the receipts from the white water users increase. We have to appropriate those receipts. Mr. O'NEAL. Into the Indian funds? I am not familiar with that. Mr. DODD. This does not go into an Indian fund. It goes into a special fund carried in the Treasury pursuant to section 4 of the Permanent Appropriation Repeal Act of 1934. It does not become a part of the general fund of the Treasury. It is kept separately. That act authorizes the appropriation of the total receipts each year. Mr. O'NEAL. But that is appropriated by this committee in the same way? Mr. DODD. Yes, sir; that is correct. IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE, IRRIGATION SYSTEM, CROW Mr. JOHNSON. The next item is on page 133, and is for the project on the Crow Reservation, in Montana. Mr. DODD. The following is the justification for this item: The proposed expenditures for 1938 consist of the following items: (1) Distribution system.. $33, 425 The Crow project consists of 13 separate units, having a total of 63,360 acres of irrigable land. Approximately 52,827 acres are now under constructed works. Of the ultimate irrigable area, 77 percent is owned by Indians and 23 percent by non-Indians. Approximately the same ownership percentages apply to the area under constructed works. During the calendar year 1935, 68 Indian families irrigated 2,336 acres and approximately 293 white families irrigated 21,817 acres, of which 10,774 acres were leased Indian land, making a total of 24,153 acres irrigated, which produced crops valued at $522,458. Annual assessments for operation and maintenance cost are made against all irrigable land under constructed works and white owners and lessees must pay before water is delivered. All such land in non-Indian ownership is also assessed annually for construction costs and arrangement for liquidation of this obligation is required before irrigation water is delivered. The first irrigation canal was constructed on this reservation about 1885. The largest unit is the Big Horn Canal system, having a main canal 33 miles in length and serving approximately 29,000 acres. In all, there are 110 miles of main canals, 113 miles of laterals, 1,724 timber structures, and 610 concrete and stone structures 31 metal flumes aggregating 5,656 feet in length, 11 timber flumes aggregating 1,372 feet in length, 2 concrete and 8 brush and rock diversion dams, 41 miles of telephone lines, and 44 buildings that must be maintained for the successful operation of the project. The total construction cost to date is approximately $2,026,250. Actual annual operation and maintenance costs for the period 1930 to 1935 inclusive: 1 Includes $58,343 costs incurred in the expenditures of Public Works Administration allotment for Federal project 269. The costs incurred in the expenditure of the Public Works allotment, being reimbursable, are being assessed over a period of 5 years so as not to cause undue burden on the landowners. The following statement indicates the stats of the collection fund, as of June 30, 1936, and the estimates for the years 1937 and 1938: (1) Distribution system, $33,425.-While major repairs are urgent, this estimate provides only for the most necessary maintenance of small structures and canals and for the operation of the irrigation systems owned and operated by the Government. (2) Telephone system, $100.-The cost of operation, maintenance, and minor improvement of the 41 miles of project phone lines is included in this item. (3) Buildings and grounds, $1,625.—This amount is needed for furnishing fuel, lights, and water for employees' quarters, office buildings, and workshop, and for maintenance of 44 project buildings. (4) Drainage system, $100.-This will be used for maintenance of structures and cleaning drain ditches serving project. (5) Contract payments, $4,750.-For payment of the Indians' proportionate share of operation and maintenance costs of non-Government owned and operated canal systems serving approximately 5,100 acres of allotted lands, the following sums are necessary: (a) To Two Leggins Water Users' Association....... Total.. $4,350 400 4,750 RECLAMATION CHARGES, PAIUTE INDIAN LANDS, NEWLANDS PROJECT, NEVADA Mr. JOHNSON. The next item, on page 135, is for certain annual charges which, I understand, are authorized by special acts of Con gress. Mr. DODD. I submit the following justification for the record: This appropriation is required to meet certain fixed charges as follows: (1) U. S. Reclamation Service construction, 800.3 acres at $60, eleventh installment at 6 percent... $2, 881 2,500 (2) U. S. Reclamation Service drainage construction, 4,877.3 acres at $10.18, thirteenth installment_ 5, 381 (4) Truckee-Carson irrigation district, drainage, operation and maintenance, 4,877.3 acres, estimated at 15 cents. (5) District drainage reconstruction and extension. (3) Truckee-Carson irrigation district, irrigation, operation and maintenance 4,877.3 acres estimated at $1.25 6, 097 732 200 7, 029 12, 410 These are annual recurring charges. The first two are fixed by contract with the Reclamation Service. The next two are based upon prior year costs to the district. The last is fixed by contract. The cost of item 3 has varied under district management from $1.50 per acre in 1927 to $1 per acre for the last 3 years. For 1937 and 1938 the cost is estimated at $1.25 per acre. The cost of item 4 has varied from 70 cents per irrigable acre to 7 cents for the last two years. For 1935 the cost was fixed at 12 cents per acre and for 1936, 1937, and 1938 it is estimated to be 15 cents per irrigable acre. Under the act of April 30, 1908 (35 Stat., p. 85), arrangements were made with the Reclamation Service for water rights and construction of an irrigation system under the Newlands project for 4,640 acres of Paiute Indian lands. Subsequently 563 acres were eliminated as nonirrigable and credit for overpayment was given on 4,077 acres remaining. The water right, including a $2 drainage assessment, was $24 per acre, or a total of $97,848, and the last installment was paid in May 1918. Under authority of the act of May 10, 1926 (44 Stat., p. 466), water rights have also been acquired for 800.3 acres of additional allotments at a cost of $48,018, or $60 per acre, payments upon which were begun in 1927 at 2 percent for 4 years, 4 percent for 2 years and 6 percent for 14 years, due in December. The total acreage is now 4,877.3 and the total charge is $145,866 for irrigation. Under the act of February 14, 1923 (42 Stat., p. 1246), authority was given for payment of the proportionate cost of a drainage system to be constructed by the Reclamation Service, for 4,047 acres at a cost of $41,077.05 pavable in 20 annual installments of $2,100 each except the last. This was modified by the act of June 7, 1924 (43 Stat., p. 595), which provided for 4,877 acres at a total cost of $49,603.05 payable in 20 annual installments beginning with $2,100 in 1925 and $2,500 thereafter except the last due in 1945. The act of June 26, 1926 (44 Stat., p. 771), authorized an appropriation of $611.55 for reimbursement of the Truckee Carson irrigation district for drainage operation and maintenance for 1924 and 1925, $500 being appropriated July 1, 1932. The act also canceled all charges assessed and to be assessed for construction of irrigation works for these lands and declared the lands to have a water right without cost to the Indians except that the lands should be subject to operation and maintenance charges. |