The Fallon Standard

A partial approval of the suggested Spanish Springs reservoir scheme has been made by the committee having this matter in hand. This report follows the investigation that has been under way for several months by the special committee that visited here and the Reno end of the proposed new unit. The committee that had charge of the investigation and from the recommendation of further investigation is advised is composed of Professor Weeks, Professor Stewart, C. W. Creel, S. B. Doten and F. B. Headley.

Naturally on this half finished report the Reno Journal at once advises the public that the report is entirely favorable to the Spanish Springs unit. The facts, when they are sifted down, do not confirm such a statement, as there are so many suggestions made that will necessitate further investigations and estimates that this report is but preliminary.

Prohibitive Costs

At the outset the costs per acre are given that in itself should have made the advocates of this new unit hesitate. The committee figures that the 39,350 acres of available land under the proposed new unit will cost the settler first $120 per acre for water, second that $10 per acre for domestic water and $10 per acre for raw land is estimated, bringing this land before it is ready for crops to the sum of $140 per acre.

Figuring Water Supply

It must be admitted that the water findings are faulty to say the least as the report, while if adopted would of itself take water from this project does not recommend further development of storage on the Carson to provide for the abstraction on the Truckee. This matter, before it goes to congressional recommendation, should be gone over again and the Carson end of the water supply, which seems to have been entirely overlooked, should become the controlling element in the enlargement of acreage. Professor Weeks' report, while it is but a survey of the conditions as he found them, lacks the material details that most likely will be ultimately filed.

Cuts Lahontan Acreage

The report cuts the acreage of the Newlands project materially. Instead of the original 300,000 acres the report places the possible irrigable acreage at 83,000 acres and grants 47,000 acres under the Spanish Springs dam. As this project has been given a reservation of water right for 151,000 acres the same should have been included in the Weeks report. This is another matter that will have to go to adjudication before there is any subtraction from the water rights under the Lahontan dam.

The determination of classification of lands and the subtraction of lands from this project that a new one may be created is possibly the most dangerous feature of the partial recommendations. This is a matter that needs no superficial survey, such as has been given, but one that needs the supervisional work of an engineer appointed by the water board in conjunction with members of this Mead appointed party. The loss of any irrigable acres to this project means the additional subtraction of water from the Newlands project to be added to the proposed Spanish Springs unit, as it will have to be an individual unit, as the people and homesteaders of the Newlands project have repeatedly stated to all investigators that there will be no affiliations with Spanish Springs. It would be impossible to vote such a new obligation onto the people of this project.

That the proposed cut in acreage on the Newlands project may not be misunderstood Mr. Weeks' report states:

"Storage development to the extent of 100,000 acre feet at Spanish Springs and necessary distribution systems would involve an expenditure of approximately $122 per acre. Limiting the storage to this capacity would mean a curtailment in total acreage. The extent of this reduction in area cannot be determined without further analysis. Whether it will be more economical to increase storage capacity at Spanish Springs at a higher acre cost or cut down the acreage under the Newlands project depends upon two undetermined factors. One of these is the area feasible of irrigation under the existing Newlands project, and the other is the probable cost of storage necessary to provide adequate regulation for that area and the additional area proposed to be brought under irrigation."

Weeks Report Fair

The Weeks report is fair in its majority as he points out the difficulties in securing settlers for such high priced lands as proposed under the new unit. In his report he states that it is probable that settlers could not be secured on such lands. He estimates that the 50-acre unit could possibly earn $915 per annum for interest and capital borrowed and further states that acreage costs may be increased as the overhead has not been included and he states that the costs per acre to the new settler does not include buildings.

As a conclusion the committee files the following.

(a) The area of and suitable for irrigation under the Lahontan reservoir must be established before feasibility of the project as a whole can be determined.

(b) Estimates of cost for storage and distribution on the basis of ultimate land area under Lahontan reservoir and new development under the Spanish Springs reservoir should be made.

(c) A financial plan should be instituted by the government to provide funds at a low rate of interest with long term amortization of principal, for agricultural development and payment of construction costs and land.

(d) Agricultural development should be carried out under supervision of the government, represented by an expert agricultural advisor trained in the execution of problems confronting the settlers on new projects.

(e) The government should fix prices of land to prevent speculation and, if possible, lands should be purchased outright by the government and sold to bona fide settlers.

(f) Settlers should be selected on the basis of their ability to farm and each settler should have a certain amount of capital which will depend upon the exact terms of the financial plan and the amount that settlers will have who are available in sufficient numbers.

(g) A program of development and capital requirements should be prepared on the basis of which funds should be advanced by the government.

(h) An agricultural program agreeable to the farmer and the government should set forth a schedule of land utilization, live stock and farming methods with expected yields and income, and a schedule of repayment.

(i) For a number of years contracts between the government and settlers should be unassignable, except with the approval of the government, in order to prevent settlement on this project by men whose sole purpose is to gain by the speculative rise in prices of land.