RATHDRUM PRAIRIE PROJECT IDAHO The Post Falls unit of the Rathdrum Prairie project was found feasible by the Secretary on December 24, 1943, and approved by the President on January 29, 1944, under the terms of the Water Conservation and Utilization Act of August 11, 1939, as amended. Hayden Lake unit was found feasible by the Secretary on June 9, 1947, under the provisions of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. POST FALLS UNIT OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Washington, December 24, 1943. THE PRESIDENT, The White House, (Through the Bureau of the Budget). MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: An investigation has been made of the Post Falls unit of the Rathdrum Prairie project involving the irrigation of approximately 3,527 acres of land in Kootenai County, Idaho, and pursuant to the authority of the Act of August 11, 1939 (53 Stat. 1418), as amended, (herein called the Act), I submit this report on the proposed project and request your approval of the findings, recommendations, and certifications contained herein. PROJECT PURPOSE The primary purpose of the proposed project would be to provide a supplemental water supply for 3,527 acres of land which is partly dry farmed and partly inadequately irrigated. The lands proposed for development lie about four miles northwest of the town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, within a potentially rich farming area of 40,000 acres which, it is expected, ultimately will be proposed for development as the Rathdrum Prairie project. The immediate construction of the project would provide a means of increasing the production of agricultural products now vitally needed. After the war it is believed that the project would contribute toward the solution of problems arising out of interstate movements of agricultural populations by providing new homes and opportunities for a few additional farm families. THE PLAN A new pumping plant would be constructed on the Spokane River about four miles west of Coeur d'Alene. Water would be pumped northerly from this point through discharge pipes into a main canal which would lead the water to laterals through which it would be carried to the project lands. A distribution system consisting of earth laterals with turnouts would be constructed to replace an existing pressure pipe system which has decayed beyond repair. If approved, construction would not be undertaken unless there appeared to be a reasonable assurance that a satisfactory agreement for the purchase of pumping power could be obtained, and if construction should be started it would be stopped if, after a reasonable length of time, such an agreement were not in fact executed. Structures contemplated for the development would consist of a pumping plant, a transmission line, a substation, discharge pipes, a main canal and lateral system, and the usual turnouts, wasteways, small bridges, and similar features. An adequate water supply for the lands to be benefited by the project works is believed to be available. Changes in these general plans may be found necessary, but it is expected that any changes will be of minor nature and will neither alter the general objectives of the project nor result in material departures from the present findings, predicated on the present plans for the project. PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL AGENCIES The Bureau of Reclamation would construct the pumping plant, discharge pipes, transmission line, substation, canal system, and other necessary and appurtenant structures, and, subject to change, also would operate the system after it is built. The Bureau would negotiate contracts with the water users for the repayment of the reimbursable construction charges. The War Food Administrator, acting in the stead of the Secretary of Agriculture, has transmitted a letter which is enclosed, indicating his approval of the project and the extent of the proposed participation by the Department of Agriculture. From this letter it will be noted that the War Food Administrator concurs in my belief that the construction would be justifiable as an aid in the production of needed agricultural products. Services, labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and similar items which may become available through the Selective Service System, Prisoner of War Camps, or other Federal agencies may be utilized under the terms and conditions fixed by such agencies, if, in my opinion, such use would effectively expedite construction of the project. PARTICIPATION OF NON-FEDERAL AGENCIES Most of the lands to be benefited by the project lie within the boundaries of the Post Falls Irrigation District. It is expected that those outside the District would be included therein, and that a contract would be made with that or a similar organization embracing the lands in question for the repayment of that part of the construction costs which is determined to be reimbursable. The water users benefited by the work of the Department of Agriculture would be required to repay the reimbursable money expended in that work in accordance with the Act. Aid which may be offered by the local interests probably would be accepted. ESTIMATED COST AND FINANCING PROCEDURE The total cost of the project which would be undertaken by this Department would be $300,000. In connection with the project, the Department of Agriculture would undertake activities pursuant to Section 5 of the Act which are estimated to cost $149,000. The activities of both Departments would be financed with monies heretofore appropriated for Water Conservation and Utilization projects. The total expenditure is estimated to be $449,000. It is estimated that the water users can repay $190,000 of the investment in the works proposed to be built by the Bureau of Reclamation. All net project costs in excess of this amount would, as authorized by the Act, be excluded from the project construction cost and be treated as non-reimbursable. It is estimated that the water users can repay $80,000 of the costs of the work performed by the Department of Agriculture. All costs in excess of this amount would, as authorized by the Act, be treated as non-reimbursable. Sufficient funds for these purposes have been appropriated and are now available for allotment. SIZE OF FARM UNITS Since the exact size may vary over the project area in accordance with the varying conditions of the project lands, limitations on the various holdings will be established after more complete and final surveys have been made. It now appears that ultimately the proper size holding would be between 80 and 160 acres of irrigable land. In this connection, considering the problems attendant on farm operation during the war and the need for the greatest possible production of agricultural products with the available farm labor supply, I expect to determine that for the duration of the war the limitations on the delivery of water will not be applicable to existing land holdings which exceed in area the maximum to be established for any farm unit. FINDINGS, CERTIFICATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS Based upon the report covering the engineering and economic aspects of the work proposed to be accomplished by the Bureau of Reclamation, I find and certify that: 1. The proposed project has engineering feasibility. 2. The total estimated cost would be $300,000. 3. The estimated cost which properly could be allocated to irrigation is $300,000. 4. The water users probably could repay $190,000 in accordance with the requirements of Section 4 of the Act. 5. No part of the estimated costs properly could be allocated to municipal or miscellaneous water supply or power. 6. No part of the estimated cost properly could be allocated to the irrigation of Indian trust and tribal lands. 7. No part of the estimated costs properly could be allocated to flood control. 8. The proposed construction is justifiable as an aid in the production of needed agricultural products. 9. Construction would not be started without a reasonable assurance that a satisfactory agreement would be executed for the purchase of pumping power, and if construction should be started it would not be continued if such an agreement could not be executed within a reasonable time. If you approve the project, it is planned to proceed immediately with matters relating to land acquisition, water rights, and repayment contracts so that the requirements of the statutes may be met as promptly as possible. The project has heretofore been submitted to the War Production Board for clearance for commencement of construction and procurement of materials needed for construction. On the basis of the foregoing report and findings, I recommend that you approve this project for construction. Sincerely yours, THE WHITE HOUSE. (Signed) HAROLD L. ICKES, Secretary of the Interior. Approved January 29, 1944. (Signed) FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, President. THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, Washington 25, D. C., January 18, 1945. THE PRESIDENT, The White House. (Through the Bureau of the Budget). MY DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: The enclosed letters,1 dated December 8, 1944, from Mr. Wilson Cowen, Assistant War Food Administrator, contain a recommendation and a request for authorization to expend funds for the acquisition of certain lands on the Post Falls unit of the Rathdrum Prairie irrigation project in Kootenai County, Idaho. This project was approved for construction by you on January 29, 1944, under the terms of the act of August 11, 1939 (53 Stat. 1418), as amended. Your approval provided for the development of a supplemental water supply for 3,527 acres of land. The irrigation features were to be constructed by this Department, and the Department of Agriculture was to undertake certain developmental activities including "the acquisition of excess holdings of land where necessary to adjust the operating unit pattern to assure production under irrigation." At the time of your approval, the estimated cost of construction by the Department of the Interior was $300,000 of which, it was estimated, the water users could repay $190,000. The estimated cost of the work to be performed by the Department of Agriculture was $149,000 of which, it was estimated, the water users could repay $80,000. Copies of papers relating to the authorization of this project are enclosed. Since you approved this project for construction, both Departments have negotiated with local interests relating to the many items which must be settled prior to the beginning of construction. I am satisfied that the water rights and rights of way necessary for construction and operation of the project either have been acquired or can be acquired with adequate titles and at satisfactory prices. Accordingly, I have made such findings in this regard as are required by the statute. Invitations for bids have been issued, and it is expected that a contractor will begin work on the irrigation features early this spring. I have been informed that the Department of Agriculture likewise has made good progress in settling preconstruction difficulties, and that considerable acreage has been acquired in connection with the program of that Department. The Assistant War Food Administrator indicates that it has been found necessary to acquire certain additional lands within the project area. For this purpose, he requests an additional allotment of $30,000 from funds under the control of the Department of Agriculture. It is noted that Mr. Cowen has deter 1 Excluded from this publication. |