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Las Yagas - October 26, 1945 W 23-1-B Hr. Frank strong} .This baa reference to your letter October 18th concerning the subject of eater eeneerratloa in the lee Vegas Artesian Basin, we hare analysed your letter, as well as yours of the 1 2 th, and hare discussed this with the General Attorney. Let me emphasise at the outeet that 1 am not "proposing to furnish water for agricultural purposes.* % have consistently and agressively opposed the use of eater from the city mains for agricultural purposes, and 1 am opposed to it now. The proposed use of eater on the searlec tract will be strictly for domestic use. With regard to your proposal that a eater committee be appointed to protect the Interests of the Valley in conserving the underground eater supply, such an organisation nee exists. In 1940, ee discussed with the State Engineer the potential depletion of the under­ground eater supply by promiscuous issuance of drilling permits in the Las Vegas Valley, where more than 400 wells now exist. Hie response was that in the absence of any protest, he had no other course than to grant the permit. However, recognising the seriousness of the threat to the underground supply, he suggested the organisation of a Water Conservation District in the Valley, as provided by the Nevada Statutes. This was done, end the City of Las Vegas, County of Clark and Las Vegas Land and Water Co. became members. An artes­ian wells supervisor was employed, working under the direction of the State Engineer, and hie salary was paid through donations from the above named members until the State Engineer had time to set up a revolving fund at provided in the Statutes. The Supervisor is still employed at present and his duties are to shut in wells which are not being put to beneficial use and otherwise prevent the waete of water. If you have in mind the appointment of a special committee in addition to the organisation out­lined above, whose function would be, for instance, the filing of protests against Issuance of additional ditll* lug permits in this Valley* 1 am afraid this would not be practicable for two reasons: First, the personal angls among men more or lose closely associated in this community and the reluctance of any committeeman to