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Mr. Frank strong* This has reference to your letter October 18th concerning the subject of water conservation in the Lae Vegas Artesian Basin. We have analyzed your letter, as well as yours of the 1 2 th, and have discussed this with the General Attorney. Let tie emphasize at the outset that I ass not "proposing to furnish water for agricultural purposes." 2 have"consistently ami agressively opposed the use of water from the city mains for agricultural purposes, and 2 an opposed to it now. The proposed use of water on the Bearlee tract will be strictly for domestic use. with regard to your proposed that a water committee be appointed to protect the interests of the Valley in conserving the underground water supply, such an organisation now exists. In 1940, we discussed with the state Engineer the potential depletion of the underground water supply by promiscuous issuance of drilling permits in the Lae Vegas Valley, where sore than 400 . wells now exist. His response was that In the absence of any protest, he had no other course than to grant the permit. However, recognizing the seriousness of the threat to the underground supply, he suggested the organization of a water Conservation histrict in the Valley, as provided by the Nevada Statutes* This was done, and 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 his salary was paid through donations from the above named members until the Stste Engineer had time to set up a revolving fund as provided in the Statutes. The Supervisor is still employed at pres nt and his duties are to shut In wells which are not being pot to beneficial use and otherwise prevent the waste of water. Xf you have in mind the appointment of a special committee in addition to the organization outlined above, whose function would be, for Instance, the filing of protests against issuance of additional drilling permits in this Valley^ X am afraid this would not be practicable for two reasons; First, the personal angle among men more or less closely associated in this community and the reluctance of any committeeman to Lae Vegas » October 20, 1945 w 23-1-B