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\ * . As t0 our Procedure in regard to drilling this area, the questirji most frequently asked is -- How faris the State Engineer going to restriot or curtail S ilvto the artesian basin here? I oan answer that only in a general way. Mr. Shamberger oan answer it much better than I can. Give him a chance to tell you a lot of things X oan discuss here only imperfectly. But our thought is this -- that, naturally, we know the draft on the underground supply on this basin exceeds the re-charge* We would be working a definite hardship and curtail and restrict the development in this community if t e restricted drilling, but there are oritical areas supplying water for municipal use here that we will have to watch very closely because it would not be right - it would be doing the community and the city harm if we permitted promiscuous and heavy drafts and drilling in that area which is at present supplying the water to most of the people here, if we know that such drilling would diminish the amount of water. Mow, I don’t mean to say that we should protect the local Water Company beyond the extent that it would prevent the lowering of the hydrostatic head generally, or the extent to whioh they can go to help or put in new wells and machinery in order to supply the community. I think it should be necessary for them to do that just so long as there is no over-draft upon the re-charge in this basin. And that not only applies to them but to every water user. In other words, the overall development of the basin should not be restricted until we know that there is more water being taken out of it than is going into it. Anything else would harm this community. I think that just about covers all I have to say in a general way. We will make an attempt to answer some of the questions whioh, no doubt, these people who are interested here and who have risked money and time in the development of this community, wish to ask, and we will answer them the best we oan. I want to say that we are doing the best we can in this situation, and we have definitely had your interests at heart all the way through. As you know, practically no work along this line has been done in this area until we went into the office of the State Engineer some nine years ago. I thank you* (Applause) CHAIRMAN KELCH* Thank you very much, Mr. Smith. Now may we hear from Mr. Shamberger, MR. SHAMBERGER* Mr, Chairman, Members of the Chamber of Commerce, and guests* While here in Las Vegas Valley on the matter of conservation of water, we have had very fine cooperation from the City and County officials - fine cooperation from the well drillers, and also from many of the well owners. What we need now is the cooperation of every water user in this area, and that includes everyone. Under the laws of the State relating to underground water, the under­ground water in the Valley belongs to the public, subject to existing rights - subject to the rights of beneficial use. When a person makes application to our office for a permit, and finally obtains a certificate, he merely obtains a right to the use of the water* he doesn’t obtain title to the water. That always remains the property of the State, and our office is required under the law to oarry out its provisions. In other words, we are, in a sense, guardians of the water that belongs to the State, I I might briefly outline the work that has been done and the work that we are now doing. (6)