Carey Act
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The Carey Act of 1894 (also known as the Desert Land Act)[1] allowed private companies in the U.S. to erect irrigation systems in the western semi-arid states, and profit from the sales of water. It was a new approach for the disposal of public desert land, as the federal government decided this task was too large for individual settlers.[2] Through advertising, these companies attracted farmers to the many states which successfully utilized the act, notably Idaho and Wyoming.[1]
Senator Joseph Maull Carey introduced the bill in 1892 but it was not passed by Congress until 1894 when it was attached as a compromise measure to the 1894 Civil Appropriations Bill.[2] The Act established the General Land Office, which was controlled by the federal government. This land office assigned as many as one million acres (4,000 km²) of land for each western state. Each state then had to regulate the new land, selecting private contractors, selecting settlers, and the maximum price they could charge for water. Potential settlers who met specific requirements were granted 160 acres (0.65 km2) each. Projects were financed by the development companies, who eventually handed over control to an operating company.
In most states, settlers had to pay an entry fee, plus a small amount for each acre of land, and meet several guidelines. In Iowa, for example, settlers had to cultivate and irrigate at least one sixteenth of their parcel within one year from the date which water became available. After another year, one eighth had to be cultivated, and by the third year — had the settler lived in the land, and paid all necessary fees — they would receive the deed to that parcel.
In general, the act was not as successful as intended, because few western states had the financial resources to make it effective. [2] One of the act’s successes was in Idaho.[1] Approximately 60% of the Carey Act lands irrigated in the United States are in Idaho.[1] Examples of successful Carey Act projects include Boise, Minidoka and Twin Falls.[1] Another state is Wyoming, whose irrigation projects started after World War II. [3]Wyoming senator Francis E. Warren was also responsible for bringing the Carey Act to effect.[4]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e Carey Act in Idaho http://www.gchshome.org/careyact.htm.
- ^ a b c Encyclopedia of the American West. 4 vols. Macmillan Reference USA, 1996 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/HistRC/hits?docNum=BT2330500244&tab=1&locID=pool11244&origSearch=true&hdb=US&t=RK&s=1&r=d&items=0&secondary=true&o=&sortOrder=&n=10&l=dR&sgPhrase=false&c=1&tabMap=1&bucket=gal&SU=Carey+Act.
- ^ Carey Act in Wyoming http://wyoarchives.state.wy.us/Research/Topics/SubTopic.asp?SubID=4&nav=1&homeID=1.
- ^ Francis E. Warren http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/RobertsHistory/New_History_of_Wyoming_chapter_13_water.htm.
