TITLE 42

IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE — WATER RIGHTS AND RECLAMATION

CHAPTER 28

COUNTY IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE, AND RECLAMATION PROJECTS

42-2805.  Director of the department of water resources — Examination and report on practicability of plan — Calling of election — Procedure upon approval of bond issue — Appeal. Upon the filing of the petition, and the making of the cash deposit, as herein provided, the board of county commissioners shall within thirty (30) days thereafter file a copy of said petition with the director of the department of water resources of the state of Idaho, and request him to examine into and report to said board, all matters necessary and essential to disclose the practicability, necessity or advisability of the construction of the proposed works or improvement, or the proposed contract for the use or benefit of the works constructed, and thereupon said director of the department of water resources shall, without delay, proceed and examine all matters named and referred to in said petition and make such survey of the territory likely to be affected by the proposed improvement as will enable him to fully determine whether the same is necessary or practicable, and report accordingly, and if some other or different plan than that described in the petition is found practicable, said director of the department of water resources shall so report giving such details and information as will be necessary to fully inform the board of county commissioners on all matters pertaining to the practicability or feasibility of the proposed plan, either as outlined in said petition, or according to some other or different plan that may be designated and recommended by said director of the department of water resources, but it shall be his duty to outline and designate all changes, whether by extension, enlargement, additions, or otherwise, that may be necessary to make the plan of the proposed improvement practicable and feasible, showing the probable size, character and cost of such proposed work, and if he finds the improvement petitioned for is feasible, he shall include in his report a map of the proposed improvement and also give the description of the tracts of land which he deems would be benefited thereby, and the probable area that is likely to be irrigated or drained or provided with a supplemental water supply, or otherwise affected by the proposed improvement, and such other information as the board may request. The director of the department of water resources is authorized to employ such assistance as the character of the work requested of him may require, but before incurring any expense he shall file with the county commissioners an estimate of the amount of money required to perform such work and upon the approval by the county commissioners of such estimate, said amount shall be required to be deposited with the county treasurer as other deposits are herein required, the same to be used in paying the expense incurred by said director of the department of water resources in the performance of said work. Upon the filing of the report of the director of the department of water resources as herein provided, and upon receipt of notice of approval of the project by the director of the department of water resources said board shall within ten (10) days proceed in like manner as provided by law for the procedure of the board of county commissioners in calling and conducting other county bond elections, and in like manner as provided in the laws governing county bond elections for other purposes, shall canvass the returns of said election, and if two-thirds (2/3) of the qualified electors, as in this chapter provided, voting at such election shall be found to have voted in favor of authorizing such indebtedness or bond issue, then the board of county commissioners shall make and file for record in the office of the county recorder an order establishing such county irrigation or drainage project; shall proceed to apportion and assess the benefits of such proposed irrigation or drainage works or such proposed contract, to the lands to be benefited thereby and in making such apportionment of benefits shall proceed in like manner as provided by law for the proceedings of the directors of irrigation districts in apportioning benefits in irrigation districts, and in like manner as in the case of similar proceedings in irrigation districts shall file a petition in the district court for the confirmation of the apportionment of benefits, and the validity of the bond issue or contract, and the proceedings in connection with the holding of the election, and the apportionment of benefits; whereupon the district court shall proceed to set such petition for hearing and to hear the evidence in connection therewith and to decide the same in like manner and with like effect as provided by statute in the case of similar proceedings in irrigation districts. The said petition and decree may be either for the confirmation of all of said proceedings in one (1) decree or there may be separate and successive petitions and decrees for confirmation of any part of said proceedings and if the court finds the apportionment as made by the board of county commissioners to be equitable and just the court shall confirm the same and if the court finds the said apportionment or any part thereof to be inequitable or unjust the court shall itself make an equitable and just apportionment and file a decree confirming the same. An appeal may be taken from such decision of the district court to the Supreme Court either by the board of county commissioners or any of protesting landowners who have appeared in said proceedings in the district court in like manner as in similar cases in irrigation districts. The said decree of the district court may not be collaterally attacked, and if not set aside or modified by the Supreme Court, shall be final and conclusive as to the validity of the bond issue and the apportionment of benefits so confirmed, and the regularity and validity of all proceedings in connection with or leading up to the same.

History:

[(42-2805) 1921, ch. 222, sec. 5, p. 492; I.C.A., sec. 41-2405.]