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\jOQ33'2 - 2 - relating to the use, control and distribution of western water resources. Of recent years applications and interpretations of Federal law in thie field have tended to upset this balance. A major objective of the program is to reetore that balance in particular by requiring return to traditionsl conceptions of repaY!ll9nt contracts whereby continuing rights to the use of water may be acquired pursuant to state law. It By the same resolution the Authority also approved "Suggested Principles to Govern Amendments to the Reclamation Project Act of 1939", set forth in the report, which included the following. "(10) Contracte with irrigation water users, other than for delivery of water during development periods and for temporary use of surplus water, should be restricted to repayment con- tracts executed in conformity with Section 8 of the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, and affording opportunity to the contract- ing organization to acquire continuing rights to the use of water for irrigation, appurtenant to the land, in accordance with State law. "(14) Although recognizing that there should be authority to in- clude provisions in repayment contracts appropriate to secure adoption of proper aocounting, to protect the condition of project works, and to provide for the proper operation and maintenQnce thereof, interference with looal control over use of land and water by tha oontracting organization should be held to the min1.rmJm. feasible extent. "(1$) Term contracts for water delivery ahould not be authorized as a substitute for rep~ent contracts, but should be authorized during a development period of not to exceed 10 years pending execution of a repayment contract. In event of execution of such a term contract, and a repayment contract is executed during the tem" the period of such term contraot should be deducted from. the permissib1e developnent period.f' and 2 1948. The same resolution or the Authority further approved Resolutions Nos. 1 of the National Reclamation Association, adopted at a meeting in November, Resolution No. 1 read in part as follows' "Be it resolved by the National Reclamation Association that in accordance with the princiPles for which the Association stands, it recommends legislation which should include the following general objectives' hI. That the integrity of the water laws of the Western States should be preservedj that the basic provisions of Section 8 of the Reclamation Act of 1902 should be reaffirmed; and that Ii return should be made to the traditional concept of repayment contracts whereby continuing rights to the use of water may be aoquired 'Under the state laws. "3. That the respective obligations of the water and power users and of the Un! ted Sta tee for construction costs and the division of those coste should be openly and clearly expressed. "6. That Federal control over irrigation projects and facili- ties should be confined to factors and procedures determined by the Congress to be necesaar,y for the protection of Federal interests and investment." The Irrigation Districts Association of California and the California Fan,l Bureau Federation have gone on record in opposition to the 9(8) contract. As a result of representations by the Association, the State Attorne,y General first opposed validation of the Ivanhoe contract upon the ground that it faUs to comply" with either State or Federa.l law in a number of respects, among them being that it does not recognize the right of the districts and its landowners to receive a permenent water supply and that it purports to provide for a sale of water by the United States (Anawer of the etate, 2nd Defense, paragraph IV) thereby implying federal ownership of the water in derogation ot state law.