THE STONY CREEK WATER WARS
Glenn County - Tehama County - Colusa County , California.
(c) 2001, Mike Barkley
CONSIDERABLE HARD FEELING

[This is a transcription of a letter on file at the court. I've made every effort to present the content precisely, but not the form.]

[printed stationery]
OFFICE OF WATER MASTER
STONY CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES
E.A.GARLAND
WATER MASTER
BY AUTHORITY OF THE U. S. DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
STONYFORD. CALIF.[end of pre-printed] December 6, 1963

Honorable Sherrill Halbert, Judge
United States District Court
2008 United States Courthouse
850 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento 14, California

Dear Judge Halbert:

With reference to your letter of December 3rd. in regards to the case of The United States of America vs H.C.Angle et al. in Equity No. 30.

There is considerable hard feeling against the Orland Project among many of the Defendant Water Uners [sic], they seem to have the feeling that the Orland Projet is forever trying to take away from them the water allowed then in the Decree and if now the Orland Project(the Plaintiff) was to administer the Decree, it would not be accepted with the slightest degree of pleasure.

The only benefit to the Defendant Water Users would be the relief of the annual assessment, which are small and I do not remember any complaining about these assessments.

It is quite essential for the Water Master to have the co operation and support of the Water Users,without it any record of the Water Master's could be made worthless. The diversions are so far apart and scattered over such a large area that the Water Master can spend a very limited time with any one diversion, and what goes on between visits he must get from the water user.

While the proposition of the Orland Project might seem to be a simple solution to the problem there is a possibility that some of the Defendant Water Users may feel that the Court is "taking sides",[*] so I feel that, if possible a disinterested person would be a better and more harmonous [sic] Water Master,,

Very sincerely and hopefully yours

/s/ E.A.Garland

E.A Garland

[* Read the Decree. The Court did take sides. Sigh.]

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--Mike Barkley, 161 N. Sheridan Ave. #1, Manteca, CA 95336 (H) 209/823-4817
mjbarkl@inreach.com