78TH CONG., 2D SESS.-CH 64-FEB . 26, 1944 negotiations participated in by the following named State Com- missioners. For South Dakota: M. Q. Sharpe G. W . Morsman S. G. Mortimer W. D. Buchholz For Wyoming: L. C. Bishop Samuel McKean L. H . Robinson Mrs. E . E. McKean and by Howard R. Stinson, appointed as the Representative of the United States of America, have agreed upon the following articles, to-wit: ARTICLE I A. The major purposes of this compact are to provide for the most efficient use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River Basin (hereinafter referred to as the Basin) for multiple purposes; to pro- vide for an equitable division of such waters; to remove all causes, present and future, which might lead to controversies; to promote interstate comity; to recognize that the most efficient utilization of the waters within the Basin is required for the full development of the Basin; and to promote joint action by the States and the United States in the efficient use of water and the control of floods. B. The physical and other conditions peculiar to the Basin con- stitute the basis for this compact; and none of the States hereby, nor the Congress of the United States by its consent, concedes that this compact establishes any general principle or precedent with respect to any other interstate stream. C. Either State and all others using, claiming or in any manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River under the authority of that State, shall be subject to the terms of this compact. ARTICLE II As used in this compact: A. The term "Belle Fourche River" shall mean and include the Belle Fourche River and all its tributaries originating in Wyoming. B. The term "Basin" shall mean that area in South Dakota and Wyoming which is naturally drained by the Belle Fourche River, and all its tributaries. C. The term "beneficial use" is herein defined to be that use by which the water supply of a drainage basin is depleted when usefully employed by the activities of man, and includes water lost by evapora- tion, and other natural causes from streams, canals, ditches, irrigated areas, and reservoirs. D. Where the name of the State or the term "State" or "States" is used, these shall be construed to include any person or entity of any nature whatsoever using, claiming, or in any manner asserting any right to the use of the waters of the Belle Fourche River under the authority of that State. ArIMCLE m It shall be the duty of the two States to administer this compact through the official in each State who is now or may hereafter be charged with the duty of administering the public water supplies, and to collect and correlate through such officials the data necessary for 95 58 STAT. ]
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