Dear Editor,
The April 3 edition of the Yellowstone County News had an article in which a land owner indicated they could not find an easement with Huntley Project Irrigation District on their property.
Generally speaking, land owners will not find a recorded easement for irrigation districts nor will they be listed in the title report. If someone researches all the way back to the original patent from the General Land Office, it is uncertain if they would find a reservation by the government for said easement.
With the 1902 Reclamation Act, the government reserved the right to construct ditches and canals in the greater Billings area, Lower Yellowstone near Sidney, Sun River drainage, Milk River drainage, and many other areas where the government thought irrigation could make the land more productive. The right to construct ditches and canals is shown on a Master Title Plat which is available at the Bureau of Land Management. This document may be available in the county recorder’s office.
Prior to construction of Huntley Irrigation, a portion of the Yellowstone Valley was contained within the Crow Agency. The government purchased the land currently between the Yellowstone River and current Crow Agency boundary and opened the area under special homestead rules. Under normal homestead rules, an adult could get 160 acres, but settlers within Huntley Project could only apply for 80 acres of irrigated land. In addition to these 80 acres, settlers south of the Northern Pacific Railroad in this area could also claim 280 dry land acres.
Carl Vender
Shepherd, MT
Can you shed any light on the origins of the Huntley Project School District mascot “Red Devils”? I am curious about how the name was chosen.