AGO 1951-53 No. 26.

• Case Date: April 26, 1951
• Court: Washington

Washington Attorney General Opinions 1951. AGO 1951-53 No. 26. April 26, 1951[Orig. Op. Page 1]PRIVATECOLUMBIA BASIN PROJECT ACT --- IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION DISTRICTS. PLATTING, SUBDIVISION, APPRAISEMENT AND SALE OF STATE LANDS.Chapter 275, Laws of 1943, as amended by chapter 200, Laws of 1951 is constitutional and may be administered in cooperation with Federal officials under the Columbia Basin Project Act.Honorable Jack TaylorCommissioner of Public LandsPublic Lands-Social Security BuildingOlympia, WashingtonCite as: AGO 1951-53 No. 26Dear Sir: In your letter of January 15th you referred to the Columbia Basin Project Act (57 Stat. 14; secs. 835, et sub., Title 16, U.S.C.A.); chapter 275, Laws of Washington for 1943 (sec. 7525-20, et seq., Rem. Supp. 1943) and Senate Bill No. 125, which is now chapter 200, Laws of 1951 (secs. 89.03.05-.07-.10-.13, RCW [[RCW 89.12.050, 89.12.070, 89.12.100, 89.12.130]]), and asked a number of questions, which we state and answer as follows: ANALYSIS 1. Can an appraisal by the Bureau of Reclamation be considered a proper appraisal or is it still necessary that the Board of State Land Commissioners officially fix the appraisals? While it is still necessary for the Board of State Land Commissioners to fix appraisals, they may, very properly, recognize and accept the appraisal of the Bureau of Reclamation as they are directed to do. 2. Is an appraisal fixed by the Bureau of Reclamation under the antispeculation bill considered to be the full market value of the land or is it necessary that the state officially fix its own appraisal? [Orig. Op. Page 2] The appraisal made by the Bureau of Reclamation will be considered to be the full market value of the land, when recognized and accepted. 3. Is the state estopped from selling its land on the ten-year payment plan by section 3, chapter 200, Laws of Washington, 1951, (sec. 89.12.100, RCW [[RCW 89.12.100]])? by section 3, chapter 200, Laws of Washington, 1951 (sec. 89.12.100, RCW)? Yes. 4. Can the sales price be limited to the appraised value under section 3, chapter 200, Laws of Washington, 1951 (sec. 89.12.100, RCW [[RCW 89.12.100]])? No. 5. Can the sale of farm units be limited to one farm unit per person under section 3, chapter 200, Laws of Washington, 1951 (sec. 89.12.100, RCW [[RCW 89.12.100]])? Yes. 6. Can applicants be selected, as...