The Green River Reservoir project is a unit of the authorized plan for flood control and other purposes in the Ohio River Basin. The project, when completed, will control a drainage area in excess of 682 square miles. The flood plain area of the Green River is devoted primarily to agriculture. The project will afford substantial benefits to agriculture in the Green River Valley and, functioning as a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control and allied purposes in the Ohio River Basin, will contribute to reduction of flood damages along the 197 miles of the Ohio River below the Green River and along the Mississippi River. The current estimated value of property in the Green River Valley below the dam is $78,639,000. The record flood in the reach of the Green River affected by this reservoir occurred in 1937, inundated essentially all of the flood plain, and remained above flood stage at Woodbury for 25 days. A recurrence of this flood under present conditions of development would cause damages estimated at about $10 million of which $1,683,000 would be prevented by this project. The project will also provide water quality control and a seasonal pool will provide recreational opportunities and serve as a wildlife refuge. Average annual benefits are estimated at $2,612,000, consisting of flood control, $1,809,000; water quality control, $294,000; general recreation, $400,000; fish and wildlife, $75,000; and higher land utilization, $34,000. Fiscal year 1965.-The requested amount of $3,200,000 will be applied toContinue acquisition of lands....... Initiate relocations-- Continue construction of dam__ $1,277, 000 602, 000 899,000 57, 000 15,000 150, 000 200, 000 Continue construction of roads.. Continue permanent operating equipment_ Engineering and design__ Supervision and administration_ Total____ 111 3, 200, 000 The funds requested are the minimum required for continuation of construction of this project. Non-Federal cost.-None. Status of local cooperation.-None required. Comparison of Federal cost estimate.-The current Federal cost estimate of $28,700,000 is an increase of $7,700,000 over the latest estimate ($21 million) submitted to Congress. This increase is due to price level rise and to adjustments in lands, relocations, reservoir clearing, dam, access roads, recreation facilities, engineering and design, and supervision and administration due to establishment of water quality control pool. Summary construction program (PB-1), fiscal years 1964 and 1965 Mr. KIRWAN. Will you please explain the $7,700,000 cost increase on this project? This added cost will apparently provide an additional benefit of only $294,000 annually for water quality control. In other words, a 25-percent cost increase would appear to get you only about an 11-percent benefit increase. How do you justify that? 32-218-64-pt. 1——37 General LEBER. The cost increase is justified by including in this project space for a water quality control pool. In addition to the water quality benefits, the increased storage provided by the revised project affords $458,000 additional annual flood control benefits and an additional $231,000 in recreation and fish and wildlife benefits. The benefit-to-cost ratio remains the same as last year, 2.4 to 1. The increase in the project costs includes $420,000 for price level, $5,830,000 for the addition of the water quality control, and $1,225,000 for application of the new real estate policy. BIG DARBY RESERVOIR, OHIO Mr. KIRWAN. Next is the Big Darby Reservoir, Ohio. Insert the justifications in the record at this point. (The justifications follow :) BIG DARBY RESERVOIR, OHIO (New) Location. The project is located in Franklin and Madison Counties, Ohio, on Big Darby Creek, about 29 miles above its confluence with the Scioto River. Authorization.-1938 Flood Control Act. Status (January 1, 1964).—Construction not started. Completion schedule.-Lands and damages, December 1967; relocations, September 1968; reservoir, September 1968; dam, December 1968; roads, access, December 1968; recreation, December 1968; buildings, etc., September 1968; entire project, December 1968. JUSTIFICATION Big Darby Reservoir is one of seven authorized reservoirs, including the completed Delaware Reservoir, in the Scioto River Basin and is a unit of the general comprehensive plan for flood control and allied purposes for the Ohio River Basin. Along with the other reservoirs, the Big Darby Reservoir will alleviate flood hazards along the Scioto and Ohio Rivers. The project will provide flood protection to the predominantly agricultural Big Darby Creek Basin and is the most important element in the system offering protection to the industrial and population center of Chillicothe. Total Scioto Basin damages in the 1959 flood were approximately $11,948,000 which, under present conditions of development would amount to $14,700,000. Had the six additional reservoirs of the system been in operation at the time, $5 million of the damages would have been prevented. Average annual flood control benefits for the Big Darby project are $971,200. A recurrence of the flood of record (March 1913) under present conditions would result in an industrial disaster and tragedy for thousands of persons. In addition to flood control, the Big Darby Reservoir will be developed for general recreation and fish and wildlife recreation purposes with estimated average annual benefits of $406,000. Fiscal year 1965.-The requested $750,000 will be applied to Initiate acquisition of lands__ Supervision and administration___. Total $450,000 50,000 230,000 20,000 750,000 The requested amount will permit initiation of construction of the project. Non-Federal costs.-Non-Federal interests are to operate and maintain the proposed fish and wildlife facilities at an estimated cost of $15,000 annually. Status of local cooperation.-Responsible representatives of the State of Ohio, and the Scioto Conservancy District have furnished written indications of intent to comply with all requirements of local cooperation. Comparison of Federal cost estimates.-The current Federal cost estimate of $27,200,000 is an increase of $700,000 over the latest estimate ($26,500,000) submitted to Congress. This change is due to higher price levels. Summary construction program (PB-1), fiscal years 1964 and 1965 Mr. KIRWAN. Please explain the new start and give us the date for the first construction contract. General LEBER. The project consists of a gated concrete dam with earthfill abutment sections. The dam will be located about 29 miles above the mouth of Big Darby Creek and about 130 miles above the mouth of the Scioto River. The project will provide protection to the predominantly agricultural Big Darby Creek Valley, and is the most important element in the system offering protection to the industrial and population center of Chillicothe, Ohio. The total average benefits are $1,377,000. The first contract will be for relocation of Route 665, to be awarded in the spring of 1965. Mr. KIRWAN. What will be the fish and wildlife facilities, and what will they cost? General LEBER. That has not been worked out in detail. There is a provision in the authorizing act for local cooperation with regard to the fish and wildlife activity in this project. Our experience with the State of Ohio has been we will have no difficulty in getting them to furnish this local cooperation. Mr. KIRWAN. This project was authorized in 1938. Why has it been passed over for so many years? General LEBER. It is because we have had a very heavy program to carry out since 1938, and we have not gotten down to this project. It is a very good project. LATROBE, PA. Mr. KIRWAN. Latrobe, Pa., $300,000. Insert the justifications at this point. (The justifications follow :) LATROBE, PA. Location. The borough of Latrobe is located along Loyalhanna Creek in Westmoreland County, western Pennsylvania, at the head of Loyalhanna Reservoir. Authorization.-1960 Flood Control Act. |