(No response.) Mr. SCUDDER. I would like to present Mr. Wallace, Sonoma County engineer. STATEMENT OF MARSHALL WALLACE, COUNTY SURVEYOR AND ROAD COMMISSIONER, SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF. Senator MCCLELLAN. You may proceed, sir, if you will first identify yourself to the reporter and state your official position. Mr. WALLACE. My name is Marshall Wallace. I am the county surveyor and road commissioner of Sonoma County, Calif. I am appearing before you gentlemen in the interest of the Russian River project which has just been explained to you by the Engineer Corps. In my official position I am cognizant of these problems. My first experience in this particular position, which I now hold, was in 1937; I have held it since then. We had a major flood in 1937; we had another in 1940, and another in 1945. The river running through the agricultural land between Healdsburg and Cloverdale is in need of channel correction and stabilization; this is particularly true adjacent to the town of Geyserville. I have prepared a statement here which I would like to submit in the interest of time, gentlemen. Senator MCCLELLAN. Thank you. It may be submitted and printed in full in the record. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF MARSHALL WALLACE, SONOMA COUNTY SURVEYOR AND ROAD COMMISSIONER Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, my name is Marshall Wallace. I am the county surveyor and road commissioner of Sonoma County, Calif. I have held this office since March 1937. I am appearing before you to stress the importance of the Russian River project as submitted by the Army engineers in the matter of flood control. Since the stream and watershed is adequately described in the report, I shall not infringe upon your time by repetition. Due to my official position, I am cognizant of the flood problems along the Russian River and Dry Creek by reason of personal observation, and cooperation with the Cloverdale and Dry Creek flood-control districts in their efforts to control the streams, with levees and revetments for the protection of farm lands from loss due to floods. Floods causing severe damage have been recorded in 1937, 1940, and 1945. Subsequent to the 1937 flood, an inventory of flood losses was made in cooperation with the State engineer, which inventory revealed that losses to railways, highways, utilities, industries, farm and recreation properties, etc., in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, totaled $2,253,219. (A detailed break-down of this inventory is submitted with this presentation-attached.) Subsequent to 1937, we have evidence of expenditures for flood protection along the river and the lower reaches of Dry Creek by subdivisions of government as follows: 1. Russian River, in Sonoma County, July 1, 1938, to June 26, 1945: County funds.__ $58, 237.36 18, 850. 89 3, 894. 84 13, 657.85 1, 267.30 95, 908. 24 In addition to the foregoing expenditures, through subdivisions of government, private individuals as of June 1945 expended $27,975 in the area between Geyserville and Healdsburg. It can be reasonably estimated that unreported private expenditures along the balance of the stream are in excess of this figure. Immediately prior to the passage of the Sonoma County Flood Control Act, of which Mr. McGoldrick has previously testified, residents of Geyserville concerned with the possibility of flood recurrence had prepared the necessary documents and maps for the purpose of organizing a local flood-control district, fearing that delay in the commencement of the Russian River project would jeopardize their farms. Further progress is temporarily in abeyance awaiting action by the Congress. The condition of the river adjacent to and northerly of Geyserville can best be illustrated by the photograph herewith submitted, which indicates a condition immediately south of the city of Healdsburg and is comparable to the Geyserville section. The conditions shown are to be corrected by channel straightening and bank protection. The protective features constructed by local subdivisions of government and by private parties are by their very nature effective only in ordinary high waters; the construction of the Coyote Dam will increase their effectiveness by reducing the flow at flood season. It is respectfully submitted that since 1938 the counties of Sonoma and Mendocino, together with groups and organizations, have been working toward the solution contained in the engineers' report on the Russian River. Your favorable action is solicited. Estimate by State engineer of amount of damage in Sonoma County due to flood of December 1937 Telephone and telegraph systems: no damages reported____ Pacific Gas & Electric Co.: power- and telephone-lines substations Irrigation and domestic water supplies: City of Healdsburg__ Farm canals and ditches filled up- Urban improvements, homes, and businesses: Houses Household effects--- Industries in rural areas: theater____ $117 2,031 1,500 $3, 648 5, 000 22, 100 45, 850 200 3, 600 1, 200 5,000 0 4, 400 300 3,600 3, 900 49, 500 35,000 Estimate by State engineer of amount of damage in Sonoma County due to flood of December 1937-Continued Summer camps, homes, and resort equipment: Cottages and tent platforms__. Cottages and grounds Dance halls.. Boats Boathouses Landing stages, platforms, and rafts.. Farm buildings, fences, and equipment: Livestock: $57, 000 14, 000 48, 400 Sheep (85) Cows (16). Poultry (700). Miscellaneous_ Growing crops and produce in storage: Vineyards (50 acres). Prunes (100 acres) Field crops (200 acres) Hay (1,200 tons). Dry feed (10 tons). Hops (160 tons). Feed in silos--- Dried prunes_ 347, 200 425 1, 800 700 1,000 3,925 10,000 12,500 3,000 30,000 400 6, 400 8,700 20, 000 91,000 Estimate by State engineer of amount of damage in Mendocino County due to Estimate by State engineer of amount of damage in Mendocino County due to flood of December 1937-Continued Gas and electric systems: Pacific Gas & Electric Co., reservoirs___ 750 Irrigation and domestic water supplies: City of Ukiah__ 300 Summer camps, homes, and resort equipment: 65 cabins, 16 small houses_. Urban improvements, homes and businesses: City of Ukiah, parks_--- National-forest campgrounds_- Cold Creek fish hatchery. 300 0 $400 100, 000 30, 000 Flood-protection works: River-bank repairs. Increased operating expenses and interruption of business: 50,000 Pacific Gas & Electric Co---. Northwestern Pacific Ry-. $100 10,000 10, 100 Total damage in Mendocino County--. Expenditures on Russian River for flood-control works, levees, channel-clearing, etc., from July 1, 1938, to May 1945, inclusive |