Mr. CANNON. The committee desires to call attention again to the fact that the Corps of Engineers seems to be ready to advise anybody that they can use more money on practically any project in the budge and yet they testified before the committee recently that they wer not able to take care of even the work for which money had bee provided. Thank you, Mr. Fisher. Mr. FISHER. Thank you, sir. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 19 PLAQUEMINE-MORGAN CITY ALTERNATE ROUTE, MISSISSIPPI R BATON ROUGE TO GULF AND GULF OUTLET GULF INTRACOASTAL 3 DEVILS SWAMP WITNESS HON. JAMES H. MORRISON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FRI THE STATE OF LOUISIANA Mr. CANNON. We shall now be glad to hear from Congres. Morrison of Louisiana. Mr. MORRISON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman who is chairman of the public department of the Baton Rouge Port Commission, Mr. Woo Dumas, came up yesterday from Baton Rouge to testify but, tunately, he had a slight stroke yesterday and it will be impos for him to testify today. Therefore, since this time was allotte these two projects, I am going to try as best I can to take his p and testify in his behalf because he is not able to be here. Mr. CANNON. The committee will be glad to hear you, Congress Morrison. Mr. MORRISON. Mr. Chairman, there are two projects. One pr is known as the Plaquemine-Morgan City alternate route of the Intracoastal Waterway. I wish to recommend and urge the appropriation of the sur $4,166,000, the amount which I am advised is necessary and ade to complete the Plaquemine-Morgan City alternate route to the Intracoastal Waterway, as authorized by the Rivers and Harbors! of Congress, Public Law No. 525, adopted July 24, 1946. This project is 85 percent complete: $23,540,000 has been sper in order to complete it, it will take $4,166,000 of additional which is in the budget for this year. Mr. CANNON. I believe you have another item in which yo interested? Mr. MORRISON. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Dumas was also supposed to testify in behalf of this proje This project has halfway been completed. The distance was 21 for the first phase and 5 miles for the second phase. This project was authorized by the River and Harbor Act of Co gress, Public Law 525, adopted July 24, 1946. The first 22-mile phase of the channel was completed in 1959 at a st of $1,180,941, but the construction contract was let only after e Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission entered into a rather ique agreement with the U.S. Corps of Engineers under which the mmission contributed approximately one-half of the construction st. I should like to point out that the commission was so convinced the public need for this project and the benefits to be derived thereom, that it contributed the total sum of $649,517.55, a contribution hich, of course, it had no legal obligation to make. It should be added, moreover, that the funds so contributed repreented the proceeds of revenue bonds of the commission which the >mmission must repay from earnings, and were not funds merely ppropriated to the commission by the State of Louisiana. In addition to the direct cost participation, the port commission has ow fulfilled all the obligations required of it under the River and Harbor Act of Congress; namely: (1) To provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easeents, rights-of-way, and spoil disposal areas necessary for the conruction and subsequent maintenance of the project; (2) To hold and save the United States free from damage due o the construction and subsequent maintenance of the project; (3) To provide, maintain, and operate adequate terminal facilities hich shall be open to all on equal terms. It should be pointed out that all rights-of-way and spoil disposal reas were donated by property owners free of cost except the rightf-way for the westerly portion of the proposed turn basin at the northerly end of the second phase of the project, where two landowners stand to lose more than the normal amount of land through dredging. Such donations affected some 6,273 acres. In fulfilling the terminal facility requirement, the Greater Baton Rouge Port Commission has constructed and placed in operation at a otal cost of $3,657,097.76, the Baton Rouge Barge Terminal, which any bargeline representatives have called the finest facility of its ind on the Mississippi River Waterway System. In this connection, I wish to present to you the two photographs which are marked "Exhibit 1" and "Exhibit 2," and the map which smarked "Exhibit 3." Here [indicating] are the two pictures which I might show to the members of the committee. Mr. CANNON. They will be received for the use of the committee. Mr. MORRISON. There has been the fullest cooperation and particiation on the part of local interests. The first channel phase ends immediately north of the Baton Rouge Barge Terminal, and, as seen from exhibit 3, such phase does not ontain a turn basin, such as that provided in the second phase. This as to do with traffic handling. Thus, traffic congestion at or near he terminal results in some hazard to both floating equipment and e terminal facility. Moreover, extension of the channel will proide fleeting areas north of the terminal which need not be passed y traffic moving to and from the terminal and the Mississippi River. Second, Mr. Chairman, the flow of Bayou Baton Rouge, the course of which I shall attempt to trace on the map which I hand you, marked "Exhibit 4," has become obstructed and impeded by the spoil which now encloses the completed phase of the channel. A certain amount of obstruction had been anticipated, but completion of certain flood control projects in east Baton Rouge Parish during the past 2 years has increased the area drained by Bayou Baton Rouge, and the volume of water carried by it. The result is that during certain periods this stream flows in a reverse direction in areas north of the project, causing inundation c properties. Construction of the second phase, with the free flow of Bayou Ba Rouge into it, would relieve this condition. By way of explanat it should be stated that this stream cannot enter and drain throu the first phase of the channel except through the westerly spoil b which cannot be permitted, since it would permit the flow of Missisi River water into the present channel with seriously damaging effe Now, with reference to the second phase of this project, which not been completed, it is necessary for an appropriation of $2,331 to be made in order to complete this project, and I strongly urge to the Appropriations Committee appropriate this amount of $2.3310 for the second phase and the completion of this barge canal, whi is approximately 40 percent completed with the first phase. Mr. CANNON. Thank you, Congressman Morrison. Off the re (Discussion off the record.) Mr. CANNON. It has been a pleasure to have you. Mr. MORRISON. Mr. Chairman, it has been a pleasure, as usual. to appear before you and I thank you for your kindness. Mr. RABAUT. Off the record. (Discussion off the record.) BATON ROUGE BARGE CANAL (NOTE. The following statement was submitted for the record STATEMENT OF EUGENE CAZEDESSUS, BATON ROUGE, LA., REGARDING Mr. Chairman, my name is Eugene Cazedessus. As a citizen and owner interest in lands lying on both first and second phases of the Baton R barge canal, I object to appropriation of funds for the second phase of canal. Reasons follow: 1. In completing the first phase, the Baton Rouge Port Commission fais adhere to promises to landowners relative to conservation of spoil and m of construction. 2. To date there has been no development of any industry on the first p I believe this is due in part to failure to construct canal as proposed promised to property owners, and failure to conserve spoil to permit use* low land. 3. The second phase if constructed without a bridge at the end of the fir phase would isolate lands on first phase. 4. There is no need for, or purpose to be served, by second phase at present 5. The public has not been furnished adequate information and propert" owners have not been adequately informed on plans for the second phase. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1960. OREGON PROJECTS WITNESSES ON. WAYNE MORSE, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF OREGON ƆN. EDITH GREEN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OREGON ON. AL ULLMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OREGON Mr. CANNON. Congressman Ullman, we shall be glad to hear from u at this time. Will you please be seated? Mr. ULLMAN. Mr. Chairman, I first want to commend this comittee for its diligence and hard work. I do not know of a harder orking committee or one which does such an excellent job. Might I, first, Mr. Chairman, ask permission to have the statement 7 our senior Senator from Oregon, Mr. Morse, placed in the record? Mr. CANNON. The Senator's statement will be made a part of the cord at this point. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF SENATOR WAYNE MORSE Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, this year, as in previous years, am urging the members of the Appropriations Committee to provide the maxium funds usable for public works projects under the jurisdiction of the Corps Engineers and the Department of the Interior. Each year I ask the Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department to give e information as to the maximum appropriations that could be used effectively d efficiently in their respective public works programs. Upon the reliable data us supplied, I base my request of your committee for funds with which to plement our Federal public works programs. PUBLIC WORKS APPROPRIATIONS-INVESTMENTS THAT RETURN DIVIDENDS On many occasions I have pointed out that appropriations for self-liquidating blic works projects should not be lumped in with appropriations covering curnt operating costs of government. Consider for instance, our great multipurose Oregon dam projects. These repay their construction costs, with interest, ng before their useful lives terminate. They belong to the people of the United tates, to serve many generations with low-cost electric power, flood control, gulation of river flows, improved navigation, water pollution abatement, and creation opportunities. These self-liquidating income-producing projects should be set apart from dinary subjects of the budget which reflect operating costs of government, so at they may be understood clearly, on the merits, by our American taxpayers. have urged for several years that projects of this type be placed in what is signated as a "capital budget" of the Federal Government, in much the same anner as the businessman designates his capital investments in his inventory of ssets. Multipurpose flood control projects constitute public works which not only Coduce power revenues but save property owners millions of dollars of flood sses each year. Flood losses prevented mean, indirectly, great benefits for the ederal Treasury. They assure the uninterrupted productive capacity of prop 54265-60-pt. 5- -31 erty that brings tax revenues to the United States, the States, and local gov. ernments. In like manner the improvement and development of river and harbor projects is of great significance, not only from the standpoint of national defense, but from the viewpoint of economic development in the areas adjacent and tributary to port and navigation projects. This economic development translates into tar dollars for Federal, State, and local Treasuries. THE ADMINISTRATION'S RETREAT FROM THE "NO NEW STARTS" POLICY It is deeply gratifying that the administration, in a Presidential election year has abandoned its rigid "no new starts" policy and has included an important new multipurpose dam project start for Oregon. Our unrelenting fight agains this restrictive policy has at last produced a victory in the public interest The paragraphs that follow contain my recommendations on appropriations for public works projects in Oregon. I urge their serious and favorable sideration by this committee. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS A. CONSTRUCTION 1. Flood control and/or power projects John Day lock and dam.-The John Day Dam project is now under constr tion on the Columbia Rivr approximately 215 miles upstream from the mo of the river, 26 miles east of The Dalles, Oreg. Upon completion it will have a reservoir of 76 miles and will provide 500,000 acre-feet of flood control storage. The power installation at John Day will include 12 initial units of 108,700 ke watts each and an ultimate installation of 20 generators. The dam will provide navigation, irrigation, power, and recreation benefits, with an excellent benefitcost ratio of 1.8 to 1. Initially, the budget request for fiscal 1961 for John Day Dam was $41,800.000. However, favorable bidding on the first major construction contract resulted in a downward revision of the budget request and the amount usable. The Corps of Engineers advises me that $37 million will be adequate for the coming fiscal year and is the maximum amount that could be utilized from an engineering standpoint. I am informed that this reduced budget request will not result in construction delay; consequently, I urge the approval of $37 million this year for John Day Dam. Cougar Reservoir.-Cougar Reservoir on the South Fork McKenzie River Oreg., will be 65 percent completed by the end of fiscal 1961, provided the budget request of $12,300,000 is approved this year. Cougar Reservoir will provide flood control, electric power generation and recreation benefits. It will increase low water flows for conservation uses the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. Recreation uses will be established in operation with the Forest Service. Appropriation of the full amount usable and the amount requested in this year's budget-$12,300,000-is clearly warranted. Hills Creek Dam.-Hills Creek Dam, on the Middle Fork Willamette River 26.5 miles upstream from Lookout Point Dam, is nearing completion. Approva of the $10,500,000 requested in this year's budget will bring the project to % percent of completion during fiscal 1961. The project is closely related to Lookout Point Dam in that its storage potertial can be used in the interest of maximum power production at Lookout Point Appropriation of the full amount requested in the budget for the coming fisca year will bring flood control, storage regulation, and electric power benefits of this fine project into operation in the near future. The Dalles lock and dam.-This great multiple purpose projects recalls to mind the difficult days of 1951 when the question of proceeding or not proceeding with the construction of The Dalles Dam hung in the balance. I presented to Prest dent Truman a strong plea on the merits of the project and urged that construe tion be undertaken immediately. The President was convinced that the project should go forward, and construction began in February 1952. The entire Nation and the region benefited by this wise decision. The appropriation of $1,900,000, as requested in the budget, will bring the project to approximately 99 percent of completion. It is now generating electric power and producing power revenues which ultimately will repay the entire |