Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of this committe a privilege for me to appear here today before this body. Great Bend, Kans., the largest city in the western half of the is located near the point where Wet and Dry Walnut Creel verge and empty into the Arkansas River. This creates a source of flooding in this area. The city has had serious flood either one or a combination of two or more of these watersh 1914, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1942, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1958, and Great Bend has attempted to solve its flood problems on it and large sums of local funds have been expended to provide protection possible in the form of diking, channel cleaning straightening of these three systems. This protection, howev proven completely inadequate as shown by the floods suffere the increasing frequency of floods in the past 10 years. The expansion of Great Bend and its increasing importance as a nomic center along with population growth and property increase make it reasonable to assume that another flood of the or 1951 proportion might cause losses in excess of the amoun a complete Federal flood control project would cost to provide I protection to the city. Realizing the importance of an overall flood protection p the Great Bend City Council on May 4, 1959, passed a resolutio the city, through its authorized officials, take necessary steps i diately to secure a Federal flood control project. An attemp made in May 1959 to have funds for this survey included in the appropriation but apparently the request was too late for acti that time. Efforts were also made to have the funds provided 1961 presidential budget. However, this was unsuccessful. January 26, 1960, I received a letter from William F. Cassidy, 1 general, Assistant Chief of Engineers, Civil Works, in which he that an amount of $30,000 could be utilized on this study i fiscal year 1961. In order that this study, so urgently needed by Great Bend, I may be provided without further delay, I therefore request the sum of $30,000 for this purpose be included in the appropriatio for fiscal year 1961. I would also like to insert in the record at this time a letter William F. Cassidy. (The letter referred to follows:) Hon. J. FLOYD BREEDING, House of Representatives. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DEAR MR. BREEDING: This is in reply to your recent request for inform on the corps capability to utilize funds on the survey of the Arkansas Ri Kansas from Great Bend to the Colorado State line. From the strictly engineering standpoint, considering this study by without reference to our overall program, our overall capability, or fisca siderations, an amount of $30.000 could be utilized on this study in fiscal 1961. As you may know, no funds for this project are included in the dent's budget, so that no funds can be utilized for this study in view of o budgetary considerations. Sincerely yours, WILLIAM F. CASSIDY, Major General, U.S. Army, Assistant Chief of Engineers for Civil Wo Mr. BREEDING. I would also like to insert in the record a wire from State legislator who represents that district, Hon. Tony Schartz. The wire referred to follows:) . J. FLOYD BREEDING, GREAT BEND, KANS., April 4, 1960. ommittee on Public Works, House Appropriations Committee, e of Representatives, Washington, D.C. NTLEMEN: I wish to express my thanks to you for your consideration of food control problem here in Great Bend for many years. After your ng with our Mayor Don Weltmer and other committee members I trust that will act favorably in the appropriation of $30,000 for a Corps of Engineers e study at Great Bend, Kans. Thanking you, I am, TONY N. SCHARTZ, Representative 78th District. Mr. BREEDING. Then with your permission, Mr. Chairman, I would introduce the mayor of the city of Great Bend, Kans., who has terent, Mr. Don Weltmer. STATEMENT OF MR. DON WELTMER Y. WELTMER. I would like to thank this committee in behalf of Mr. Ward, Mr. Callon, Mr. Moses, and myself representing Great Bend. Thank you for the courtesy extended us. I thank Congressman Breeding for so ably presenting our case. In the interest of brevity I would like to present a portion of this brief which we have prepared. Part of it is pictorial and probably would not be suitable for the transcript. The first seven pages comprise exhibits A and B. If we may have permission to enter the first seven pages into your record it would be deeply appreciated. Mr. CANNON. That will be inserted. (The information referred to follows:) EXHIBIT A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE In this presentation, the city of Great Bend seeks to acquaint this committee with its seed for adequate flood control protection which has been a constant worry and source of grave concern to its citizens throughout its history. Much has been done to solve and alleviate this problem. This brief contains idence of these efforts and major factors concerned with floods and flood eats in Great Bend since 1942. In view of the history of this unremitting d probem in Great Bend and the efforts of its citizens to solve it, the conon has been reached that the magnitude of the problem is too large for at Bend itself to solve. De to previous efforts much groundwork has been accomplished. As an ample: The Committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives, adopted January 21, 1944, a resolution authorizing a review of the report on the ansas River and its tributaries published in House Document 308, 74th Con1st session, to determine whether modification of any recommendations ained therein with respect to flood control at and in the vicinity of Great ad is advisable. Therefore, the authority is available for the study being ested today. la addition, we have recently received communications from the Corps of gineers. Albuquerque district, copies of which are shown on pages 2 and 3 of exhibit A which state: (1) This district recognizes that the flood problem at Great Bend is serious and warrants investigation and studies at the earliest practicable date. (2) The authority is available for the study and an amount of $30,000 could be utilized in the fiscal year 1961. (3) Seven floods are listed showing the approximate cost to the community and the Federal Government, the total of which exceeds $800,000. Therefore, we respectfully solicit and request the assistance of this con and the various Federal agencies in helping us to rid our city of this c threat and menace *** floods. The following data are presented as evidence to support our request. STATEMENT OF URGENT NEED FOR STUDY OF FLOOD CONTROL CORPS OF ENGINEE Subject: Investigations for flood control on Arkansas River at Great Bend, Kan. To: Hon. Don Weltmer, mayor of the city of Great Bend, Great Bend, Ka DEAR MAYOR WELTMER: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated J 21, 1960, relative to actions taken by the city to secure funds during fisc 1961 for flood control investigations and studies on Arkansas River at and vicinity of Great Bend, Kans. The district recognizes that the flood problem at Great Bend is serio warrants investigations and studies at the earliest practicable date to det the location and type of improvements required to alleviate the conditio economic justification. As you know, there are many other areas with s problems and priorities for investigations must be established based on cation and prosecution at minimum economical rates. Ordinarily, the 1 funds made available for such surveys are concentrated on a few reports are under active prosecution and require only small amounts for comp Several investigations assigned to this district are now in this categor upon completion, new investigations including the survey at Great Bend scheduled in accordance with the availability of funds. I assure you that every consideration will be given the Great Bend sur soon as practicable. A copy of your letter and inclosures thereto are bein warded for information of our division office in Dallas, Tex. Sincerely yours, JOSEPH L. ALBERT, Lieutenant Colonel, C. E., Acting District Engin CORPS OF ENGINEERS LETTER OF CAPABILITY AND PAST FLOOD LOSSES, 1949-59 CORPS OF ENGINEERS, Subject: Survey for flood control on Arkansas River in Kansas from Great to the Colorado State line. To: Hon. Don Weltmer, mayor of the city of Great Bend, Great Bend, Kar Dear Mayor WELTMER: Reference is made to our telephone conversati March 14, 1960, during which you requested information regarding funds could be utilized by this district during fiscal year 1961, for flood control tigations and studies on Arkansas River in Kansas from Great Bend t Colorado State line. You also requested data on flood damages and flood fig costs at Great Bend during recent years. In reply to your request in referenced telephone conversation, the foll information is furnished on the capability of this district to utilize funds d fiscal year 1961 on the survey of Arkansas River in Kansas above Great From the strictly engineering standpoint, considering this study by itself out reference to our overall program, our overall capability, or fiscal consi tions, an amount of $30,000 could be utilized on this study in fiscal year As you know, no funds for this project are included in the President's bu so that no funds can be utilized for this study in view of overall budg considerations. Information is furnished in the following tabulation concerning estin flood losses incurred at Great Bend, Kans., during the period 1949-59. Subject: Survey for flood control on Arkansas River in Kansas from Great Bend to the Colorado State line. I hope the foregoing provides the information desired. If additional data are needed, please do not hesitate to call on me at any time. Sincerely yours, ALBERT L. REED, Colonel, CE, District Engineer. EXHIBIT B STATEMENT OF RECOMMENDATION Great Bead, Kans., the largest city in the western half of the State, is located near the point where Wet and Dry Walnut Creeks converge and empty into The Arkansas River. This creates a triple source of flooding in this area. The rity has had serious floods from either one or a combination of two or more of these watersheds in the years 1914, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1942, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1851, 1968, and 1959. Great Bend has attempted to solve its flood problems on its own, and large Stofbal funds have been expended to provide all the protection possible in the form of diking, channel cleaning, and straightening of these three systems. This protection, however, has proven completely inadequate as shown by the foods suffered and the increasing frequency of floods in the past 10 years. The rapid expansion of Great Bend and its increasing importance as an eco center along with population growth and property value increase make it reasonable to assume that another flood of the 1942 or 1951 proportion might cause losses in excess of the amount that a complete Federal flood control project would cost to provide proper protection to the city. Realizing the importance of an overall flood protection project, the Great Bend City Council on May 4, 1959, passed a resolution that the city, through authorized officials, take necessary steps immediately to secure a Federal d control project. An attempt was made in May 1959 to have funds for sarvey included in the 1960 appropriation but apparently the request was ate for action at that time. Efforts were also made to have the funds proin the 1961 Presidential budget. However, this was unsuccessful. On ry 26, 1960, Congressman Breeding received a letter from William F. dy, Major General, Assistant Chief of Engineers, Civil Works, in which ated that an amount of $30,000 could be utilized on this study in the fiscal Br 1961. Therefore, we respectfully request that this sum be included in the House priation bill for 1961 in order that this survey can be provided without ther delay. Indicating the united support of the citizens at large of the city of Great nd the chamber of commerce and city government officials we submit the tements that follow on pages 2 and 3 of this exhibit B. DON WELTMER, Mayor. CITIZENS COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION In order to expedite the procurement of Federal funds to partially finance flood control program for the city of Great Bend, the city council deemed advisable that a flood association of local citizens be established in order th there might be some continuity to the program. The major function of this association is to act as a booster committee perpetuate a program of flood control in addition to keeping the general publ and future governing bodies aware of the magnitude of this problem un the program is completed. One hundred citizens of Great Bend, Kans., have been named as membe of a flood control group and of this number a flood control association of members have been appointed, as follows: Clinton A. DuBois, 1302 Jefferson Street H. R. Roberson, R.F.D. 3 Clifford Getz, 1312 McKinley Street MAYOR'S LETTER APRIL 4, 1960. To the Subcommittee on Public Works, House Appropriation Committee, House o Representatives, Washington, D.C. HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: May I express my appreciation on behal of the city of Great Bend, Kans., for this opportunity to submit to your committe the statements and exhibits containsd in this brief. It is desirable, I believe, t emphasize the main points contained therein: That the flood situation is serious and apparently becoming increasingly s with more frequency. The Corps of Engineers concur in this belief. The financial loss to both the Federal Government and local property owner resulting from past floods has been in excess of $1 million. The city has not beel idle and has continuously spent large sums on flood control and thereby pre vented a much greater loss in recent years. However, the city alone canno afford the full protection needed. The city government officials with full citizens' support determined that only a Federal flood control project can provide the flood protection this community needs and deserves. Great Bend is able and willing to provide its share of the funds necessary for an ultimate flood control project. Since the first step is a survey by the Corps of Engineers, we have since last May attempted to have the necessary funds, $30,000, appropriated. On behalf of this community, its citizens, and public officials, I therefore urgently solicit your favorable consideration that this appropriation be made at this time. Thanking you again for your valued attention to our particular problem, I remain. Respectfully yours, DON WELTMER, Mayor. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LETTER To the Subcommittee on Public Works, House Appropriation Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce wishes to express its thanks to you for your consideration of the flood control problem which has confronted the city of Great Bend for many years. Solving of this problem has been and will remain one of the high priority longrange projects of this organization until it is satisfactorily resolved. |