Investigations ARMY FUNCTIONS Several flood-control projects are urgently needed in our State. The Corps of Engineers has been carrying on investigations and surveys for flood-protective measures on the Souris River and in the Devils Lake area of the Red River of the north basin, on the James River, in southwestern North Dakota, Missouri River navigation and bank stabilization on the Missouri River between the Oahe and the Garrison Dam. Budget estimates are recommended so that these studies and surveys can be performed and funds be made available to the Corps of Engineers in the following amounts: James River survey.. Bank erosion stabilization. Souris River____ $18,000 10, 000 15, 200 10, 000 In addition, $15,000 is needed for flood control and municipal water supply survey of the Green River in western North Dakota. Garrison Dam and Reservoir I wish also to express my support of the budget estimate for construction work necessary to be performed on the Garrison Dam and Reservoir project on the Missouri River in my State. Four million dollars is needed to carry on this work through fiscal 1961. Lower Heart River Work is progressing on the Lower Heart flood-protective works at a satisfactory rate. Indications are that the work on this project will be completed during fiscal 1961. I, therefore, urge that funds recommended by the Budget Bureau and the Corps of Engineers be made available for the construction of the remaining flood-protective work. The amount required is $836,000. I wish to thank you, gentlemen, for permitting me to make this presentation. STATEMENT OF ROY A. HOLAND, LAMOURE, N. DAK., CHAIRMAN, GARRISON DIVERSION CONSERVANCY DISTRICT Our Mr. Chairman, I am Roy A. Holand of LaMoure, N. Dak. I represent my county on the board of directors of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and have served as chairman of that board since it was organized in 1955. conservancy district was established by the 1955 North Dakota Legislature to spearhead the development of the Garrison diversion unit. It is composed of the entire areas of 25 counties located in central and eastern North Dakota that contain areas that will be benefited through the development of the Garrison diversion unit. The conservancy district has specific powers and duties relating to the development of the Garrison diversion unit including the authority and the financial means to contract for the construction and operation and maintenance of the project facilities. The diversion of water from the Missouri River to central and eastern North Dakota for irrigation and other beneficial purposes has been uppermost in the minds of many citizens of North Dakota for over 70 years. Such Missouri River diversion was authorized by Congress as a part of the Missouri River Basin project in the Flood Control Act of 1944. It was gratifying to citizens of North Dakota that Congress and the other Missouri River States recognized the importance of this diversion project in North Dakota to our State and the Nation. Bureau of Reclamation investigations and studies have established the economic soundness and feasibility of the Garrison diversion unit. We are confident that Congress will concur in these findings. Farmers and many others in the Garrison diversion unit area are eager to proceed with the development of the project facilities without delay. We see in this development a new era of opportunity for North Dakota. Our agricultural economy will be greatly stabilized and expanded providing new farms, jobs, and homes for more people throughout the project area. We recognize that important benefits from the project will accrue to many persons and segments of our economy beyond the actual irrigation farmer. In fact, our conservancy district organization and establishment recognizes this principle for the money it raises through taxation comes from a general tax levy over the entire area of the 25 counties included in the conservancy district. The conservancy district encompasses approximately 50 percent of the area of the State whil Garrison diversion project will directly affect only a small percentage of area. Because the conservancy district's revenue comes from a genera levy on both urban and rural, real and personal property all those who benefit from the project in the conservancy district area, even those rece secondary benefits, will pay their share of the conservancy district's levy. recognition by North Dakota law of the value of the so-called indirect be from the development of a reclamation project should be significant to Con in determining the importance of such benefits from the Garrison diversion Our farmers who will be directly benefited through irrigation under the G son diversion unit have taken further steps to evidence their desire for earl velopment of the project. Seven irrigation districts have been organized i Garrison diversion unit area during the past 22 years which encompass app mately 316,000 acres of irrigable land that can be served under the pr These districts were organized voluntarily upon petition of the landowners the establishment of the districts were overwhelmingly approved by the owners in every case. An example is the Lincoln Valley Irrigation District w was just organized by the North Dakota State engineer. An election on question of whether or not the district should be established brought a vo 206 in favor to only 26 opposed. The board of directors of these irrigation districts have under considera repayment contracts that have been proposed for the Garrison diversion They are cooperating in the negotiation of these contracts with the conserv district. I am happy to report to your committee that there does not ap to be any great problem or point of difference in these contracts among contracting parties, the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, irriga districts, and the Government. They necessarily are involved because of extensive nature of the Garrison diversion unit itself. However, we confident that repayment contracts with irrigation districts and coverin sufficient number of acres will be negotiated in time to meet the present sch uled start of construction of the Garrison diversion unit. We are anxi to have the results of the detailed investigations of the Bureau of Reclama of the irrigable lands that will be served by the project to provide a firm b to complete these contract negotiations. I should like to make the attached resolution adopted by the conserva district, which supports the appropriation estimate of $450,000 to the Bur of Reclamation for continuing the detailed investigations and advance p ning of the Garrison diversion unit during fiscal year 1961, made a part of statement. We in North Dakota who are directly concerned with the development of Garrison diversion unit wish to commend this committee and express sincere appreciation for the support that has been given our project in past. We sincerely request your continued support so that this great pro can soon become a reality and begin returning the many benefits to the S and Nation. Thank you. RESOLUTION Adopted by the executive committee of the Garrison Diversion Conserva District supporting the appropriation of funds to the Bureau of Reclamat for the Garrison diversion unit investigations Whereas the Garrison diversion unit, Missouri River Basin project, w developed will (1) enhance the future economic welfare and prosperity of people of North Dakota, particularly those within the project area; (2) prov initially for the irrigation of 250,000 acres of land periodically subjected drought, thereby stabilizing agriculture in a large section of the State; (3) plenish and restore the depleted waters of several lakes, rivers, and strea and increase the levels and flows therein; and (4) make available within affected areas water diverted from the Missouri River for irrigation, domest municipal and industrial needs, for production of hydropower, and for recr tion, fish and wildlife, and other public uses; and Whereas investigations, engineering, and planning work under direction of e Bureau of Reclamation needs to be carried on during fiscal year 1961 in der to develop definite plan reports on the pumping plants, supply canals, and youts for the fist lands that will be placed under irrigation; and Whereas the President's budget for the next fiscal year contains an item of 50,000 for carrying forward such detail investigation work during fiscal year 61; Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the executive committee of the board of directors of the Garrison iversion Conservancy District, meeting in regular meeting this 18th day of March 1960, in the city of Bismarck, N. Dak., that it wholeheartedly supports id budget estimate and urges Congress to appropriate said amount for connning work on said project for fiscal year 1961; and be it further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be signed by the chairman and ttested by the secretary and be mailed to Hon. Clarence Cannon, chairman, louse Committee on Appropriations; Hon. Carl Hayden, chairman, Senate Jommittee on Appropriations; Senators Milton R. Young and Norman Brunstale; and Representatives Quentin N. Burdick and Don L. Short. STATEMENT OF VERNON S. COOPER, BISMARCK, N. DAK., SECRETARY-TREASURER, GARRISON DIVERSION CONSERVANCY DISTRICT Mr. Chairman, my name is Vernon S. Cooper. I am secretary-treasurer of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, a position I have held since that district was organized in 1955, and assistant secretary of the North Dakota State Water Conservation Commission. During the past several years I have worked very closely with many farmers and others who are directly concerned with and will be affected by the development of the Garrison diversion unit. Throughout the entire project area there is very strong strong support for the early construction of the project and development of irrigation from those who will be benefiting from and paying for the project construction and operation and maintenance costs. North Dakota has, for many years, recognized the diversion of water from the Missouri River to the eastern and central part of the State with its resulting benefits as the needed stimulant to the growth and prosperity of the State. Although benefits from the project through irrigation development, improved municipal water supplies and recreation facilities will begin to accrue soon after construction of project facilities is undertaken, the Garrison diversion unit is primarily a project for the future. This is so because of the long period of time over which it will be developed and steadily increasingly demand for the production that will come from the project irrigated farms. The project will provide the basis to support an expanded population in the area. It will be a heritage for our children and grandchildren that will add to the strength of this Nation for years to come. We are confident that the benefits that will accrue to the State and Nation from the Garrison diversion unit are much more extensive than is indicated in studies of the project if the experience on existing reclamation projects is used as a guide. We recognize the importance of all the benefits from the project. Those in North Dakota receiving the so-called secondary benefits will share in the project costs through the conservancy district's tax levy. In addition, our farmers who own irrigable land that will be served under the project will repay their share of the project costs through repayment contracts they will negotiate. The willingness of the State to assume these responsibilities indicates the importance of the project to the State. Irrigation development in North Dakota and throughout the West should not be classed as a Federal expense, but as a Federal investment in the future growth and development of our country. Facts prove that such investments will be repaid to the Federal Treasury many times over by direct reimbursement and through the creation of greater economic wealth and a broader and sounder tax base. Proponents of the Garrison diversion unit are presently awaiting hearings in Congress on proposed legislation that will modify the project authorization. We are hopeful that these hearings will be scheduled in the near future. In the meantime Bureau of Reclamation investigations have been directed to the completion of detail surveys and planning on the irrigable land in the service areas where the greatest local support has been indicated. This detail information is essential to complete contract negotiations for the project facilities that are presently under way among the conservancy district, irrigation districts, and the Government. In order that these investigations can continue at E orderly and efficient rate to assure that the detail information will be available when needed, it is recommended that $450,000 be appropriated to the Bureau of Reclamation for fiscal year 1961. We sincerely request your continued support of the Garrison diversion unit and your approval of the budget estimate of $450,000 to continue the investigations of the Garrison diversion unit during the coming year. -Thank you. STATEMENT OF OSCAR N. BERG, MINOT, N. DAK., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NORTH DAKOTA WATER USERS ASSOCIATION Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Oscar N. Berg. I live in Minot, N. Dak. I represent the North Dakota Water Users Association, a voluntary, nonprofit organization formed through the amalgamation last year of the North Dakota Reclamation Association and the Missouri-Souris Projects Association. It is the only group in North Dakota, not supported by tax moneys, devoting all of its energies exclusively to the maximum conservation and utilization of our soil and water resources. The remarkable interest and enthusiasm of North Dakota's citizens in water development is attested by the surprising growth of the association which now has a paid membership of nearly 2,400 people representing the agricultural business, industrial, and professional segments of the State's economy. Farmer interest is evidenced by the formation and organization of seven irrigation districts, representing in excess of 300,000 acres of irrigable land in the proposed Garrison diversion unit area. Contract negotiations with the Bureau of Reclamation are well advanced. Statewide interest among business and professional people, as well as farmers, is manifested by the enthusiastic acceptance of an ad valorem tax presently being levied by the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District in 25 counties. They all recognize and are willing to cooperate to the fullest extent in expanding the present tax levy when it becomes necessary to help the irrigators repay construction and operation costs of the project. North Dakota suffered the loss of 548,000 acres of its most valuable farm and ranch lands to provide storage for the Garrison and Oahe Reservoirs, Such loss was accepted because the authorized Pick-Sloan plan of the Missouri Basin development provided for substantial irrigation in North Dakota. This will mean additional farm units, added business enterprises, new job opportunities, a substantial increase in the gross income, and a greatly increased tax base as a result of a more diversified and stable agricultural production. I am here supporting the Bureau of the Budget estimate of $450,000 to continue the Bureau of Reclamation's investigational and planning program in North Dakota in fiscal year 1961. We, of the North Dakota Water Users Association, recognize the pressures upon the Congress in this critical time because of the stress on the national budget for security and defense needs. It is our feeling, however, that any expenditures made in behalf of the Garrison diversion unit, as well as other similar wealth-producing water resource projects, should be continued to meet the future needs of food and fiber for our exploding population. We sincerely believe that any expenditure of this kind is an investment in the future well-being of our Nation and is essential if we are to retain our leadership among the freedom-loving nations of the world. The membership of the North Dakota Water Users Association recognizes and appreciates the consideration that you have given our program during past years. We seek your continued recognition of our agricultural and water resources development problems and needs which we feel, in a large measure, will be solved by the combined dry-land and irrigated economy and other benefits that will result from the Garrison diversion unit. The organization I represent also wishes to be recorded as favoring and supporting the estimates in the 1961 budget for Corps of Engineers activities in North Dakota. It also supports the request of preceding witnesses for funds with which to undertake the survey and study of the Green River in western North Dakota for flood control, municipal water supply, and other purposes. Thank you very much for the opportunity to present this statement. STATEMENT OF FRED J. FREDRICKSON, VALLEY CITY, N. DAK., REPRESENTING THE GREATER NORTH DAKOTA ASSOCIATION AND STATE WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION Mr. Chairman, my name is Fred J. Fredrickson and my home is in Valley City, N. Dak., where I have lived for almost 50 years. I represent the Greater North Dakota Association, which is the North Dakota State Chamber of Commerce, and the North Dakota State Water Conservation Commission. I am authorized and directed by those I represent to express their support of the budget estimate of $450,000 for the Garrison diversion unit, and the other budget estimates for public works activities in North Dakota for fiscal year 1961. In brief, I wish to associate myself with the statements of Representatives Quentin N. Burdick and Don L. Short, and of Gov. John E. Davis and others who have testified or filed statements endorsing and supporting the appropriation of the budget estimates for public works activities in North Dakota for the ensuing fiscal year. I appreciate the opportunity to make this presentation. STATEMENT OF E. W. RISING, WASHINGTON REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GARRISON DIVERSION CONSERVANCY DISTRICT Mr. Chairman, I am E. W. Rising, Washington representative of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, North Dakota. This entity was established by the Legislature of North Dakota for the purpose of promoting and financing in part the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Garrison diversion unit. There is need to continue investigations and planning on this unit, for which there is a recommended estimate of $450,000 in the budget for fiscal year 1961. I support this budget estimate and respectfully request its full approval by your committee so that there will be no interruption of the work now in progress. The statements of the several witnesses who have appeared before this committee more fully set out the need and justification for the appropriation requested. I wish to associate myself with those statements and most sincerely ask your favorable consideration. I am grateful for being permitted to make this statement in behalf of the item mentioned. Thank you. BELFIELD CITY PROJECT Mr. SHORT. I have another statement and I would like to have permission to insert in the record a statement from the Belfield City Council expressing their interest in an investigation for a small dam in their area. Mr. RABAUT. Without objection it will be inserted in the record at this point. (The statement referred to follows:) BELFIELD CITY COUNCIL DEAR SIRS: The Belfield City Council is interested in the welfare of the residents of our community, and the conservation and obtaining of good water for municipal use for Belfield; and Whereas the North Dakota Water Conservation Commission has made an investigation and survey of project No. 647 in Billings County, on section 15, township 141, range 98, and found that the project is feasible as it possesses an adequate supply of good quality water for municipal use, and other uses, and embodies flood control, as well as recreational and wildlife possibilities; and Whereas the North Dakota Water Conservation Commission found that the project would be beyond the scope of their participation, as a result of obstacles such as coal veins, would tend to place the structure in the categories of those constructed by the Corps of Engineers; and Whereas the North Dakota Water Conservation Commission, because of project feasibility, has requested the Corps of Engineers give it further study, 54265-60-pt. 4—14 |