5426560-pt. 5 1 Presented to the Appropriations Committee in justification for appropriations, fiscal No change from last year with respect to the initiation of construction. $ Initiation of construction advanced 1 year as compared to last year's program. Initiation of construction set back 2 years, as compared to last year's program because of local problems. ? Initiation of construction advanced 2 years, as compared to last year's program. 10 Initiation of construction set back 3 years, as compared to last year's program because of local problems. 11 Initiation of construction set back year as compared to last year's program. sonnel in the Bureau of Reclamation further advise me that if commencement of construction of these two lines is delayed until the beginning of fiscal year 1962, then any work stoppage from any cause whatsoever would mean that the lines would not be completed when required at Flaming Gorge in 1963 and at Glen Canyon in 1964, without payment of overtime, etc. It would therefore appear that it would be economically wise to commence construction on these two lines this year. This would require $1,020,000 for the Flaming Gorge and $3,980,000 for the Glen Canyon line, or a total of $5 million. It is my understanding that reduction in the request for Glen Canyon funds would more than offset this, and that it could be accomplished without going over the budget. Coordinated planning could then continue as to the remainder of the transmission system. Also as a part of the upper Colorado River project, I urge the committee to provide the full appropriation for the Seedskadee project. The discovery of commercial trona on some of the lands within the project should not delay construction. People within the State are working to identify this area. As compared with the project as a whole, it is expected to be small, and it would appear that the problem can be worked out so as to permit construction of the features contemplated by this appropriation without delay. With respect to investigation funds, I would like to urge that highest priority within Wyoming be given to the Lyman proiect of the upper Colorado River and the Wheatland unit of the Missouri River Basin. Both of these projects are for supplemental water, which is most important to firming up the agricultural economy of their respective areas. The Lyman project should have had top priority in Wyoming if there had been agreement between the owners of the private property. This has now been obtained, and it should move forward with all rapidity. I am informed that there is $186,827 programed for this. I should like to see the Bureau directed to proceed with all possible speed, so as to complete the investigation in the coming year. Funds for the Wheatland unit appear to be adequate to complete the feasibility study. I know that the committee is giving particular study to the major features. I want to see the Yellowtail project constructed. If it cannot be constructed as an all-Federal proiect on a sound economic basis, then I would urge that the power facilities be constructed by the private companies. It is my understanding that the Montana Power Co. and the Pacific Power & Light Co. are still willing to install the generating facilities and pay sufficient for the falling water to assure the payout of the project and the reclamation features. I believe that as a condition precedent to construction, the State of Montana should be required to provide for the improvement of the road south from the damsite to the Wyoming State line. This would assure an adequate road network and obviate any future demand for Federal construction money. Although it is a small item. I would particularly urge the committee to make appropriation requested for the flood control project on the Snake River at Jackson Hole. This is one of the most beautiful areas of America, and this work is essential to its preservation. I thank von for this opportunity, and for your consideration of these suggestions. If you have any questions, Mr. Chairman, I would be very happy to answer them. Mr. CANNON. Congressman Thomson, we much appreciate your presentation. When the transcript is returned to you, if you wish to elaborate, feel free to do so. Mr. THOMSON. Thank you, sir. MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1960. TRINIDAD PROJECT WITNESS HON. J. EDGAR CHENOWETH, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF COLORADO Mr. CANNON. Congressman Chenoweth, from Colorado. Mr. Chenoweth, will you have a seat at the table? Mr. CHENOWETH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. CANNON. I believe that you wish to talk about the Trinidad project? Mr. CHENOWETH. The Purgatoire River project at Trinidad, Colo. I have a prepared statement I would like to insert in the record. Mr. CANNON. It will be made a part of the record at this point. (The statement follows:) STATEMENT OF HON. J. EDGAR CHENOWETH Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, I appreciate this opportunity to appear before you in support of the request of the Army Engineers for an appropriation of $185,000 to continue the advance planning and engineering studies on the Purgatoire River project at Trinidad, Colo. Last year you approved the sum of $75,000 to initiate this work, which is now in progress under the supervision of the district engineer at Albuquerque. This item has the approval of the Bureau of the Budget, and the sum of $185,000 was recommended by the President in his annual budget message to Congress. I am pleased to report to the committee that the local interests are now engaged in the formation of a conservancy district, as authorized by the laws of the State of Colorado. It appears that the required number of signatures for the creation of the district will be obtained shortly, and the petition will then be presented to the judge of the district court in Trinidad as provided by the statutes of Colorado. If the petition is found to be in proper form the court will enter an order authorizing the conservancy district, and will appoint the first board of directors. I mention the conservancy district so that the committee will be informed of the local interest in this project, and the steps which are being taken to carry out the local participation. The district will be the legal entity with whom the Federal Government will deal on all matters relating to the construction and operation of the project. The district will sign the contract for the repayment costs which are allocated to irrigation. The details of this project are contained in House Document No. 325 of the 84th Congress, 2d session. This project provides for a dam on the Purgatoire River near Trinidad, Colo., which is my hometown. There have been several disastrous floods on this river which have caused heavy damage to property in and near Trinidad, the last of which occurred on May 19, 1955. These floods not only damaged property in the city of Trinidad, but resulted in the loss of valuable farmlands below the city. Trinidad is an important transportation center and is located on the mainline of the Santa Fe Railroad. The mainline of this transcontinental railroad was tied up for several days in 1955 until the damages could be repaired. The necessary repairs were not completed for several weeks. The Colorado & Southern Railway, which operates between Denver and Dallas, also suffered heavy damages and traffic was suspended for a period after the flood. Trinidad is also served by the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad. The city of Trinidad is located on U.S. Highways Nos. 85 and 87, running north and south. This is the main north and south highway in Colorado and is of strategic military importance. This highway is included in the Interstate Highway System and construction of the new highway is now in progress. Trinidad is also located on U.S. Highway No. 350, running east to La Junta where it joins U.S. Highway 50. These recurring floods have washed out roads, bridges, and approaches, resulting in the suspension of traffic over these highways for a period of several days. In times of emergency this would greatly impair our national defense. This is a flood control project designed to protect the city of Trinidad from these recurring floods. In addition to the flood control features, irrigation benefits are also provided. The total cost of the project is $17 million, of which $8,268,000 is charged to flood control and $8,732,000 to irrigation. There is a valuable irrigated section below the city of Trinidad, consisting of some 19,500 acres, which is known as the Sun Flower Valley. A number of private ditch companies distribute water to these farms. These companies have urged that efforts be made to work out a dam above Trinidad, which in addition to protecting the city of Trinidad from flood damage would also provide supplemental water for irrigation. Colorado and Kansas are the only States affected by this project. This project has the approval of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, which agency speaks officially for the State on all water matters. The project has the approval of the State of Kansas as contained in a letter from Gov. Fred Hall under date of July 8, 1955. This project also has the approval of the Arkansas River Compact Adminis tration, which has the responsibility of carrying out the terms of the ColoradoKansas water compact on the Arkansas River as approved by Congress in 1949. This agency regulates the discharge of the water stored in John Martin Reservoir in Colorado, which water is divided between the water users of Kansas and Colorado according to the terms of the compact. I want to again impress upon the committee the fact that there is a serious flood hazard at Trinidad. After the 1904 flood, the city constructed a floodway through the city and erected concrete walls along the banks. The recurring floods over the years have practically destroyed these flood protection works. It was necessary after the flood in 1955 for the Army Engineers to construct an emergency bank protection project. The proposed dam will afford adequate protection from any flood of record. I hope the committee will approve this request for $185,000 for this project, so that the necessary planning and engineering work can be continued. Thank you very much. Mr. CHENOWETH. Mr. Chairman, this is the same project that you considered last year and for which you appropriated $75,000 to initiate the advance engineering and planning studies by the Army Engineers. The district engineer is now engaged in this work. The request has now been made for $185,000 to continue these studies, which we hope will be completed during the next fiscal year. This item has the approval of the Bureau of the Budget and was included in the President's budget message. The local people are now engaged in organizing their conservancy district. The petitions are being circulated, and they hope to organize their district under the laws of the State of Colorado within the next month or two. The conservancy district will be the legal entity with whom the Federal Government will deal in signing the repayment contract and all of the other details in connection with the project. I mention the district, Mr. Chairman, so that the committee may know of the local interest in this project and the desire of the local eople to proceed with the same. They are doing everything within eir power to get the conservancy district organized at the earliest ossible date. This money is being requested to complete the engineering and lanning studies which the district engineer at Albuquerque has tarted and on which he is now working. None of these funds will be sed for construction. This is a flood control project, Mr. Chairman. There are also irrigaion features in connection with it. One-half of the construction osts are charged to flood control, half to irrigation. The water users vill sign a contract for the repayment of the costs charged to irrigaion. I will not take the time of the committee to go into further details. I will be glad to answer any questions that you may have. I have ponsored this project since its inception and I am greatly interested n the same. Thank you very much. MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1960. MIDDLE RIO GRANDE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT WITNESSES JOHN PATRICK MURPHY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE FLOOD CONTROL ASSOCIATION HUBERT BALL, CHIEF ENGINEER, MIDDLE RIO GRANDE FLOOD CONTROL ASSOCIATION ROBERT C. McCONNELL, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE HONORABLE JOSEPH M. MONTOYA, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO Mr. CANNON. Next we will hear from witnesses for the Middle Rio Grande Flood Control Project. Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee, I am Robert C. McConnell, administrative assistant to Congressman Joseph M. Montoya. I would like to present Mr. Murphy to the committee. Mr. CANNON. Mr. McConnell, you appear in behalf of Mr. Montoya. Mr. Montoya is a member of our committee and we are glad to have you represent him on this item. Mr. McCONNELL. Actually, in fact, with the permission of the chairman, I have been commissioned to appear on behalf of both Congressman Montoya and Congressman Thomas G. Morris from New Mexico. Unfortunately, both of them cannot be with us today. I have a prepared statement, sir, on behalf of both Congressmen. In order to conserve the time of the committee, I will just submit it for the record instead of reading it, Mr. CANNON. It will be made part of the record. |