Mr. HULL. Mr. Chairman, I have a group of outstanding citizens of northwest Missouri that I would like to introduce and if we have time, some of them would like to testify.

(The following were introduced by Mr. Hull :)

WITNESSES TO APPEAR AT HEARINGS ON GRAND RIVER BASIN

Clifford L. Summers, representing Gov. Warren E. Hearnes, State of Missouri, Jefferson City, Mo.

Joseph R. Snyder, vice chairman, Missouri Water Resources Board, Gallatin, Mo.

Luna Butler, Missouri State representative, Albany, Mo.

Robert DeVoy, Missouri State representative, Brookfield, Mo.

William D. Hibler, Jr., Missouri State representative, Brunswick, Mo.
George St. Peter, Missouri State representative, Mill Grove, Mo.

Ralph Wigfield, Missouri State representative, Chillicothe, Mo.

Thomas F. Brady, county judge, Stanberry, Mo.

George Sheppin, Trenton, Mo.

Jay B. Dillingham, Missouri Water Resources Board, Kansas City, Mo.

A. J. Cole, chairman, Livingston County Grand River Improvement Association, Chillicothe, Mo.

Joe Linn, businessman, Princeton, Mo.

Mrs. Joe Linn, president, Mercer County Grand River Improvement Association, Princeton, Mo.

J. Monroe Rusk, vice president, Mo-Ark Basins Flood Control and Conservation Association, Brookfield, Mo.

Mrs. J. Monroe Rusk, Brookfield, Mo.

Roger Miller, attorney, Grand River landowner, Kansas City, Mo.
Floyd Cleveland, farmer and landowner, Brookfield, Mo.

Gerald Elson, businessman, Brookfield, Mo.

John Cusick, representing Livington County Court, Chillicothe, Mo.

Dee Lawhon, repersenting the mayor of Chillicothe, Chillicothe, Mo.
Bryce Allen, representing Chamber of Commerce, Chillicothe, Mo.

La Vern Madison, mayor, Bethany, Mo.

T. R. Nickerson, Harrison County Grand River Improvement Association, Bethany, Mo.

C. E. Pettijohn, Harrison County Grand River Improvement Association, Bethany, Mo.

Charles D. Brandom, Probate judge, Daviess County, Gallatin, Mo.

Don Ebersole, Harrison County Grand River Improvement Association, Bethany, Mo.

James G. Trimble, attorney and farmer, Kearney, Mo.

Mayor Donald D. Daniels, farmer and representing flood control districts, Mendon, Mo.

Mrs. Donald D. Daniels, Mendon, Mo.

Wayne Foster, Sumner Flood Control Association, Sumner, Mo.

Mrs. Wayne Foster, Sumner, Mo.

J. I. Akeman, farmer and president, Garden of Eden Drainage District, Slater, Mo.

Carl O. Smith, banker, Albany, Mo.

Ralph Frederick, banker, Stanberry, Mo.

George Sheppin, farmer, Trenton, Mo.

Harry Turpin, Harrison County Grand River Improvement Association, King City, Mo.

Jack Lynch, president, Grand River Improvement Association, Gallatin, Mo. Virgil H. Merrill, businessman, Princeton, Mo.

Lew Paramore, assistant to president, Mo-Ark Basins Flood Control, and Conservation Association, Kansas City, Kans.

James M. Tedlock, mayor, Jamesport, Mo.

Mr. HULL. With your permission, I would like to present to the committee Mr. Clifford L. Summers who is representing our very able Governor, Warren Hearnes.

Mr. SUMMERS. Congressman Jones and members of the committee, it is a privilege to appear before the committee to represent Governor Hearnes.

STATEMENT OF HON. WARREN E. HEARNES, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI (AS READ BY CLIFFORD L. SUMMERS)

Governor HEARNES. In support of Public Works in the Grand River Basin, Missouri and Iowa, as recommended by Corps of Engineers, Department of Army, 1965.

The people of the Grand River Basin, located in northwest Missouri and southeast Iowa, have for generations experienced alternating periods of excessive or depleted water supply. Groundwater of acceptable quality and in amounts necessary for continued withdrawal is not generally available in the Missouri portion of the basin. The region is primarily agricultural and locally supported levee and drainage districts have been formed to control runoff and protect agricultural land. Improvements, by and large, have been detrimental to the total basin good by reason of their local inception. Levees have restricted flood discharge to the disadvantage of upstream landowners. Channel straightening and drainage structures have increased flood stages and frequencies downstream. None of the local expenditures has been toward conservation and storage of runoff in the interest of multiple use for municipal and industrial water supply, irrigation, power, recreation, or wildlife purposes. Local efforts have failed to efficiently utilize the surface waters of the Grand River and its tributaries.

These facts, coupled with the advanced technology in agricultural practices have, in my opinion, led to the continuing decline in the population that can be supported by developing the resources of the region. Wise and comprehensive management of water is considered to be that catalyst which will cause evolution toward a more diversified economy in the basin. The long-range results-development of light industry based upon a dependable supply of water; a stabilizing influence on agricultural income by reason of controlled floods and available water as needed for supplemental irrigation; power production to assist in smoothing peak demands; vastly increased facilities for water oriented outdoor recreation; expanded fishing and hunting opportunities for the public; and not least among anticipated results, the creation of job opportunities for the youth of the area, who now must choose between a lowered standard of living or migration to an area of greater economic activity.

The people of the area have been presented several plans of development for the waters of the basin during the past generation. Early proposals designed to control floods and provide navigation benefits on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers were rejected. The currently considered plan in the opinion of State government provides optimum benefits within the basin.

As the agencies of State government reviewed the Corps of Engineers report, the voice of opposition to the plan again came to the forefront. As a result of this opposition, I, as Governor, scheduled a series of public meetings to give both opponents and proponents an opportunity to express views regarding the future of the Grand River. After reviewing the transcript of recorded statements of interested persons, I was convinced that a large majority of the residents of the basin favored the multipurpose concept of water resource development as proposed. Opposition, for the most part, came from those who would be displaced by the program of development, or from

those envisioning adverse effects, whether real or unreal, from the anticipated changes in the economic and social structures of their communities.

It distresses me deeply to know that some persons will be displaced from land their families have occupied for generations. I regret they must face this prospect, as others have elsewhere in Missouri, in order to prevent continued disastrous flooding in the Grand Basin, and to provide vital water conservation and power potential which must be available to the area for long-range social and economic benefits to a majority of its residents.

Based on the reports of Missouri State resource agencies, the results of the public meetings with residents of the basin, and the obvious beneficial effects of the developments on the people of the State and the Nation, I, as Governor of Missouri, endorsed the report of the Chief of Engineers and recommended early authorization by the Congress.

I urge this committee, and the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress, to favor the authorization of seven reservoirs and justified local protective works as presented. I am convinced such action will be in the best interest of the State and Nation.

Mr. JONES. Thank you very much, Mr. Summers.

Mr. HULL. Mr. Chairman, it is a great honor and a privilege for me to introduce to the committee Mr. Joe Snyder who is vice chairman of the Missouri Water Resources Board. He has been working on this project for a great number of years.

STATEMENT OF JOSEPH R. SNYDER, VICE CHAIRMAN, MISSOURI WATER RESOURCES BOARD, GALLATIN, MO.

Mr. SNYDER. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am Joe Snyder, vice chairman, Missouri Water Resources Board. We are the official agency in Missouri to get water policy set, or to set water policy, and also the board which approves various Federal projects for our State.

I would like to say first, we appreciate the opportunity of making a presentation before this committee. I also would like to express our thanks for the considerations that our State has received from this committee in the past, in helping us develop and carry forward our water resource program.

We would urge this committee to expedite the authorization of the long delayed Grand River Basin plan. Only last month in northwest Missouri two of our river basins-in fact three-were struck by recordbreaking floods, resulting in a loss of lives and a heavy destruction of property in the Grand River Basin, with one of the worst flood records of any stream in the Midwest, which has already exceeded flood stage twice this year. Had the worst of last month's torrential rains fallen 40 miles east, Grand River would have a new record for destruction. A glance at any water resource map shows that northwest Missouri is a vast blank as far flood protection works are concerned, despite the fact that such measures have been discussed and proposed since 1889. The map will also show that surrounding areas have, and are, being developed at a rapid pace.

The tragedy of the floods last month, which caused damage estimated at about $20 million, plus the $90 million lost to Grand River in just the past 20 years, is that it could have been prevented.

Not only could the heartache and misery of flooded towns, highways, railroads and washed-out bridges have been prevented, but the area could have received a much-needed economic boost by the reservoirs, offering great new industrial and recreational potentials to a region which is in danger of becoming the backwash of Missouri society.

In addition, city, county, State, and Federal governments would have benefited from tax gain instead of tax losses.

Flood damage on the Grand is a matter of record. It is a blight upon the State and Nation. We submit that the time has come to develop the water resources of this basin and turn its rivers into assets instead of the liabilities they have been for a century or more. It is time to acknowledge the widespread public support for these projects being expressed in so many ways.

Our one county, Davis County, in the basin at one time has 23,000 people in it. I imagine that the census-if they have a census midterm, our population now is probably down around 8,500. Our young people, of course, leave as soon as they are out of high school. One high school in our county this year has only six seniors in the graduating class. The average age of the farmer now in Davis County is up somewhere around 53.7 years and with the problems we have with agriculture, it makes one wonder who is going to be around to till the soil.

We think further delay in authorization and construction of this project can only result in higher costs to the Government, plus further decline and decay within the basin.

Even today in Davis County the progress of construction of Interstate 35 through northwest Missouri is being retarded because of a lack of decision on this project. The right-of-way for Interstate 35 crosses the main part of the Pattonsburg Reservoir and, of course, the highway department takes the attitude that until the project is authorized, they cannot do certain things in connection with their planning.

This, of course, is having a detrimental effect on the progress of this highway program in our area and we need to get a decision on this project.

I think as long as Grand River has been in the news, and a flood problem to this area, that it is time that we get a decision.

There are many other investments in planning by government and private enterprises which hinge upon the authorization and construction of this project.

The water resources board cannot emphasize too strongly the need for prompt action in an area which has suffered far too long from neglect and lack of hope and an opportunity to participate in and contribute to this wonderful age in which we live.

Mr. JONES. Mr. Hull?

Mr. HULL. I do not know whether I introduced Mr. George Sheppin, of Trenton, Mo., or not. I did not mean to overlook him.

We have many others to testify. I believe, due to the time, it will be hard to get them all in. I do not want to take any of the time of any of the opponents.

Mr. JONES. We do not count the time of the Corps of Engineers against us.

Mr. HULL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You have always been more than fair.

At this time I would like to introduce Mr. Luna Butler.

Mr. JONES. We take it you are for this project.

Mr. BUTLER. Very much, sir.

Mr. JONES. You have led us to believe that.

Mr. HULL. Mr. Chairman, our next witness will be Representative Robert DeVoy from Brookfield, Mo.

STATEMENT OF ROBERT DeVOY, MISSOURI STATE REPRESENTATIVE, BROOKFIELD, MO.

Mr. DEVOY. I am a native of Lynn County. I am a representative of that county and have been in the legislature for four sessions now. The area I come from is where the Linneus Dam is located. You will see there will be some displaced persons in that county. I feel very strongly in favor of this entire program. It has been considered for many years.

If the reapportionment amendment comes about in Missouri Tuesday of this week, the area above the dams will be incorporated in the area I may run in next time.

Mr. JONES. Is this an announcement of your candidacy next time?

Mr. DEVOY. I really did not intend it that way.

The point I was attempting to make was

Mr. JONES. We Members of Congress are doing the same thing. We are talking about redistricting in every State and reapportioning in every State, and we are all apprehensive about what territory we will run in a year from now.

Mr. DEVOY. I share your feeling.

The area of persons being displaced will be in my new district. I still feel a vast majority of the people in that area support this program. I urge your favorable consideration.

I have several copies of statements of local people the senator from our district, the mayor of Brookfield, and also a copy of the Kansas City Times editorial published August 14, 1965, that I think is very good and points out some of the fine points of the program. (The documents referred will be found in committee files.) Mr. HULL. Our next witness is Representative William Hibler of Brunswick, Mo.

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM D. HIBLER, JR., MISSOURI STATE REPRESENTATIVE, BRUNSWICK, MO.

Mr. HIBLER. Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee on

Public Works, my name is Bill Hibler. I represent Chariton County in the Missouri Statehouse. I am president of the Lower Grand River Improvement Association of Chariton & Carroll Counties.

52-529-65-pt. 2-28