Additional reservoirs throughout the basin would be phased into the plan to provide solutions to the anticipated future water conservation needs. This arrangement provides sufficient flexibility scheduling of the latter projects to offset any inaccuracies in the projections of anticipated needs.

Immediate solution.-Approximately 87 percent of the average annual flood damage in the basin occurs on the flood plains below the New Hope damsite, and the New Hope project is capable of reducing the flood damages on the flood plains below that point by about 80 percent, which is equivalent to about 70 percent of all basin damage. The immediate low-flow regulation needs occur primarily on the main stem of the Cape Fear River below the New Hope project site. The lowflow augmentation from the New Hope project, which would assure a dependable minimum flow of 600 cubic feet per second at Lillington, would meet these immediate needs. The immediate recreation needs for the basin are primarily centered in the more heavily populated upper basin area.

Benefits, general.-Benefits which would accrue from the comprehensive plan of development result from flood control, provisions for immediate and future water-supply storage, water-quality improvement, provision of recreational facilities, fish and wildlife conservation measures, and increased flows for downstream water users. These benefits, as discussed in the following paragraphs, were determined in accordance with their expected rate of accrual over the time as established by the estimated sequence of construction. All future benefits for each project were discounted to the present worth at the time of project completion and were distributed over the 100-year evaluation period in an equivalent annual series. Flood control. These result from the reduction of flood damages and the enhancement of flood-plain lands due to the protection afforded by the plan of improvement. Flood-damage-reduction benefits were determined as the difference between the estimated average anual damages with and without the projects. Land-enhancement benefits, expressed in average annual values, were based on the projected changes in flood-plain utilization resulting in higher type uses. The agricultural enhancement benefits were determined as the difference in net returns from protected and unprotected agricultural lands. The average annual nonagricultural enhancement benefit per acre was computed as 5 percent of the difference in net market value of protected and unprotected land. The flood control benefits were adjusted to reflect normal development of the area in the absence of the projects. The total average annual flood control benefits credited to the comprehensive plan of development are estimated to be $2,152,000, of which $1,589,000 are flood damage reduction benefits and $563,000 are landenhancement benefits. These benefits are based on 1960 price levels.

Water supply benefits.—These would accrue to the comprehensive plan of development from the provision for immediate and future water-supply storage for municipal, industrial, and agricultural water uses. These storages would provide reservoir supplies for upstream needs as well as low-flow regulation for downstream water-supply needs. Water-supply benefits were estimates as the difference of cost in fulfilling the present and future water-supply needs of the basin by the proposed comprehensive plan of development and the most economical alternative method. The total average annual water-supply benefits credited to the comprehensive plan of development of the Cape Fear River Basin are estimated to be $1,200,000, of which 50 percent is municipal water-supply benefits, 33 percent is industrial water-supply benefits, and 17 percent is agricultural water-supply (irrigation) benefits.

Water quality control.-The low-flow regulation afforded by the plan will dilute wastes, thus improving the quality of water in the streams affected. In accordance with Public Law 87-88, 87th Congress, July 20, 1961, the estimated benefit produced is considered to be the benefit from water-quality improvement after adequate treatment is provided at the source by local interests. The water quality-control benefit from the comprehensive plan is estimated to be $255,000. Recreation.-Recreation benefits are expected to accrue from the proposed water-resources-development plan in the two categories of general recreation and fishing and hunting. The average annual recreation benefits attributable to the

proposed project are estimated to be $1,137,000. These benefits were based on estimates of projected annual attendance and use of recreational facilities provided.

Other benefits.—In addition to the previously evaluated benefits attributable to the water-resources-development plan for the Cape Fear River Basin, certain intangible benefits which are not susceptible to direct monetary evaluation would be realized. The flood control provided by the plan would result in prevention of loss of human life in addition to the prevention of monetary damages. Flash floods which occur in the upper reaches of the basin, often with little or no warning, would be retarded and considerably reduced in magnitude by the proposed reservoirs. The relatively abundant supply of water in the Cape Fear River Basin has been a major factor in promoting the expansion of industry in the area, with investments in plants amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Other factors, such as the navigable portion of the river, the deepwater port of Wilmington, adequate labor supply, climate, and a wide variety of available sites, provide strong stimulation for continuing industrial growth. Industrial demand is now dangerously close to equaling the dependable water supply, and it is logical to assume that an increase in this supply will result in further industrial expansion in the basin. Improved water quality, in addition to its monetary value, would reduce local nuisances such as scum and odor and would provide an overall improvement in general sanitation and appearance of the streams. Navigation benefits, while not evaluated monetarily in this report, would result from the flood control features which would reduce navigation hazards prevalent during flood stages and reduce maintenance costs at the existing locks and dams. Land-treatment measures as well as the upstream reservoirs would tend to reduce the sediment load of the stream, resulting in decreased cost for maintenance dredging in the navigable channels. Additional benefits to the basin would result from the recreational facilities provided under the proposed plan. Sporting goods stores, motels, restaurants, and other commercial activities would develop to support the recreational activities of both the resident and nonresident population; however, these benefits would be secondary and have not been evaluated. Benefits to the general welfare, economy, and security of the people in the Cape Fear River Basin cannot be predetermined nor evaluated in monetary terms.

CONCLUSION

It is submitted that all these facts, plus all data in the two volumes of the Corps of Engineers report, fully support the summary findings and recommendations of the district engineer, which summary is reproduced on the second page following.

And it is further, and finally, submitted that if construction of this projected dam is authorized and executed there will be a future day of new hope for millions of Americans in North Carolina.

SUMMARY

The District Engineer finds that there is an immediate and urgent need for improvements to provide flood protection, water-quality control, and recreation in the basin of the Cape Fear River, N.C. He also finds a strong need to provide storage for future municipal and industrial water supply and irrigation, and additional storage for flood control, water-quality control, and recreational needs to keep abreast of economic growth in this region. Without projects he estimates the average annual flood damages in the area over the next 100 years to be $1,736,000; he finds that the present minimum streamflow of 19 cubic feet per second at Lillington, N.C., is inadequate for present-day water-quality control, and that by the year 2065 the storage needs are estimated to be 1,844,000 acrefeet. He has determined that the most practical, feasible, and economic means for providing for the needs of the Cape Fear River Basin over the next 100 years is a plan consisting of reservoirs, local flood protection projects, and watershedtreatment measures. He has developed a general plan of improvement and sequence of construction which would include reservoirs on major and minor tributaries of the Cape Fear River above Fayetteville, N.C., and complementary conservation programs by other Federal and State agencies. Accordingly, as the initial step of development, he recommends construction at this time of the New Hope Dam located on the Haw River below the mouth of the New Hope River; and that further studies be made of the Randleman and Howards Mill Reservoirs sites and of other local flood control and water-supply reservoir sites to verify and/or modify the sequence of construction of the future projects so as to provide for the progressive development of the water resources of the Cape Fear River Basin. He further recommends continuous and vigorous action by Federal and non-Federal agencies in prosecution of programs for land management, controlling and regulating the use and development of flood plains, preservation and development of recreational and fish and wildlife resources, improvement of water quality, conservation of ground and surface waters, and selection and preservation of sites for the projects that comprise the ultimate plan. He notes that the recommended New Hope project would fit into any plan of development for the Cape Fear River Basin and should be the initial project to be constructed, and that it would prevent 72 percent of the average annual flood damages occurring in the Cape Fear River Basin and furnish benefits from water-quality control and recreation. He estimates that the total construction cost, at 1960 prices, of the New Hope project will be $25,612,000, with annual costs of $100,000 for operation, maintenance, and replacements, and that the average annual benefits will exceed the average annual costs by 170 percent.

Summary of pertinent data for New Hope project-Concrete and earth dam, gated spillway

General:

Flood control storage volume, acre-feet_.

Total storage volume to standard project pool elevation, acre-feet--- 820,000

2,000

Normal tail-water elevation, feet m.s.l___

Conservation pool (top of pool 212 feet m.s.l.), acre-feet_.

541,000

119,000

159