[EXHIBIT 8]

LISTING OF SPONSORS OF HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45 INDICATING THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT WHICH THEY REPRESENTED AND THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION

Senator RANDOLPH. The commissioner of highways of North Dakota, the Honorable Walter Hjelle, will you please testify at this time.

STATEMENT OF WALTER R. HJELLE, COMMISSIONER, NORTH DAKOTA STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Mr. HJELLE. Mr. Chairman, Senator Randolph, Senator Burdick, ladies and gentlemen, I am Walter Hjelle, the State highway commissioner of the State of North Dakota, and I will testify first on Senate bill 229, the bridge between Fort Yates, or proposed west of Linton to north of Fort Yates. It is my feeling the proposed bridge midway between Bismarck-Mandan and Mobridge should have been provided for by the original Oahe project. There is no question but that the Oahe Reservoir provides a barrier that each year prevents tens of thousands of river crossings that, without Oahe, would be accomplished either by means of ferry, or by winter crossing on the ice. With Oahe present, ferry crossings, and also ice crossings, are so hazardous and uncertain, as to be almost nonexistent.

Passage of S. 229, and the resulting bridge, will help to alleviate this situation to a great degree.

The present 100 miles between Bismarck, N. Dak., and Mobridge, S. Dak., is the longest section of the Missouri River between Williston, N. Dak., and Yankton, S. Dak., without a crossing. From the chart illustrating the straight-line distances between crossings in North and South Dakota, it is evident that the distance between most crossings are generally 40 to 60 miles. The proposed Fort Yates crossing would provide a crossing with spacing similar to that which presently exists through the Dakotas.

Present traffic volumes are also shown on the chart for each of the existing crossings. The projected traffic at the proposed Fort Yates crossing would be greater than at four present crossings, or approximately 700 vehicles per day. (See chart p. 167.)

Senator RANDOLPH. I want to break in. Could not the easels be moved back for 8 or 10, 12 feet, so that the guests could see these? Maybe I am asking something that isn't practical. But I would like for our guests to see as well as the members of the committee, because we have the information here.

Thank you very much.

Does that help our audience?

Mr. HJELLE. Referring to the map of the North Dakota State highway system, it is noted in south-central North Dakota three State highways terminate at U.S. 83. The continuity of the State highway system in this area is disrupted by the absence of a crossing of the Oahe Reservoir. A bridge in the vicinity of Fort Yates would provide a continuation of the State highway system across the southern portion of the State of North Dakota.

A perimeter road system is being developed and improved along both sides of the Oahe Reservoir by both North and South Dakota. Recreational facilities are being developed along the reservoir. Perhaps one of the most significant is the area south of Mandan to near Fort Rice. The area between the perimeter road and Oahe Reservoir is being developed through a joint effort of Federal, State, and local agencies. The proposed development extends for a distance of 18 miles and consists of preserving the environment in its natural state, providing facilities for fishing, shooting, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, snowmobiling, camping, swimming, and preservation of historic sites at Huff and Fort Rice. A bridge near Fort i ates would be a direct access route to this recreational area from the south-central communities in North Dakota and north-central communities in South Dakota.

Four sites have been proposed for the bridge location. These are site A, directly east from Fort Yates; site B, northeasterly from Fort Yates; site C, west and north of Strasburg, and site D, directly west of Linton. The bridge location directly west of Linton is the least costly. The connecting roadway from U.S. 83 to the bridge would serve a greater number of users at the Linton site, hence the bridge directly west of Linton would be preferred. (See chart facing p. 166.)

Cost estimates of the bridges and required associated roadway improvements are shown on the map you have been given.

It would be impossible for this bridge to be scheduled for construction as a normal State highway improvement project. Our total annual primary system construction program is about $12 million per year. This bridge would require almost one-half of this total. Our overall highway needs are so great that we simply cannot afford to spend such a sum on one project.

However, we will program the required bridge approaches as part of our normal highway improvement program. We think this bridge is so necessary as to justify the expenditures of the $12 million of State highway funds to provide the roadway connections to the bridge.

The construction of this bridge would provide numerous so economic, and recreational benefits to the Standing Rock Ind Reservation and surrounding communities on either side of the souri River.

A crossing in the vicinity of Fort Yates would permit increa travel between the east and west sides of the Oahe Reservoir for vi ing, meetings, church and athletic and scholastic activities.

Considerable savings to highway users would result from the eli nation of the large indirection in travel between points on the east a west sides of the reservoir. Distributors and suppliers from Bismar Mandan and Mobridge, S. Dak., would have access to both sides the river with little indirection. This would enable them to prov better service to the communities in this area. A crossing at this would provide farmers and ranchers access to a wider range of gr and livestock markets. This bridge would encourage development tourist and recreational facilities as the improved access would attr people to this area.

It would complement the development of the numerous recreati facilities we have and that are being developed on Oahe Reservoir, a the Lewis and Clark Trail developments.

Of course, one of the most significant benefits would be the contri tion to the social and economic development of our citizens who resi on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

I believe this bridge is necessary to the successful development this whole part of North and South Dakota, and urge your favora action on S. 229.