It is apparent, from the map, that a crossing of the reservoir at one of the locations proposed would greatly enhance the tourist's flexibility in his choice of routes to suit his time and convenience, and that it would provide the "through traveler" with a chance to enjoy the facilities without losing too much time.

OTHER BENEFITS

The crossing would benefit the merchants in Bismarck and Mandan who supply the needs of the towns, communities and farms on both sides of the reservoir, by providing easier, quicker and more flexible access to the area. This same advantage would also benefit the white community near the reservoir, as well as the Indians, by expanding the trade area, providing access for industrial development, and expansion of tourist and recreation facilities.

Elementary and secondary schools in the area are served by public and parochial school systems but only a few of these offer vocational, agricultural and home making programs. Higher educational facilities are located to the north at Bismarck and east across the river in towns of larger size with broader educational facilities. The proposed crossing would be of great benefit to the schools in the general area.

APPROACH ROADS AND CROSSING

As can be noted from the map, the importance of east-west highways numbers 13, 11, 34 and 21 in North Dakota and 10 in South Dakota would be greatly enhanced if they could be continued to the other side of the reservoir by way of the perimeter roads, (Lewis and Clark routes) and a crossing in the vicinity of Fort Yates. The North Dakota State Highway Department has made commitments to construct the necessary approach roads for the proposed crossing.

In September 1964, the North Dakota State Highway Department prepared a report on the economic effects of a proposed highway bridge across the Oahe Reservoir near Fort Yates. This report shows significant annual savings in costs to users for miles and time by a crossing in this area.

Preliminary engineering studies by Julian Staven, Consulting Engineer, of an alternate crossing, and cost studies thereof, have been completed. The North Dakota State Highway Department is in general agreement with the cost estimates for the three sites in consideration. The estimated cost of the Fort Yates site which is favorable on a general economical basis, is about seven million dollars.

Comparable situations in South Dakota are the Platte-Winner bridge crossing Fort Randall Reservoir, and the Grand River bridge across the Grand River arm of the Oahe Reservoir near Mobridge. The Platte-Winner crossing was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1960 (Public Law 86-645), and the Grand River crossing was included in the Conference report No. 1268 on the Public Works Appropriations Act of 1962 (Public Law 67-330). These reservoir crossings were authorized over the objections of the Department of the Army who took the position that such authorizations were not appropriate, since the proposed crossings were not to replace existing crossings of the Missouri River. No such additional crossings have been authorized in the State of North Dakota.

The Department of the Army has voiced the same objections to previous bills introduced for the construction of a bridge across the Oahe Reservoir in North Dakota in the general vicinity of Fort Yates. These bills were H.R. 9350 and S. 2303 of the 88th Congress and S. 706 of the 89th Congress. The Department of the Army has consistently opposed enactment of each of the bills on the grounds that authority provided for construction of Oahe Dam and Reservoir could not be used to construct a new bridge at a location where no bridge or approach road existed or was under construction by local interests previous to or during federal construction of the reservoir project. This is the same basis on which the Department of the Army opposed legislation for construction of the Platte-Winner bridge across Fort Randall Reservoir and the Grand River bridge across the Grand River arm of Oahe Reservoir in South Dakota.

The proposed bridge crossing has received the strong endorsement of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council, of Sioux County and Emmons County, the Southern North Dakota Improvement Association, the North Dakota State Highway Department, the Garrison Inter-Agency Council, and more recently a joint resolution by both the House and Senate of the North Dakota State

Legislature. The proposal is also strongly backed by various groups in Bismarck and Mandan and by Counties in all of Southern North Dakota, as well as McLaughlin in South Dakota and the Chamber of Commerce in Mobridge, South Dakota.

SUMMARY

Summarizing, it can be seen that there is strong and sufficient justification for this proposed crossing. While technically inconsistent with the administrative policy of the Corps of Engineers, it, nevertheless, can be justified by developments subsequent to completion of the Oahe Dam and the creation of a very great reservoir extending from immediately north of Pierre, South Dakota, to within a few miles of Bismarck-Mandan in North Dakota. The reservoir has effectively blocked any possibility that such a crossing could be financed by local interests or by the North Dakota State Highway Department. It can be concluded that legislation authorizing this proposed crossing of Oahe Reservoir would have a great and most important impact upon the economy of the entire area.

The following specific benefits will accrue by reason of construction of the proposed crossing.

1. Benefits to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

a. Through elimination of the present isolation of more than 2,000,000 acres of Indian Lands in Corson County, South Dakota and Sioux County in North Dakota, all on the West side of the Oahe Reservoir, the following will be achieved:

(1) Permit unrestricted economical deevlopment and expansion of farming, grazing, recreation, education, livestock and tourism which is now badly stifled due to lack of accessibility and adequate transportation facilities.

(2) Justify the development of trailer courts, boat ramps, marinas and other improvements now programmed with Indian Funds.

(3) Permit better services for delivery of products both to and from the reservation.

(4) Provide distribution of traffic into the Lewis and Clark Trail (Perimeter Road System-See attached map).

(5) Finally, this crossing would accelerate the process of bringing the Indian people of this area to an economical and cultural level comparable to their white neighbors.

2. It will provide much needed compatibility with existing and proposed highway and railroad network, including:

a. Provide for continuation of existing Routes 34, 11, 13 and 21 in North Dakota and 10 in South Dakota.

b. Provide proper distribution of traffic to the Perimeter (Lewis and Clark) road system.

3. It will provide more tolerable and economic spacing of crossings along the Missouri River, similar to the spacing of crossings in other stretches of the river. 4. Provision for orderly development of recreation, fishing and other tourist attractions needed.

5. It will stabilize and provide competitive facilities for farm and ranch activities and operations.

6. It will provide better use of educational facilities and schools.

7. It will complement the efforts and proposed investment in road costs by the State of North Dakota.

8. Make possible substantial savings in travel costs annually.

EXHIBIT I

FORT YATES, N. DAK., September 6, 1963.

JUSTIFICATION

Proposed Bridge-Fort Yates Vicinity

Over the years several attempts have been made to secure the construction of a bridge spanning the Missouri River in the vicinity of Fort Yates, North Dakota. The North Dakota State Legislature in 1929 appropriated $130,000 to study the feasibility of constructing a bridge. As a result of their study, a report was prepared stating there were three sites in the area suitable for constructing

a bridge. The report stated that the construction of a bridge at that time (1930) would cost about $1,500,000. Funds in this amount were not available so the project did not materialize.

With the construction of the Oahe Dam and the developments associated with the creation of the Oahe Lake, additional reasons for a crossing are evident. Following are some of the major reasons for a bridge crossing in the Fort Yates vicinity:

1. There is a distance of approximately 130 miles without a crossing between Bismarck-Mandan, North Dakota, and Mobridge, South Dakota.

2. The proposed perimeter road system bordering the newly created Oahe Lake is rapidly materializing. The highway commissions in both North and South Dakota are planning primary and access roads to enable greater utilization of the lakes for industrial and recreational purposes. A crossing in the Fort Yates vicinity will enhance the perimeter road systems through reducing travel distance for not only business and commercial vehicles, but also tourist and recreational travel.

3. There are four important highways running east and west that terminate on the east side of the river opposite the Fort Yates vicinity; namely, North Dakota State Highways 13, 11, and 34, and State Highway 10 in South Dakota.

4. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council has embarked on a $9,000,000 Rehabilitation Program for the tribal members of the Standing Rock Reservation. The program is designed to improve the social and economic aspects of the reservation. The important phases of the Rehabilitation Program includes Industrial Development to improve job opportunities; FarmLivestock to better utilize the near one million acres of Indian Land; Education, where $2,000,000 is earmarked for post high school training of Indian youth; Land Management where the objective is to consolidate trust lands into better manageable units for resale to individual Tribal members; Community Development for improving living and working conditions in the seven districts of the reservation; and Family Plan where each enrolled member was allowed $650 for home and personal improvement. In some of these programs, greater contacts with the area to the east of the reservation would have a beneficial effect on these programs, also possibilities of developing tourist attractions highlighting Indian and Historical areas, could play an important role in improving the economic development of the reservation.

5. Two major recreation developments and several minor ones indicates that area will attract many visitors for year around recreation activities. The Corps of Engineers has designated the Beaver Creek area west of Linton on the east side of Oahe Lake as a major recreation area which would afford water sports, fishing, camping, and related summer activities. On the west side of the lake, south of Mandan, a winter resort and skiing area is being developed. Minor areas include Fort Yates (which has the potentials of a major area), Cannonball, Kenel, Pollock, Fort Rice, Hazelton, and Huff village. By being able to cross the lake, both sides of the reservoir would be opened to a greater number of people with considerable savings in miles traveled and encouragement for a larger number of tourists attracted to this portion of the country.

6. The trade area on both sides of the reservoir are served by the same salesmen and wholesale houses, however, in order to serve both sides, the salesmen are required to drive many additional miles and trucks making deliveries must "dead head" a considerable distance, thereby, increasing cost and limiting delivery of goods. A crossing would be conducive to better service at a cheaper rate.

7. The Fort Yates school in particular would be vitally affected by a crossing. The inter-scholastic competition with schools on the east side of the reservoir would be much more accessable and eliminate many miles of travel and reduce expenses. Also students attending colleges such as Wahpeton and Ellendale would have their travel distance greatly reduced, thereby, encouraging attendance of a greater number of students. 8. The travel involved by the many official contacts between the Aberdeen Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Public Health Service at Aberdeen, South Dakota, would greatly reduce the travel by having a shorter route to the east.

9. Movement of livestock and farm products on the west side to the markets to the east would be greatly improved by providing a shorter route. Likewise, delivery of east river products destined for the west river area would be benefitted.

10. The service organizations of the area have given wholehearted support to the proposed project realizing that such a development would have a wide spread effect and would directly and indirectly benefit their business operations. Resolutions submitted by the Mandan, North Dakota and Mobridge, South Dakota Chambers of Commerce, and other cities, bear witness to the importance of such a project. The numerous towns to the east have given strong support, realizing the great potentials of increased traffic, and business outlets that would be involved.

11. The Standing Rock Tribal Council, by formal resolution, has gone on record supporting the proposed project. We believe a crossing as proposed would have a tremendous effect on the lives and economy of the reservation and would speed the process of bringing our Indian people to a level comparable to that of their white neighbors in all respects. The recent great strides tribal members have made would be further accelerated by the greater number of transactions which a bridge would make possible. NORALF NESSET,

Superintendent, Standing Rock Reservation.

Memorandum.

To: For the Record.

EXHIBIT II

STANDING ROCK SIOUX TRIBE

FORT YATES, N. DAK., September 18, 1963.

From: Thomas Jamison, Acting Tribal Chairman. Subject: Proposed bridge across Missouri River adjacent to Fort Yates, N. Dak. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have a large and varied Rehabilitation Program in active progress. In addition, other programs sponsored by the Tribal Council and supported by general funds or funds obtained under present Federal Programs to promote the nation's economy are also in progress or in process of approval.

An extensive highway system is being constructed on the Standing Rock Reservation which will eventually provide hard surface roads from Fort Yates in all direction except east. We need an eastern outlet for the following reasons: 1. We operate a one-million dollar cattle program. The proposed bridge would open up a new marketing area.

2. In the event of drought, it would open up the eastern part of both North Dakota and Northern South Dakota as a source of feed supply at a greatly reduced cost due to reduced travel.

3. The interstate commerce commission are re-routing the Cannonball railroad. The proposed bridge would provide a travel convenience for those in the area now depending on the railroad for freight shipments.

4. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe leases thousands of acres of land. The bridge would open up the reservation area for use by east river farm and livestock operators. It would be a convenience to them and would also tend to place our land holdings on a more competitive basis, thus, increasing our annual income.

5. Standing Rock Reservation is now and will continue to improve and expand as a tourist attraction as the waters of the Oahe Reservoir rise. 6. In closing in case of national emergency and due to the excellent network of highways on both sides of the river, the bridge would be invaluable for rapid transportation throughout a wide area. The above justification is respectfully submitted by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for consideration by proper authority on the above subject.

THOMAS JAMISON,

Acting Tribal Chairman, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

RESOLUTION

Whereas there is at present no bridge or other access across the Missouri River from Mobridge, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota; and

Whereas this causes a great inconvenience to those persons residing between said points and travellers traversing east and west between said points; and Whereas a bridge approximately equal distance between said points would greatly facilitate travel and trade and curtail travelling expenses; and

Whereas a bridge between said points would facilitate the flow of traffic in case of a national emergency: Now, therefore, it is hereby

Resolved, That the Emmons County Commissioners favor and urge that a bridge be built across the Missouri in Emmons County, North Dakota.

MURRAY LAWLER, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners.

Attest:

RESOLUTION

J. A. ALLENSWORTH,
County Auditor.

Alderman Coppin moved and Alderman Lingen seconded the motion for the adoption of the following:

Whereas the City Council of the City of Hankinson, North Dakota has been advised of the Southern North Dakota Improvement Association program to effect the building of a bridge across the Missouri River in North Dakota south of Bismarck; and

Whereas it is found that the private and commercial carriers doing business in and through the City of Hankinson and the merchants in said City would directly benefit from such a bridge: Now therefore be it

Resolved By the City Council of the City of Hankinson, N. Dak.:

(1) That the City Council of Hankinson, North Dakota, in behalf of its citizens, merchants, and carriers does endorse with approval the proposed project and recommends immediate consideration of formal approval of said project by the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the North Dakota Highway Dept.

(2) That a copy of this resolution be immediately forwarded to the Southern North Dakota Improvement Association.

Upon roll call vote the question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was voted upon by the Aldermen as follows: Jaeger, Yes; Lingen, Yes; Roeder, Yes; Coppin, Yes; Braaten, Yes; Johnson, Yes. The following Aldermen were absent and did not vote: None; whereupon the Mayor did declare said Resolution adoted, endorsed his approval thereon and ordered same filed.

Approved:

ERNEST WOYTASSEK, Mayor, City of Hankinson, N. Dak.

Attest:

JOE B. KRUMP, Auditor.

RESOLUTION

Whereas there is at present no bridge or other access across the Missouri River from Mobridge, South Dakota to Bismarck, North Dakota; and

Whereas this causes a great inconvenience to those persons residing between said points and travellers traversing east and west between said points; and Whereas a bridge approximately equal distance between said points would greatly facilitate travel and trade and curtail travelling expenses; and

Whereas a bridge between said points would facilitate the flow of traffic in case of a national emergency; now, therefore, it is hereby

Resolved, That the Linton City Council favors and urges that a bridge be built across the Missouri River in Emmons County, North Dakota.

Attest:

R. D. GANKLER, Mayor.

BEN RAMEY, City Auditor.