MILNOR SATELLITE CLUB, Milnor, N. Dak., October 22, 1970.

HEARING COMMITTEE,

Bridge Across the Missouri,

Bismarck, N. Dak.

GENTLEMEN: It has come to our attention that various groups and other interested parties are concerned with the necessity of another bridge across the Missouri.

We feel that this is very much needed, for the following reasons:

1. For the people living in the area between Interstate #94 and the Highway serving Mobridge, South Dakota, must go to either Mobridge or Bismarck, North Dakota, in order to get across the Missouri.

2. We feel this will also help promote business for the towns along Highway #13 and surrounding communities. We feel this is necessary to help the smaller towns which need this business in order to survive.

We ask that you take the above into consideration, in that it will help serve our people, better our State for the traveling public going across it, promote business and as well as those people living in this area now that must go to either out point in order to cross the river.

Sincerely yours,

HAROLD FRIGEN.
MARVIN SEBENS, Delegate.

MCINTOSH COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,
Ashley, N. Dak., September 21, 1907.

Hon. STEPHEN M. YOUNG,
Committee on Public Works,
U.S. Senate,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR YOUNG: The Board of County Commissioners of McIntosh County, North Dakota is unanimously in favor of the construction of a Missouri River bridge at about the midway point between Bismarck, North Dakota and Mobridge, South Dakota.

McIntosh County is situate on the South Dakota border just east of Emmons County, and its western boundary line would be approximately thirty miles from this proposed bridge.

The completion of this bridge would greatly facilitate highway transportation and communication between the southern counties of North Dakota on either side of the Missouri River.

To journey to the western portion of North Dakota or the western United States, the more than 5,000 residents of McIntosh County must presently go north to Bismarck or south to Mobridge, South Dakota to cross the Missouri. A bridge directly west of McIntosh County would eliminate a hundred miles or more from such trips with an equally important saving of travel time.

There is a considerable amount of traffic, both business and tourist, from McIntosh County to the West, and this bridge would greatly benefit such travel. Further, the increased traffic, both east and west, that this bridge would generate would enlarge the business of hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations, and similar service businesses in McIntosh and other southern North Dakota counties.

This Board is certain that the great majority, if not all, of the citizens of McIntosh County are in favor of this bridge project, and they, through this Board, ask that your committee give most serious consideration to the approval and construction of this project. Respectfully submitted.

EDWIN A. BOSCHEE, Chairman.

BRIDGE HEARING TESTIMONY,
Bismarck, N. Dak.

NORTH DAKOTA TRAVEL DEPARTMENT,
Bismarck, N. Dak., October 23, 1970.

The proposed Charging Eagle Bay and Fort Yates Bridges can best be described as "key developments" in the continued growth of North Dakota's tourism industry. Both bridges would facilitate travel along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Both bridges would shape the new travel routes for the growing numbers of tourists who choose to vacation in North Dakota.

In recent years many levels of government in our State have actively pursued development of the Lewis and Clark Highways. Completion of the Trail in some areas has made for impressive scenic roads and a memorable tourist experience. The bridges would tie areas of our landscape together with the traveler. Similarly, vacation routes like the Old West Trail and the Explorer Highroad would become more functional for tourist travel.

Time does not allow me to explain in depth the many benefits the bridges would have to the tourist industry, however, it is possible to cite some of the prime advantages. Access to scenic areas, joining of historic and scenic highways, convenience travel and the shaping of tourist travel patterns are all important reasons for construction of these bridges.

Thank you.
Sincerely,

JOE SATROM, Travel Director.

NORTH DAKOTA MOTEL ASSOCIATION,
Williston, N. Dak., October 23, 1970.

Senators JENNINGS RANDOLPH, QUENTIN BURDICK, and STEPHEN YOUNG,
Members, Public Works Committee:

At a recent meeting of the Officers and Directors of the North Dakota Motel Association the matter of the bridge at Eagle Bay Crossing at Garrison was brought up.

The officers and directors wish to again make the following resolution : "Whereas tourism is of vital interest to the State of North Dakota and tourists attractions are most necessary for our tourism program, a bridge at Charging Eagle Bay Crossing, the arm of the Little Missouri, would help to develop travel to the Garrison Dam.

"Be it resolved that the Officers and Directors favor the placement of the bridge at Charging Eagle Bay Crossing."

Very sincerely,

Mrs. STEWART SCHUBERT,
Secretary.

SACAGAWEA BRIDGE COMMITTEE.

RESOLUTION TO HAVE THE LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL REROUTED TO GO STRAIGHT WEST OF TWIN BUTTES CROSSING THE CHARGING EAGLE BAY AREA ON THE LITTLE MISSOURI ARM OF THE GARRISON DAM CROSSING THE FORT BERTHOLD INDIAN RESERVATION

Whereas: This will divide the amount of construction costs of road and bridge on three separate agencies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs will construct road and the State of North Dakota will take over the maintenance of the road system and the corps of engineers will construct the bridge, and

Whereas: The line of communication that was Highway 8 and Four Bear Bridge before the coming of the Garrison Dam has been cut off and never re-established. This has had an adverse economic effect on the people of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. For necessary business trips to the agency the people from Twin Buttes have to drive 110 to 130 miles one way. A bridge as proposed would cut this mileage in half. Also the main source of fuel supply in the form of wood and coal which most of the people use was lost to them, and

Whereas Improvement in planning on Lewis and Clark Trail as it will cut expenses by staying out of the deeper drainages and rocky terrain as originally planned but by routing through the Reservation it will still be right above and through the most scenic areas on the proposed trail, and

Whereas: By routing the trail through the Fort Berthold Reservation via a bridge on Charging Eagle Bay it will put cost of construction which Dunn County could not absorb on a different agency, thereby building the road much sooner to benefit the public that much earlier, and

Whereas: This route as proposed will provide a self-made economy for one of the most poverty stricken areas in our state. By this I mean along with the tourism and recreation will come a need for services for the people resulting in business establishments which in turn will provide employment for our local people. This does not mean the revenue received from various taxes brought in

for the County, State and Federal treasuries promoting our national economy,

and

Whereas: It will help our local people by improving our road system and providing economic opportunity. These are the reasons we are in favor of this project and also our general feeling is that we still have not had our bridge across the river at Highway 8 replaced. This project would correct loss sustained by this area as a result of the Garrison Dam, and

Whereas: The people of the area have formed a bridge committee and have met with local cities in this area and have their vote of confidence. It is our general feeling that if we can work together and plan for the future with our neighbors we can gear much of the through traffic off Interstate 94 and through our Reservation Badlands and historic sites thereby increasing the revenue to our governmental agencies.

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Sacagawea Bridge Committee request the North Dakota State Legislature to support this resolution. Dated this 23rd day of October, 1970.

Attest:

JOHN STONE, Sr.,
Secretary.
JOHN FREDERICKS, Jr.

RESOLUTION OF THE TWIN BUTTES LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTH SEGMENT OF THE FORT BERTHOLD INDIAN RESERVATION, OCTOBER 21, 1970 Whereas the Twin Buttes Livestock Association desires to promote its com. munity in supporting projects that will improve Industry, and

Whereas the Twin Buttes Livestock Association, at a meeting on 4-22-69, by unanimous vote, decided to go on record supporting the Sakakawea Bridge across the Little Missouri arm of the Garrison Reservoir.

Therefore be it resolved that the Twin Buttes Livestock Association goes on record unanimously supporting the Sakakawea Bridge. Dated this 22nd day of April, 1969.

JOHN FREDERICKS, President.
NEWTON LITTLE SOLDIER,
Secretary.

PLAZA, N. DAK., October 22, 1970.

DEAR MR. BURDICK: I am writing concerning the Charging Eagle Bay Bridge It would be more feasible to put the bridge at a location south of Roub and this would eliminate driving a lot of extra miles to cross the reservoir in a north and southerly direction, as I have drawn the arrow in on the map. As of now you have to drive around by Mondarce and Killdeer to get to a southern point or go around by Riverdale to get to the south side.

Sincerely,

(The map referred to in the letter follows:)

RICHARD WIRTZ.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE,

Care of Highway Department,

Bismarck, N. Dak.

Williston Chamber of Commerce, Highway, Tourist and Recreation Committee feels the construction of the Charging Eagle Bridge will play an important role in future development of tourism.

We feel every consideration should be given this project.

NORRIS OVERBOE, Chairman.

RESOLUTION OF WEST PLAINS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

OCTOBER 23, 1970.

Whereas, consideration has been given to the construction of a bridge in the Charging Eagle Bay area which would facilitate access to certain areas of Lake Sakakawea not presently accessible on convenient basis, and

Whereas, it is felt that construction of such bridge would aid in rural development and promote the travel industry and other industry in rural North Dakota, Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Directors of West Plains Electric Cooperative, Inc. of Dickinson, North Dakota does hereby recommend

and urge that a bridge be built in the area of Charging Eagle Bay in order to promote rural development within the State of North Dakota and to further the travel industry and other industries within said State.

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS ATTENDING BRIDGE HEARING AT BISMARCK, N. DAK.