[S. 1657, 81st Cong., 1st sess.] A BILL To provide for a preliminary examination and survey for the construction of a channel, basin, and other improvements for Sesuit Harbor, Massachusetts Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Army is authorized and directed to cause a preliminary examination to be made for the construction of a channel and basin in Sesuit Harbor, Massachusetts, and for general improvement of the harbor. The cost of the preliminary examination authorized by this Act shall be paid from appropriations heretofore or hereafter made for examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors. : SESUIT HARBOR, MASS. S. 1657 The Chief of Engineers reports as follows on S. 1657, a bill to provide for an examination and survey for construction of a 'channel, basin, and other improvements for Sesuit Harbor, Mass.: Sesuit Harbor is located at the mouth of Sesuit Creek near the town of East Dennis on the south shore of Cape Cod Bay. The entrance is protected by a stone jetty but the channel is shoal and the anchorage area is small. The harbor has been in use for many years; the first improvements by local terests and the State were made in 1851. For many years considerable shipbuilding took place there. The harbor is now used by fishing and recreational craft. Cape Cod is a major recreational area. Local interests desire further development of the harbor by providing breakwater protection and dredging the channel and mooring areas, in addition to such facilities already constructed by the State. There are few harbors on the bay shore where small craft can be based. Cost of a study is estimated at $1,500 for the preliminary examination and $5,000 for the survey. The Chief of Engineers recommends an investigation. Senator MCCLELLAN. You may proceed. STATEMENT OF CLARENCE M. NICKERSON, SELECTMAN, Mr. NICKERSON. My name is Clarence M. Nickerson. From Wellesley to the canal on the south side of Cape Cod Bay there are three small harbors. They are all half-tide affairs. The boats. can come in and go out only at half tide. We have two commercial fishermen from the south side of the Cape. They have to make a run of about 15 miles down and back every day. If Sesuit Harbor were developed it would be right in their front yard where they could go in and out any time, but they have got to have better than half tide. There are also commercial fishermen for scallops, striped bass, and the like that operate out of there at the present time on the half-tide schedule which is not good. They lose valuable time. The tuna fish sporting industry is rapidly being developed. Last year it was very successful. If the harbor was developed charter boats would work out of there to great advantage. I can just sum it up by saying that Cape Cod lives on cranberries, fishing and summer tourists, and this harbor, if developed, will have 30 or 40 pleasure boats in there besides the commercial fishermen, and it will be a great asset not only to our town but to the entire Cape. Senator MCCLELLAN. Do you have any idea of what the cost of the project might be? Of course, this is a measure to get a survey made to determine that, but I just wondered if you had any idea. Mr. NICKERSON. We have a letter in our files at home, which I neglected to bring, from General Hale, State director of the division of waterways, whom Mr. MacKinnon represents, and the figure in that estimate is between 300 and 400 thousand. I would say that was rather a high figure. For the present time the basin in Sesuit Harbor is large enough to take care of 30 or 40 or 50 boats and will not cost that much money. Mr. MacKinnon can give you the engineering data better than I can. Senator MCCLELLAN. All right, Mr. MacKinnon. STATEMENT OF ROBERT B. MacKINNON, REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS Mr. MACKINNON. Mr. Chairman, my name is Robert B. MacKinnon. I represent the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. My department is very much in favor of this study and very much in favor of eventual development of this small harbor. Cape Cod is strictly a recreational resort. In the summer it has a population of some 250,000 people. The economy is tied up very much with providing the small artificial harbors. We think on the north shore of Cape Cod, which has a length of some 60 miles, this harbor could eventually be developed into probably the best harbor along that 60 miles of coast. In the last 20 or 30 years the State, together with the town and county, has spent a total of $65,000. This year the town, the county, and the State are spending an additional $40,000, and we will eventually go along and develop this harbor. However, we do not feel that we have sufficient funds to properly develop it, and we would like very much to have the Federal Government become interested in its development. Senator MCCLELLAN. Have you any idea what the Federal Governments contribution would amount to? That is to properly and fully develop it? Mr. MACKINNON. I would say the essential development would probably cost in the vicinity of a quarter of a million dollars. But I think it would be done in stages. As the traffic used that particular harbor, it would be a case of developing it over a period of years. I think the eventual development would be in the vicinity of a quarter of a million dollars. Senator LODGE. That would be spent over a period of time? Mr. MACKINNON. Yes, sir. I think if the Federal Government, or State and town, were to do it, it would be a case of going into it to the extent of possibly 50 or 100 thousand dollars, and in another 5 or 10 years doing another section. We have one jetty on one side of the inlet, and this year we are planning on building another jetty. The thing that makes it so attractive is the fact that you can get deep water at a very short distance from the basin itself, which you cannot do any other place on the Cape. Senator LODGE. Mr. Chairman, I wonder if Mr. Eldridge or Mr. Davidson wish to say anything. STATEMENT OF EARL M. DAVIDSON, SELECTMAN, DENNIS, MASS. Mr. DAVIDSON. I think the subject has been pretty well covered by the previous speakers. However, I would like to have you know that I personally am interested enough to have traveled 500 miles to come here in order that I might be recorded in favor of the bill. Senator MCCLELLAN. You feel this is a very important project to that community? Mr. DAVIDSON. I do. Senator MCCLELLAN. May I say from preliminary testimony as to cost it sounds like it is not going to be too expensive. If there are ony real benefits that came from it, such a survey as you are requesting here in all probability will show economic justification. Senator LODGE. Thank you. STATEMENT OF FREDERICK R. ELDRIDGE, JR., SELECTMAN, DENNIS, MASS. Mr. ELDRIDGE. Mr. Chairman, we believe that this harbor would be of great economic value to the town. Just during this past year there are probably some $75,000 worth of boats stored there, and yet it is very inadequate at the moment. Senator MCCLELLAN. What is the population of the town? Mr. ELDRIDGE. The year-round population is about 2,200, but the summer population is probably 10,000. Many of these recreational boats are stored there during the winter months. The fishing industry would be greatly expanded. We feel this would be of great economic value as well. Senator LODGE. Let me say, Mr. Chairman, that this is part of Massachusetts that I am very familiar with. I have been there a great deal all through my life and this project is justified for the benefit of the fishing people alone, if for no other reason. In addition, there is the fact if you would spend a summer on Cape Cod you would see boats coming along there from all of the States of the Atlantic seaboard. The summer tourist business is a national business on Cape Cod. People come there from all over the country and boats come there from all over the Atlantic seaboard. So that is a factor to be borne in mind. To revert to the Merrimack and Connecticut survey, I have just been handed a letter from Gov. Paul A. Dever, of Massachusetts, which he has sent me, and I would like to read it into the record: Hon. HENRY CABOT LODGE, Jr., United States Senator, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR: I am glad to learn that your bill for a comprehensive survey to promote the development of hydroelectric power, flood control, and other improvements on the rivers of the New England States has been assigned for a hearing. This matter is of primary importance to the people of Massachusetts who are suffering a severe industrial handicap due to the grossly excessive power costs. I recently received figures which have translated the power costs of Massachusetts into terms of such costs in areas which have hydroelectric development. These figures indicate that the people of Massachusetts, for their residential. commercial, and industrial electricity, are now paying approximately $100,000,000 a year more than they would be paying in areas blessed with hydroelectric 94522-49-pt. 1—24 development. I obviously am heartily in favor of any constructive and economi cally justifiable project which will ameliorate this situation. Most certainly an extra cost of $100,000,000 a year to the householders and industries of Massa chusetts would justify a comprehensive survey to ascertain the possibility of remedying this situation. The fact that our legislature is in its final week of its session makes it impos sible for me to be present and to present these facts in person. Very sincerely yours, PAUL DEVER. Mr. Chairman, that concludes our presentation. I have just received a telegram that I would also like to place in the record. Hon. DENNIS CHAVEZ, United States Senator from New Mexico, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. BOSTON, MASS., July 19, 1949. DEAR SENATOR CHAVEZ: I regret exceedingly that illness prevents my appearing tomorrow before your important public works committee in support of the bill of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr., entitled S. 253 for a survey to promote the development of hydroelectric power, flood control and other improvements on the Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. Will you please bring this communication to the attention of the other committee members? A comprehensive survey of the potentialities of these two streams which are the source and sustenance of New England prosperity is urgently essential. We have never had such a survey. Available statistics pertaining to the Merrimack and Connecticut are the products of guesses, surmises and antiquated estimates. There are four reasons for this unfortunate situation. 1. Selfish interests have repeatedly obstructed Federal investment. 3. Private utilities restrict their surveys to isolated sites. 4. A New England regional power authority is still a hopeful but remote expectation. We look to you and the other members of the Public Works Committee to set the stage for a new era of growth and expansion in cities like Lawrence, Mass.. where the volume of unemployment is among the highest in the Nation and where dams more than 100 years old are serving industrial establishments cour peting in 1949 markets. The recent power survey issued by the New England Council, a private promotional organization, cost less than $50,000, according to reports. This survey purported to cover all rivers in the entire New England area. Yet it is a wellknown fact that $300,000 is the minimum amount needed for a reliable, fully scientific survey of a single river. Prudent Federal investment in the development of New England waterpower demands a Federal investigation in which all the people can have faith and confidence. A study financed and directed in any way by officers of coal and oil-burning private utilities with naturally selfish aims will not suffice. New England has no coal or petroleum. We must import these fuels. In the event of a prolonged mine strike, transportation breakdown or invasion or bombardment, all our industries would be forced to curtail their operations or to close down completely. This hazard cannot fail to be harmful to the Nation in peacetime. And it could be disastrous in wartime. The only protection against these catastrophes is the earliest possible develop ment of our sadly neglected waterpower resources on the Connecticut, Merrimack and other rivers. As the reports of the Federal Power Commision show, electric rates in the Connecticut-Merrimack areas are considerably above the national average. This discourages industries in competitive fields. And it has been an increasingly large factor in the departure of manufacturing establishments from New England. There is no better or safer opportunity for Federal investment than the rehabilitation of the lagging Merrimack and Connecticut valleys. Every dollar will be repaid with interest. Furthermore, the construction of obviously essential dams, reservoirs, and power plants will provide work for at least 100,000 mett who are currently living on unemployment compensation. Later on, the industrial activity which the cheaper and more abundant power will bring about can be relied upon to keep these men on pay rolls and out of breadlines. It is shocking to behold the wanton waste of power in the neglected, polluted and drouth and flood-affected Merrimack and Connecticut Rivers. It means that we are burning thousands of tons of coal and millions of gallons of oil unneccessarily. Some day our great country will need that coal and oil. GEORGE BRADY, Chief Editorial Writer Boston Evening American, Boston Daily Record, Senator MCCLELLAN. Any questions, Senator Holland? Senator MCCLELLAN. I Would like to insert in the record at this point a letter from Senator Saltonstall in support of the Massachusetts projects. Hon. SHERIDAN DOWNEY, UNITED STATES SENATE, COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, July 27, 1949. Chairman, Subcommittee on Public Works, Senate Committee on MY DEAR SENATOR DOWNEY: You are now considering H. R. 5472, a bill authorizing the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors for navigation, flood control, and for other purposes. This bill includes certain projects in Massachusetts. I hope that these projects will be retained by your committee, and I am going to request the inclusion of one additional one-a survey of hydroelectric power in New England, which has been proposed by my colleague, Senator Lodge. I would like very briefly to discuss each of these. WINTHROP BEACH, BEACH EROSION CONTROL Winthrop is located just north of Boston on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a highly developed residential area. Winter storms have repeatedly washed away the seawall on the ocean side severely damaging property. This project would authorize the construction of an addition to the seawall. The Federal Government pays one-third and the local interests two-thirds. There would be no Federal cost for maintenance. MYSTIC RIVER This river runs into Boston Harbor. The project calls for a 35-foot channel to put between the cities of Boston and Chelsea so as to make it more navigable by boats that must use it today to reach the industrial plants which are located upon it. Among the important plants located along this river are power plants of the Boston Edison Co., Monsanto Chemical Co., Revere Sugar Refinery, a plant of the U. S. Gypsum Co., Colonial Beacon Oil Co., Mystic Iron Works, an assembly plant of the Ford Motor Co., as well as other important industrial plants. MATTAPOISETT HARBOR Mattapoisett is located on Buzzards Bay some 50 miles south of Boston. Buzzards Bay has a very large summer visitor business. This improvement will provide a shelter haven not heretofore available for small craft approaching or leaving the Cape Cod Canal and would eliminate recurrent damage to boats tied up at Mattapoisett. In addition, it would increase the quantity of shellfish which are now taken by fishermen. MYSTIC RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, MASSACHUSETTS (BETWEEN THE WELLINGTON BRIDGE AND THE CRADDOCK BRIDGE) In addition to these approved projects, the bill calls for a further survey of the Mystic River further up the river than the project I have just mentioned at the mouth. This survey is to study particularly flood conditions as the river flows through the cities of Somerville and Medford, a few miles north of Boston. Part of the proposed project would be to straighten the river and reclaim land which |