Proposed operations, fiscal year 1949.-The estimate for 1949 provides for dredging entrance channel in Gulf of Mexico and jetty construction to 6-foot contour. Justification. The project will reduce damage now sustained by the fishing fleet due to inadequate channels, benefit the oil industry, and permit basing at Buras and Empire of deeper draft trawlers suitable for offshore shrimping in the Gulf. Work remaining after 1949 is jetty extension to 9-foot contour if and when it becomes apparent that such work will be more economical than maintenance dredging of the entrance channel. Colonel FERINGA. May I point out that $900,000 is for the provision of jetties from the 6-foot to the 9-foot contour in the Gulf of Mexico if needed. We do not think this extension will be needed; we think $638,000 will complete this project. Mr. ENGEL. I want to have placed in the record a statement on all of these individual projects showing just how much they had in 1948. Colonel FERINGA. How much was appropriated in 1948 for that project? Mr. ENGEL. I want to make a comparison of 1948 and 1949. I do not like to make you rewrite this, but really it should be in this table. Colonel FERINGA. That can be done very readily. For instance, I have it right here for the next project, that $1,815,000 was appropriated. Mr. ENGEL. That is item 23? Colonel FERINGA. Last year. Mr. ENGEL. In other words, I want to know in what projects increases are coming in 1949 over 1948, and if you will put in the 1948 appropriation for each item and the 1949 request, we can tell. Colonel FERINGA. All right, sir. INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, APALACHEE BAY, FLA., TO THE MEXICAN BORDER, NEW ORLEANS DISTRICT Mr. ENGEL. Item 23 is the Intracoastal Waterway, Apalachee Bay, Fla., to the Mexican border section, New Orleans district. The total estimated Federal cost is $32,653,300; allotments to date, $17,180,300; tentative allocation in fiscal 1949, $3,370,700; additional to complete after 1949, $12,102,300. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 23. The Intracoastal Waterway, Apalachee Bay, Fla., to the Mexican border section (New Orleans district): Total estimated cost.. Allotments to date.... Tentative allocation, fiscal year 1949__ Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949 1 Includes 1948 appropriation of $1,815,000. Authorization.-1942, 1945, and 1946 River and Harbor Acts. $32, 653, 300 1 17, 180, 300 3, 370, 700 12, 102, 300 Location and description.-Main waterway 12 feet deep, 125-150 feet wide. Alternate connection with Mississippi River, vicinity of Algiers, La.; PlaquemineMorgan City alternate route; salt water guard lock 231 miles west of Harvey lock and about 8 miles east of Calcasieu River, and 8-foot canal between main waterway and Franklin, La. Operations, fiscal year 1948.-Excavation, foundations, and floors for Algiers and the salt-water guard locks will be completed. Franklin Canal will be dredged to project dimensions. Proposed operations, fiscal year 1949.-The 1949 estimate includes $2,920.700 for continuation of work on Algiers lock and $450,000 for completion of salt-water guard lock. Justification.-Completion of Algiers alternate channel required to take care of large increasing commerce and to insure uninterrupted service. Construction of salt-water guard lock will prevent harmful inflow of salt water from the Gulf through the Calcasieu River by way of the Intracoastal Waterway. Commerce on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in the New Orleans district during 1946 was as follows: Section cast of Mississippi River 2,624,000 tons, and west of the Mississippi River 11,215,000 tons. Mr. ENGEL. What is the 1948 appropriation on that? Colonel FERINGA. $1,815,000. Mr. ENGEL. $2,920,700 is for the continuation of work on Algiers lock, and $450,000 for completion of salt water guard lock. Colonel FERINGA. That is correct, sir. CALCASIEU RIVER AND PASS, LOUISIANA Mr. ENGEL. Item 24 is the Calcasieu River and Pass, La. Total estimated Federal cost, $11,315,000; allotments to date, $4,818,700; tentative allocation for 1949, $1,000,000; additional required to complete after 1949, $5,496,300. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 24. Calcasieu River and Pass, La.: Allotments to date... Tentative allocation, fiscal year 1949. Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949 1 Includes 1948 appropriation of $550,000. Authorization.-1946 River and Harbor Act. $11, 315, 000 1 4, 818, 700 1, 000, 000 5, 496, 300 Location and description.-Deepening existing jetty and approach channel in Gulf of Mexico from 32 to 37 feet and deepening channel from inner end of jetty channel to Lake Charles from 30 to 35 feet, together with 35-foot channel around Clooney Island. Operations, fiscal year 1948.-Deepening Clooney Island Channel to 35 feet and inauguration of deepening 35-foot channel southerly from Lake Charles. Proposed operations, fiscel year 1949.-Complete 35-foot channel. Justification.-Deepening channel between Lake Charles and the Gulf will permit use of deeper draft tankers for oil shipments with resulting savings in transportation costs. With present channel limitations, tanker cargoes are restricted to about 11,000 tons whereas tankers of the 15,000- to 19,000-ton cass may utilize a 35-foot channel with large saving in shipping costs. Commerce during 1946 amounted to 10,052,000 tons. Work remaining after 1949 is completion of jetty channel and approach channel in Gulf of Mexico and if found necessary jetty extension to 15-foot contour. Mr. ENGEL. What is the 1948 appropriation? Colonel FERINGA. $550,000 for 1948. Mr. ENGEL. That is to complete the 35-foot channel? Colonel FERINGA. That is for work on the channel; $485,000 is required after 1949 for full completion, the balance being for jetty construction to the 15-foot contour, if found necessary. SABINE-NECHES WATERWAY, TEX. Mr. ENGEL. Item 25 is the Sabine-Neches Waterway, Tex. The total estimated Federal cost is $14,759,500; allotments to date, $12,073,500; tentative allocation in 1949, $480,000; additional required to complete after 1949, $2,206,000. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 25. Sabine-Neches Waterway, Tex.: Allotments to date. Tentative allocation fiscal year 1949 Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949. Includes 1948 appropriation of $1,020,000. 1 $14,759, 500 12, 073, 500 480, 000 2,206, 000 Authorization.-1946 River and Harbor Act. Location and description.-Deepening existing 36-foot bar channel and 34-foot channel to Beaumont to 37 feet and 36 feet, respectively, with widening in certain reaches. A channel in Cow Bayou 13 feet deep, 100 feet wide, 7.7 miles long, and a channel in Adams Bayou 12 feet deep, 100 feet wide, 8,600 feet long. Operations, fiscal year 1948.-Partial enlargement of main channel. Proposed operations, fiscal year 1949.—The estimate of $480,000 for 1949 will be applied to completion of the Adams Bayou Channel, and to dredging in Cow Bayou and Sabine Pass Channels. Justification. Enlargement of the channel to Beaumont will provide increased safety to existing and prospective commerce as well as permit use of larger postwar tankers. Provision of the Adams Bayou Channel will provide navigation facilities to and from industrial plants including a nylon salt plant recently completed. Provision of the Cow Bayou Channel will facilitate movement of petroleum products. Commerce during 1946 amounted to 43,600,000 tons. Mr. ENGEL. What is the 1948 appropriation? Mr. MAHON. Why are not you continuing at the same rate of expenditure in 1949 on this project? Colonel FERINGA. Mr. Mahon, the work we plan to do next year is for deepening between the jetties, completion of the Adams Bayou Channel, and dredging in the Cow Bayou and Sabine Pass Channels. Cow Bayou is a little farther downstream. We could use additional money to advantage, as this is slowing down some of the work. Mr. MAHON. Did you ask the Budget for more money? INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, APALACHEE BAY, FLA., TO MEXICAN BORDER, GALVESTON DISTRICT Mr. ENGEL. Item 26 is the Intracoastal Waterway, Apalachee Bay, Fla., to Mexican border section, Galveston district. The total estimated Federal cost is $29,382,000; allotments to date, $18,669,000; tentative allocation in 1949, $2,119,000; additional required to complete after 1949, $8,594,000. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 26. The Intracoastal Waterway, Apalachee Bay, Fla., to Total estimated Federal cost Allotments to date.... Tentative allocation, fiscal year 1949_ Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949. 1 Includes 1948 appropriation of $2,187,000. $29, 382, 000 1 18, 669, 000 2, 119, 000 8, 594, 000 Authorization. Public Law 675, Seventy-seventh Congress, approved July 23, 1942 and 1945 and 1946 River and Harbor Acts. Location and description.-Main channel 12 feet deep, 125 feet wide, between the Sabine River and Brownsville, Tex.: channel 12 feet deep, 125 feet wide from main channel to vicinity of Harlingen, Tex.; channel 12 feet deep, 125 feet wide connecting Port Isabel turning basin with the main channel; and rerouting main channel in the vicinity of Red Fish Bay near Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi Bay and deepening tributary channel from Port Aransas to the city of Aransas Pass to 12 feet including a turning basin. Tributary channels in Colorado and San Bernard Rivers and in Barroom Bay. Operations, Fiscal Year 1948.-Continuation of dredging 12-foot channel. Proposed Operations, Fiscal Year 1949.-The estimate of $2,119,000 for 1949 is for application to continuation of dredging in the remaining 35-mile section of the main channel between Corpus Christi and the Mexican border. Justification.-Completion of the remaining reach of the Intracoastal Waterway connecting with the deep-water channel to Brownsville will open the Rio Grande Valley area to economical barge-traffic transportation. It will be the final connecting link between the Rio Grande Valley and New Orleans and all points on the Mississippi River system. Commerce during the calendar year 1946 making use of the partially completed waterway was 13,978,000 tons. Mr. ENGEL. What is the 1948 appropriation? Mr. MAHON. Mr. Chairman, at this colonel to show us, if he can do so readily, Intracoastal Waterway channel is now. understand, to Brownsville, Tex. Colonel FERINGA. That is correct, sir. point, I would like for the just what the status of this This will complete it, as I Colonel FERINGA. That is correct. The Intracoastal Waterway between New Orleans and Brownsville is to be provided with a 12foot depth. It is all complete as far as Corpus Christi. Work is under way from Brownsville north toward Corpus Christi and from Corpus Christi south. We have enough money and work is now under construction to finish the whole waterway except for a 35-mile gap in the Laguna Madre. This 35-mile gap will be essentially completed with the money we are requesting now for next fiscal year. Mr. MAHON. And the waterway is not completed from New Orleans eastward? Colonel FERINGA. The waterway from New Orleans east is complete as far as Corrabelle, Fla. Then there is a gap where the Florida Cross State Canal will be, and then from Jacksonville north it is completed up to the Delaware River. Mr. MAHON. Has the canal thus far in the Texas-Louisiana area. proved to be the economically sound venture which it was urged to be by its sponsors? Colonel FERINGA. It is one of the waterways General Wheeler mentioned a minute ago where our estimates of benefits were far less than they actually amounted to. In 1946 the section of this waterway which was completed carried 13,978,000 tons and, of course, if the gap is completed the waterway is going to carry more tonnage. Mr. KERR. The gap in the Intracoastal Waterway is in the Gulf of Mexico? Colonel FERINGA. The gap is right off the Gulf of Mexico. That is a 35-mile gap. Mr. KERR. That is the only gap in the waterway? Colonel FERINGA. Yes, sir; that is the only gap in the Gulf of Mexico. BRAZOS ISLAND HARBOR, TEX. Mr. ENGEL. Item 27 is the Brazos Island Harbor, Tex. The total estimated cost is $4,713,250; allotments to date, $4,388,250; tentative allocation, 1949, $325,000; additional to complete after 1949, nothing. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 27. Brazos Island Harbor, Tex.: Total estimated Federal cost. Allotments to date.. Tentative allocation fiscal year 1949. Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949 1 Includes 1948 appropriation of $685,500. $4,713, 250 4,388, 250 325,000 Authorization.-1945 and 1946 River and Harbor Acts. Location and description.-Deepening existing Brazos-Santiago Pass Channel from 31 to 35 feet, channel in Laguna Madre from 28 to 33 feet, and channels leading to Port Isabel and Brownsville from 28 to 32 feet, and provision of auxiliary channels and enlargement of turning basins. Operations, fiscal year 1948.-Deepening channel across Laguna Madre to 33 feet and channel connecting Port Isabel and Brownsville to 32 feet. Proposed operations, fiscal year 1949.-The estimate for 1949 provides for deepening the entrance channel through Brazos Santiago Pass to 35 feet and for dredging a cut-off channel to the Port Isabel Channel 32 feet deep. Justification.-Present depths are unduly restrictive and have resulted in rejection of cargo because ships could not navigate channel and forced stops of other vessels at ports en route to destination to complete loading to full and economical draft at increased cost to the shipper. Commerce during the past 6 years has ranged from a low of 176,500 tons in 1943 to a high of 1,586,000 tons in 1946. Important industrial developments are underway which will lead to considerably greater use of the waterway. Mr. SCRIVNER. I see this also concerns the Laguna Madre. I thought you said the Laguna Madre was involved in this Item 26. Colonel FERINGA. Yes, sir. That Intracoastal Waterway I was describing goes north through Laguna Madre. Laguna Madre is sort of a bay between fast land in Texas and the offshore barrier beach. DAM B, PART OF NECHES AND ANGELINA SYSTEM, TEXAS Mr. ENGEL. Item 28 is dam B, part of Neches and Angelina system, Texas. Total estimated cost, $6,431,000; allotments to date, $2,612,900; tentative allocation, fiscal 1949, $1,818,100. (The justification is as follows:) Item No. 28. Dam B, part of Neches and Angelina system, Texas: Total estimated Federal cost_ Allotments to date___. Tentative allocation, fiscal year 1949. Additional to complete after fiscal year 1949. 1 Includes contribution by local interests of $2,000,000. * Includes 1948 appropriation of $1,300,000. 1 $6, 431, 000 22, 612, 900 1, 818, 100 The authorized project includes construction of dam B on the Neches River, 14 miles southeast of Jasper, Tex., and 113.7 miles above the mouth. Compacted earth embankment with maximum height of 35 feet. Overflow section 5,460 feet long with top at elevation 85. Nonoverflow section 870 feet long with top at elevation 100. Gate controlled spillway in river channel having clear opening of 280 feet, gate sills at elevation 50 and top of gates at elevation 85. Reservoir will extend 18 miles upstream. Project will serve to promote navigation below Beaumont by stream flow regulation, and provide an assured supply of fresh water to the lower valley which is essential for the tremendous oil refineries located on the stream, and to promote conservation of wildlife, rice culture, and the general development of the region. Funds were provided in prior appropriations for inauguration of construction. The estimate of $1,818,100 will permit the continuation of the work during 1949. Local interests have given firm assurances that they will contribute $2,000,000 in order to expedite completion of dam B. The funds now in hand, plus the funds set up in the estimate, plus the $2,000,000 which will be contributed, will complete dam B. Mr. ENGEL. What is the 1948 appropriation? Colonel FERINGA. $1,300,000. Island Harbor was $685,500. And the appropriation for Brazos Mr. MAHON. When this project was in the making, there was considerable controversy down in that area as to just what reservoirs should be created. You refer here to dam B. is that only one part of a more comprehensive program which is authorized? |