On April 27, just 22 days after the Spokane address of the Governor, where he vowed to stop crying for Federal funds, we were appalled to find the Governor, flat on his back, screaming (by wire) for $21,375,000 to push operations of Chief Joseph Dam construction.

To round out the story, I should include my own reply to the Governor's wire:

Re your telegram: When we obtained authorization of Foster Creek in the Seventy-ninth Congress in 1946, I contemplated the appropriation of construction funds in 1947. Instead, legislative action in the Eightieth Congress was practically limited to the change of name from Foster Creek to Chief Joseph.

Inability of Federal agencies to agree on a schedule is a part of the general failure under the present divided authority and planning, which would be corrected if responsibility was correctly placed in a unified Columbia Valley Administration proposed in H. R. 4286.

In meantime, I have and will continue to urge the full appropriation for Foster Creek Chief Joseph Dam.

I have gone into these matters at great length, Mr. Chairman, because it is important to gain perspective on the other testimony being submitted here today. In my concern for the welfare of the Pacific Northwest, with its wealth of undeveloped resources and its prospects for a great future, I am determined to see that the legislative goal we seek, as proposed by the Administration, is not thwarted by one-sided criticism and devious attacks.

STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS BY HON. HUGH B. MITCHELL, FIRST WASHINGTON DISTRICT, RE THE CORPS OF ARMY ENGINEERS' REPORT COVERING THE PRELIMINARY STUDY AND EXAMINATION FOR FLOOD CONTROL OF THE GREEN AND DUWAMISH RIVERS OF KING COUNTY, WASH.

Chairman Whittington and members of the committee, I wish to submit testimony in approval of the Corps of Army Engineers' report covering the preliminary examination for flood control of the Green and Duwamish Rivers of King County, Wash., and in support of my bill, H. R. 3873, which I introduced for the purpose of implementing the engineers' report, in order to bring to an end the devastating floods of these rivers. These rivers have annually flooded, inundating large sections of an extensive and fertile valley, which is vitally needed for agricultural and industrial use.

Through the past several years, many attempts have been made to control these floods. These attempts have been through local action and have resulted in only the most limited relief. It is, therefore, my opinion that congressional action is now essential in order to activate the program proposed by the Corps of Engineers.

In order that the committee might more fully understand the problem, I will explain that the Green River rises in the Cascade Mountains at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet, and it flows north and west about 60 miles to its junction with the Black River. Below this junction it is known as the Duwamish River and flows another 12 miles to empty into Puget Sound at Seattle. The flood plain starts just above Auburn (a city with a population of 6,000) and comprises a fertile valley 2 to 3 miles wide. Exclusive of Seattle, the basin has an area of 474 square miles and a population of 32,000 people.

The plain, which is subject to flooding, is in part a rich farm area, and in part an industrial district, through which three continental railroads operate. The lower Duwamish flows through one of the few areas where the industry of Seattle may logically expand.

The flood history of this river is a matter of record. In order to provide the committee with some evidence, however, I would like to bring to the attention of the committee the fact that the 1933 flood inundated 13,800 acres of land in this plain, and the 1946 flood inundated 12,000 acres of the same area. The tangible damages from these two floods alone are estimated to have reached $3,100,000. The indefinable damages resulting from displacement, accident, illness, and mental anguish should be given the gravest consideration by the committee.

The Chief of Engineers and the Board of Engineers have recommended the construction of a dam at Eagle Gorge, on the upper Green River. The estimated cost of this dam is $18,300,000. The Washington State Legislature has appropriated $1,500,000 as its contribution, and King County will make available $500,000 as proof of local interest in the project. The necessity for immediate action by this committee on this project is especially evident because

(1) The Green River project can be started almost immediately with the $2,000,000 in State and local matching funds already mentioned; however, unless used in the current biennium, the State funds will revert to a special fund and it will be necessary to reappropriate then through action by the next legislature.

(2) The State matching money was voted contingent upon the approval and appropriation by Congress of funds to carry forward construction of the project. While the project would not be revenue producing, it is estimated by the Army engineers that $893,000 in annual benefits will accrue, mainly from the abatement of floods, pollution control, and benefits to fish life. This figure does not include the added land value which will logically accrue when industry is permitted to extend into the area.

I recognize that it is unnecessary to recite the great values of flood-control projects such as this one, for I realize that the committee is cognizant of them. However, I do wish to say that the State of Washington is located in the most rapidly growing section of our Nation-the Pacific Northwest. It is, therefore, all the more imperative that vast sections of farm and industrial lands be saved from annual inundation by floodwaters.

May I urge the committee to approve the Army engineers' report on this project and, by favorably reporting H. R. 3873, authorize the appropriation of the necessary funds to provide for the immediate beginning of work on the project.

STATEMENT BY HON. HAL HOLMES, FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, STATE OF WASHINGTON

Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, Congress has provided, heretofore, for investigation, studies, and reports by the Chief of Engineers on the Columbia River and its tributaries for flood control, navigation, power development, irrigation, and other purposes, including fish and wildlife conservation and restoration. Your committee is now about to receive for consideration a review of the original "308" report on this area. It is a comprehensive engineering plan, designed to bring benefits to the basin as a whole, with regard to possible uses of water and taking in many phases of river development. It amplifies previous plans and accomplishments on the Columbia Basin. The engineers and others will describe in detail the specific objectives as well as explain the reimbursable features which, to my mind, are exceedingly important.

Prompt and effective action by Congress in providing traditional Federal assistance in artificial regulation of this river and its tributaries is urgent, due to the fact that this region is developing to an unusual degree with a population increase estimated at anywhere from 30 to 40 percent.

The district which I represent lies in the very heart of this great projected development and is vitally affected by it. Dams proposed on the Columbia will provide millions of acre-feet of flood-control storage and this is of vital importance to the whole area from the standpoint of soil conservation and protection of property. In addition, according to estimates of the Bonneville Power Administration included in the "308" report, the entire power production facilities contemplated will be required by 1960. The development of waterway transportation is of particular interest to the towns of Pasco and

Kennewick and Walla Walla, near which is located the great Hanford atomic energy plant.

In connection with this report, I am vitally interested in the local problems of flood control on the Yakima River and its tributaries, the Walla Walla River, the Palouse and Touchet Rivers, all tributaries of the Columbia. I have asked your committee to act upon resolutions requested by me for further study and recommendation on extending present authorizations for flood control on these rivers. In the Yakima Valley, the problem is one jointly of irrigation, flood control, and storage, with complications in view of the fish which use this stream as a spawning ground. Operations of existing reservoirs must be coordinated with flood control and other requirements and supplementary flood-control works must be constructed to meet local problems. The "308" report recommends that $850,000 be authorized for local flood-control improvements on the Yakima River and tribu

taries.

Problems on the Palouse, the Walla Walla, and Touchet Rivers involve, partly, municipal flood protection which, in the city of Walla Walla has already been completed and has been authorized in the towns of Pullman, Colfax, and Dayton, but not yet appropriated for. Even more serious than these municipal problems, however, is the complex erosion and flood condition such as the thaw which early this spring eroded tremendous quantities of soil, from some of the finest wheat lands in the country, and filled the lower parts of the valley and the main Columbia with streams of mud. Tremendous damage was done this year to railways, highways, and small communities, particularly at Touchet and Lowden, the latter of which being so deeply covered with mud that cars remained in garages until the area had dried out. This top soil is irreplaceable and the entire area of these three streams represents perhaps the worst erosion of valuable agricultural land in the entire Columbia Basin, and one of the worst in the United States.

In many parts of our country it is too late for remedial measures, but this is an area where the process is only beginning. This situation has been brought out in the "308" report, but complete plans are yet to be presented on account of the tremendous number of local problems in the Columbia Basin and the fact that the detailed floodcontrol plans must be prepared in conjunction with the programs of the Soil Conservation Service, which are not yet available. I understand soil-conservation reports and recommendations on the Walla Walla River watershed are essentially completed and it is expected will be presented to Congress before the end of this session. The Corps of Engineers, however, will participate in these watersheds, particularly by levee and channel improvements which will supplement measures of run-off retardation and soil-erosion prevention. Further detailed studies are in progress under separate congressional authorities, which I have recently introduced, but meanwhile the "308" report includes recommendations for $1,488,000 for minor tributaries below the Yakima River and for $15,000,000 for supplemental minor flood-protection works throughout the basin. These items should be authorized at this time in order that the important flood-control situation which I have outlined can be dealt with along with other local flood-protection works elsewhere.

I have noted with pleasure the recent establishment by the Corps of Engineers within my district at Walla Walla of a new district office for design, construction, and operation of flood-control works which should facilitate the ready handling of problems and projects in the vicinity.

In conclusion, I am very much interested in two projects on the Columbia for which you already have reports. The Albeni Falls project, Idaho, and the Green-Duwamish River, Wash. It is my hope that the committee will give these projects every consideration with a view to favorable action along with these very important projects in the fourth district.

The CHAIRMAN. Is Representative Tollefson here?

STATEMENT OF HON. THOR C. TOLLEFSON, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Mr. TOLLEFSON. Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have a statement which I would like to file with the clerk. But in addition to that statement I should like to emphasize a point which perhaps has not been brought out in connection with the Eagle Gorge Dam on the Green and Duwamish Rivers.

Colonel Gee testified that the ratio of benefits to cost was about 1.07 to 1. One thing perhaps should be taken into consideration that may possibly have changed that figure if it were not for the threat of recurring floods. Simply this, in the lower part of the Duwamish River there are choice industrial sites affecting the city of Seattle and the city of Seattle is much concerned about that area. witnesses have testified that the industrial sites are pretty well used up in Seattle. No one can say definitely, of course, just how many people may have constructed factories on the Duwamish site, had it not been for the threat of the flood occurring.

Other

So that the ratio might be considered to be greater than that. The people of the area, of course, are tremendously concerned, as are other people in flood areas in this particular project. We have had a number of very serious and bad floods, and the possibility of recurrence is always there in the minds of the people.

I trust that this committee will give favorable and early action not only on the Green River,of course, but on the other project as well. I thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman, for the privilege of appearing before the committee at this time.

The CHAIRMAN. Thank you, Mr. Tollefson. Your statement will be filed with the record.

(The statement follows:)

STATEMENT OF THOR C. TOLLEFSON, MEMBER OF CONGRESS, SIXTH DISTRICT, WASHINGTON, ON EAGLE GORGE DAM, GREEN-DUWAMISH RIVER FLOOD CNOTROL PROJECT

Mr. chairman and members of the committee. I appreciate this opportunity of appearing before your committee to testify in behalf of the Green-Duwamish River flood control project which is situated in my congressional district. The Green River rises in the Cascades at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet and flows in a northwesterly direction for about 60 or 70 miles where it empties into the Puget Sound at Seattle, Wash. The flood plain begins just above the city of Auburn which has a population of approximately 6,000. The river flows through a fertile valley which is about 2 or 3 miles in width. The river joins with

the Black River and from the junction to the Sound, about 12 miles away, the river is known then as the Duwamish River. The property on the lower Duwamish is prospective industrial site property for the city of Seattle.

The two most recent floods occurred in 1933 and in 1946 inundating approximately 13,000 acres and 12,000 acres, respectively. The estimated damages from the 1933 and 1946 floods are estimated at about $1,750,000 and $1,350,000, respectively, on the basis of 1947 prices. These damages include both damage to valuable agricultural and to urban areas, floodwaters actually coming into the city of Kent.

This proposed project has been carefully surveyed and approved by the District and Division Engineers of the United States Army, the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and the Chief of Engineers. It also has the approval of the Bureau of the Budget. The total estimated cost of the dam is $18,300,000, of which $2,000,000 will be contributed by the State and local governments. The 1949 legislature of the State of Washington has appropriated $1,500,000 to be made available when the project is authorized by Congress, and funds appropriated. The Board of King County Commissioners has set aside $500,000 to be made available as soon as the project is authorized. I am in receipt of a telegram from the Board of County Commissioners as of this date which reads as follows: "County and State are ready financially to proceed with Eagle Gorge Dam work. Urgent need that this project receive all possible attention at tomorrow's hearing."

The estimated benefits are $893,000 annually and include abatement of floods, pollution control and benefit to fish life. More particularly, this item is broken down in the following manner: $429,000 from benefits of tangible flood damage; $214,000 from increased return from protected agricultural lands; $191,000 from increased returns from industrial lands; $59,000 from benefit to fish life.

The annual carrying charge is estimated at $823,139. With $2,000,000 of the cost being borne by the State and county, the total carrying charges would be $831.628, due to the interest rate of 3.5 percent applied to non-Federal cost. Maintenance and operation are estimated at $80,000 annually.

I urge favorable and early action upon this project which is of tremendous concern and importance to the people in the area affected.

The CHAIRMAN. Are there any other representatives?

STATEMENT OF HON. HARRIS ELLSWORTH, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF OREGON

Mr. ELLSWORTH. I would be glad to put in a statement at the pleasure of the committee.

The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Ellsworth, we are very glad to have you, sir. Mr. ELLSWORTH. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my statement on this subject will be very brief, because I realize that you have had considerable testimony.

I do want to add my voice to the voice of others approving in general the Army engineers' over-all basic report on the Columbia Basin. It provides for a program of development that means a great deal to the Nation. Without the electrical energy of the Columbia River, and in the future without the productive capacity of the farm lands which those projects will bring in, and without the navigation which will be provided by those projects, I am sure that this country would suffer shortages in the field of food and power which we could ill afford.

With the chairman's permission, I would like to turn to the Willamette section of the survey, since most of the Willamette flood-control project lies within my district. Nearly all of the major dams are within my congressional district.

As I believe the committee may know, that project has been going forward under an authorization.

The CHAIRMAN. I have been responsible, I guess; I had it inserted in the Flood Control Act. I am familiar with it.