[Senate Hearing 108-244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004
----------
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC.
NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES
[Clerk's note.--At the direction of the subcommittee
chairman, the following statements received by the subcommittee
are made part of the hearing record on the Fiscal Year 2004
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.]
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL
Department of the Army--Civil
Corps of Engineers
Prepared Statement of Orange County, California and the Orange County
Flood Control District
Mr. Chairman and Members: On behalf of Orange County, California,
and the Orange County Flood Control District, I respectfully request
your support for fiscal year 2004 Federal appropriations to fund the
following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects:
Santa Ana River Mainstem Project (including Prado Dam)--$67,864,000
We especially urge your support of the $67.8 million for the Santa
Ana River Mainstem Project. This will allow the Corps to continue
construction on Prado Dam, which began construction in fiscal year
2003. Since fiscal year 1990, the Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development has consistently provided the funds necessary to maintain
the planned schedule of construction for the Santa Ana River Mainstem
Project. As a result, the Seven Oaks Dam was completed in 1999, the
Lower Santa Ana River is about 90 percent complete, the Oak Street
Drain is complete, and work has commenced on the San Timoteo feature.
The urgency to complete all features of the project has been
highlighted by the flooding that has occurred throughout California
during the past several years and, in particular, by the damage
associated with the El Nino condition in 1997 and 1998. As the Corps of
Engineers has reported on several occasions, destruction from a design
storm on the Santa Ana River will cause damages exceeding $15 billion
and the loss of thousands of lives. The Orange County Flood Control
District requests continued support for the timely implementation of
the Santa Ana River Mainstem Project, including Prado Dam, by including
an appropriation of $67.8 million for fiscal year 2004.
Upper Newport Bay (Dredging)--$5,800,000
The construction dredging and restoration of Upper Newport Bay is
another high priority project for Orange County. The restoration of
Upper Newport Bay will ensure the preservation of one of California's
most precious remaining estuaries along the coast. We urge your support
for this very important and significant project.
Westminster/East Garden Grove, California--$300,000
Watershed restoration and flood control feasibility study on East
Garden Grove Wintersburg Channel.
Coyote Creek, Carbon Canyon Watershed in Orange County--$600,000
Watershed feasibility study for tributaries in western Orange
County that drain into Coyote Creek, Carbon Canyon, and the San Gabriel
River.
Newport Bay/San Diego Creek Watershed--$186,000
Continuation of watershed ecosystem restoration study.
Orange County Beach Shoreline--$600,000
This is a feasibility study for shore protection, watershed, and
water quality effort along the Orange County coast.
Special Area Management Plan (San Diego Creek SAMP)--$680,000
This is part of a cooperative effort between private property
owners and government to identify and protect critical wetland habitat
in south Orange County ahead of development.
San Juan Creek, South Orange County--$300,000
Continuation of watershed feasibility study for ecosystem
restoration and flood control.
Aliso Creek Mainstem--$618,000
Continuation of watershed feasibility study for ecosystem
restoration.
We thank you for the opportunity to address the Subcommittee and
for your past record of support for projects that are so important to
Orange County.
______
Prepared Statement of DINAMO, The Association for the Development of
Inland Navigation in America's Ohio Valley
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: I am Barry Palmer,
Executive Director of DINAMO, The Association for the Development of
Inland Navigation in America's Ohio Valley. DINAMO is a multi-state,
membership based association of business and industry, labor, and State
government leaders from throughout the Ohio Valley, whose singular
purpose is to expedite the modernization of the lock and dam
infrastructure on the Ohio River Navigation System. Largely through the
leadership of this subcommittee and the professional efforts of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we in the Ohio Valley are beginning to
see the results of 22 years of continuous hard work in improving our
river infrastructure.
Lock and dam modernization at Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam, Grays
Landing Locks and Dam, Point Marion Lock, and Winfield Locks are
largely complete. These projects were authorized for construction in
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. The immediate problems
really are focused on completing in a timely manner lock and dam
modernization projects authorized by the Congress in subsequent water
resources development acts. Substantial problems remain for reliable
and efficient funding of improvements at the Olmsted Locks and Dams,
Ohio River, IL/KY; Lower Monongahela River Locks and Dams 2, 3 & 4, PA;
McAlpine Locks and Dam, Ohio River, IN/KY; Marmet Lock, Kanawha River,
WV; and for Kentucky Lock, Tennessee River, KY. The construction
schedules for all of these projects have slipped from 3 to 6 years
each, and we are requesting funding for these construction projects at
an ``efficient construction rate.'' This term means that these projects
can be operational by 2010 or earlier, if funded at or near the full
capability of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additional funding is
also needed to complete pre-construction engineering and design (PED)
for Greenup Locks and Dam, Ohio River, KY/OH and for John T. Myers
Locks and Dam, Ohio River, KY/IN. The President's Fiscal Year 2004
Budget contains no monies for Pre-Construction, Engineering and Design
for the John T. Myers Lock Extension project, although the project was
authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 and has
received regularly scheduled funding for planning and PED for many,
many years. Additionally this Committee provided $800,000 last year for
a planning start at Emsworth, Dashields and Montgomery Locks and Dams,
Ohio River, PA. Following is a listing of the projects and an efficient
funding level determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance
construction projects for completion by 2010 or earlier and to advance
other projects through planning, construction, engineering and design
process:
Recommendations for Fiscal Year 2004
For the Robert C. Byrd Locks and Dam modification project, formerly
the Gallipolis Locks and Dam on the Ohio River, OH/WV, about $2,700,000
to continue major rehabilitation of the dam. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
Request $2,500,000.
For the Winfield Lock Replacement on the Kanawha River, WV,
$2,000,000 for continued construction and relocations related to
environmental mitigation. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request $2,000,000.
For the Olmsted Locks and Dam, replacing Locks and Dams 52 and 53
on the Lower Ohio River, IL/KY, $73,000,000 to award the contract to
initiate construction of the new gated dam. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
Request $73,000,000.
For the Monongahela River Locks and Dams 2, 3 & 4, PA, $61,00,000,
to complete construction of the new Braddock Dam, continue any ongoing
contracts at Charleroi which were able to be awarded in fiscal year
2003 and award a major contract for the construction of the new
Charleroi Locks. In addition, critical Pool 2 relocations and Pool 3
dredging should resume in fiscal year 2004 in order to support timely
completion of the project. Initiating construction work at Charleroi in
fiscal year 2003 is critical to completing the project by 2010. Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget Request $35,000,000.
For the McAlpine Lock Project on the Ohio River, IN/KY, $70,000,000
to construction of the new 110 1,200 lock addition. Fiscal Year
2004 Budget Request $26,100,000.
For the Marmet Lock Replacement on the Kanawha River, WV,
$69,200,000 to continue construction of the new 110 800 project.
Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request $52,154,000.
For the Kentucky Lock Addition on the Tennessee River, KY,
$53,400,000 to continue construction of the new highway and bridge work
and to begin construction of the upstream cofferdam. Fiscal Year 2004
Budget Request $24,866,000.
For Pre-Construction Engineering and Design for the John T. Myers
Locks and Dam, Ohio River, IN/KY, $2,500,000. A new construction start
for this project will be required soon, since this project was
authorized for construction in the Water Resources Development Act of
2000. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request $0.00.
For Pre-Construction Engineering and Design for the Greenup Locks
and Dam, Ohio River, OH/KY, $5,800,000. A new construction start for
this project will be required soon, since this project was authorized
for construction in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget Request $2,895,000.
For the Ohio River Mainstem Study, which will identify a
comprehensive investment plan for the next 50 years and also assess
system economic and environmental impacts associated with the plan,
$1,500,000 in fiscal year 2003. This level of funding is needed to
complete a preliminary draft report including a System Investment Plan
and Cumulative Effects Assessment. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request
$1,350,000.
For the Emsworth, Dashields and Montgomery Locks and Dams, Ohio
River, PA, $1,500,000. Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request $0.00.
All lock and dam modernization projects should be completed in a
timely and orderly manner. It is important to note that monies to pay
for lock and dam modernization are being generated by 20 cents per
gallon diesel fuel tax by towboats operating on America's inland
navigation system. These tax revenues are gathering in the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund, in order to finance 50 percent of the costs of
these project costs. There is about $400 million in the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund. The real challenge is not the private sector
contribution to completing these lock and dam construction projects in
a timely manner, but rather it is the commitment of the Federal
Government to matching its share.
Additionally DINAMO opposes expansion of the authority of the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund to finance a portion of Operation and
Maintenance expenditures on America's inland navigation system. The
Trust Fund's balance and all future revenues are already spoken for.
The unspent balance in the Trust Fund and projected fuel tax revenues
for the foreseeable future are already committed to the construction or
major rehabilitation of Congressionally approved projects, many of
which are under construction. All of the current Trust Fund balance and
all of the 20-cents-per-gallon fuel taxes paid by transportation users
for the next 8 years are needed to complete just six of the priority
projects currently under construction. To spend these funds for O&M
will ensure that the construction or major rehabilitation of these and
other important ongoing and future projects will never be completed or
built--unless there is a future tax increase to replenish a bankrupt
Trust Fund! The proposal violates the agreements underlying the Water
Resources Development Act of 1098, which affirmed continued
responsibility for inland waterways Operations and Maintenance in
return for waterway users assuming the obligation for financing 50
percent of future construction and major rehabilitation costs. Congress
must ensure that the balance and all future Trust Fund revenues are
spent on the purposes for which they were collected--to modernize the
inland waterway system and ensure its future.
The construction schedules for Ohio River Navigation System
projects have slipped from 3 to 6 years, depending on the project.
Delaying the construction of these vitally needed infrastructure
investments is a terribly inefficient practice. Inefficient
construction schedules cost people a lot of money. A February 2002
study by the Institute for Water Resources concluded that $1.97 billion
of cumulative benefits (transportation savings) for Olmsted, Lower
Monongahela River 2, 3 & 4, McAlpine, Marmet, and Kentucky lock and dam
modernization projects have been lost forever. The benefits foregone
represent the cumulative annual loss of transportation cost savings
associated with postponing the completion of these projects from their
``optimum,'' or ``efficient,'' schedule. In addition, this study
concludes that $672 million of future benefits are at risk but will be
foregone (based on fiscal year 2002 schedules) if funding is not
provided to accelerate design and construction activities in accordance
with ``efficient'' schedules. In February of this year (2003) the
Institute for Water Resources updated this information: because of
additional construction schedule slippage, projects have been further
delayed and additional benefits have also been washed down the river.
(This chart, ``Inland Waterway New Construction Projects, Benefits
Foregone Attributable to Stretched Project Schedules in Fiscal Year
2003 Budget Request,'' is attached to this testimony.)
Expenditures for lock and dam modernization are an investment in
the physical infrastructure of this Nation. The President's $4.194
billion Corps of Engineers Civil Works Budget for fiscal year 2004 will
fall at least $800 million short of what will be needed to meet the
Nation's water resources needs. Mr. Chairman, we have great confidence
in the Corps of Engineers and urge your support for a funding level
more in line with the real water resources development needs of the
Nation. For lock and dam modernization on America's inland navigation
system, targeted construction funding ought to be at a level of about
$300 million annually, with half coming from the Inland Waterways Trust
Fund and half coming from the General Treasury. Last year Congress
provided about $4.63 billion for the Corps of Engineers program and
more than $250 million for lock and dam modernization on America's
inland navigation system. It is reasonable that funding for the Corps
program should be increased to levels closer to $5 billion and about
$300 million for lock and dam modernization on our Nation's river
system, in order to complete the major lock and dam modernization
projects by the end of the decade or earlier.
Following is our analysis of the partial consequences of inadequate
funding of Ohio River Navigation System infrastructure improvements:
Olmsted Locks and Dam
Ground was broken on Olmsted Locks and Dam in 1996. Locks and Dam
52 and 53 will be replaced with this single facility at mile 964.4 of
the Ohio River. Olmsted will feature twin 110 1,200 lock chambers
and a submersible dam. During high water conditions, which should occur
about 60 percent of each year, tows will pass over the dam using the
navigable pass portion. The total cost is approximately $1 billion,
with a benefit/cost ratio of 3.5 to 1. The project is scheduled for
completion in 2011. Congress appropriated $65 million for construction
work in fiscal year 2003.
Olmsted has already slipped its completion date by 5 years, and
more than $1.84 billion in transportation benefits have already been
washed down the river (non-recoverable) because of construction
schedule slippage. The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Civil Works Budget
has funded the project on an Efficient Funding Schedule, and the new
facility could be operational by 2011 if this level of funding is
maintained. This improved construction scenario (when compared to
fiscal year 2003 construction schedule projections) could prevent the
loss of more than $2.63 billion in transportation benefits.
According to the Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics
for 2001, more than 82 million tons of commodities were shipped past
the point where Olmsted is being built. These shipments had a combined
value of $18.3 billion. The leading commodity shipped past the Olmsted
Lock site was coal, which made up 24 percent of the total tonnage.
Limestone, iron ore and grains such as corn and soybeans were other
significant commodities making up this traffic.
Lower Monongahela River Locks and Dams 2, 3 & 4
Locks and Dams 2, 3 and 4 are the first three navigation projects
on the Monongahela River upstream of Pittsburgh. Lock and Dam 2 is
located at Monongahela River mile 11.2, Lock and Dam 3 is located at
mile 23.8, and Lock and Dam 4 is at mile 41.5. Lock and Dam 2 has a
main lock chamber measuring 110 720 feet and an auxiliary lock that
is 56 360. The other two projects have main lock chambers that are
56 720 and auxiliary lock chambers that are 56 360. Lock and
Dam 2 was originally built in 1905, with new locks completed in the
early 1950's. Lock and Dam 3 was built in 1907, and Lock and Dam 4 was
completed in 1932.
The dam at L/D 2 is being replaced by a gated dam being built using
an innovative in-the-wet method of fabricating segments off-site and
floating them in place, and the project will be renamed Braddock Locks
and Dam. L/D 3 will be removed. Twin 84 720 locks will be built at
L/D 4 (to be renamed Charleroi Locks and Dam). Construction on this
two-for-three replacement project began in 1994 and is scheduled for
completion in 2010, at a total cost of $750 million. The benefit/cost
ratio is 2.1 to 1. In fiscal year 2003, $42 million was appropriated
for this work. Continued funding at a rate of $35 million (Fiscal Year
2004 Budget) annually could delay completion an additional 9 years,
possibly by 2016 and the loss of more than $267.3 million in
transportation benefits.
According to the Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics
for 2001, almost 22.2 million tons of commodities moved through any or
all of the three locks. Of the 19.1 million tons of coal transiting
these locks, over 7.2 million tons were destined for 23 power plants in
7 States. The value of the 22.2 million tons was nearly $1.6 billion.
Nearly 10 million tons moved through all three locks.
McAlpine Locks and Dam
McAlpine Locks and Dam is located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky.
The dam is at mile 604.4 of the Ohio River and the locks are in the
Louisville and Portland Canal on the Kentucky side of the river. The
56 600 auxiliary lock was completed in 1921 and the 110 1,200
main chamber was opened in 1961. There is also an inactive 56 360
lock chamber. In 1960, the project was renamed from Lock and Dam 41 in
honor of a former Louisville District Engineer.
Construction began at McAlpine in 1999 on a new 110 1,200 lock,
which will replace the active 110 600 auxiliary and an inactive
auxiliary lock. The project is scheduled for completion in 2008 at a
total cost of $278 million, with a benefit/cost ratio of 1.8 to 1.
Congress appropriated $21 million for work in fiscal year 2003.
McAlpine has already slipped its completion date by 6 years, and over
$245 million in transportation benefits have been washed down the river
(non-recoverable) because of construction schedule slippage. Failure to
fund the project on an Efficient Funding Schedule in fiscal year 2004
(at $70 million) and each future year could delay completion by as much
as an additional three years, possibly to 2011. That scenario would
wash approximately another $124.86 million in benefits down the river.
According to the Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics
for 2001, more than 55 million tons of commodities were shipped through
McAlpine Locks. These shipments had a combined value of nearly $11.7
billion. Of the 20 million tons of coal moving through McAlpine in
2001, over 13 million tons went to more than 30 power plants in 8
States. McAlpine Locks was important to the steel industry, as it
passed 5.5 million tons of iron ore, pig iron and other raw iron and
2.5 million tons of iron and steel products.
Marmet Lock and Dam
Marmet Locks and Dam is located at mile 67.7 of the Kanawha River.
The locks were opened in 1933 and the dam was completed in 1934. The
two lock chambers measure 360 56. Located about 9 miles upstream of
Charleston West Virginia, the project is approximately 27 miles from
the head of navigation.
An improvement to Marmet Locks was authorized in 1996. The proposed
project is a new 800 110 lock chamber to go with the existing pair
of 360 54 chambers. Property acquisition and design work continue
and construction is underway. The total cost of the project is $313
million, and Congress appropriated $50 million for work in fiscal year
2003. The benefit/cost ratio is 2.9 to 1. Average annual benefits of
this new project are about $55.9 million a year. Marmet has already
slipped completion date by 3 years, and over $117 million in
transportation benefits have been washed down the river (non-
recoverable) because of construction schedule slippage.
According to the Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics
for 2001, just over 17 million tons of commodities were shipped through
Marmet Locks. These shipments had a combined value of $802 million. Of
the 16.1 million tons of coal moving through Marmet, 11.5 million tons
were destined for 30 power plants in 7 States, and another 1.5 million
tons went to steel plants.
Kentucky Locks and Dam
Kentucky and Barkley Locks work as a system for passing barge
traffic even though they are located on different rivers. Kentucky Lock
and Dam is located on the Tennessee River 22.4 miles upstream of the
junction with the Ohio River. Barkley Lock and Dam is located on the
Cumberland River 30.6 miles upstream of the Ohio. The two rivers are
connected by the Barkley Canal, which intersects the Tennessee River at
mile 25.3 and the Cumberland River at mile 32.8. Kentucky's lock
chamber is 110 600 and has been in operation since 1944. Barkley
was completed in 1966 and has a 110 800 lock chamber.
Ground was broken in October of 1999 on a new 110 1,200 lock at
Kentucky Lock. Completion is scheduled for 2010; the total cost will be
approximately $533 million, with a benefit/cost ratio of 2.4 to 1. The
existing 110 600 lock will continue to be used as an auxiliary.
Kentucky Lock and Dam's current single lock chamber is insufficient to
handle increasing tonnage. The lack of an auxiliary chamber forces tows
to use Barkley Lock during periods of extended delays and closures.
When Kentucky Lock is at 90 percent capacity, tows face average delays
of 5 to 6 hours. $30 million was appropriated for work on Kentucky
Lock's new chamber in fiscal year 2003. Kentucky Lock has already
slipped completion date by 2 years, and over $74 million in
transportation benefits have been washed down the river (non-
recoverable) because of construction schedule slippage. The President's
fiscal year 2004 Civil Works Budget ($25 million) will delay completion
of the project by as much as 10 years and approximately $551 million in
transportation benefits will be washed down the river.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we thank you for your interest and
support of lock and dam modernization on the Ohio River Navigation
System. It was that the rivers played a tremendous role in the defense
of our Nation. Today our Nation's security is more and more determined
by our economic muscle, our ability to compete for more and news
customers in different parts of the world. These locks and dams are at
the core of our basic infrastructure that enables Americans to compete
globally for its basic manufacturing products--iron and steel,
chemicals, petroleum products, aluminum, etc. We urge your support of
efficient funding of these vitally needed projects that last fifty or
more years and provide many dollars in return for the investment sunk.
We thank you for the opportunity to present this request and our
thoughts on these matters.
TABLE 1.--INLAND WATERWAY NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS--BENEFITS FOREGONE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRETCHED PROJECT SCHEDULES IN FISCAL YEAR 2003 BUDGET REQUEST
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Optimum Current Optimum Fiscal Year 2003 Average Est. Est. Est. Est.
Schedule Schedule Budget Schedule Annual Benefits Benefits Benefits Inflation @
------------------------------------------------------------------------ Benefits \1\ Schedule Foregone Schedule Foregone vs Foregone 2.7%
-------------- Change in vs Initial Change in Current Opt Not ------------
Project Years vs Opt \2\ Years vs ------------- Recoverable
($ Compl ($ Compl ($ Compl PDR ------------ Current -------------
million) million) million) ($ million) ($ Opt ($ million) ($ million)
million) ($ million)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower Mon 2-4.................. $645.0 2004 $750.0 2009 $750.0 2010 $29.17 6 $134.62 1 $19.24 $115.38 $1.27
London Rehab................... 18.7 2003 22.2 2003 22.2 2004 1.34 1 1.26 1 1.26 ........... 0.32
Marmet......................... 268.0 2007 313.0 2009 313.0 2010 55.90 3 117.53 1 36.87 80.66 0.04
Olmsted........................ 1,020.0 2006 1,060.0 2010 1,052.0 2011 526.25 5 1,848.55 1 327.11 1,521.44 0.31
McAlpine....................... 255.0 2002 278.0 2007 278.0 2008 41.62 6 245.36 1 29.12 216.24 1.06
Winfield \3\................... 221.6 2002 227.5 2002 235.5 2003 56.11 1 .......... 1 ........... ........... 0.13
R.C. Byrd \3\.................. 373.0 1999 373.0 2002 379.0 2003 161.20 4 .......... 1 ........... ........... 0.08
Kentucky Lock.................. 481.5 2008 533.0 2009 533.0 2010 55.10 2 74.91 1 36.34 38.57 0.03
Inner Harbor \4\............... 575.0 2009 576.4 2012 576.4 2014 109.70 5 322.37 2 117.58 204.78 3.75
Greenup \5\.................... 245.0 2008 240.7 2009 245.0 2020 26.50 12 163.92 11 163.92 ........... 81.96
Myers \5\...................... 182.1 2008 225.0 2010 182.1 2020 8.60 12 53.20 10 53.20 ........... 68.69
Chickamauga \6\................ 239.4 2010 239.4 2010 239.4 2015 1.96 5 5.43 .......... 5.43 ........... 34.11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL.................... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ............ 57 2,967.14 31 790.07 2,177.07 157.66
================================================================================================================================================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Analy- sis.... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ............ 29 2,621.82 35 1,149.35 1,472.48 172.95
================================================================================================================================================================
Change from 2002............... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ............ .......... 345.32 .......... (359.28) 704.59 (15.29)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Average Annual Benefits based on Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Justification of Expense, February 2002.
\2\ Benefits foregone estimated from net present value of benefits in each year of delay, based on 50-year project life, and adjusted to fiscal year 2002 base year. Discount rate adjusted to
6.125 percent.
\3\ Locks are completed, dam construction remains.
\4\ Inner Harbor ``Initial Optimum'' reflects Fiscal Year 2000 Optimum Schedule.
\5\ Greenup and Myers ``Initial Optimum'' reflects Fiscal Year 2002 Optimum Schedule.
\6\ Chickamauga not included in previous fiscal year 2002 analysis.
Prepared Statement of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials
Dear Chairman Domenici and Members of the Subcommittee: The
Association of State Dam Safety Officials is pleased to offer this
testimony on the President's proposed budget for the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACOE) Fiscal Year 2004. The Association's testimony
includes issues related to the safety and security of the dams owned or
operated by the USACOE and in support of the National Inventory of Dams
(NID) authorized by the Dam Safety and Security Act of 2002.
The Association of State Dam Safety Officials is a national non-
profit organization of more than 2,000 State, Federal and local dam
safety professionals and private sector individuals dedicated to
improving dam safety through research, education and communications.
Our goal simply is to save lives, prevent damage to property and to
maintain the benefits of dams by preventing dam failures. Several
dramatic dam failures in the United States called attention to the
catastrophic consequences of failures. The failure of the federally-
owned Teton Dam in 1976 caused 14 deaths and over $1 billion in
damages, and is a constant reminder of the potential consequences
associated with dams and the obligations to assure that dams are
properly constructed, operated and maintained.
national inventory of dams
The National Inventory of Dams is a computer database, maintained
by the USACOE, that houses vital information of Federal and non-Federal
dams across the United States. The database tracks information about
the dam's location, size, use, type, proximity to nearest town, hazard
classification, age, height and many other technical data fields. The
database can be used for States or Federal agencies to access
comprehensive information for planning, security alerts or to use
within a Graphic Information System (GIS) vital in tracking lifeline
systems and responding to emergency events through using the geographic
and mapping abilities along with the engineering information within the
NID database.
The NID can be used by policy makers as a tool when evaluating
national or local dam safety issues. For example, it is extremely
useful in establishing the average age of the dams in the United
States, or identifying the number and location of a particular type of
dam construction (i.e. the number and location of ``thin arch'' dams
greater than 100 feet in height). In addition, the Federal Emergency
Agency uses the State dam data to establish the amount of State grant
assistance funds, in accordance with the National Dam Safety Program.
It is essential that this inventory be accurate and current.
There are over 78,000 dams on the National Inventory of Dams in the
country. To have access to this critical data when needed and to be
able to track trends in assessing dam safety improvements, it is
essential that this data be current and accurate. The NID can meet this
need, but it is only as accurate as the last update. The database must
be continually updated, the dam information is constantly changing
(i.e. new ownership, major repairs, removal of dams, increasing the
height and storage, additional downstream development or changes to the
dam's hazard classification). This data is now even more important as
the intelligence community and Federal law enforcement have identified
dams as a specific target of potential terrorists attacks. The data can
also be of tremendous benefit to Federal agencies such as FEMA, NWS,
USGS and the new Department of Homeland Security for locating large
dams, for watershed planning, flood control planning or emergency
response to failures or extreme storm events.
The USACOE has done an excellent job in developing and maintaining
the NID. Continuing updates and improvements to this database resource
should be a high priority. Federal agencies that own dams as well as
State dam safety programs provide updated information and corrections
to the data fields, which provides for accurate and current data.
The Association respectfully requests that the subcommittee
recognize the importance of this national dam database and increase the
appropriation amount from the proposed funding level in the President's
budget of $300,000 to the full authorized funding amount of $500,000.
dam safety, security, and operation and maintenance
The USACOE is recognized as a national leader in dam construction
and dam safety. The USACOE currently owns or operates 609 dams in the
United States, and these dams, like other critical components of the
national infrastructure are aging and the require vigilant inspection
as well as routine maintenance. In addition, the security of our
Nation's infrastructure is a major concern. Dams, especially the large
Federally-owned dams are a potential target for terrorists attacks.
The USACOE dams are typically very large, provide flood protection,
water supply, hydropower, recreation and many are critical to the
waterway navigation on the Nation's major rivers. The consequences of a
failure or misoperation of one of these dams can cause enormous loss of
life and property damage, as well as the loss of the benefits provided
by the dam. Therefore, the Association strongly supports appropriations
necessary to make needed repairs, to conduct security assessments and
improvements wherever necessary. The Association believes that
operation and maintenance are critical to the continued safe
performance of the dams. Too often deferred maintenance causes a small
problem to become larger and more costly; and if left unattended, may
cause the dam to become more susceptible to failure.
The Association respectfully asks that the subcommittee recognize
that inspections, safety repairs, security and routine maintenance are
all essential to assure the safety and the continuing benefits of
USACOE dams.
The Association specifically requests:
--Increase in appropriations for the USACOE Dam Safety Program non-
project management funds to $250,000 from the proposed $45,000;
--Increase in appropriations for the USACOE Dam Security Program non-
project management funds to $250,000 from the proposed $30,000
to include assistance to the State dam safety programs in
conducting security vulnerability assessments and for training
in the dam security assessment tools such as RAM-D;
--Increase in the USACOE ``Planning Assistance to States Program''
Line A.1e.(1) from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000 to provide much
needed assistance to the States to cost-share dambreak
modeling, developing emergency evacuation plans and to jointly
conduct security vulnerability assessments;
--Appropriations of $40,000,000 for needed dam safety repairs to the
Canton Dam in Oklahoma, the Tuttle Creek Dam in Kansas, the
Clearwater Dam in Missouri and to complete the safety repairs
to the Waterbury Dam in Vermont.
Finally, while the security of the USACOE dams is currently a major
priority, the continued safety, repair and maintenance of the USCOE
dams should not be diminished. Improved security on an unsafe dam may
deter an attack, but it still leaves the lives and property downstream
at an unnecessary risk. The Association also respectfully requests that
the fiscal year 2004 funding for Line B.6 Dam Safety and Seepage/
Stability Correction Program be increased to $15,000,000 from the
proposed $8,000,000; and that the Operation and Maintenance budget be
increased from the proposed $1,939,000,000 to $2,000,000,000 for fiscal
year 2004 with the additional funds dedicated to dam safety efforts not
currently funded in the budget.
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for this
opportunity to provide this testimony in support of safe dams. We look
forward to working with the Subcommittee and staff on this important
national issue.
______
Prepared Statement of Volusia County, Florida
On behalf of our citizens and fishermen, Volusia County, Florida
requests that the Energy & Water Subcommittee appropriate:
--$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2004 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'
(Corps) Construction account to fund a 1,000 foot seaward
extension of the South Jetty of the Ponce DeLeon Inlet. The
Committee provided $1 million for construction of this project
in fiscal year 2003. The South Jetty seaward extension is
essential for safe inlet navigation and protection of the Inlet
channel and the North Jetty landward extension funded in fiscal
years 1999, 2000, and 2002.
--$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2004 to the Corps' Operations and
Maintenance account to fund the removal of 300,000 cubic yards
of sand from the North Cut of the Ponce DeLeon Inlet to provide
for safe navigation until the South Jetty construction is
complete.
A more detailed case history and description of the situation and
projects follow below.
Ponce DeLeon Inlet is located on the east coast of Florida, about
10 miles south of the City of Daytona Beach in Volusia County. The
Inlet is a natural harbor connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the
Halifax River and Indian Rivers and the Atlantic Intra-coastal Waterway
(AICW). Ponce DeLeon Inlet provides the sole ocean access to all of
Volusia County and is the only stabilized inlet on the east coast of
Florida between St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral, a distance of 112
miles. Fishing parties and shrimp and commercial fisherman bound for
New Smyrna Beach or Daytona Beach use the Inlet, as well as others
entering for anchorage. Nearby fisheries enhanced by the County's
artificial reef program attract both commercial and sport fisherman.
Head boat operators also provide trips to view marine life and space
shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral. In addition, U.S. Coast Guard
Lifeboat Station Ponce is located immediately inside Ponce de Leon
Inlet and provides navigation safety and security for boaters,
fisherman, divers and sailors from the entire east central Florida
region.
Unfortunately, the Inlet is highly unstable and, despite numerous
navigation projects, continues to threaten safe passage for the charter
boat operators and commercial fisherman who rely on the access it
provides for their livelihood. Recreational boaters and Coast Guard
operators are also at risk passing through this unstable inlet. The
shoaling of the channels in the Inlet so restricts dependable
navigation that the Coast Guard no longer marks the north channel in
order to discourage its use. The Coast Guard continues to move the
south and entrance channel markers and provides warnings that local
knowledge and extreme caution must be used in navigating the inlet.
More seriously, the Coast Guard search and rescue data for fiscal years
1981-1995 show that 20 deaths have resulted from vessels capsizing in
the Inlet, the direct result of the Inlet's instability. One hundred
forty-seven vessels capsized and 496 vessels ran aground in the Inlet
during the same period.
The Federal interest in navigation through the Ponce DeLeon Inlet
dates back to 1884 and continues to the present. The existing
navigation project was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of
1965. The construction authorized by that Act, including ocean jetties
on the north and south sides of the Inlet, was completed in July 1972.
It became evident soon after completion of the authorized project that
the project did not bring stability to the Inlet. A strong northeaster
in February 1973 created a breach between the western end of the North
Jetty and the sand spit the Jetty was connected to inside the Inlet.
The breach allowed schoaling to occur that was serious enough to close
boat yards and require almost $2 million worth of repairs, including
extending the western end of the North Jetty.
Under the existing maintenance agreement entered into upon
completion of the construction, the Corps periodically performs
maintenance on the Inlet. Maintenance projects have included several
dredging efforts, adding stone sections to the south side of the North
Jetty, extending the westward end of the North Jetty for the second
time, and closing the North Jetty weir. Prior to the North Jetty
project discussed below, the Corps' last maintenance was dredging,
completed on the entrance channel in January 1990.
In fiscal year 1998, the Corps received a $3,500,000 appropriation
for emergency maintenance on the North Jetty. Migration of the entrance
channel undermined the North Jetty, seriously threatening its
structural integrity. The fiscal year 1998 funds were used to construct
a granite rock scour apron for the 500 to 600 feet of where the Jetty
was undermined.
In fiscal year 1999, the Corps received $4,034,000 from the
Operations and Maintenance account to extend the North Jetty of the
Inlet landward by 800 feet. This maintenance project was completed in
July 2002 to prevent the erosion that will cause outflanking of the
North Jetty. Continued outflanking of the west end of the North Jetty
could create a new inlet for the Halifax and Indian Rivers resulting in
major changes to the Ponce DeLeon Inlet. The resultant shoaling of both
the north and south channels, as well as changes to the entrance
channel, would make passage through the inlet extremely dangerous and
unpredictable.
In fiscal year 2000, the Corps received $7,696,000 in their
Operations and Maintenance account for use in the Ponce DeLeon Inlet.
This appropriation provided funding to continue the North Jetty
project, funding for surveys designed to determine the scope of a new
maintenance contract for the Ponce De Leon Inlet, and funding for a
dredging project to address a minor maintenance issue under the
existing maintenance contract.
In fiscal year 2001, the Corps received $46,000 in their Operations
and Maintenance account for standard maintenance of the Ponce DeLeon
Inlet.
In fiscal year 2002, Congress appropriated $2.032 million to the
Corps' Operations and Maintenance account for completion of the North
Jetty construction. The Corps completed construction of this project in
July 2002.
In fiscal year 2003, Congress provided $1 million in the Corps'
Construction account for commencement of the South Jetty oceanward
extension, as authorized by WRDA 1999.
For fiscal year 2004, Volusia County requests that the Corps
receive $3 million for the balance of the Federal share of construction
funds for the South Jetty oceanward extension. The Corps anticipates
that the construction of the Jetty extensions will help stabilize the
Inlet and reduce future maintenance costs. In addition to creating a
safer navigation environment, completion of the North and South Jetty
will save future Federal maintenance costs.
The Ponce DeLeon Inlet presents a serious engineering challenge,
the success of which is measured in terms of human life and vessel
damage. The existing project has failed to stabilize the Inlet.
Extending the North Jetty was the first step toward correcting the
failure and meeting the challenge. Full funding of the 1,000 foot
oceanward extension of the South Jetty is the next critical step toward
providing safe passage for the commercial and recreational boaters in
Volusia County.
State agencies, including the Florida Inland Navigation District
and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection agree and
therefore have committed to assisting the County in meeting the local
cost share. In addition, providing these funds at this time is likely
to prevent the need for a much more substantial maintenance project in
the near future.
In addition to the construction funding for the jetty projects to
protect the Ponce DeLeon Inlet, the County also requests $3,000,000 be
appropriated in the Corps' Operations and Maintenance account, for the
Corps to remove 300,000 cubic yards of sand from the North Cut of the
Ponce DeLeon Inlet. As discussed above, the North Jetty construction
was completed in July 2002 and the South Jetty construction will begin
this year. Maintenance dredging is needed until both jetties are
constructed.
Until both the North and South Jetty projects are operational, sand
continues to shoal in the navigation channels of the Ponce DeLeon
Inlet. The shoaling creates unsafe navigation conditions, thereby
impeding commercial and recreational traffic. Removing 300,000 cubic
feet of sand from the North Cut of the Inlet will greatly improve safe
navigation. Finally, this effort is supported locally, as evidenced by
the County's grant of $395,000 to the Corps for emergency dredging of
the North Cut in fiscal year 2003.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
______
Prepared Statement of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is pleased to submit this statement
regarding the fiscal year 2004 budget for the Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps). The Tribe asks that Congress provide $14,835,000 in the Corps'
construction budget for critical projects in the South Florida
Ecosystem, as authorized in section 208 of the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) of 1999. On January 7, 2000, the Tribe and the
Corps signed a Project Coordination Agreement for the Big Cypress
Reservation's critical project. The Tribe's critical project includes a
complex water conservation plan and a canal that transverses the
Reservation. In signing this Agreement, the Tribe, as the local
sponsor, committed to funding half of the cost of this approximately
$50 million project. Design and planning efforts continue, and the
first phase of construction is nearly complete.
The Tribe's critical project is a part of the Tribe's Everglades
Restoration Initiative, which includes the design and construction of a
comprehensive water conservation system. This project is designed to
improve the water quality and natural hydropatterns in the Big Cypress
Basin. This project will contribute to the overall success of both the
Federal and the State governments' multi-agency effort to preserve and
restore the delicate ecosystem of the Florida Everglades. In
recognition of this contribution, the Seminole Tribe's Restoration
Initiative has been endorsed by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force.
the seminole tribe of florida
The Seminole Tribe lives in the Florida Everglades. The Big Cypress
Reservation is located in the western basins, directly north of the Big
Cypress National Preserve. The Everglades provide many Seminole Tribal
members with their livelihood. Traditional Seminole cultural,
religious, and recreational activities, as well as commercial
endeavors, are dependent on a healthy Everglades ecosystem. In fact,
the Tribe's identity is so closely linked to the land that Tribal
members believe that if the land dies, so will the Tribe.
During the Seminole Wars of the 19th Century, the Tribe found
protection in the hostile Everglades. But for this harsh environment
filled with sawgrass and alligators, the Seminole Tribe of Florida
would not exist today. Once in the Everglades, Seminoles learned how to
use the natural system for support without harm to the environment that
sustained them. For example, the native dwelling, the chickee, is made
of cypress logs and palmetto fronds and protects its inhabitants from
the sun and rain, while allowing maximum circulation for cooling. When
a chickee has outlived its useful life, the cypress and palmetto return
to the earth to nourish the soil.
In response to social challenges within the Tribe, Tribal elders
provided guidance. Tribal elders directed the Tribe's leadership to
look to the land, for when the land was ill, the Tribe would soon be
ill as well. When looking at the land, the leadership saw the
Everglades in decline and recognized that the Tribe had to help
mitigate the impacts of man on this natural system. At the same time,
tribal members acknowledged that this land must sustain the Tribe and
its culture. The clear message from the Tribal elders and the land
called for a way of life to preserve the land and the Tribe. Tribal
members must be able to work and sustain themselves. Tribal leadership
needs to protect the land and the animals, while also protecting Tribal
farmers and ranchers.
Recognizing the needs of the land and the people, the Tribe, along
with its consultants, designed a plan to mitigate the harm to the land
and water systems within the Reservation while ensuring a sustainable
future for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The restoration plan will
allow Tribal members to continue their farming and ranching activities
while improving water quality and restoring natural hydroperiod to
large portions of the native lands on the Reservation and ultimately,
positively effecting the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades
National Park.
The Seminole Tribe's project addresses the environmental
degradation wrought by decades of Federal flood control construction
and polluted urban and other agricultural runoff. The interrupted sheet
flow and hydroperiod have stressed native species and encouraged the
spread of exotic species. Nutrient-laden runoff has supported the rapid
spread of cattails, which choke out the periphyton algae mat and
sawgrass necessary for the success of the wet/dry cycle that supports
the wildlife of the Everglades.
The Seminole Tribe designed an Everglades Restoration project that
reflects the need to live off of the land while minimizing impacts on
the Everglades. The Seminole Tribe is committed to improving the water
quality and flows on the Big Cypress Reservation. The Tribe already has
committed significant resources to the design and construction of this
project and to its water quality data collection and monitoring system.
The Tribe is willing to continue its efforts and to commit more
resources, for its cultural survival is at stake.
seminole tribe's big cypress critical project
The Tribe has developed a water conservation plan that will improve
water quality essential to the cleanup of the Everglades ecosystem and
to plan for the storage and conveyance of Tribal water rights. The
Tribe's Everglades Restoration Initiative is designed to mitigate the
degradation the ecosystem has suffered through decades of flood control
projects and urban and agricultural use and ultimately to restore the
Nation's largest wetlands to a healthy state.
The Seminole Tribe's critical project, a part of the water
conservation plan, provides for the design and construction of flood
control, storage, and treatment facilities on the western half of the
Big Cypress reservation with other conveyance facilities on the eastern
side. The project elements include canal and pump conveyance systems,
including major canal bypass structures, irrigation storage cells, and
water quality polishing areas. This project will enable the Tribe to
meet targets for low phosphorus concentrations, as well as to convey
and store irrigation water and improve flood control. It will also
provide an important public benefit: a new system to convey excess
water from the western basins to the Big Cypress National Preserve,
where water is vitally needed for rehydration and restoration of
natural systems within the Preserve.
conclusion
Improving the water quality of the basins feeding into the Big
Cypress National Preserve and the Everglades National Park is vital to
restoring the Everglades for future generations. Congress has
acknowledged this need through the passage of the last three Water
Resource Development Acts. This Committee has consistently shown its
support through appropriating requested amounts over the last 6 fiscal
years. By continuing to grant this appropriation request for critical
project funding, the Federal government will take another substantive
step towards improving the quality of the surface water that flows over
the Big Cypress Reservation and on into the delicate Everglades
ecosystem. Such responsible action with regard to the Big Cypress
Reservation, which is Federal land held in trust for the Tribe, will
send a clear message that the Federal government is committed to
Everglades restoration and the Tribe's stewardship of its land.
Completion of the critical project requires a substantial
commitment from the Tribe, including the dedication of over 2,400 acres
of land for water management improvements and meeting a 50/50 cost
share. The Tribe has initiated the first phase of construction with the
main conveyance canal. As the Tribe moves forward with its contribution
to the restoration of the South Florida ecosystem, increasing Federal
financial assistance will be needed as well.
The Tribe has demonstrated its economic commitment to the
Everglades Restoration effort; the Tribe is asking the Federal
government to also participate in that effort. This effort benefits not
just the Seminole Tribe, but all Floridians who depend on a reliable
supply of clean, fresh water flowing out of the Everglades, and all
Americans whose lives are enriched by this unique national treasure.
Thank you for the opportunity to present the request of the
Seminole Tribe of Florida. The Tribe will provide additional
information upon request.
______
Prepared Statement of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District
murrieta creek flood control project
Murrieta Creek poses a severe flood threat to the cities of
Murrieta and Temecula. Over $10 million in damages was experienced in
the two cities as a result of Murrieta Creek flooding in 1993. The 1997
Energy and Water Appropriations Act dedicated $100,000 to conducting a
Reconnaissance Study of watershed management in the Santa Margarita
Watershed ``including flood control, environmental restoration,
stormwater retention, water conservation and supply, and related
purposes''. The study effort was initiated in April 1997 and completed
the following December. The Reconnaissance Study identified a Federal
interest in flood control on the Murrieta sub-basin, and recommended
moving forward with a detailed feasibility study for a flood control
project on Murrieta Creek.
Efforts on the Feasibility Study began in April 1998 and were
completed in September 2000. The Feasibility Study Report recommends
the implementation of Alternative 6, the Locally Preferred Plan (LPP)
for flood control, environmental restoration and recreation. The LPP is
endorsed by the Cities of Temecula and Murrieta and by the community as
a whole.
H.R. 5483, the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2000 included
specific language authorizing the Corps to construct ``the locally
preferred plan for flood control, environmental restoration and
recreation described as Alternative 6, based on the Murrieta Creek
Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement dated September
2000''.
After finalizing the necessary cost sharing agreement in February
2001, the Corps initiated the detailed engineering design necessary to
develop construction plans and specifications for a Murrieta Creek
Project utilizing a fiscal year 2001 appropriation of $750,000. The
project received an additional appropriation of $1,000,000 for
engineering design efforts in fiscal year 2002. Those funds were
utilized to develop design-level topographic mapping for the entire 7-
mile long project, to complete all necessary geotechnical work, and to
begin the preparation of construction drawings for the initial phases
of construction.
The Murrieta Creek Flood Control Project is being designed and will
be constructed in four distinct phases. Phases 1 and 2 include channel
improvements through the city of Temecula. Phase 3 involves the
construction of a 240-acre detention basin, including the 160-acre
restoration site and over 50 acres of recreational facilities. Phase 4
of the project will include channel improvements through the city of
Murrieta. Equestrian, bicycle and hiking trails as well as a continuous
habitat corridor for wildlife are components of this and every phase of
the project.
The Omnibus Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2003 provides $1
million for a new construction start for this critical public safety
project. Construction activities on Phase 1 of the project will
commence in the Fall of 2003. The appropriation also allows the Corps
to complete its engineering design work for Phase 2 of the project.
Phase 2 traverses the area of Temecula hardest hit with damages from
the severe flooding of 1993. The Corps anticipates having a Phase 2
construction contract ready to award in the Summer of 2004. The
District therefore respectfully requests the Committee's support of a
$4 million appropriation in fiscal year 2004 so that the Corps may
complete construction on Phase 1, and initiate construction on Phase 2
of the long awaited Murrieta Creek Flood Control, Environmental
Restoration and Recreation Project.
santa ana river--mainstem
The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662)
authorized the Santa Ana River--All River project that includes
improvements and various mitigation features as set forth in the Chief
of Engineers' Report to the Secretary of the Army. The Boards of
Supervisors of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties continue
to support this critical project as stated in past resolutions to
Congress.
The three local sponsors and the Corps signed the Local Cooperation
Agreement (LCA) in December 1989. The first of five construction
contracts started on the Seven Oaks Dam feature in the spring of 1990
and the dam was officially completed on November 15, 1999. A dedication
ceremony was held on January 7, 2000. Significant construction has been
completed on the lower Santa Ana River Channel and on the San Timoteo
Creek Channel. Construction activities on Oak Street Drain and the Mill
Creek Levee have been completed. Seven Oaks Dam was turned over to the
Local Sponsors for operation and maintenance on October 1, 2002.
For fiscal year 2004, an appropriation of $5.7 million is necessary
to initiate construction activities on several features within ``Reach
9'' of the Santa Ana River immediately downstream of Prado Dam. This
segment of the Santa Ana River project is the last to receive flood
protection improvements. The streambed existing today in a relatively
natural state would receive only localized levee and slope revetment
treatment to protect existing development along its southerly bank.
Approximately $500,000 of the total $5.7 million appropriation
requested for Reach 9 would fund environmental mitigation measures
necessitated by the Corps' construction activities.
The completion of landscaping activities on Reaches 5, 6 and 8 of
the Santa Ana River Channel in Orange County would require a $5 million
appropriation. The removal of accumulated sediment within an already
completed section of the Santa Ana River Channel near its outlet to the
Pacific Ocean will necessitate an fiscal year 2004 appropriation of $5
million. This dredging work is necessary before project turnover to the
Local Sponsors for operation and maintenance.
Construction activities on the last remaining phase of San Timoteo
Creek Channel, a Mainstem feature located within San Bernardino County,
would be completed given a final $15 million appropriation.
The Prado Dam feature of the Santa Ana River Mainstem project is in
need of several major upgrades in order that it mitigate the potential
impacts of a 100-year storm. All of the engineering work necessary to
redesign the dam is now complete. In fiscal year 2003, the Corps was
able to award a construction contract to begin modifications to the dam
embankment and outlet works.
An fiscal year 2004 appropriation of $37.164 million would allow
the Corps to continue with the construction of improvements to Prado
Dam's outlet works and embankment, and would fund all necessary
environmental mitigation measures. We, therefore, respectfully request
that the Committee support an overall $67,864,000 appropriation of
Federal funding for fiscal year 2004 for the Santa Ana River Mainstem
project including Prado Dam.
san jacinto & santa margarita river watersheds
special area management plans
The County of Riverside recognizes the interdependence between the
region's future transportation, habitat, open space, and land-use/
housing needs. In 1999, work was initiated on Riverside County's
Integrated Planning program (RCIP) to determine how best to balance
these factors. The plan will create regional conservation and
development plans that protect entire communities of native plants and
animals while streamlining the process for compatible economic
development in other areas. The major elements of the plan include
water resource identification, multi-species planning, land use and
transportation.
In order to achieve a balance between aquatic resource protection
and economic development, the Corps is developing what are termed
Special Area Management Plans (SAMP) for both the San Jacinto and Santa
Margarita Watersheds. This comprehensive planning effort will be used
to assist Federal, State and local agencies with their decision making
and permitting authority to protect, restore and enhance aquatic
resources while accommodating various types of development activities.
The Santa Margarita and San Jacinto watersheds include such resources
as woodlands, wetlands, freshwater marshes, vernal pools, streams,
lakes and rivers.
The final product of the SAMP will be the establishment of an
abbreviated or expedited regulatory permit by the Corps under Section
404 of the Clean Water Act. The Corps' effort includes facilitating
meetings between all potential watershed partners, and the integration
of the joint study effort with the planning efforts of the balance of
the RCIP project.
The $500,000 Federal appropriation received for fiscal year 2001
allowed the Corps to initiate work on this 3 year, $5.5 million SAMP
effort. The $2 million appropriation received in fiscal year 2002
allowed the Corps to make significant progress on a ``landscape level
aquatic resource delineation'', and to initiate a functional assessment
to determine the value of waters and wetlands. The $1 million
appropriation received for fiscal year 2003 allowed the Corps to
complete their wetlands delineation effort.
Further funding is now needed to complete the SAMP effort. We,
therefore, respectfully request that the Committee support a combined
$2,000,000 appropriation of Federal funding for fiscal year 2004 for
the Corps to continue its work on the Special Area Management Plans for
the San Jacinto and Santa Margarita River Watersheds.
______
Prepared Statement of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of
Greater Chicago
On behalf of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater
Chicago (District), I want to thank the Subcommittee for this
opportunity to present our priorities for fiscal year 2004 and, at the
same time, express our appreciation for your support of the District's
projects in the years past. The District is the local sponsor for three
Corps of Engineers priority projects of the Chicagoland Underflow Plan:
the O'Hare, McCook and Thornton Reservoirs. We are requesting the
Subcommittee's full support for McCook and Thornton Reservoirs, as the
O'Hare Reservoir has been completed. Specifically, we request the
Subcommittee to include a total of $32,000,000 in construction funding
for the McCook and Thornton Reservoir projects in the bill. The
following text outlines these projects and the need for the requested
funding.
the chicagoland underflow plan
The Chicagoland Underflow Plan (CUP) consists of three reservoirs:
the O'Hare, McCook and Thornton Reservoirs. These reservoirs are a part
of the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP). The O'Hare Reservoir Project
was fully authorized for construction in the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662) and completed by the Corps
in fiscal year 1999. This reservoir is connected to the existing O'Hare
segment of the TARP. Adopted in 1972, TARP was the result of a multi-
agency effort, which included officials of the State of Illinois,
County of Cook, City of Chicago, and the District.
TARP was designed to address the overwhelming water pollution and
flooding problems of the Chicagoland combined sewer areas. These
problems stem from the fact that the capacity of the area's waterways
has been overburdened over the years and has become woefully inadequate
in both hydraulic and assimilative capacities. These waterways are no
longer able to carry away the combined sewer overflow (CSO) discharges
nor are they able to assimilate the pollution associated with these
discharges. Severe basement flooding and polluted waterways (including
Lake Michigan, which is the source of drinking water for millions of
people) is the inevitable result. We point with pride to the fact that
TARP was found to be the most cost-effective and socially and
environmentally acceptable way for reducing these flooding and water
pollution problems. Experience to date has reinforced such findings
with respect to economics and efficiency.
The TARP plan calls for the construction of the new ``underground
rivers'' beneath the area's waterways. The ``underground rivers'' are
tunnels up to 35 feet in diameter and 350 feet below the surface. To
provide an outlet for these tunnels, reservoirs will be constructed at
the end of the tunnel systems. Approximately 93.4 miles of tunnels,
constructed at a total cost of $2.0 billion, are operational. Another
8.1 miles of tunnels, costing $141 million, are substantially complete
and the final 7.9 miles of tunnels, costing $168 million, are under
construction. The tunnels capture the majority of the pollution load by
capturing all of the small storms and the first flush of the large
storms. The completed O'Hare CUP Reservoir provides 350 million gallons
of storage. This Reservoir has a service area of 11.2 square miles and
provides flood relief to 21,535 homes in Arlington Heights, Des Plaines
and Mount Prospect. In its first 5 years of operation, O'Hare CUP
Reservoir has yielded $57.4 million in flood damage reduction benefits,
which exceeds its $44.5 million construction costs. The Thornton and
McCook Reservoirs are currently under construction, but until they are
completed significant areas will remain unprotected. Without these
outlets, the local drainage has nowhere to go when large storms hit the
area.
Since its inception, TARP has not only abated flooding and
pollution in the Chicagoland area, but has helped to preserve the
integrity of Lake Michigan. In the years prior to TARP, a major storm
in the area would cause local sewers and interceptors to surcharge
resulting in CSO spills into the Chicagoland waterways and during major
storms into Lake Michigan, the source of drinking water for the region.
Since these waterways have a limited capacity, major storms have caused
them to reach dangerously high levels resulting in massive sewer
backups into basements and causing multi-million dollar damage to
property.
Since implementation of TARP, 734 billion gallons of CSOs have been
captured by TARP, that otherwise would have reached waterways. Area
waterways are once again abundant with many species of aquatic life and
the riverfront has been reclaimed as a natural resource for recreation
and development. Closure of Lake Michigan beaches due to pollution has
become a rarity. After the completion of both phases of TARP, 99
percent of the CSO pollution will be eliminated. The elimination of
CSOs will reduce the quantity of discretionary dilution water needed to
keep the area waterways fresh. This water can be used instead for
increasing the drinking water allocation for communities in Cook, Lake,
Will and DuPage counties that are now on a waiting list to receive such
water. Specifically, since 1977, these counties received an additional
162 million gallons of Lake Michigan water per day, partially as a
result of the reduction in the District's discretionary diversion since
1980. Additional allotments of Lake Michigan water will be made to
these communities, as more water becomes available from reduced
discretionary diversion.
With new allocations of lake water, more than 20 communities that
previously did not get lake water are in the process of building, or
have already built, water mains to accommodate their new source of
drinking water. The new source of drinking water will be a substitute
for the poorer quality well water previously used by these communities.
Partly due to TARP, it is estimated by IDOT that between 1981 and 2020,
283 million gallons per day of Lake Michigan water would be added to
domestic consumption. This translates into approximately 2 million
additional people that would be able to enjoy Lake Michigan water. This
new source of water supply will not only benefit its immediate
receivers but will also result in an economic stimulus to the entire
Chicagoland area by providing a reliable source of good quality water
supply.
the mccook and thornton reservoirs
The McCook and Thornton Reservoirs of the Chicagoland Underflow
Plan (CUP) were fully authorized for construction in the Water
Resources Development Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-676). These CUP
reservoirs, as previously discussed, are a part of TARP, a flood
protection plan that is designed to reduce basement flooding due to
combined sewer back-ups and inadequate hydraulic capacity of the urban
waterways.
These reservoirs will provide a storage capacity of 18 billion
gallons and will provide annual benefits of $115 million. The total
potential annual benefits of these projects are approximately twice as
much as their total annual cost. The District, as the local sponsor,
has acquired the land necessary for these projects, and will meet its
cost sharing obligations under Public Law 99-662.
These projects are a very sound investment with a high rate of
return. They will enhance the quality of life, safety and the peace of
mind of the residents of this region. The State of Illinois has
endorsed these projects and has urged their implementation. In
professional circles, these projects are hailed for their
farsightedness, innovation, and benefits.
Based on two successive Presidentially-declared flood disasters in
our area in 1986 and again in 1987, and dramatic flooding in the last
several years, we believe the probability of this type of flood
emergency occurring before implementation of the critical flood
prevention measure is quite high. As the public agency for the greater
Chicagoland area responsible for water pollution control, and as our
past sponsorship for flood control projects, we have an obligation to
protect the health and safety of our citizens. We are asking your
support in helping us achieve this necessary and important goal of
construction completion.
We have been very pleased that over the years the Subcommittee has
seen fit to include critical levels of funds for these important
projects. We were delighted to see the $14,000,000 in construction
funds for the McCook and Thornton Reservoirs included in the Omnibus
Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2003. However, it is important that
we receive a total of $32,000,000 in construction funds in fiscal year
2004 to maintain the commitment and accelerate these projects. This
funding is critical to continue the construction of the McCook
Reservoir on schedule, in particular, to complete construction of the
grout curtain, distribution tunnels, and pumps and motors and to
accelerate the design of the Thornton Reservoir. The community has
waited long enough for protection and we need these funds now to move
the project in construction. We respectfully request your consideration
of our request.
summary
Our most significant recent flooding occurred on February 20, 1997,
when almost 4 inches of rain fell on the greater Chicagoland area. Due
to the frozen ground, almost all of the rainfall entered our combined
sewers, causing sewerage back-ups throughout the area. When the
existing TARP tunnels filled with approximately 1.2 billion gallons of
sewage and runoff, the only remaining outlets for the sewers were our
waterways. Between 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., the Chicago and Calumet
Rivers rose 6 feet. For the first time since 1981 we had to open the
locks at all three of the waterway control points; these include
Wilmette, downtown Chicago, and Calumet. Approximately 4.2 billion
gallons of combined sewage and stormwater had to be released directly
into Lake Michigan.
Given our large regional jurisdiction and the severity of flooding
in our area, the Corps was compelled to develop a plan that would
complete the uniqueness of TARP and be large enough to accommodate the
area we serve. With a combined sewer area of 375 square miles,
consisting of the city of Chicago and 51 contiguous suburbs, there are
1,443,000 structures within our jurisdiction, which are subject to
flooding at any time. The annual damages sustained exceed $150 million.
If TARP, including the CUP Reservoirs were in place, these damages
could be eliminated. We must consider the safety and peace of mind of
the two million people who are affected as well as the disaster relief
funds that will be saved when these projects are in place. As the
public agency in the greater Chicagoland area responsible for water
pollution control, and as the regional sponsor for flood control, we
have an obligation to protect the health and safety of our citizens. We
are asking your support in helping us achieve this necessary and
important goal. It is absolutely critical that the Corps' work, which
has been proceeding for a number of years, now proceeds on schedule
through construction.
Therefore, we urgently request that a total of $32,000,000 in
construction funds be made available in the fiscal year 2004 Energy and
Water Development Appropriations Act to continue construction of the
McCook and Thornton Reservoir Projects.
Again, we thank the Subcommittee for its support of this important
project over the years, and we thank you in advance for your
consideration of our request this year.
______
Prepared Statement of the Calaveras County Water District
sacramento and san joaquin comprehensive basin study
calaveras county conjunctive use and groundwater feasibility study
Calaveras County Water District
Calaveras County (County) is located in the central Sierra Nevada
foothills about 25 miles east of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
(Delta). Ground elevations within the County increase from 200 feet
above mean sea level near the northwest part of the County to 8,170
feet near Alpine County. It is a predominately rural county with a
relatively sparse population and agricultural and industrial
development. Calaveras County is located within the watersheds of the
Mokelumne, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Rivers. All these rivers flow
west, through San Joaquin County into the Delta. Most of the County is
underlain by the igneous and metamorphic rocks of the Sierra Nevada.
Alluvial deposits of the Central Valley, which overlie the westward
plunging Sierra Nevada, are present along an 80 square-mile area
located along the western edge of the county and are part of the
Eastern San Joaquin County Groundwater Basin (ESJCGB). This requested
conjunctive use and groundwater feasibility study under the authority
of the Corps of Engineers' Sacramento and San Joaquin Comprehensive
Basin Study will be focused on the western part of Calaveras County.
In the fall of 1946, the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) was
organized under the laws of the State of California as a public agency
for the purpose of developing and administering the water resources in
Calaveras County. Therefore, CCWD is a political subdivision of the
State of California and is governed by the California Constitution and
the California Government and Water Codes. CCWD is not a part of or
under the control of the County of Calaveras. CCWD was formed to
preserve and develop water resources and to provide water and sewer
service to the citizens of Calaveras County.
Under State law, CCWD, through its Board of Directors, has general
powers over the use of water within its boundaries. These powers
include but are not limited to: the right of eminent domain, authority
to acquire, control, distribute, store, spread, sink, treat, purify,
reclaim, process and salvage any water for beneficial use, to provide
sewer service, to sell treated or untreated water, to acquire or
construct hydroelectric facilities and sell the power and energy
produced to public agencies or public utilities engaged in the
distribution of power, to contract with the United States, other
political subdivisions, public utilities, or other persons, and subject
to the California State Constitution, levy taxes and improvements.
Project Need
The Calaveras County Conjunctive Use and Groundwater Feasibility
Study is needed to address future increasing water demands, provide
water supply reliability in extended droughts, and help mitigate
groundwater overdraft conditions in the ESJCGB.
The Calaveras County 1990 population totaled 32,000 people. By
2040, the County population is estimated to be between 100,000 and
150,000 (Source: Calaveras River Conjunctive Use Feasibility Study and
Pilot Program Report prepared by Bookman-Edmonston, June 2001). The
historic sparse population base has not required use of all the
District's water supplies. The rate base also could not support
construction of facilities needed to fully develop all the water
resources available to the District. The county is now experiencing
rapid growth, requiring the District to develop its remaining water
supplies to meet the increasing demand.
Multi-year droughts can threaten the District's ability to meet
water demands in the County. For example, the District's Jenny Lind
Water Treatment Plant is located on the Calaveras River a few miles
downstream of New Hogan Reservoir and during extended droughts, reduced
inflows into New Hogan increase the chance that there may not be enough
water to meet the current water demands. With increasing water demands
projected in the future, the water shortages will continue in dry years
and may become prevalent in normal and wet years.
The study area comprises the northeast portion of the ESJCGB as
defined by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). The
ESJCGB is considered in an overdraft condition, and the western edge of
the basin is subject to saline intrusion from the Delta. The California
Department of Water Resources water level data for wells near the
Calaveras-San Joaquin County line, have recorded water level declines
ranging from 0.6 to 1.5 feet per year over the last 40 years. Without
programs to mitigate the groundwater overdraft, groundwater levels will
continue to decline in the groundwater basin.
Project Benefit
The Calaveras County Conjunctive Use and Groundwater Feasibility
Study would be developed to identify and maximize the use of the
District's surface water resources on the Mokelumne, Calaveras and
Stanislaus Rivers in conjunction with the groundwater supply to improve
supply reliability. The District currently does not use all of its
available surface water from the rivers flowing through the County. The
study would allow the District to investigate the use of more of its
entitlement in wet years by recharging the groundwater basin with water
the District is currently not using. The storage and transmission
capacity of the groundwater basin would be used to store the banked
surface water until it is needed. This water could then be used during
an extended drought to supplement reduced surface water supplies to
provide drinking water supplies to the area.
Maintaining supplies in District reservoirs, especially during dry
years, provides benefit to the District and other river water users
like the Stockton East Water District located in San Joaquin County.
Developing local/Federal studies and programs like the Calaveras County
Conjunctive Use and Groundwater Feasibility Study provides local and
regional benefits. It also provides additional statewide benefits by
contributing to the CALFED solution of meeting local water needs. By
meeting their own water needs, local areas are not dependent upon the
State to develop water supplies for them. This is consistent with the
goals of the CALFED Integrated Storage Investigation (ISI).
Because of the overdraft of the ESJCGB, coupled with extended
drought periods, reduced inflows increase the chance that there may not
be enough water to meet current demands. Developing local/Federal
studies like the Calaveras County Conjunctive Use and Groundwater
Feasibility Study provides critical local and regional benefits
allowing these areas to meet their own needs better.
The District, therefore, respectfully requests the Committee's
support of $1,000,000 in appropriations in fiscal year 2004 within the
Corps of Engineers' Program under the authority of the Sacramento and
San Joaquin Comprehensive Basin Study, so that the Corps may initiate a
feasibility study with regard to Calaveras County Conjunctive Use and
Groundwater.
mokelumne river, calaveras river, and stanislaus river watersheds study
Project Need
The Watershed Management Study Calaveras County Water District
(CCWD) is seeking under the Corps of Engineers' program, within the
Sacramento and San Joaquin Comprehensive Basin Study authority,
includes the Mokelumne River, Calaveras River and Stanislaus River
Watersheds. It proceeds from the basic assumption that water resources
management is most efficiently and effectively conducted on a watershed
level.
Calaveras County is located in the central Sierra Nevada foothills.
CCWD is responsible for developing and administering the water
resources of Calaveras County. Historically, a significant portion of
the water needs of Calaveras County have been met mostly with surface
water from the Mokelumne, Calaveras or Stanislaus Rivers.
Groundwater was only used to meet demands in local areas. This
proposed study area, which is part of the Eastern San Joaquin County
Groundwater Basin (ESJCGB), has been identified by the State of
California as being in a state of overdraft.
In an effort to gain a better understanding of the condition of the
water sources and the surrounding environment, this watershed
management approach is being requested. Some of the objectives of such
a study may include:
--To restore, protect, and enhance water quality and associated
aquatic resources and water supplies;
--To conserve, protect, and restore the natural resources of the
Mokelumne, Calaveras and Stanislaus Rivers Watersheds (land,
water, forest, and wildlife);
--To minimize the threat to life and the destruction of property and
natural resources from flooding and to preserve (or re-
establish) natural hydrologic functions;
--To restore, protect, develop, and enhance the ecological, historic,
cultural, recreational, and visual amenities of rural and urban
areas within the watersheds and particularly along stream
corridors.
The terrain of the watershed varies from mild elevations and
meadows in the western rolling foothills to more rugged mountains and
wilderness in the eastern high Sierra region. Tourism and recreation,
forest products, mineral resources, and agricultural products are
significant elements of the area's economic base. As a result, a
variety of land uses are found within the watersheds, including
residential, forested, industrial, agricultural, and recreational.
Residential land uses in Calaveras County are primarily rural
residential, with the unincorporated community of San Andreas being the
largest urban area within the watershed area. The California State
Department of Finance (CSDF) estimates the 2000 population of Calaveras
County to be about 38,500 persons.
While CCWD has been pursuing watershed management study efforts
since 2000 in partnership with adjoining counties for more focused
watershed management efforts, specifically in the Calaveras River
Watershed, a comprehensive management study coupling all of the three
watersheds (Mokelumne, Calaveras and Stanislaus Rivers), which fall
within the jurisdiction of CCWD is critical to better plan for both
water quantity and quality issues, and the environmental and natural
resources issues facing the watershed.
The CCWD has not only been a principle partner in watershed
management throughout the development of the more focused local
watershed planning studies, but has been concerned about watershed
issues since its very beginning as a water supply provider. CCWD
believes that a healthy watershed, including healthy ecosystems and
wildlife populations, makes the provision of clean drinking water
easier for water districts.
Because of the need for a comprehensive watershed management
program given the diversity of water supply, quality, environmental,
natural resources and the region's economic base, which is dependent on
its natural resources, we believe such an effort is warranted.
The District, therefore, respectfully requests the Committee's
support of $500,000 in appropriations in fiscal year 2004 under the
Corps of Engineer's program, within the authority of the Sacramento and
San Joaquin Comprehensive Study, so that the Corps may initiate a
feasibility study of the Mokelumne, Calaveras and the Stanislaus Rivers
Watersheds within the service area of the CCWD.
______
Prepared Statement of the Napa County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District
napa river flood control project--background
The project is located in the city and county of Napa, California.
The population in the city of Napa, approximately, 67,000 in 1994, is
expected to exceed 77,000 this year. Excluding public facilities, the
present value of damageable property within the project flood plain is
well over $500 million. The Napa River Basin, comprising 426 square
miles, ranging from tidal marshes to mountainous terrain, is subject to
severe winter storms and frequent flooding. In the lower reaches of the
river, flood conditions are aggravated by high tides and local runoff.
Floods in the Napa area have occurred in 1955, 1958, 1963, 1965, 1986
(flood of record), 1995, and 1997. In 1998, the river rose just above
flood stage on three occasions, but subsided before major property
damage occurred. In December of 2002, flooding occurred from the Napa
Creek at the transition to the Napa River, resulting in damage to
numerous residents and several businesses.
Since 1962, twenty-seven major floods have struck the Valley
region, exacting a heavy toll in loss of life and property. The flood
on 1986, for example, killed three people and caused more than $100
million in damage. Damages throughout Napa County totaled about $85
million from the January and March 1995 floods. The floods resulted in
27 businesses and 843 residences damaged countrywide. Almost all of the
damages from the 1986, 1995, and 1997 floods were within the project
area. Congress has authorized a flood control project since 1944, but
due to expense, lack of public consensus on the design and concern
about environment impacts, a project had never been realized. In mid-
1995, Federal and State resource agencies reviewed the plan and gave
notice to the Corps that this plan had significant regulatory hurdles
to face.
approved plan--project overview
In an effort to identify a meaningful and successful plan, a new
approach emerged that looked at flood control from a broader, more
comprehensive perspective. Citizens for Napa River Flood Management was
formed, bringing together a diverse group of local engineers,
architects, aquatic ecologists, business and agricultural leasers,
environmentalists, government officials, homeowners and renters and
numerous community organizations.
Through a series of public meetings and intensive debate over every
aspect of Napa's flooding problems, the Citizens for Napa River Flood
Management crafted a flood management plan offering a range of benefits
for the entire Napa region. The Corps of Engineers served as a partner
and a resource for the group, helping to evaluate their approach to
flood management. The final plan produced by the Citizens for Napa
River Flood Management was successfully evaluated through the research,
experience and state-of-the-art simulation tools developed by the Corps
and numerous international experts in the field of hydrology and other
related disciplines. The success of this collaboration serves as a
model for the Nation.
Acknowledging the river's natural state, the project utilizes a set
of living river strategies that minimize the disruption and alteration
of the river habitat, and maximizes the opportunities for environmental
restoration and enhancement throughout the watershed.
The Corps has developed the revised plan, which provides 100-year
protection, with the assistance of the community and its consultants
into the Supplemental General Design Memorandum (SGDM) and its
accompanying draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact
Report (SEIS/EIR). Construction of the project began 2 years ago. The
coalition plan now memorialized in the Corps final documents includes
the following engineered components: lowering of old dikes, marsh plain
and flood plain terraces, oxbow dry bypass, Napa Creek flood plain
terrace, upstream and downstream dry culverts along Napa Creek, new
dikes, levees and flood walls, bank stabilization, pump stations and
detention facilities, and bridge replacements. The benefits of the plan
include reducing or elimination of loss of life, property damage,
cleanup costs, community disruption due to unemployment and lost
business revenue, and the need for flood insurance. In fact, the
project has created an economic renaissance in Napa with new
investment, schools and housing coming into a livable community on a
living river. As a key feature, the plan will improve water quality,
create urban wetlands and enhance wildlife habitats.
The plan will protect over 7,000 people and over 3,000 residential/
commercial units from the 100-year flood event on the Napa River and
its main tributary, the Napa Creek, and the project has a positive
benefit-to-cost ratio under the Corps calculation. One billion dollars
in damages will be saved over the useful life of the project. The Napa
County Flood Control District is meeting its local cost-sharing
responsibilities for the project. A countywide sales tax, along with a
number of other funding options, was approved 4 years ago by a two-
thirds majority of the county's voters for the local share. Napa is
California's highest repetitive loss community. This plan is
demonstrative of the disaster resistant community initiative, as well,
as the sustainable development initiatives of FEMA and EPA.
project synopsis
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding
The 2003 appropriations bill included $9,000,000 to continue
construction of the project. The funding was sought for demolition of
buildings and fixtures on 24 parcels that have been acquired by the
non-Federal sponsor, relocation of the Napa Valley Wine Train rail line
for an approximate 3 mile distance, as well as relocation of the
facilities serving this public utility, removal of 190,000 cubic yards
of soil which was contaminated by petroleum products,, construction of
marsh and flood plain terraces for an approximate 1.5 mile distance.
Included in this amount is the reimbursement to the non-Federal sponsor
for expenditures in excess of 45 percent of the total project costs to
date. The local sponsor has expended $90 million plus as compared to
Federal sponsor expenditures to date of approximately $20 million.
Necessary Fiscal Year 2004 Funding
Funding for the Napa River Project during 2004 in the amount of
$24,000,000 is needed to continue construction of the project. These
funds will be used to accomplish the following tasks:
--Complete HTRW remediation along the east side of the river for
additional 2 miles involving removal of an additional 200,000
cubic yards of contaminated soil;
--Initiate and complete the Contract 1B excavation work in Kennedy
Park;
--Initiate Contract 2East excavation work on the east side of river
from Imola to the Bypass;
--Continue engineering and design on future contracts;
--Accomplish Construction Management on contract underway;
--Initiate reimbursement of local sponsor with funds not required for
the above.
Included in this amount is the reimbursement to the non-Federal
sponsor for expenditures in excess of 45 percent of the total project
costs to date. By the end of June, 2003 the non-Federal sponsor will
have expended $150 million.
napa valley watershed management--background
Napa Valley watershed faces many challenges and stresses to its
environmental health and flood management abilities. From a healthy
river point of view, the Napa River has been on a recovery path since
its low point in the 1960's, when the last of the native salmon were
taken from the system by severe water pollution and habitat
destruction. Steelhead trout have survived as a remnant population of
200 that is presently in need of higher quality and more extensive
spawning areas for recovery to a significant population. Beginning
populations of fall run Chinook salmon have taken up residence in the
watershed in those few areas available for spawning. While the chemical
and wastewater pollution of earlier years has been effectively dealt
with, excess sediment is still a critical stress on the salmon
population, as it is to the spawning and rearing areas of the river in
the estuarine zone upstream of San Pablo Bay, populated by delta smelt,
splittail, green sturgeon and striped bass.
The U.S. EPA and Region II Water Quality Control Board have
prioritized the River as an impaired water body because of the sediment
production. The excess sediment generated in the watershed suffocates
spawning areas, reduces the stream's flood-carrying ability, fills deep
pools, increases turbidity in the stream and estuary, carries with it
nutrients that bring significant algae blooms during the summer and
fall, and changes the morphological balance of the streams and river
toward more unstable conditions.
In order to address issues such as encroachment of the river and
loss of wetlands and to develop local tools for improving natural
resource management, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco
District (Corps) and the Napa County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District (NCFCWCD) is currently developing a Napa Valley
Watershed Management Plan (WMP) which identifies problems and
opportunities for implementing environmentally and economically
beneficial restoration in the Napa Valley watershed providing ecosystem
benefits, such as flood reduction, erosion control, sedimentation
management, and pollution abatement. The plan, which the District is
requesting funds for, would include the identification, review,
refinement, and prioritization of restoration and flood protection
opportunities with an emphasis on restoration of the watershed's
ecosystem (e.g.: important plant communities, healthy fish and wildlife
populations, rare and endangered habitats and species and wildlife and
riparian habitats).
The goal is to complete the WMP by providing technical, planning,
and design assistance to the non-Federal interests for carrying out
watershed management, restoration and development on the Napa River and
its tributaries from Soscol Ridge, located approximately 5 miles south
of the city of Napa, to Mt. St. Helena, the northern most reach of the
Napa River watershed, California. A management program incorporating
flood protection and environmental restoration would be developed as a
result of the watershed plan.
To address the above mentioned and other local, regional, and
national watershed concerns, the Napa County Board of Supervisors
appointed a Napa County Watershed Task Force (WTF) to identify
community based and supported solutions. The WTF submitted their
recommendation for further action to the Napa County Board of
Supervisors.
The Corps and the NCFCWCD developed the Napa Valley Watershed
Project Management Plan with input from the Napa County Planning
Department (NCPD), Napa County Up-Valley Cities, Napa County Watershed
Task Force (WTF), Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD),
Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the San Francisco Estuary
Institute (SFEI), and other regional and local stakeholders.
In an effort to identify problems and opportunities for
implementing beneficial restoration in the Napa Valley Watershed, the
Napa County Flood Control District is requesting the Napa Valley
Watershed Management Study be continued by the Corps of Engineers. The
authority for this study is the Northern California Streams Study
Authority stemming from the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1962, Public Law
87-874. Specifically, the Napa County Flood Control District is working
closely with the Corps in the feasibility report to examine the
watershed management needs, including flood control, environmental
restoration, erosion control, storm water retention, storm water runoff
management, water conservation and supply, wetlands restoration,
sediment management and pollution abatement in the Napa Valley,
including the communities of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga
and the unincorporated areas of Napa County.
project synopsis
Fiscal Year 2003 Budget Funding
The fiscal year 2003 appropriations bill included $150,000 to
continue the Napa Valley Watershed Management Study. Funds are being
used for data evaluation and outreach and to create a data monitoring
framework for the watershed. This framework, known as the Watershed
Information Center (WIC), will serve as a coordinating body and data-
monitoring framework for the watershed. The WIC will serve as a library
for existing biological and physical data on the watershed. It can
serve as a forum for the multiple agencies, academic researcher and
non-profit organizations engaged in monitoring in the watershed.
Necessary Fiscal Year 2004 Funding
Funding for the Napa Valley Watershed Management Study during
fiscal year 2004 in the amount of $350,000 is needed to complete an
aerial photography/mapping project of the watershed area and complete
the Watershed Information Center. The mapping project was started in
fiscal year 2002 and in the current fiscal year has been supplemented
with LIDAR topography measurements provided by the State Regional Water
Quality Control Board. This mapping provides a Geographical Information
System (GIS) base for the management information of the watershed. The
WIC also was started in fiscal year 2002 and the current request will
complete creation of this data system. Both of these activities are
cornerstone components of the Napa Valley Watershed Management Study.
______
Prepared Statement of the City of St. Helena, California
The City of St. Helena is located in the center of the wine growing
Napa Valley, 65 miles north of San Francisco. The area was settled in
1834 as part of General Vallejo's land grant. The City of St. Helena
was incorporated as a City on March 24, 1876 and reincorporated on May
14, 1889.
The City from its inception has served as a rural agricultural
center. Over the years, with the growth and development of the wine
industry, the City has become an important business and banking center
for the wine industry. The City also receives many tourists as a result
of the wine industry. While, the main goal of the City is to maintain a
small-town atmosphere and to provide quality services to its citizens,
this is becoming increasingly difficult. Regulatory, administrative and
resource requirements placed on the City through the listing of
threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act on
the Napa River, as well as significant Clean Water Act requirements
require the City with a small population base to face significant
financial costs.
The City of St. Helena is a General Law City and operates under the
Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council is the
governing body and has the power to make and enforce all laws and set
policy related to municipal affairs. The official population of the
City of St. Helena as of January 1, 2002 is 6,019. St. Helena is a full
service City and encompasses an area of 4 square miles. Because of its
size and its rural nature, St. Helena has serious infrastructure, as
well as, flood protection and environmental needs that far exceed its
financial capabilities.
The Napa River flows along the north boundary of the City of St.
Helena in northern Napa County. The overall Napa River Watershed
historically supported a dense riparian forest and significant wetland
habitat. Over the last 200 years, approximately 6,500 acres of valley
floor wetlands have been filled in and 45,700 acres of overall
watershed have been converted to urban and agricultural uses. This
degradation of natural habitats has had a significant effect on water
quality, vegetation and wildlife, and aquatic resources within the Napa
River Watershed.
Surface water quality of the Napa River is dependent upon the time
of year, runoff from York and Sulphur Creeks, and urban area
discharges. During the winter months when streamflow is high,
pollutants are diluted; however, sedimentation and turbidity is high as
well. During the summer months when streamflow is low, pollutants are
concentrated and oxygen levels are low, thereby decreasing water
quality. Agricultural runoff adds pesticides, fertilizer residue, and
sometimes sediment. Discharges from urban areas can include
contaminated stormwater runoff and treated city wastewater. The Napa
River has been placed on the Clean Water Act 303(d) List and TMDL
Priority Schedule due to unacceptable levels of bacteria,
sedimentation, and nutrients. It is against this backdrop that the City
of St. Helena faces its biggest challenges.
st. helena napa river restoration project
The Napa River and its riparian corridor are considered Critical
Habitat for Steelhead and Salmon Recovery. The Steelhead is one of 6
Federally listed threatened and endangered species within the Napa
River and its adjoining corridor which requires attention. Current
conditions are such that natural habitats and geomorphic processes of
the Napa River are highly confined with sediment transport and
geomorphic work occurring in a limited area of the streambed and
channel banks. Napa River's habitat for the steelhead is limited in its
ability to provide prime spawning habitat. Limitations include: (1)
urbanization removing significant amounts of shading and cover
vegetation within and adjacent to the river; and (2) a detrimental lack
of pool habitat. Encroachment and channelization of Napa River have
degraded riparian habitat for rearing, resident, and migratory fish and
wildlife. The lack of riparian cover, increasing water temperature and
sedimentation in the river, has resulted in poor water quality. These
changes have reduced the project area's ability to support the re-
establishment of listed species.
In an effort to address these Federal environmental issues, the St.
Helena Napa River Restoration Project, a Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem
Restoration Project, was identified in the Napa Valley Watershed
Management Feasibility Study in April of 2001 as a specific opportunity
for restoration. The project would restore approximately 3 miles (20
acres) of riparian habitat and improve the migratory capacity of
Federally listed threatened and endangered species, providing greater
access to rearing, resident and migratory habitats in the 80 square
mile watershed above the project area.
The project will interface with and complement the City of St.
Helena's multiple objective flood project, the St. Helena Flood
Protection and Flood Corridor Restoration Project, which will provide
flood damage reduction through restoration and re-establishment of the
natural floodplain along the project reach, setting back levees and the
re-creation and restoration of a natural floodway providing high value
riparian forest.
This Section 206 project is necessary to ensure and improve the
viability of Federal and State listed species by providing rearing,
resident and migratory habitat in the project 3 mile stream corridor.
The project will also work to improve area habitat to benefit the
migration of steelhead to high value fisheries habitat in upper
watershed channel reaches. In an effort to build on recent geomorphic
and riparian studies on the Napa River, the Corps will use these
efforts from Swanson Hydrology and Geomorphology and Stillwater Science
to secure baseline information for this project.
The City of St. Helena respectfully requests the Committee's
support for $360,000 for completing the Detailed Project Report and
initiating plans and specifications for the St. Helena Napa River
Restoration Project under the Corps' Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem
Restoration Program.
york creek dam removal and restoration project
York Creek originates from the Coast Range on the western side of
the Napa Valley Watershed at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet
and flows through a narrow canyon before joining the Napa River
northeast of St. Helena. York Creek Dam on York Creek has been
identified as a significant obstacle to passage for Federally listed
Steelhead in the Central California Coast. In fact, it has been
determined that York Creek Dam is a complete barrier to upstream fish
migration. In addition, since the City of St. Helena has owned York
Creek Dam, there has been a number of silt discharges from the dam into
York Creek that have caused fish kills.
Under the Corps of Engineers' Section 206 Authority, a study is
underway to remove the dam structure and to restore the creek in an
effort to improve fish passage and ecological stream function for this
Napa River tributary. Alternatives to be investigated and pursued
include complete removal of York Creek Dam, appurtenances and
accumulated sediment, re-grading and restoring the creek through the
reservoir area. Rather than merely removing the dam and accumulated
sediments, this alternative would use a portion of the material to re-
grade the reservoir area to simulate the configuration of the
undisturbed creek channel upstream. Material could also be used to fill
in and bury the spillway and to fill in the scour hole immediately
downstream of the spillway. Use of material on site will greatly reduce
hauling and disposal costs, as well as recreating a more natural creek
channel through the project area.
The revegetation plan for the site following removal of the earthen
dam will restore a self-sustaining native plant community that is
sufficiently established to exclude nonnative invasive plants.
Revegetation will replace vegetation that is removed due to
construction and stabilize sediments in the stream channel riparian
corridor and upper bank slopes. The species composition of the
revegetated site will be designed to match that of (relatively)
undisturbed sites both above and below the project site. In terms of
expected outcomes for the project, the removal of York Creek Dam will
open an additional 2 miles of steelhead habitat upstream of the dam,
and the channel restoration will reestablish natural channel geomorphic
processes and restore riparian vegetation.
The City of St. Helena respectfully requests the Committee's
support for $800,000 in appropriations under the Corps of Engineers'
Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program, so that the efforts
can proceed on completing the plans and specification and initiating
construction of the York Creek Dam Removal and Restoration Project.
______
Prepared Statement of the Santa Clara Valley Water District,
San Jose, California
guadalupe river project
Background.--The Guadalupe River is a major waterway flowing
through a highly developed area of San Jose, in Santa Clara County,
California. A major flood would damage homes and businesses in the
heart of Silicon Valley. Historically, the river has flooded downtown
San Jose and the community of Alviso. According to the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (Corps) 2000 Final General Reevaluation & Environmental
Report for Proposed Project Modifications, estimated damages from a 1
percent flood in the urban center of San Jose are over $576 million.
The Guadalupe River overflowed in February 1986, January 1995, and
March 1995, damaging homes and businesses in the St. John and Pleasant
Street areas of downtown San Jose. In March 1995, heavy rains resulted
in breakouts along the river that flooded approximately 300 homes and
business.
Project Synopsis.--In 1971, the local community requested that the
Corps reactivate its earlier study. Since 1972, substantial technical
and financial assistance have been provided by the local community
through the Santa Clara Valley Water District in an effort to
accelerate the project's completion. To date, more than $85.8 million
in local funds have been spent on planning, design, land purchases, and
construction in the Corps' project reach.
The Guadalupe River Project received authorization for construction
under the Water Resources Development Act of 1986; the General Design
Memorandum was completed in 1992, the local cooperative agreement was
executed in March 1992, the General Design Memorandum was revised in
1993, construction of the first phase of the project was completed in
August 1994, construction of the second phase was completed in August
1996. Project construction was temporarily halted due to environmental
concerns.
To achieve a successful, long-term resolution to the issues of
flood protection, environmental mitigation, avoidance of environmental
effects, and project monitoring and maintenance costs, a multi-agency
``Guadalupe Flood Control Project Collaborative'' was created in 1997.
A key outcome of the collaborative process was the signing of the
Dispute Resolution Memorandum in 1998, which modified the project to
resolve major mitigation issues and allowed the project to proceed.
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2002 was signed into
law on November 12, 2001. This authorized the Modified Guadalupe River
Project at a total cost of $226,800,000. Construction of the last phase
of flood protection is scheduled for completion by December 2004 and is
dependent on timely Federal funding and continuing successful
mitigation issue resolution. The overall construction of the project
including the river park and the recreation elements is scheduled for
completion in 2006.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$8 million was authorized in fiscal year
2003 to continue Guadalupe River Project construction.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based upon the need to
continue construction to provide critical flood protection for downtown
San Jose and the community of Alviso, it is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $12 million,
in addition to the $13 million in the Administration's fiscal year 2004
budget, for a total of $25 million to continue construction of the
final phase of the Guadalupe River Flood Protection Project.
upper guadalupe river project
Background.--The Guadalupe River is one of two major waterways
flowing through a highly urbanized area of Santa Clara County,
California, the heart of Silicon Valley. Historically, the river has
flooded the central district and southern areas of San Jose. According
to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) 1998 feasibility study, severe
flooding in the upper Guadalupe River's densely populated residential
floodplain south of Interstate 280 would result from a 100-year
flooding event and potentially cause $280 million in damages.
The probability of a large flood occurring before implementation of
flood prevention measures is high. The upper Guadalupe River overflowed
in March 1982, January 1983, February 1986, January 1995, March 1995,
and February 1998, causing damage to several residences and businesses
in the Alma Avenue and Willow Street areas. The 1995 floods in January
and March, as well as in February 1998, closed Highway 87 and the
parallel light-rail line, a major commute artery.
Project Synopsis.--In 1971, the Santa Clara Valley Water District
(District) requested the Corps to reactivate its earlier study. From
1971 to 1980, the Corps established the economic feasibility and
Federal interest in the Guadalupe River only between Interstate 880 and
Interstate 280. Following the 1982 and 1983 floods, the District
requested that the Corps reopen its study of the upper Guadalupe River
upstream of Interstate 280. The Corps completed a reconnaissance study
in November 1989, which established an economically justifiable
solution for flood protection in this reach. The report recommended
proceeding to the feasibility study phase, which began in 1990. In
January 1997, the Corps determined that the National Economic
Development Plan would be a 2 percent or 50-year level of flood
protection rather than the 1 percent or 100-year level. The District
strongly emphasized overriding the National Economic Development Plan
determination, providing compelling reasons for using the higher 1
percent or 100-year level of protection. In 1998, the Acting Secretary
of the Army did not concur to change the basis of cost sharing from the
50-year National Economic Development Plan to the locally preferred
100-year plan, resulting in a project that will provide less flood
protection, and therefore, be unable to reduce flood insurance
requirements and reimbursements, as well as eliminate recreational
benefits and increase environmental impacts. Based on Congressional
delegation requests, the Assistant Secretary of the Army directed the
Corps to revise the Chief's Report to reflect more significant Federal
responsibility. The Corps feasibility study determined the cost of the
locally preferred 100-year plan is $153 million and the Corps National
Economic Development Plan 50-year plan is $98 million. The District has
requested that the costs of providing 50-year and 100-year flood
protection be analyzed again during the preconstruction engineering
design phase for the determination of the National Economic Development
Plan. In a memorandum for the Assistant Secretary of the Army, dated
October 12, 2000, Major General Hans A. Van Winkle, Deputy Commander
for Civil Works, made a similar recommendation. The Federal cost share
has yet to be determined. The project was approved for construction by
the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (Section 101).
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$200,000 was authorized in fiscal year
2003 for the Upper Guadalupe River Project to continue preconstruction
engineering and design.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based upon the high risk
of flood damage from the upper Guadalupe River and the need to complete
preconstruction engineering and design, it is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $3.3 million
in fiscal year 2004 for the Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection
Project.
upper penitencia creek flood protection project
Background.--The Upper Penitencia Creek Watershed is located in
northeast Santa Clara County, California, near the southern end of the
San Francisco Bay. In the last two decades, the creek has flooded in
1980, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1995, and 1998. The January 1995 flood damaged
a commercial nursery, a condominium complex, and a business park. The
February 1998 flood also damaged many homes, businesses, and surface
streets.
The proposed project on Upper Penitencia Creek, from the Coyote
Creek confluence to Dorel Drive, will protect portions of the cities of
San Jose and Milpitas. The floodplain is completely urbanized;
undeveloped land is limited to a few scattered agricultural parcels and
a corridor along Upper Penitencia Creek. Based on the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers' (Corps) 1995 reconnaissance report, 4,300 buildings in
the cities of San Jose and Milpitas are located in the flood prone
area, 1,900 of which will have water entering the first floor. The
estimated damages from a 1 percent or 100-year flood exceed $121
million.
Study Synopsis.--Under authority of the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566), the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) completed
an economic feasibility study (watershed plan) for constructing flood
damage reduction facilities on Upper Penitencia Creek. Following the
1990 U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Bill, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service watershed plan stalled due to the very high ratio
of potential urban development flood damage compared to agricultural
damage in the project area.
In January 1993 the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District)
requested the Corps proceed with a reconnaissance study in the 1994
fiscal year while the Natural Resources Conservation Service plan was
on hold. Funds were appropriated by Congress for fiscal year 1995 and
the Corps started the reconnaissance study in October 1994. The
reconnaissance report was completed in July 1995, with the
recommendation to proceed with the feasibility study phase. The
feasibility study, initiated in February 1998, is currently scheduled
for completion in 2005.
Advance Construction.--To accelerate project implementation, the
District submitted a Section 104 application to the Corps for advance
approval to construct a portion of the project. Approval of the Section
104 application was awarded in December 2000. The advance construction
is for a 2,600-foot long section of bypass channel between Coyote Creek
and King Road. The District was planning to begin construction on this
portion of the project in 2002. However, due to funding constraints,
the current plan is for the District to complete the design and to turn
it over to the Corps to construct when the upstream reaches are ready
for construction.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$559,000 was appropriated in fiscal year
2003 for the Upper Penitencia Creek Flood Protection Project for
project investigation.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based upon the high risk
of flood damage from Upper Penitencia Creek and the need to proceed
with the feasibility study, it is requested that the Congressional
Committee support the $460,000 in the Administration's fiscal year 2004
budget for the Upper Penitencia Creek Flood Protection Project.
llagas creek project
Background.--The Llagas Creek Watershed is located in southern
Santa Clara County, California, serving the communities of Gilroy,
Morgan Hill and San Martin. Historically, Llagas Creek has flooded in
1937, 1955, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1969, 1982, 1986, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
The 1997, 1998, and 2002 floods damaged many homes, businesses, and a
recreational vehicle park located in areas of Morgan Hill and San
Martin. These are areas where flood protection is proposed. Overall,
the proposed project will protect the floodplain from a 1 percent flood
affecting more than 1,100 residential buildings, 500 commercial
buildings, and 1,300 acres of agricultural land.
Project Synopsis.--Under authority of the Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act (Public Law 83-566), the Natural Resources
Conservation Service completed an economic feasibility study in 1982
for constructing flood damage reduction facilities on Llagas Creek. The
Natural Resources Conservation Service completed construction of the
last segment of the channel for Lower Llagas Creek in 1994, providing
protection to the project area in Gilroy. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) is currently updating the 1982 environmental
assessment work and the engineering design for the project areas in
Morgan Hill and San Martin. The engineering design is being updated to
protect and improve creek water quality and to preserve and enhance the
creek's habitat, fish, and wildlife while satisfying current
environmental and regulatory requirement. Significant issues include
the presence of additional endangered species including the red-legged
frog and steelhead, listing of the area as probable critical habitat
for steelhead, and more extensive riparian habitat than were considered
in 1982. Project economics are currently being updated as directed by
Corps Headquarters to determine continued project economic viability.
Until 1996, the Llagas Creek Project was funded through the
traditional Public Law 83-566 Federal project funding agreement with
the Natural Resources Conservation Service paying for channel
improvements and the District paying local costs including utility
relocation, bridge construction, and right of way acquisition. Due to
the steady decrease in annual appropriations for the Public Law 83-566
construction program since 1990, the Llagas Creek Project has not
received adequate funding from U.S. Department of Agriculture to
complete the Public Law 83-566 project. To remedy this situation, the
District worked with congressional representatives to transfer the
construction authority from the Department of Agriculture to the Corps
under the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (Section 501). Since
the transfer of responsibility to the Corps, the District has been
working the Corps to complete the project.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$325,000 was appropriated in fiscal year
2003 for the Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project for planning and
design.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based upon the high risk
of flood damage from Llagas Creek, it is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $900,000 in
fiscal year 2004 for planning and environmental updates for the Llagas
Creek Project.
coyote/berryessa creek project
berryessa creek project element
Background.--The Berryessa Creek Watershed is located in northeast
Santa Clara County, California, near the southern end of the San
Francisco Bay. A major tributary of Coyote Creek, Berryessa Creek
drains 22 square miles in the City of Milpitas and a portion of San
Jose.
On average, Berryessa Creek floods once every 4 years. The most
recent flood in 1998 resulted in significant damage to homes and
automobiles. The proposed project on Berryessa Creek, from Calaveras
Boulevard to upstream of Old Piedmont Road, will protect portions of
the Cities of San Jose and Milpitas. The flood plain is largely
urbanized with a mix of residential and commercial development. Based
on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) 1993 draft General Design
Memorandum, a 1 percent or 100-year flood could potentially result in
damages of $52 million with depths of up to 3 feet.
Study Synopsis.--In January 1981, the Santa Clara Valley Water
District (District) applied for Federal assistance for flood protection
projects under Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act. The Water
Resources Development Act of 1990 authorized construction on the
Berryessa Creek Flood Protection Project as part of a combined Coyote/
Berryessa Creek Project to protect portions of the Cities of Milpitas
and San Jose.
The Coyote Creek element of the project was completed in 1996. The
Berryessa Creek Project element proposed in the Corps' 1987 feasibility
report consisted primarily of a trapezoidal concrete lining. This was
not acceptable to the local community. The Corps and the District are
currently preparing a General Reevaluation Report which involves
reformulating a project which is more acceptable to the local community
and more environmentally sensitive. Project features will include
setback levees and floodwalls to preserve sensitive areas (minimizing
the use of concrete), appropriate aquatic and riparian habitat
restoration and fish passage, and sediment control structures to limit
turbidity and protect water quality. The project will also accommodate
the City of Milpitas' adopted trail master plan. Estimated total costs
of the General Reevaluation Report work are $3.8 million, and should be
completed in the summer of 2005.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$750,000 was appropriated in fiscal year
2003 for the Coyote/Berryessa Creek Flood Protection Project to
continue the General Reevaluation Report and environmental documents
update.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based on the continuing
threat of significant flood damage from Berryessa Creek and the need to
continue with the General Reevaluation Report, it is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $750,000 for
the Berryessa Creek Flood Protection Project element of the Coyote/
Berryessa Creek Project.
coyote creek watershed study
Background.--Coyote Creek drains Santa Clara County's largest
watershed, an area of more than 320 square miles encompassing most of
the eastern foothills, the City of Milpitas, and portions of the Cities
of San Jose and Morgan Hill. It flows northward from Anderson Reservoir
through more than 40 miles of rural and heavily urbanized areas and
empties into south San Francisco Bay.
Prior to construction of Coyote and Anderson Reservoirs, flooding
occurred in 1903, 1906, 1909, 1911, 1917, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1927, 1930
and 1931. Since 1950, the operation of the reservoirs has reduced the
magnitude of flooding, although flooding is still a threat and did
cause damages in 1982, 1983, 1986, 1995, and 1997. Significant areas of
older homes in downtown San Jose and some major transportation
corridors remain susceptible to extensive flooding. The federally-
supported lower Coyote Creek Project (San Francisco Bay to Montague
Expressway), which was completed in 1996, protected homes and
businesses from storms which generated record runoff in the northern
parts of San Jose and Milpitas.
The proposed Reconnaissance Study would evaluate the reaches
upstream of the completed Federal flood protection works on lower
Coyote Creek.
Objective of Study.--The objectives of the Reconnaissance Study are
to investigate flood damages within the Coyote Creek Watershed; to
identify potential alternatives for alleviating those damages which
also minimize impacts on fishery and wildlife resources, provide
opportunities for ecosystem restoration, provide for recreational
opportunities; and to determine whether there is a Federal interest to
proceed into the Feasibility Study Phase.
Study Authorization.--In May 2002, the House of Representatives
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a resolution
directing the Corps to ``. . . review the report of the Chief of
Engineers on Coyote and Berryessa Creeks . . . and other pertinent
reports, to determine whether modifications of the recommendations
contained therein are advisable in the interest of flood damage
reduction, environmental restoration and protection, water conservation
and supply, recreation, and other allied purposes . . .''
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--No Federal funding was received in
fiscal year 2003.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--It is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $100,000 to
initiate a multipurpose Reconnaissance Study within the Coyote Creek
Watershed.
thompson creek restoration project
Background.--Thompson Creek, a tributary of Coyote Creek, flows
through the city limits of San Jose, California, approximately 50 miles
south of San Francisco. Historically, the creek was a naturally-
meandering stream and a component of the Coyote Creek watershed. The
watershed had extensive riparian and oak woodland habitat along
numerous tributary stream corridors and upland savanna. Currently,
these habitat types are restricted to thin sparse pockets in the
Thompson Creek restoration project area.
Significant urban development over the last 20 years has modified
the runoff characteristics of the stream resulting in significant
degradation of the riparian habitat and stream channel. The existing
habitats along Thompson Creek, riparian forest stands, are threatened
by a bank destabilization and lowering of the water table. Recent large
storm events (1995, 1997, and 1998) and the subsequent wet years in
conjunction with rapid development in the upper watershed have resulted
in a succession of high runoff events leading to rapid erosion. Today,
down cutting and head cutting persist and the channel continues to
incise and material is steadily eroded, leaving a deeply gullied and
eroded channel. Further downstream sedimentation causes problems with
flooding.
The upstream project limits start at the convergence of Yerba Buena
and Thompson Creeks next to Evergreen Park. The downstream project
limit is Quimby Road where Thompson creek has been modified as a flood
control project. The project distance is approximately 3 miles.
Status.--In February 2000, the Santa Clara Valley Water District
(District) initiated discussions with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) for a study under the Corps' Section 206 Aquatic Ecosystem
Restoration Program. Based on the project merits, the Corps began
preparation of a Preliminary Restoration Plan (PRP) and subsequent
Project Management Plan (PMP). Approval of the PRP will lead to the
development of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). The DPR will provide
the information necessary to develop plans and specifications for the
construction of the restoration project.
project timeline
--Request Federal assistance under Sec. 206 Aquatic Ecosystem
Restoration Program--Feb 2002
--Initiate Study--Mar 2003
--Public Scoping Meeting and Local Involvement--Apr 2003
--Final Detailed Project Report to South Pacific Division of Corps--
May 2004
--Initiate Plans and Specifications--July 2004
--Complete Plans and Specifications--Oct 2004
--Project Cooperation Agreement signed--Dec 2004
--Certification of Real Estate--Mar 2005
--Advertise Construction Contract--May 2005
--Award Construction Contract--July 2005
--Construction Start--Sept 2005
--Complete Physical Construction--Dec 2006
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$10,000 was received in the fiscal year
2003 Section 206 appropriation to complete the PRP.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--Based upon the need to
continue the feasibility study to provide critical ecosystem
restoration for Thompson Creek, it is requested that the Congressional
Committee support an earmark of $200,000 within the Section 206 Aquatic
Ecosystem Restoration Program.
san francisquito creek watershed project
Background.--The San Francisquito Creek watershed comprises 45
square miles and 70 miles of creek system. The creek mainstem flows
through five cities and two counties, from Searsville Lake, belonging
to Stanford University, to the San Francisco Bay at the boundary of
East Palo Alto and Palo Alto. Here it forms the boundary between Santa
Clara and San Mateo counties, California and separates the cities of
Palo Alto from East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. The upper watershed
tributaries are within the boundaries of Portola Valley and Woodside
townships. The creek flows through residential and commercial
properties, a biological preserve, and Stanford University campus. It
interfaces with regional and State transportation systems in the
mainstem area, by flowing under two freeways and the regional commuter
rail system. The local communities have formed a Joint Powers Authority
in 1999 to cooperatively manage flood and restoration efforts. San
Francisquito Creek is one of the last natural continuous riparian
corridors on the San Francisco Peninsula and home to one of the last
remaining viable steelhead trout runs. It is a highly valued resource
by all communities. Bank overflow has occurred eleven times since 1907
with record flooding in February 1998. The riparian habitat and urban
setting offer unique opportunities for a multi objective project
addressing flood protection, habitat, water quality, and recreation.
Flooding History.--The creeks mainstem has a flooding frequency of
approximately once in 11 years. It is estimated that over $155 million
in damages could occur in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties from a 1
percent flood, affecting 4,850 home and businesses. (1998
Reconnaissance Investigation Report, San Francisquito Creek Coordinated
Resource Management and Planning Organization, a local stakeholder
group). Significant areas of Palo Alto flooded in December 1955,
inundating about 1,200 acres of commercial and residential property and
about 70 acres of agricultural land. April 1958 storms caused a levee
failure downstream of Highway 101, flooding Palo Alto Airport, the city
landfill, and the golf course up to 4 feet deep. Overflow in 1982
caused extensive damage to private and public property. The flood of
record occurred on February 3, 1998, when overflow from numerous
locations caused severe, record consequences with more than $28 million
in damages, based on a March 1999 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
Survey Report. More than 1,100 homes were flooded in Palo Alto, 500
people were evacuated in East Palo Alto, and the major commute and
transportation artery, Highway 101, was closed. This report recommended
that the Corps proceed to a Section 905(b), expedited reconnaissance
phase, with study costs to be federally funded and not to exceed
$100,000.
Status.--Active citizenry are anxious to avoid a repeat of February
1998 flood. Numerous watershed based studies have been conducted by the
Corps, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, Stanford University, and
the San Mateo County Flood Control District. Grassroots, consensus-
based Coordinated Resource Management and Planning Organization, now
called the San Francisquito Watershed Council, has united stakeholders
including local and State agencies, citizens, flood victims,
developers, and environmental activists for over 10 years. The San
Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority was formed in 1999 to
coordinate creek activities with five member agencies and two associate
members. The Joint Powers Authority Board has agreed to be the local
sponsor for a Corps project and received Congressional authorization
for a Corps reconnaissance study in May 2002. The JPA is also in the
process of initiating a Section 205 Continuing Authorities Program
project with the San Francisco District of the Corps for fiscal year
2003.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--No Federal funding was received in
fiscal year 2003.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--It is requested the
Congressional Committee support the $100,000 in the Administration's
fiscal year 2004 budget for the San Francisquito Creek Watershed.
south san francisco bay shoreline study
Background.--Congressional passage of Public Law 94-587, the Water
Resources Development Act of 1976, originally authorized the South San
Francisco Bay Shoreline Project. The Santa Clara Valley Water District
(District) is one of the project sponsors. The Corps' 1984
reconnaissance study included Santa Clara County, and proposed $15
million to $20 million of improvements to protect portions of the Santa
Clara County cities of Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and San Jose. In 1990, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) concluded that levee failure
potential was low and suspended the project until adequate economic
benefits could be demonstrated.
The District is concerned because considerable development has
occurred in the project area since the project's suspension in 1990.
Many major corporations have since located within Silicon Valley's
Golden Triangle, lying within and adjacent to the tidal flood zone.
Now, damages from a 1 percent high tide would far exceed the $34.5
million estimated in 1981, disrupting business operations,
infrastructure, and residences. Also, land subsidence of up to 6 feet
near Alviso, as well as the structural uncertainty of existing salt
pond levees, increases the potential for tidal flooding in Santa Clara
County. When high tides coincide with wind generated waves, levee
overtopping occurs.
Project Synopsis.--The Corps' 1984 study assumed no change in levee
maintenance activities and hydrology, and identified overtopping, not
erosion or levee failure, as the most likely mode of tidal flooding.
The Corps attributed low potential benefits to levee improvements
because existing non-Federal, non-engineered levees have historically
withstood overtopping without failure.
The District believes that the low incidence of levee failure is
due to luck and diligent private and public maintenance programs--
programs that may not continue under the present regulatory
environment, restricted funding, and new property ownership. The trend
toward tougher regulatory controls restricts levee maintenance,
reducing the economic feasibility of continuing historic levels of
maintenance activities. Lower maintenance levels would leave these
levees and surrounding communities vulnerable to significant damages.
Public acquisition of approximately 13,000 acres of south bay salt
ponds was completed in early March 2003. The proposed restoration of
these ponds to tidal marsh will significantly alter the hydrologic
regime, which was assumed to be constant in the Corps' study. Adequate
tidal flood protection is critical to the success of the restoration
project, providing an opportunity for multi-objective watershed
planning in partnership with the California Coastal Conservancy, the
lead agency on the restoration project.
Since 1990, Corps staff in Washington, DC, has attempted
unsuccessfully to resolve the differences in their standards for
freeboard and levee stability with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. The 1997 levee failures and floods in California's Central
Valley elevated concern about the integrity of Bay Area levees. The
Corps recognized the potential Federal interest and requested funding
to reopen the reconnaissance study in fiscal years 1998 and 1999. No
funds were included in the final congressional authorizations. The U.S.
House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
passed a resolution in July 2002 directing the Corps to review the
results of this study.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--No Federal appropriation was authorized
in fiscal year 2003.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Request.--It is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $100,000 for
the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Study to conduct a Reconnaissance
Investigation.
pajaro river watershed study
Background.--Pajaro River flows into the Pacific Ocean at Monterey
Bay, about 75 miles south of San Francisco. The drainage area
encompasses 1,300 square miles in Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey,
and Santa Cruz counties. Potential flood damage reduction solutions
will require cooperation between four counties and four water/flood
management districts. There is critical habitat for endangered wildlife
and fisheries throughout the basin. Six separate flood events have
occurred on the Pajaro River in the past half century. Severe property
damage in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties resulted from floods in
1995, 1997, and 1998. Recent flood events have resulted in litigation
claims for damages approaching $50 million. $20 Million in U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers (Corps) flood fight funds have been expended in
recent years.
Status.--Two separate Corps activities are taking place in the
watershed. The first activity is a Corps reconnaissance study
authorized by a House Resolution in May 1996 to address the need for
flood protection and water quality improvements, ecosystem restoration,
and other related issues. The second activity is a General Revaluation
Report initiated in response to claims by Santa Cruz and Monterey
Counties that the 13 mile levee project constructed in 1949 through
agricultural areas and the city of Watsonville is deficient. The
reconnaissance study on the entire watershed has been initiated by the
San Francisco District of the Corps and will be complete in fiscal year
2002. Watershed Stakeholders are working cooperatively to support the
Corps' reconnaissance study, which will provide information to help
reach an understanding and agreement about the background and facts of
the watershed situation.
Local Flood Prevention Authority.--Legislation passed by the State
of California (Assembly Bill 807) in 1999 titled ``The Pajaro River
Watershed Flood Prevention Authority Act'' mandated that a Flood
Prevention Authority be formed by June 30, 2000. The purpose of the
Flood Prevention Authority is ``to provide the leadership necessary to
. . . ensure the human, economic, and environmental resources of the
watershed are preserved, protected, and enhanced in terms of watershed
management and flood protection.'' The Flood Prevention Authority was
formed in July 2000 and consists of representatives from the Counties
of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz, Zone 7 Flood
Control District, Monterey County Water Resources Agency, San Benito
County Water District, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The
Flood Prevention Authority Board sent a letter of intent to cost share
a feasibility study of the Pajaro River Watershed to the Corps in
September 2001.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$100,000 was authorized in fiscal year
2003 for the Pajaro Watershed Reconnaissance Study.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--It is requested that the
Congressional Committee support the $100,000 in the Administration's
fiscal year 2004 budget for the Pajaro River Watershed Study.
san jose area water reclamation and reuse program
(south bay water recycling program)
Background.--The San Jose Area Water Reclamation and Reuse Program,
also known as the South Bay Water Recycling Program, will allow the
City of San Jose and its tributary agencies of the San Jose/Santa Clara
Water Pollution Control Plant to protect endangered species habitat,
meet receiving water quality standards, supplement Santa Clara County
water supplies, and comply with a mandate from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the California Water Resources Control Board to
reduce wastewater discharges into San Francisco Bay.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) collaborated with
the City of San Jose to build the first phase of the recycled water
system by providing financial support and technical assistance, as well
as coordination with local water retailers. The design, construction,
construction administration, and inspection of the program's
transmission pipeline and Milpitas 1A Pipeline was performed by the
District under contract to the City of San Jose.
Status.--The City of San Jose is the program sponsor for Phase 1,
consisting of almost 60 miles of transmission and distribution
pipelines, pump stations, and reservoirs. Completed at a cost of $140
million, Phase 1 began partial operation in October 1997. Peak
operation occurred in the summer of 2002 with average deliveries of 10
million gallons per day of recycled water. The system now serves over
400 customers and delivers over 6,000 acre-feet of recycled water per
year.
Phase 2 is now underway. In June 2001, San Jose approved an $82.5
million expansion of the program. The expansion includes additional
pipeline extensions into the cities of Santa Clara and Milpitas, a
major pipeline extension into Coyote Valley in south San Jose, and
reliability improvements of added reservoirs and pump stations. The
District and the City of San Jose executed an agreement in February
2002 to cost share on the pipeline into Coyote Valley and discuss a
long-term partnership agreement on the entire system. Phase 2's near-
term objective is to increase deliveries by the year 2010 to 15,000
acre-feet per year.
Funding.--In 1992, Public Law 102-575 authorized the Bureau of
Reclamation to work with the City of San Jose and the District to plan,
design, and build demonstration and permanent facilities for reclaiming
and reusing water in the San Jose metropolitan service area. The City
of San Jose reached an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to
cover 25 percent of Phase 1's costs, or approximately $35 million;
however, Federal appropriations have not reached the authorized amount.
To date, the program has received $26 million of the $35 million
authorization.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$3 million was appropriated in fiscal
year 2003 for project construction.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--It is requested that the
Congressional Committee support an appropriation add-on of $9 million,
in addition to the $1 million in the Administration's fiscal year 2004
budget, for a total of $10 million to fund the work.
calfed bay-delta program
Background.--In an average year, half of Santa Clara County's water
supply is imported from the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin
Delta estuary (Bay-Delta) watersheds through three water projects: The
State Water Project, the Federal Central Valley Project, and San
Francisco's Hetch Hetchy Project. In conjunction with locally-developed
water, this water supply supports more than 1.7 million residents in
Santa Clara County and the most important high-tech center in the
world. In average to wet years, there is enough water to meet the
county's long-term needs. In dry years, however, the county could face
a water supply shortage of as much as 100,000 acre-feet per year, or
roughly 20 percent of the expected demand. In addition to shortages due
to hydrologic variations, the county's imported supplies have been
reduced due to regulatory restrictions placed on the operation of the
State and Federal water projects.
There are also water quality problems associated with using Bay-
Delta water as a drinking water supply. Organic materials and
pollutants discharged into the Delta, together with salt water mixing
in from San Francisco Bay, have the potential to create disinfection-
by-products that are carcinogenic and pose reproductive health
concerns.
Santa Clara County's imported supplies are also vulnerable to
extended outages due to catastrophic failures such as major earthquakes
and flooding. As demonstrated by the 1997 flooding in Central Valley,
the levee systems can fail and the water quality at the water project
intakes in the Delta can be degraded to such an extent that the
projects cannot pump from the Delta.
Project Synopsis.--The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is an
unprecedented, cooperative effort among Federal, State, and local
agencies to restore the Bay-Delta. With input from urban, agricultural,
environmental, fishing, and business interests, and the general public,
CALFED has developed a comprehensive, long-term plan to address
ecosystem and water management issues in the Bay-Delta.
Restoring the Bay-Delta ecosystem is important not only because of
its significance as an environmental resource, but also because failing
to do so will stall efforts to improve water supply reliability and
water quality for millions of Californians and the State's trillion
dollar economy and job base.
The June 2000 Framework for Action and the August 2000 Record of
Decision/Certification contain a balanced package of actions to restore
ecosystem health, improve water supply reliability and water quality.
It is critical that Federal funding be provided to implement these
actions in the coming years.
Fiscal Year 2003 Funding.--$23 million was appropriated for CALFED
activities under the Bureau of Reclamation's budget in fiscal year
2003.
Fiscal Year 2004 Funding Recommendation.--It is requested that the
Committee support an appropriation add-on of $35 million, in addition
to the $15 million in the Administration's fiscal year 2004 budget, for
a total of $50 million for the CALFED Program.
______
Prepared Statement of the Red River Valley Association
introduction
The Red River Valley Association is a voluntary group of citizens
bonded together to advance the economic development and future well
being of the citizens of the four State Red River Basin area in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
For the past 78 years, the Association has done notable work in the
support and advancement of programs to develop the land and water
resources of the Valley to the beneficial use of all the people. To
this end, the Red River Valley Association offers its full support and
assistance to the various Port Authorities, Chambers of Commerce,
Economic Development Districts, Municipalities and other local
governmental entities in developing the area along the Red River.
The Resolutions contained herein were adopted by the Association
during its 78th Annual Meeting in Shreveport, Louisiana on February 20,
2003, and represent the combined concerns of the citizens of the Red
River Basin area as they pertain to the goals of the Association,
specifically:
--Economic and Community Development
--Environmental Restoration
--Flood Control
--Bank Stabilization
--A Clean Water Supply for Municipal, Industrial and Agricultural
Uses
--Hydroelectric Power Generation
--Recreation
--Navigation
The Red River Valley Association is aware of the constraints on the
Federal budget, and has kept those constraints in mind as these
Resolutions were adopted. Therefore, and because of the far-reaching
regional and national benefits addressed by the various projects
covered in the Resolutions, we urge the members of Congress to review
the materials contained herein and give serious consideration to
funding the projects at the levels requested.
rrva testimony
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am Wayne Dowd, and
pleased to represent the Red River Valley Association as its President.
Our organization was founded in 1925 with the express purpose of
uniting the Citizens of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas to
develop the land and water resources of the Red River Basin.
Even though the President's budget included $4.194 billion for
civil works programs this is $406 million (8.8 percent) less than
appropriated in fiscal year 2003. Again, the Corps took the biggest
reduction than any of the other major Federal agencies. This does not
come close to the real needs of our nation. A more realistic funding
level to meet the requirements for continuing the existing needs of the
civil works programs is $5.5 billion. The traditional programs, inland
waterways and flood protection remain at the low, unacceptable level as
in past years. These projects are the backbone to our Nation's
infrastructure for waterways, flood control and water supply. We remind
you that civil works projects are a true ``jobs program'' in that 100
percent of project construction is contracted to the private sector, as
is much of the architect and engineer work. Not only do these funds
provide jobs, but provide economic development opportunities for our
communities to grow and prosper.
It has come to our attention that there are some in the
Administration who are proposing to dismantle the civil works functions
and put them into other Federal agencies. Environmental and regulatory
functions might go to EPA or Department of the Interior and Waterways
may go to the Department of Transportation. This is not a good idea for
our Nation. Placing the regulatory and environmental missions in one of
those agencies puts it into a ``one agenda'', single focused agency.
The Corps of Engineers is the best agency to administer the regulatory
program, because they have all disciplines within their organization,
to include biologists, engineers, economists, etc. When the Corps of
Engineers reviews environmental issues we are best assured of a
balanced outcome that would best serve the people and our ecosystems.
Our concern with placing the inland waterways under Department of
Transportation is that they will not receive the same attention as the
more popular highways and airports. The facts are that one barge, 1,500
tons of commodities, is equivalent to 15 jumbo rail hoppers or 58
tractor-trailer trucks. According to EPA, towboats emit 35 to 60
percent fewer pollutants than locomotives or trucks, per ton of cargo
moved. This is why we should not dilute the importance of our
waterways. We should increase the importance of waterborne
transportation due to its efficiency, safety and being environmentally
friendly. The RRVA does not support any efforts to dissolve the Corps
of Engineer Civil Works functions into any other Federal agency.
We do not support any efforts to increase the benefit to cost ratio
for projects above 1.0 and we do not support increasing the local
sponsor's cost sharing requirements. This is not ``Corps reform'' it is
an initiative to eliminate the civil works program. We do support true
reform that would make civil works projects less expensive and faster
to complete. Corps reform should make the Corps of Engineers more
efficient, cheaper and faster in the execution of civil works studies
and completion of projects not eliminate the program.
I would now like to comment on our specific requests for the future
economic well being of the citizens residing in the four State Red
River Basin regions.
Navigation.--The J. Bennett Johnston Waterway is living up to the
expectations of the benefits projected. We are extremely proud of our
public ports, municipalities and State agencies that have created this
success. New opportunities were announced in calendar year 2002 at each
of the ports that will increase the annual tonnage. You are reminded
that the Waterway is not complete, 12 percent remains to be
constructed, $242 million. We appreciate Congress's appropriation level
in fiscal year 2003; however, in order to keep the Waterway safe and
reliable we must continue at a funding level closer to $25 million.
The RRVA formed a Navigation Committee for industry, the Corps of
Engineers and Coast Guard to partner in making our Waterway a success.
In calendar year 2002 we succeeded in getting electronic charts
completed and they are now in use. Permanent channel markers are being
put in place and will be completed in calendar year 2003. Both of these
initiatives will provide all the aids to navigation necessary to insure
safe and efficient navigation, especially during high water events,
when commercial operations have ceased in past years.
An issue we need to address is the current 9 foot draft authorized
for the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway. Our Waterway feeds into the
Mississippi River, Atchafalaya River and Gulf Inter-coastal Canal,
which all accommodate 12 foot draft barges. The Atchafalaya River and
GIC are both authorized 12 foot channels. This would allow additional
cargo capacity, per barge, which will greatly increase the efficiency
of our Waterway and reduce transportation rates. We request that the
Corps conduct a reconnaissance study, to evaluate this proposal, at a
cost of $100,000.
The feasibility study to continue navigation from Shreveport-
Bossier City, Louisiana into the State of Arkansas is on going. We
appreciate that Congress appropriated adequate funding to complete this
study in fiscal year 2003. There is great optimism that the study will
recommend a favorable project. This region of SW Arkansas and NE Texas
continues to suffer major unemployment and the navigation project,
although not the total solution will help revitalize the economy. We
request funding to initiate planning, engineering and design, PED.
Bank Stabilization.--One of the most important, continuing
programs, on the Red River is bank stabilization in Arkansas and North
Louisiana. We must stop the loss of valuable farmland that erodes down
the river and interferes with the navigation channel. In addition to
the loss of farmland is the threat to public utilities such as roads,
electric power lines and bridges; as well as increased dredging cost in
the navigable waterway. These bank stabilization projects are
compatible with subsequent navigation and we urge that they be
continued in those locations designated by the Corps of Engineers to be
the areas of highest priority. We appreciated the Congressional funding
in fiscal year 2003 and request you fund this project at a level of $10
million.
Flood Control.--You will recall that in 1990 major areas of
northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas and the entire length of the Red
River in Louisiana were ravaged by the worst flooding to hit the region
since 1945 and 1957. More than 700,000 acres were flooded with total
damages estimated at $20.4 million. However, it could have been much
worse. The Corps of Engineers estimates that without the flood control
measure authorized by Congress over the past several decades an
additional 1.3 million acres would have been flooded with an estimated
$330 million in additional flood damage to agriculture and urban
developments.
We continue to consider flood control a major objective and request
you continue funding the levee rehabilitation projects ongoing in
Arkansas. Five of eleven levee sections have been completed and brought
to Federal standards. Appropriations of $4.750 million will construct
two more levee sections in Lafayette County, AR.
The levees in Louisiana have been incorporated into the Federal
system; however, they do not meet current construction standards due to
their age. These levees do not have a gravel surface roadway,
threatening their integrity during times of flooding. It is essential
for personnel to traverse the levees during a flood to inspect them for
problems. Without the gravel surface the vehicles used cause rutting
and this can create conditions for the levees to fail. Gravel surfaces
will insure inspection personnel can check the levees during the
saturated conditions of a flood. Funding has been appropriated in
fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003. Approximately 50 miles of levees
in the Natchitoches Levee District will be completed this year. We
request $2 million to continue this important project in other
parishes.
Clean Water.--Nearly 3,500 tons of natural salts, primarily sodium
chloride, enter the upper reaches of the Red River each day, rendering
downstream waters unusable for most purposes. The Truscott Brine Lake
project, which is located on the South Fork of the Wichita River in
King and Knox Counties, Texas became operational in 1987. An
independent panel of experts found that the project not only continues
to perform beyond design expectations in providing cleaner water, but
also has an exceptionally favorable cost benefit ratio. In fiscal year
1995 $16 million dollars was appropriated by the Administration, to
accelerate engineering design, real estate acquisition and initiate
construction of the Crowell Brine Dam, Area VII and Area IX.
Due to a conflict over environmental issues, raised by the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, completion of the SFEIS was delayed pending
further study to determine the extent of possible impacts to fish and
wildlife, their habitats and biological communities along the Red River
and Lake Texoma. In an effort to resolve these issues and insure that
no harmful impact to the environment or ecosystems would result, a
comprehensive environmental and ecological monitoring program was
implemented. It evaluates the actual impacts of reducing chloride
concentrations within the Red River watershed. This base line data is
crucial to understanding the ecosystem of the Red River basin west of
Lake Texoma and funding for this must continue.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), in October 1998,
agreed to support a re-evaluation of the Wichita River Basin tributary
of the project. The re-evaluation report will be completed in fiscal
year 2003. Completion of this project will reclaim Lake Kemp as a
usable water source for the City of Wichita Falls and the region. This
project will provide improved water quality throughout the four States
of the Red River providing the opportunity to use surface water and
reduce dependency on ground water. We request appropriations of
$2,000,000 to continue this important environmental monitoring and to
initiate construction of the Wichita River control features.
Water Supply.--Northwest Texas has been overrun with non-native
species of brush and mesquite. It now dominates millions of acres of
rangelands and has negatively impacted water runoff. Studies have
indicated that brush management could increase runoff by as much as 30
percent to 40 percent. This would be of great value in opportunities
for more surface water use and less dependency on ground water. Other
benefits include an ecological diversity of plant and animal species,
range fire control and cattle production. A $100,000 reconnaissance
study would determine if there is a Federal interest and what magnitude
these benefits would be.
Lake Kemp, just west of Wichita Falls, TX, is a water supply for
the needs of this region. Invasion of non-native brush and siltation
have threatened the capacity of the lake to serve its intended
functions. A $100,000 reconnaissance study would investigate these
issues and determine if there are any potential solutions.
Operation & Maintenance.--We appreciate the support of your
subcommittee to support navigation to Shreveport/Bossier City, which is
now providing a catalyst to our industrial base, creating jobs and
providing economic growth. We request that O&M funding levels remain at
the expressed Corps capability to maintain a safe, reliable and
efficient transportation system.
It is very disturbing to see the Administration suggest that 50
percent of O&M costs be funded from the Inland Waterway Trust Fund
(IWTF). The law establishing this trust fund does not provide for it to
be used for O&M activities and the trust fund would be depleted in less
than 5 years. What is more troubling is that once this is allowed the
situation exists to increase the existing $.20 per gallon fuel tax on
waterway industries to $1.00 per gallon to cover 100 percent of the O&M
costs. This additional $.80 would drastically increase shipping rates
devastating a young waterway system such as ours. We do not believe
there can be a ``temporary'' use of this fund. Once the trust fund is
used for O&M purposes it will be very difficult to change.
It is our understanding that the criterion used to determine ``low
use'' waterways was set at 5 billion ``average ton-miles''. This is the
wrong criteria and methodology to use. Navigation projects are
justified using ``system ton-miles''. ``Average ton-miles'' is measured
from point of origin to the mouth of the river, while ``system ton-
miles'' is measured from point of origin to destination of cargo, which
makes sense. A more important issue is that ton-miles is only one
factor in determining success. Our Nation's waterways were built to
reduce transportation cost and they do that without moving one ton of
cargo. ``Water Compelled Rates'' is the term used for ``competition''.
Rail rates have dropped to match waterborne rates throughout the Red
River Valley. Many industries have experienced great transportation
savings without having to use the waterway. If our waterway were closed
the rail rates would immediately increase. This is one example on why
ton-miles cannot be the sole determining factor of success.
Full O&M capability levels are not only important for our Waterway
project but for all our Corps projects and flood control lakes. The
backlog of critical maintenance only becomes worse and more expensive
with time. We urge you to appropriate funding to address this serious
issue at the expressed full Corps capability. The ``Summary of Fiscal
Year 2004 Requests'', following this testimony, lists our major O&M
projects and the level needed to address this issue.
The Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) has never been fully
funded to its authorized amount. This has been an outstanding program
providing small, cost shared projects within our communities. We
believe this program should be funded at its full-authorized amount.
We are sincerely grateful to you for the past support you have
provided our various projects. We hope that we can count on you again
to fund our needs and complete the projects started that will help us
diversify our economy and create the jobs so badly needed by our
citizens. We have included a summary of our requests for easy
reference.
Thank you for the opportunity to present this testimony and project
details of the Red River Valley Association on behalf of the
industries, organizations, municipalities and citizens we represent
throughout the four State Red River Valley region. We believe that any
Federal monies spent on civil work projects are truly investments in
our future and will return several times the original investment in
benefits that will accrue back to the Federal Government.
grant disclosure
The Red River Valley Association has not received any Federal
grant, sub grant or contract during the current fiscal year or either
of the two previous fiscal years.
summary of fiscal year 2004 requests
[note: projects are not in any order of priority.]
General Investigation Studies (GI)
Red River Navigation, SW Arkansas.--This is a feasibility study
initiated on March 24, 1999 to investigate the potential to extend
navigation from Shreveport/Bossier, LA to Index, AR. To date $2,955,000
has been appropriated for this study and matched by the State of
Arkansas. These funds will complete the study in fiscal year 2003. The
initial study results indicate the probability that a project will be
recommended. Funds are requested in fiscal year 2004 to initiate pre-
construction, engineering and design (PED). Total fiscal year 2004
request--$400,000.
Southeast Oklahoma Water Resource Study.--Conduct a reconnaissance
study to evaluate the water resources in the study area. The study area
includes the Kiamichi River basin and other tributaries of the Red
River. A comprehensive plan will be developed to determine how best to
conserve and utilize this water. In fiscal year 2003 $100,000 was
received for this study. This is a complex 11-year study of ecosystem
restoration issues and the Oklahoma Water Resource Board has signed on
as the local sponsor. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$50,000.
Southwest Arkansas Study.--Conduct a reconnaissance report in the
four county areas of the Red River/Little River basins. Included would
be the four Corps lakes; DeQueen, Dierks, Gillham and Millwood. The
watershed study would evaluate; flooding, irrigation, fish and wildlife
habitat, water quality, recreation and water releases for navigation.
The State of Arkansas has expressed an interest in cost sharing the
feasibility study. Funding of $100,000 was received in fiscal year 2003
to initiate the study. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$200,000.
Washita River Basin, OK.--Under Public Law 534 NRCS, Department of
Agriculture, constructed approximately 1,100 small flood control
structures in the Washita River basin above Lake Texoma. These
structures have significantly reduced the sediment flow into Lake
Texoma; however, they are reaching their 50-year life expectancy. This
study will assist NRCS in determining how to extend the life of the
structures, which have had a great positive impact to the water
quality, flood storage capacity and ecosystem of Lake Texoma. Funding
of $100,000 was received in fiscal year 2003 to initiate the study.
Total fiscal year 2004 request--$100,000.
Mountain Fork River Watershed, OK & AR, Reconnaissance Study.--The
study area includes 754 square miles above Broken Bow Lake, OK. Broken
Bow Lake was justified for flood control, hydropower, water supply,
recreation and fish and wildlife purposes. In recent years the water
quality of Broken Bow Lake have deteriorated. This study will
investigate the impact of the up stream watershed nutrient and sediment
loading to the lake. Funding of $100,000 was received in fiscal year
2003 to initiate the study. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$100,000.
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, LA, 12 Foot Channel Reconnaissance
Study.--The waterway flows directly into the Atchafalaya River and then
to the Gulf Inter-coastal Waterway, both have authorized 12 foot
channels. Except under extreme low water conditions the Mississippi
River accommodates barges of 12 foot draft. It is inefficient on
industry to have to ``special load'' barges destined for the Red River
to 9 feet when all other barges are loaded to 12 feet. More important
the added cargo per barge (one-third more) will have a dramatic impact
on reducing the waterborne rates for the Waterway, making it more
competitive. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$100,000.
Red River Brush Management Above Denison Dam, OK & TX,
Reconnaissance Study.--Over the past 200 years invasive and non-native
brush species have taken over this region. These species, especially
mesquite and salt cedar, absorbs enormous amount of water. Brush
control could yield as much as 30 percent to 40 percent increase in
rangeland runoff. Other benefits include an ecological diversity of
plant and animal species, range fire control and cattle production.
This is an eco-system restoration study. Total fiscal year 2004
request--$100,000.
Wichita River Basin above Lake Kemp Dam, TX, Reconnaissance
Report.--The scope of this study is to investigate creating riparian
eco-system features utilizing sediment depositions in the upper reaches
of Lake Kemp, while reducing deposits into Lake Kemp. The current
sediment deposits are impacting environmental functions of the Lake as
well as reducing storage capacity. Opportunities exist to construct
wetlands to improve ecological functions. Total fiscal year 2004
request--$100,000.
Red River Waterway, Index Arkansas to Denison Dam, TX.--Investigate
the restoration of natural resources, such as wetlands, bottomland
hardwoods and riparian habitat along approximately 245 river miles.
Various types of bank stabilization would be considered to protect
environmental zones and corridors. $63,000 was allocated in fiscal year
2002. This study is waiting for a local sponsor to be identified. Total
fiscal year 2004 request--$0.
Bois D'Arc Creek, Bonham, TX.--This is a reconnaissance study to
address the flooding on 16,100 acres on the lower two-thirds of the
basin. The towns of Whitewright and Bonham are within the basin. A dam
was determined feasible in the 1960's; however, there was no local
sponsor. Currently there are local sponsors interested in this project.
In fiscal year 2002 $126,000 was received to initiate this study. The
total study cost will be $1,270,000, Federal funds and $1,170,000 local
sponsor costs. This study is waiting on funding from the local sponsor,
Fannin County, TX. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$0.
Construction General (CG)
Red River Waterway Project--a. J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, LA.--
Seven projects will be completed or awarded in fiscal year 2003 as well
as recreation facilities, the regional visitor center and continued
mitigation. These ongoing projects will be completed using the $13.7
million budgeted for fiscal year 2004. Additional funds could be used
for new projects, which include; Westdale Realignment ($2,500,000),
Pump Bayou Revetment ($500,000), Fausse/Natchitoches/Clarence
Reinforcement ($1,000,000), Scott Realignment ($2,500,000), Lumbra
Dikes ($2,000,000), Lindy C. Boggs Barrier Upgrade ($2,000,000),
continued mitigation ($1,300,000), Shell Point Drainage Structure
($1,000,000), Hammel/Carroll Revetments ($2,000,000) and Teague Parkway
Revetment ($500,000). Total fiscal year 2004 request--$29,000,000.
b. Index, AR to Denison Dam, TX; Bendway Weir Demonstration
Project.--This stretch of the Red River experiences tremendous bank
caving. A demonstration project using this Bendway Weir technique is
needed to determine if this method will work in the Red River. The U.S.
Highway 271 Bridge was selected due to the river threatening this
infrastructure and accessibility for evaluation. The project will
include underwater weirs 6 miles upstream and 5.5 miles downstream of
the bridge. There is great environmental enhancement potential with
this project. $765,000 has been appropriated to date and additional
funds are required to develop the PCA and reevaluate the design. A
local sponsor is still being secured. Total fiscal year 2004 request--
$250,000.
Red River Chloride Control Project (Wichita River Basin), TX.--A
reevaluation for the Wichita River Basin features had been ongoing
using reprogrammed funds. The office of the ASA (CW) has supported this
project and funds were appropriated in fiscal year 2003. The re-
evaluation report will be completed in fiscal year 2003. Funds are
needed for design, plans and specifications and to continue
environmental monitoring activities. Total fiscal year 2004 request--
$2,000,000.
Red River Below Denison Dam Levees & Bank Stabilization--a. Levee
Rehabilitation, AR--Funds are required to complete construction of
Levee Item #5 initiated in fiscal year 2001, initiate construction of
Levee Item #9 and initiate design for follow on Levee Item #6. Total
fiscal year 2004 request--$4,750,000.
b. Bowie County Levee, TX.--The local sponsor requested the
``locally preferred option'', which was authorized for construction. In
fiscal year 2003 $4,000,000 was appropriated to initiate this project.
The local sponsor is willing to execute a PCA and initiate real estate
activities in fiscal year 2003. Total fiscal year 2004 request--
$500,000.
c. Upgrade Levees, LA.--Approximately 220 miles of levees in
Louisiana do not have gravel surfaces on top of the levee, therefore do
not meet Federal standards. These levees are in the Federal system and
must be upgraded. This surface is required for safe inspections of the
levees during times of floods and to maintain the integrity of the
levee. The total project can be completed in four phases over 4 years.
$1,000,000 was appropriated in fiscal year 2003 and approximately 50
miles of levee have been upgraded in the Natchitoches Levee District,
LA. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$2,250,000.
d. Upgrade Levees, LA.--Many structures, through the Levee system
in Louisiana, have deteriorated to a condition that threatens the
integrity of the levees themselves. A project must be undertaken to
systematically upgrade these structures. Total fiscal year 2004
request--$600,000.
Red River Emergency Bank Protection, Arkansas.--Funds are required
to complete construction of Bois D'Arc Revetment ($4,200,000) initiated
in fiscal year 2002; and Dickson Revetment ($5,800,000) initiated in
fiscal year 2003. These funds would also complete the design on Finn
Revetment Phase II. These are important projects for protection of
valuable farmlands and to maintain the existing alignment of the river
in advance of navigation. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$10,000,000.
Little River County (Ogden Levee), AR.--A reconnaissance report in
1991 determined that flood control levees were justified along Little
River. The project sponsor, Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation
Commission requests that the project proceed directly to PED, without a
cost shared feasibility study. We request language and funding to
accomplish this. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$200,000.
McKinney Bayou.--The Reconnaissance Report showed a favorable
project to clear and reshape this drainage canal. Presently, the local
sponsor is unable to cost share continuation of this project due to the
extremely high cost of mitigation. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$0.
Big Cypress Valley Watershed (Section 1135).--The main focus of
this study is within the City of Jefferson, Texas. Informal
coordination with Jefferson has showed their continued support and
intent to participate. Their total share is estimated to be $601,600
with annual O&M costs of approximately $21,000. In fiscal year 2001
$120,000 was appropriated to initiate this project. No funds can be
expended until completion of the Master Plan and acquisition of land by
the local sponsor. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$0.
Millwood Lake, Grassy Lake, AR (Section 1135).--An environmental
restoration project of 15,000 acres of wetlands located downstream from
Millwood Dam. The Dam interrupted the flow to these wetlands and this
project would be a water delivery system to include restoring flow to a
400-acre pristine wetland area. It is private land; however, there is a
national interest for migratory birds. A potential sponsor is the
Arkansas Soil & Water Conservation Commission. Total fiscal year 2004
request--$200,000.
East/West Burns Run Public Use Area, Park Modernization, Lake
Texoma, OK.--Modernization of these facilities will bring them up to
standards to serve the high volume of users experienced each year. The
Lake Texoma region economy depends mostly on recreation. This facility
will ensure continued success, but also increase the economic potential
for the area. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$6,000,000.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M)
Red River Waterway.--The President's budget is usually sufficient
to only operate the waterway and perform preventive maintenance. There
are major, unfunded backlog maintenance items that must be
accomplished. These items include inspection and repair of lock & dam
stop logs, repairs to tainter gate diagonal bracing at Lock #3 and
revetment repairs. The President's budget included no funding for
backlog maintenance. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$19,900,000.
Flood Control Lakes.--There are nine major flood control lakes in
the Red River Valley, plus the Truscott Brine Reservoir. These lakes
have served to prevent hundreds of millions of dollars of damage over
the past 50 years. However, they are getting to the age where
maintenance cannot be differed any longer. Backlog maintenance items
include repair to flood gates, powerhouse maintenance, dam structures
and recreation facilities. If upgrades are not made at recreation
facilities they may have to be closed due to safety concerns to the
public. Following is a list of the lakes and our fiscal year 2004
requests for each.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year
Flood Control Lake 2004 Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denison Dam, Lake Texoma, TX............................ $8,643,000
Hugo Lake, OK........................................... 3,138,000
Broken Bow Lake, OK..................................... 1,894,000
Pat Mayse Lake, TX...................................... 994,000
Warrika Lake, OK........................................ 1,691,000
Millwood Lake, AR....................................... 2,345,800
Direks Lake, AR......................................... 2,864,800
Gillham Lake, AR........................................ 2,743,000
DeQueen Lake, AR........................................ 2,768,800
Truscott Brine Dam, TX.................................. 1,717,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support of MR&T Operations and Maintenance (O&M).--Old River Lock
is the access tows have from the Mississippi River to the Red River
Waterway. When this structure is not in service tows must go down the
Atchafalaya River to the gulf and back to the Mississippi past New
Orleans, LA, adding days to the trip. It is critical to the success of
the Red River Waterway that the Old River structure be maintained.
Currently, there is a backlog of important maintenance items that must
be funded. Total fiscal year 2004 request--$21,000,000.
______
Prepared Statement of the State of Louisiana Red River Waterway
Commission
On behalf of the citizens of the Red River Waterway District of
Louisiana, the Red River Waterway Commission urges the Congress of the
United States to allocate the funds necessary for fiscal year 2004 for
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway. Adequate funding will allow continued
construction progress toward actual project completion, stimulate
continued growth in tonnage movement, encourage the continuation of
private and public development as well as facilitate total reliability
in project function for industrial and recreational development. While
this project is still in its infancy stage; the infrastructure
investment has been justified by commercial and recreational
development along the Red River and intermodal transportation cost
savings because of water induced rates resulting from the project.
Tonnage volumes continue to steadily increase and cargo
classifications diversify providing numerous business opportunities for
this region. Further development will continue to take place with the
knowledge that users can rely on an efficient, functional and
environmentally sound river system.
Construction on Red River is over 90 percent complete, however, it
is vitally important that we understand the importance of steady
progress toward project completion with full knowledge of the financial
constraints on this country.
Areas of Need for the Red River Waterway Project
Operations & Maintenance Program.--Channel Maintenance (Dredging)
is critical to the viability of the waterway system. The President's
Budget should reflect funding for maintenance dredging or give the
Corps flexibility to operate and maintain projects as per our
agreements. By the way, dredging is maintenance and reliability of
channel should be of the highest priority. The Corps of Engineers needs
sufficient resources to adequately maintain the navigation channel to
provide dependable and reliable depths so that barges moving on the
system can be loaded to the maximum nine foot draft. Maintenance of
existing navigation structures at strategic locations is vital for
continued development. The backlog of maintenance items at the lock &
dam structures could be devastating to the Nation's investment in the
navigation system.
Navigation Structures (Revetments and Dikes).--The completion of
these river training works is necessary to maintain the channel
alignment so as to provide reliable navigation to the commercial users.
In addition, the structures help insure that barges can be loaded to
the maximum depths allowable for profitable operation and continued
industrial growth.
Construction/Maintenance Program.--The Corps of Engineers needs
resources available to react quickly to landowner bank caving
complaints that are a result of the project and are fully justified.
Mitigation and Bendway Dredging.--Continue with land acquisition
and developmental cost analysis associated with the mitigation portion
of the project to enhance the bottomland hardwood acreage within the
Red River Valley area of Louisiana. Continue the bendway dredging
operations to maintain the backwater connection to the channel of Red
River for ingress and egress of nutrient rich river water and numerous
species of freshwater fish.
Aids to Navigation.--As commercial use continues to increase, the
Coast Guard presence and resources must reflect a similar growth to
adequately maintain the buoy system on the Red River and stimulate
confidence in the river system. Necessary funding to upgrade assets
that lend reliability and credibility to our efforts is paramount.
Recreation Development.--Design and Construction in all Pools
should continue as practicable. Important developments such as the
Shreveport Riverview project, Teague Parkway Trails in Bossier City,
Colfax Recreation Area and Natchitoches Recreation Area have
established an excellent recreation foundation in Pools 3, 4, and 5.
______
Prepared Statement of the Caddo/Bossier Port Commission
On behalf of the citizens of Northwest Louisiana, the Caddo-Bossier
Parishes Port Commission respectfully urges the Congress of the United
States to allocate in the fiscal year 2004 Budget the necessary funding
to keep America's water navigation and transportation infrastructure
functioning in a safe, cost-effective and reliable manner. The Port and
Maritime Industries are a major contributor to our Nation's economy. As
an example, one out of every eight jobs in Louisiana is attributable to
these industries.
Moreover, our water highways are national assets, linking every
community in this Nation to the world. Unfortunately, the proposed
budget does not include funding for Red River maintenance dredging in
the Corps of Engineers' Civil Works Program. Dredging is absolutely
essential to maintaining a safe and reliable waterways system. In
addition, the $13.7 million budget allocated to the Corps of Engineers
for construction does not come close to meeting expressed Corps
capability of $29 million. Likewise, the Operating and Maintenance
budget appropriation for the Corps at $12 million does not meet
expressed Corps capability of $19.9 million.
The effect of these proposed cuts could also be exponentially
deepened by proposed changes that would finance 25 percent to 50
percent of the cost of operation and maintenance from the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. Since 1986,
these funds have been used to pay one-half of the cost of construction
and major rehabilitation on specified, fuel-taxed inland waterways
segments. This action violates the agreement reached prior to passage
of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 affirming continued
Federal responsibility for inland waterways operation and maintenance
outlays in return for inland waterway users assuming the obligation for
financing 50 percent of future construction and major rehabilitation
expenditures. Of even greater concern is the potential this would
create for future increases in the fuel tax, negatively impacting cargo
rates and discouraging water transportation at a time when the industry
is experiencing strong gains.
The Port of Shreveport-Bossier, located at the head of Red River
navigation and in operation since 1997, stands today as a longtime
dream with a solid track record of success and over $95 million of
local public investment. In 2002, the Port reached the Two Millionth
Ton of Cargo milestone, at an earlier point in its development than
most ports of comparable size, and it added Southern Composite Yachts
to a growing tenant list at the 2,000-acre complex. These results
should provide a sense of pride to all members of Congress who believed
in the Red River Navigation Project and recognized its potential. We
urge you to continue to fund the waterways at a responsible level in
support of the continued growth of Port and Maritime Industries that so
directly impact our national economy.
______
Prepared Statement of the Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners
This statement is prepared by James E. Wanamaker, Chief Engineer
for the Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners, Greenville,
Mississippi, and submitted on behalf of the Board and the citizens of
the Mississippi Levee District. The Board of Mississippi Levee
Commissioners is comprised of 7 elected commissioners representing the
counties of Bolivar, Issaquena, Sharkey, Washington, and parts of
Humphreys and Warren counties in the Lower Yazoo Basin in Mississippi.
The Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners is charged with the
responsibility of providing protection to the Mississippi Delta from
flooding of the Mississippi River and maintaining major drainage
outlets for removing the flood waters from the area. These
responsibilities are carried out by providing the local sponsor
requirements for the Congressionally authorized projects in the
Mississippi Levee District.
It is apparent that the Administration loses sight of the fact that
the Mississippi River & Tributaries Project provides protection to the
Lower Mississippi Valley from flood waters generated across 41 percent
of the Continental United States. These flood waters flow from 31
States and 2 providences of Canada and must pass through the Lower
Mississippi Valley on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. We will remind you
that the Mississippi River & Tributaries Project is one of, if not the
most cost effective project ever undertaken by the United States. The
foresight used by the Congress and their authorization of the many
features of this project is exemplary.
The many projects that are part of the Mississippi River &
Tributaries Project not only provides protection from flooding in the
area, but the award of construction contracts throughout the Valley
provides assistance to the overall economy to this area that is also
encompassed by the Delta Regional Authority. The employment of the
local workforce and purchases from local venders by the contractors
help stabilize the economy in one of the most impoverished areas of our
country. The Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association will be
submitting a general statement in support of an appropriation of $435
million for fiscal year 2004 for the Mississippi River & Tributaries
Project. This is the minimum amount that we consider necessary to allow
for an orderly completion for the remaining work in the Valley and to
provide for the operation and maintenance as required to prevent
further deterioration of the completed flood control and navigation
work.
The Delta area of Mississippi remains exposed to severe flooding
from the Project Design Flood on the Mississippi River. The
administrative budget for Mainline Mississippi River Levees will
further delay protection from the River beyond the already projected
completion date of 2031. We are asking that the Congress appropriate
$55.609 million which will allow for the continuation of ongoing
contracts along our levee system and for the award of one additional
construction item in fiscal year 2004. The Board of Mississippi Levee
Commissioners has committed the necessary financial resources and staff
to allow for the orderly acquisition of rights-of-way which is required
by the local sponsor and we ask that the Congress continue to provide
adequate Federal funding to allow construction of these projects to
move forward in an orderly manner.
Although there is opposition to the recommended plan for the Yazoo
Backwater Project within the environmental community, the local support
for the recommended plan is strong. All six of the county Boards of
Supervisors in the project area officially support the recommended plan
provided in the Draft Reformulation Report released by the Corps of
Engineers in September 2000. The Corps of Engineers and Environmental
Protection Agency are currently working to gain consensus on the
science used in evaluating impacts. The Mississippi Levee Board remains
concerned about the apparent desire of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
to avoid the science involved and their continued effort to achieve
their goal for change in national policy utilizing this single project
as the vehicle. The Fish & Wildlife Service continues to advocate
alternatives that constitute no more than land use planning for the
area. The Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers has scheduled the
release of the Final Report this summer which would call for initiating
the acquisition of reforestation easements; the pump supply contract;
and relocations during fiscal year 2004. At this time, we would ask
that the Congress provide an appropriation of $12 million which will
allow for the Corps of Engineers to proceed on schedule in providing
protection to an area from flood waters that it has had to endure for
over 60 years after the Eudora Floodway feature was removed from the
Mississippi River & Tributaries Project.
The completion of channel work leading into the City of Greenville
being constructed as part of the Upper Steele Bayou Project portion of
the Big Sunflower River & Tributaries Project has proved itself on more
than one occasion. As we have had several rainfall events that
previously would have caused tremendous localized flooding and flooding
of many homes in the City of Greenville, rainfall from these storms was
conveyed by the project without damage to any homes. We are requesting
$1.29 million for construction to continue on the remaining features of
this project in the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge and for the
acquisition of remaining mitigation lands required as this project
nears completion.
As with the work that provides the drainage of flood waters from
the City of Greenville, the Upper Yazoo Project, having been completed
to the City of Greenwood, has also proved itself during these heavy
rainfall events. Areas that were flooded in the City of Greenwood
during heavy rains in 1973 have remained flood free over the last 2
years. This work needs to extend upstream toward the towns of Lambert
and Marks so that they might receive the same level of protection as
Greenville and Greenwood. We are requesting $15 million for the Upper
Yazoo Project which will allow the Vicksburg District Corps of
Engineers to continue with planning, design, and the award of
construction contracts in an orderly manner. These channels also
provide the outlet for the four flood control reservoirs which store
excess waters from heavy rainfall events that occur in the upper
reaches of the basin.
Demonstration Erosion Control work in the Bluff Hills above the
Mississippi Delta has time and again proven the effectiveness of
stabilized stream banks and reduction of head cutting, both of which
reduces sediment from entering our channels. An appropriation of $20
million is being requested for the Demonstration Erosion Control
Project to ensure that construction continues on schedule reducing
maintenance requirements along the Yazoo, Tallahatchie, and Coldwater
River Systems in years to come.
We read day after day comments regarding the need for maintenance
of our Nations infrastructure. Completed portions of the Mississippi
River & Tributaries Project are no different than other infrastructure
across the country. The Big Sunflower River & Tributaries Project
provides the drainage outlet for over 4,000 square miles of the
Mississippi Delta (an area almost 4 times the size of the State of
Rhode Island). Construction on this project was initiated in 1947 and
completed in the mid 1960's. For over 50 years, the Mississippi Delta's
two Levee Boards, which serve as the local sponsors of this project,
have carried out their commitment to the Corps of Engineers for the
maintenance of this project. The Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers
determined in the early 1990's that major maintenance of these channels
was required to restore the project to the capacity achieved when the
work was completed in the 1960's. Opposition to the Big Sunflower River
Maintenance Project has led the Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers
to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The State of
Mississippi is also re-evaluating the Water Quality Certificate. Both
of these activities are scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 2004,
at which time a construction contract for the first dredging item can
be awarded. All of the required right-of-way is in place for this item
and we are requesting $4.17 million to allow the award for this
contract.
Maintenance of our Mainline Mississippi River Levee System is
provided on a day-to-day basis by the many Levee Boards along the
Mississippi River. The Flood Control Act of 1928 clearly delineates
activities to be performed by the local sponsor and by the Federal
Government. We are requesting $8.69 million for the maintenance of the
Mississippi River Levees to allow the Corps of Engineers to adequately
carry out their responsibilities for major maintenance on this project.
A key feature in providing flood protection to the East part of the
Mississippi Delta are the four flood control reservoirs that hold back
flood waters from the Bluff Hills that would otherwise inundate the
Delta. All of these reservoirs are well over 50 years old and are
requiring major work to comply with the provisions of the Dam Safety
Act. We are asking for appropriation for maintenance of Arkabutla Lake
of $10.205 million, Enid Lake $7.47 million, Grenada Lake $8.358
million, and Sardis Lake $13.86 million. The increase in funds
requested will be utilized for much needed maintenance to features of
these projects. We are also asking for an appropriation of $1.135
million for the tributaries' features of the Yazoo Basin to allow
continued bank stabilization and shore line protection work.
There are other issues in the Administrations' Budget for the Corps
of Engineers that greatly concern everyone in the Valley. Inland
navigation along the Mississippi River is a vital feature in keeping
the economy of the Lower Mississippi Valley stable. This navigation
system passes through the heart of an area focused on by the Delta
Regional Authority and provides a nucleus on which other economic
development in the area can rely. The Administration's proposal to
utilize funds from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund for daily operation
of maintenance of the waterway is unacceptable. It is a proven fact
that construction rehabilitation funds needed to keep the navigation
system operational are insufficient and the depletion of the Trust Fund
for operation and maintenance will further hinder the rehabilitation of
the navigation system so vital to the economy of our Nation. Our inland
waterways navigation system provides benefits to the Nation of
approximately $900 million each year.
We have also been informed that the Secretary of the Army desires
to ``out source'' up to 90 percent of the civil work functions being
carried out by the Corps of Engineers. The Board of Mississippi Levee
Commissioners has long been concerned about the reduction of personnel
employed by the Corps of Engineers and its impact to the design and
construction of our projects, along with the lack of experienced
individuals available to assist during a major flood event along the
Mississippi River. The Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners is
opposed to any further ``out sourcing'' of activities currently being
performed in-house by the Corps of Engineers. We have found ourselves
in a position that local sponsor personnel are required to perform
activities during the design phase of our projects, or suffer from
delays to the contract award. This is caused by the time required by
procedures to have the work ``out sourced''. We are also opposed to any
function currently administered by the Corps of Engineers being
transferred to any other department of the Federal Government. The
experience of personnel throughout the Corps of Engineers in carrying
out their Congressionally authorized civil work functions cannot be
replaced if moved to other departments of the Federal Government.
We are grateful to the committee for providing us the opportunity
each year to present our testimony for the record.
______
Letter From the Little River Drainage District
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, March 19, 2003.
Senator Peter V. Domenici,
127 Dirksen, Washington, DC 20510.
Dear Senator Domenici: My name is Dr. Sam Hunter, DVM of Sikeston,
Missouri. I am a veterinarian, landowner, farmer and resident of
Southeast Missouri.
I am the President of the Little River Drainage District, the
largest such entity in the Nation. Our District serves as an outlet
drainage and flood control District to parts of 7 counties in Southeast
Missouri. We provide flood control protection to a sizable area of
Northeast Arkansas as well. Our District is solely tax supported by
more than 3,500 private landowners in Southeast Missouri.
Our District, as well as other Drainage and Levee Districts in
Missouri and Arkansas, is located within the St. Francis River Basin.
This is a project item of the Mississippi River and Tributaries
Project.
The St. Francis Basin Project was authorized by Congress in 1928
for improvements by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The initial
authorization was justified by a projected benefit cost ratio of 2.4:1.
Today this ratio is 3.6:1 and the project is still not completed. As
you can see this has been a wise investment of our Federal tax dollars.
Few projects or ventures with funding levels provided by the Federal
Government return more than they cost. This one does and we need to
complete it in a timely fashion.
Local interests have done their part in providing rights of way,
roads, utilities and the like. Our government now needs to fulfill
their obligatory part of the project and bring it to completion as
quickly as possible.
The amount allocated for maintenance in the St. Francis Basin
Project for fiscal year 2003 was approximately $12,000,000. This is a
funding level that will permit adequate funding to maintain the
features within that project on which the Corps of Engineers has made
improvements and which it is the responsibility of the Federal
Government to maintain. As a matter of information the Memphis District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was able to execute 99 percent of the
available funds for maintenance within that project for fiscal year
2003.
The President's budget for fiscal year 2004 contains $2.91 million
for construction whereas the Corps of Engineers has the capability of
$7.6 million. The President's budget has only $7.505 million for
maintenance within the St. Francis Basin Project whereas the Corps of
Engineers has a stated capability of $10.305 million for maintenance.
We believe the Corps could adequately use between $13 and $15
million each year for maintenance within this basin. We realize the
budgetary restraints this year and respectively request Congress to
approve funding for maintenance in the St. Francis Basin Project for
fiscal year 2004 in the amount of $10.505 million. This is
approximately $2 million less than what was actually spent in fiscal
year 2003 but it will provide funds for adequate maintenance of the
features within this basin which need annual attention.
Regarding the construction request we respectively request the
Congress to fund the amounts for construction for this project equal to
the Corps capability of $7.6 million.
Many positive changes have occurred to and within our sector of our
Nation because of this project. We who live there welcome these
changes. We, local interests, in Southeast Missouri and Northeast
Arkansas want this project brought to completion and adequately
maintained. We have waited over 70 years and we believe it is now time
to complete this wise investment for our Nation.
Secondly, the Corps of Engineers has a stated capability of more
than $435,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 in the MR&T Project. We ask you
to give consideration to provide funding levels at $435,000,000 for
this project. This will provide some very needed new construction and
some maintenance. The President's budget contains only $162,440,000 for
maintenance which is not adequate. The Corps has a stated capability of
$208,443,000. We respectively request full capability amounts. The
President's budget is for only $280,000,000 for construction which to
put it simply is not enough to keep this vital project maintained and
moving to a modernization and a reasonable completion date. Authorized
since 1928 and not completed does not bode well for such a wise
investment.
The Mississippi River and Tributaries Project was authorized
following a record flood in 1927 that inundated more than 26,000 square
miles of the Mississippi River Valley. Over 700,000 people were left
homeless, many lives were lost, most if not all East-West commerce was
stopped and it adversely effected the economy and the environment of
our Nation. After that devastating event Congress in its infinite
wisdom passed a bill and established the Mississippi River and
Tributaries Project (MR&T) and authorized the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to develop a plan to prevent such a disaster in the future.
To date the MR&T Project has prevented over $180 billion in flood
damages for an investment of less than $10 billion. Additionally our
Nation receives more than $900 million of navigational benefits each
year due to this project. It is readily seen that this project had
merit from the beginning and continues to reward the citizens not only
of the valley itself but of the citizens of the entire Nation. It is a
wise investment for this country, it is good for our economy, and it
will be a vital link to the defense of our Nation in the event of an
attack by our enemies.
This project is not completed and needs to be completed
immediately. Our locks are aged and have exceeded by 20 percent in some
instances of their expected life expectancy. The entire lock and dam
system on the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project needs to be
modernized in order for our shipping interests to compete with foreign
markets. While we sit idly by and watch our infrastructure deteriorate
our competitors in South America and Central America are building
better and more efficient features throughout their countries.
Ultimately this will lead to competition which our Nation will not be
able to fairly compete with.
Further, we are very concerned and strongly opposed to the
administration's recommendation in its fiscal year 2004 budget
submission to use funds from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to pay for
part of the operation and maintenance cost of the inland waterways as
well as some construction. The trust fund was established in 1978 and
was to be made available for construction and rehabilitation for
navigation on the inland and coastal waterways not for operations and
maintenance. This is not what our Nation agreed to in 1978 and is not
what was renewed under WRDA in 1986. We petition this Congress to stand
up and have our Nation live up to the promises made to the contributors
of that trust fund and abide by past agreements.
Should Congress allow this recommendation to come to fruition the
trust fund would be drained of all its funds in a short period of time
and the 50 percent cost share to pay for the construction for
navigation would not be available unless the tax on fuel used by our
shipping interests was raised considerably. In most cases these taxes
would have to be doubled. This industry and its operators would suffer
dreadfully and many would have to cease operations. Even today at least
one has filed for bankruptcy and at least one or two others is
contemplating the same. Should this continue to happen the best and
most desirable mode of transportation to get our farm commodities and
products to market would require overland transportation which would
place a giant burden on our highway system. Further, it would add to
the expense to our farmers for getting their products to market as well
as increasing the cost of fuel oil, gasoline, coal, chemicals, and the
other many items shipped by our barge industry.
It has been proven year after year our waterway transportation
system is the safest, the most environmentally acceptable, and the most
fuel efficient in moving mass amounts of commodities and materials
throughout our Nation. It would be totally unacceptable and extremely
unwise to diminish the role of that mode of moving products throughout
our Nation and expect them to be moved either by rail or by highways.
Our highway systems already are in dire need of repair and to add
additional demands on them would be extremely costly. They would become
very unsafe, and would require much more fuel consumption which we
currently do not have but must import. Hopefully, common sense will
prevail and Congress will make the choice to invest into one of the
greatest assets we have in our Nation.
The many locks and dams on our rivers are needed. They were
designed to accommodate traffic 50-60 years ago and it is now time to
upgrade, enlarge, and construct them to accommodate the industry as we
have it today. We have done the same thing with our vehicular traffic
on our roads by upgrading, enlarging, and constructing to meet the
modern day demands. It is now time and past time to do the same for our
water industry. Former President Eisenhower saw an increase in our car
and truck traffic on the horizon and thus we implemented an extensive
interstate system. Let's look to the future with progressive and wise
vision and do something in a similar way on our rivers. Our Nation is
the world's leading maritime and trading nation. We rely on an
efficient and effective marine transport system to maintain our role as
a global power. We must continue that role by setting the pattern for
our neighbor, allies, and other foes.
Our current waterway system has improved the quality of life and
has provided a foundation for economic growth and development in the
United States particularly throughout the Mississippi Valley. Our flood
control systems work, our transport systems are efficient, our multi-
purpose projects all contribute to our national prosperity. The
benefits are real, the flood damages are known to have prevented much
devastation. Transportation costs have been reduced and increased trade
worldwide has increased. Unfortunately our Nation has not invested in
water resource projects and has not kept pace with the economic and
social expansion not only in this country but on global markets as
well. Most of our locks and dams are outdated and were designed only
for a 50 year life. We have exceeded that on nearly half of those
locks. Many of our locks are undersized for modern commercial barge
demands and need to be modernized. Imagine our Highway system being as
it was 50 years ago and having to accommodate the massive number of
cars we have today. That is precisely what we are doing on our
waterways. We need to have greater vision and mettle and become
aggressive and progressive in meeting today's needs. There is currently
$10 billion needed for waterway improvements in addition to a backlog
of approximately $300,000,000 which we need to address in this country.
Our country should have the same vision and the same goal of
modernizing and upgrading our waterway system as we upgraded and
modernized our interstate system across our country in the 1960's.
The latest report by the American Society of Civil Engineers
provides us an independent report card review on America's
infrastructure. Features that were graded were roads, bridges, transit
systems, aviation schools, drinking water, waste water, dams, solid
waste, hazardous waste, navigable waterways, and energy. The highest
grade this independent organization gave was a C+ to our solid waste
disposal system. The overall average which they gave to our
infrastructure was a D+. This is shameful and this needs to be
corrected. The ASCE estimates approximately $1.3 trillion needs to be
spent on our infrastructure over the next 5 years. We can and should
heed their recommendation. This is not an ``in house'' review but an
independent assessment.
What a great way for our country to stimulate its economy and at
the same time be building and making investments into a system for the
future which will return back more dollars than expended. We petition
you to give this vital industry of our Nation a strong endorsement and
do all you can to ensure our waterways systems stay competitive with
our foreign competitors.
At a time when we need to stimulate our economy and at a time that
safety from terrorist activities needs to be enhanced and at a time
that many in our Nation are concerned about cleaner air, cleaner water,
etc., we have a great opportunity to meet the needs of all. We can be
making sound investments into our infrastructure which will turn back
more monies to the taxpayers of this country than was invested. We will
be increasing our defense capabilities should our Nation be attacked
from an outside force.
We are strongly opposed to any action that would transfer any part
or all of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works mission to any
other agency or department of the Federal Government. This agency has
completed and overseen the Civil Works mission since its inception and
has done quite well. Very few of our other governmental bodies can
report and show a return of the taxpayers investment as the Corps of
Engineers can and has been doing for many years. It has been reported
this administration desires to transfer the Corps Civil Works program
to the Department of Transportation, the Flood Control and
Environmental Restoration to the Department of Interior and the
Regulatory Program to the Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers has rendered extremely valuable services to
this Nation for many years. The Corps has created an inland waterways
system that is the envy of the rest of the world. Our Nation's
commercial transportation system is critical to the Nation's economy
and the environmental well being and part of this system is used to
transport military equipment in support of the war on terrorism. The
Corps has also been in the forefront to provide flood control and
environmental restoration projects and have supported our troops at
every armed conflict this Nation has been engaged in. In our opinion,
it will be a serious mistake and have a negative nationwide impact to
spread the functions of the Corps into several parts and across a
Federal bureaucracy. This Nation would lose a wonderful asset and one
we have enjoyed for many years.
Further, we are opposed to the continued trend to ``out-source'' or
to contract-out many of the present positions in the Army Corps of
Engineers, Civil Works Division. The current Secretary of Army has
proposed 90 percent of all Corps of Engineers positions be contracted
out which would eliminate approximately 22,000 current employees and
would make it almost impossible for much of their work to continue. The
Corps of Engineers needs to have a good core group of employees ``in
house'' in order to continue to function in an orderly manner and in a
fashion their mission was set out by Congress. It is our hope that our
good Congressional friends will recognize this as a problem and do all
they can to insure that such efforts are not successful.
I wish to thank you very much for your time and kind attention and
for taking the time to review the above discourse. We would be very
appreciative of anything this committee can do to help us improve our
environment, improve our livelihood, and improve the area in which we
live and work which ultimately is good for America. We are also very
appreciative of all this Committee has done for us in the past. We
trust you will hear our pleas once more and act accordingly.
Dr. Sam M. Hunter,
President.
______
Prepared Statement of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association
My name is M.V. Williams and I am the President of the West
Tennessee Tributaries Association. It is also my privilege to serve as
the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Valley Flood
Control Association.
I hope that every one here has knowledge of the Mississippi Valley
Flood Control Association and a general idea of our objectives. For the
sake of time let me sum it up by saying we are an agency that gives all
the people of the Mississippi River Valley the opportunity to speak and
act jointly on all matters pertaining to flood control, navigation,
bank stabilization and major drainage problems. We have been coming to
Washington since 1922 and continuously since re-organization in 1935,
that's 68 years. Our members for the most part are elected officials
that give of their time and resources because they know full well that
their well-being and that of their family, friends and neighbors
depends on the whims of the majestic and mighty Mississippi River and
its Tributaries.
Today our great Nation is engaged in a global war on terrorism and
our first priority is to win this war and to give back to our citizens
that feeling of safety that was so rudely taken from us on the 11th day
of September, 2001 by a bunch of self-destructive fanatical murderers.
We know that each of you shares our concerns on this matter.
I am here today to talk about the fiscal year 2004 Appropriations
for the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. But before I do, I
wish to thank all the Members of the United States Congress for adding
funds to the President's fiscal year 2003 Budget for the U.S. Army,
Corps of Engineers' Civil Works program. These additional funds are
needed to insure the continuation of the improvement of our water
resources, the restoration and protection of our natural environment
and the operations and maintenance of our inland waterways system and
our vitally needed flood control structures.
Today we are again faced with the Administration's Budget that is
totally inadequate to accomplish those things that I have just
mentioned. In addition to a lack of funding this 2004 Budget contains
requirements that are totally unacceptable to us. I would at this time
desire to address these concerns before talking briefly about the
Appropriations.
First, the Administration is proposing to reach into the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund to pay a large share of the cost of operations and
maintenance of the inland waterways of this country which by the way
are the envy of the rest of those that inhabit this planet.
The Inland Waterways Trust Fund was established by the Congress in
1978 to make available funds for future construction and rehabilitation
for navigation on the inland and coastal waterways, not for use for the
operations and maintenance of those waterways. The funds came from a
tax levied on the diesel fuel used by the commercial tow boats that
used the waterways. These funds were not used until the passage of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 at which time an agreement was
reached between the waterways operators and the Federal Government that
would call for an increase in the amount of fuel taxes coupled with the
understanding that the trust fund would not be used for operation and
maintenance costs.
If the Congress allows the use of trust funds for operations and
maintenance, the trust fund will be exhausted in a short period of time
and the 50 percent share to pay for construction for navigation
facilities will not be available unless the tax on fuel used by the tow
boats is raised once again. This action would make it extremely
difficult for barge operators to continue their operations thereby
making it more expensive for farmers to get their products to market
and for the public to realize savings in transportation cost for bulk
commodities such as fuel oil, gasoline and other crucial items shipped
by barge. We urge you not to accept this proposal made by the
Administration.
We again wish to express our strong opposition to any action that
would transfer any part of the Corps of Engineers' Civil Works mission
to other agencies or departments of the government and also our strong
opposition to any ``out-sourcing'' of the present positions in the
Corps' civil works functions.
We were very pleased to see that section 109 of the Fiscal Year
2003 Appropriations Bill reflected that the Congress shares our
opposition to these matters and did in fact see that no funds
appropriated would be used to study or implement any plans privatizing,
divesting or transferring of civil works missions, functions, or
responsibilities for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Thank
you very much for that.
Now if I may let me speak very briefly on the amount of funds we
consider to be required for the Fiscal Year 2004 Mississippi River and
Tributaries Appropriations.
The management and direction of the Mississippi Valley Flood
Control Association is vested in a ten member Executive Committee who
are elected by the members of the Association from their respective
states, two each from the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas
and one each from the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and
Illinois. The Executive Committee has spent time reviewing and
examining the Fiscal Year 2004 Proposed Budget for the Mississippi
River and Tributaries Project and after careful consideration we
arrived at the amount of $435,000,000 that we consider the amount
required to complete the MR&T Project in the most economically and
engineeringly feasible time frame that will also benefit, preserve and
restore the natural environment. I have attached a sheet to my
statement that reflects our request in more detail.
In closing let me state once again that our priorities are to win
the war on terrorism, to protect the homeland and to revitalize the
Nation's economy.
We must not forget the importance of funding the critical water
resources infrastructure needs in order to protect the lives and
property of our citizens and to protect the investment that has already
been made.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today. The
speakers to follow me will be more specific in their statements.
I shall close with the sincere hope that god will continue to bless
this country and bring about a quick and kind end to all the discord in
the world.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FLOOD CONTROL ASSOCIATION--FISCAL YEAR 2004 CIVIL
WORKS REQUESTED BUDGET--MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project and State MVCFA Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surveys, Continuation of Planning and Engineering &
Advance Engineering & Design:
Memphis Harbor, TN.................................. $700,000
Germantown, TN...................................... 171,000
Millington, TN...................................... 127,000
Fletcher Creek, TN.................................. 150,000
Southeast Arkansas.................................. 1,000,000
Coldwater Basin Below Arkansas...................... 500,000
Quiver River, MS.................................... 100,000
Alexandria, LA to the Gulf of Mexico................ 700,000
Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico.................. 7,992,000
Donaldsonville, LA to Gulf of Mexico................ 1,400,000
Spring Bayou, LA.................................... 832,000
Tensas River, LA.................................... 500,000
Donaldsonville Port Development, LA................. 100,000
Collection & Study of Basic Data.................... 695,000
---------------
Subtotal--Surveys, Continuation of Planning & 14,967,000
Engineering & Advance Engineering & Design.......
---------------
Construction:
St. John's Bayou-New Madrid Floodway, MO............ 7,600,000
Eight Mile Creek, AR................................ 2,050,000
Helena & Vicinity, AR............................... 3,407,000
Grand Prairie Region, AR............................ 24,700,000
Bayou Meto, AR...................................... 16,000,000
West Tennessee Tributaries, TN...................... 620,000
Nonconnah Creek, TN................................. 3,068,000
Wolf River, Memphis, TN............................. 2,500,000
Reelfoot Lake, TN................................... 1,240,000
St. Francis Basin, MO & AR.......................... 6,300,000
Yazoo Basin, MS..................................... 53,555,000
Atchafalaya Basin, LA............................... 21,235,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway.......................... 14,200,000
MS Delta Region, LA................................. 3,400,000
Horn Lake Creek, MS................................. 395,000
MS & LA Estaurine Area, MS & LA..................... 30,000
Channel Improvements, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & LA... 44,017,000
Mississippi River Levees, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & 50,645,000
LA.................................................
---------------
Subtotal--Construction............................ 254,962,000
Subtotal--Maintenance............................. 208,433,000
---------------
Subtotal--Mississippi River & Tributaries......... 478,362,000
Less Reduction for Savings & Slippage................... -43,362,000
---------------
Grand Total--Mississippi River & Tributaries...... 435,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of the Board of Levee Commissioners for the Yazoo-
Mississippi Delta
yazoo basin, mississippi rivers and tributaries project
This statement today, made on behalf of the citizens represented by
the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Board, is not only in support of the
funding requests contained herein, but also for the general funding
testimony offered for Fiscal 2004 by the Mississippi Flood Control
Association. The association is requesting funding in the amount of
$435 million for the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Project (MR&T),
an amount based on the association's professional assessment of the
capabilities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley
Division.
I would ask that these remarks be made a part of the record.
In the aftermath of the devastating and historic Great Flood of
1927, the Flood Control Act of 1928 established as national priority,
the development of a comprehensive flood control plan to reduce the
likelihood of such a horrific event's ever happening again in the Lower
Mississippi Valley. As we look back, the MR&T has returned $180 billion
in benefits for the $10 billion invested--truly an American public
works success story.
Significantly, however, a substantial amount of uncompleted work on
the project remains, necessarily exposing many areas to the risks of
flooding. Consequently, the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Board asks
Congress to provide funding at a level which will allow the MR&T to
continue at a pace commensurate with the national priority to protect
people and property from the ravages of flooding. In order to avoid the
sorts of delays which can result in the loss of life and livelihood, we
must again depend upon the good men and women of Congress to add the
necessary funding to the administration's budget which will allow the
Corps of Engineers to proceed with its work at full capacity.
A line-item chart reflecting existing and needed funding levels for
MR&T projects in the Lower Mississippi Valley follows, with special
emphasis given to those projects most critical to our levee district:
mississippi river levees
Overall, the construction needs for levees and channels in the
Lower Mississippi Valley is $55.609 million, with an additional $8.59
million required for maintenance. Work to continue the ongoing process
of strengthening deficient levees to the south of our district is
underway and needs to continue on schedule. Of particular interest to
our levee board is a series of projects designed to address the problem
of levee under seepage. We are asking that $2.93 million be allocated
to the Memphis District for three projects designed to address this
problem.
upper yazoo projects (uyp)
The number one priority for the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee
Board, the Upper Yazoo Project was conceived in 1936. The project
includes a system of flood control reservoirs which discharge into a
system of channels and levees intended to safely convey headwater from
the hills to the Mississippi River. While this project has been
advancing smoothly, it is critical to the people of the North Delta
that it continue to do so. While the President's budget contains only
$6.62 million for this project, we are asking that Congress increase
its appropriation to $15 million to insure that this important project
continues without interruption. These additional funds will be used to
complete Items 5A and 5B; to initiate construction on Item 6A; and to
acquire right of ways and mitigation lands for Item 6 and Item 7.
yazoo headwater flood control reservoirs
Four major flood control reservoirs exist in Mississippi to control
the release of headwater into the Yazoo River system--Sardis,
Arkabutla, Enid and Grenada. These have prevented significant flood
damages through allowing drainage from the State's hill section to be
released into the much lower Delta at controlled rates. All four are
aging and require both routine maintenance and upgrading. We are
requesting that Congress allocate the needed $39.89 million so that
they can continue to function effectively.
big sunflower river maintenance project
The primary drainage outlet for 10 counties in Mississippi, the
Sunflower River System has been subject to the same siltation factors
common to all Delta streams. The Corps of Engineers has determined that
the river has had a 40 percent reduction in its flow capacity.
The Levee Boards have been working closely with the Vicksburg
District as they complete the SEIS for the remaining work and with MDEQ
on obtaining the Water Quality Certificate for the work. Both of these
efforts are scheduled to be completed in 2004. Right-of-way is in place
for the next construction item. We are requesting $4.17 million so that
the SEIS can be completed and construction can be reinitiated as soon
as the Water Quality Certificate is issued.
demonstration erosion control project
We feel strongly that continued funding of DEC is important due to
the fact that substantial amounts of the sediments which would be
controlled by them would eventually end up within the
ColdwaterTallahatchie/Yazoo river system. We urge Congress to allocate
$20 million to this effort.
big sunflower river
We are requesting that Congress allocate $1.29 million so that the
Corps might purchase mitigation lands.
continuing authority programs
The YMD Levee Board has committed to assist local governments in
co-sponsoring projects that fall under the Corps' Continuing Authority
Program. There is tremendous need for Section 14, Section 205 and
Section 208 programs throughout our district. We urge Congress to both
increase the limits for these projects and to make the eligibility
process more competitive.
yazoo backwater project
We continue to support the Mississippi Levee Board's and Corps'
recommended project to address the problems of backwater flooding in
the South Delta. We support their funding request of $12 million to
advance design, initiate real estate activity and initiate a pump
supply contract.
Those of us at the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee Board are deeply
appreciative of the enormous amount of support lent our efforts by
Congress in the past, and it is with full awareness of the challenges
facing our great Nation that we earnestly request you support us again
in meeting our challenge of keeping the floodwaters at bay.
Humbly submitted on behalf of the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee
Board and all the citizens it seeks to keep dry.
______
Prepared Statement of St. Francis Levee District of Arkansas
executive summary
The Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association fiscal year 2004
Civil Works Budget, Mississippi River and Tributaries Appropriations-
Requesting Appropriations of $6,300,000 for Construction and
$14,733,000 for Maintenance and Operation in the St. Francis Basin
Project and a Total of $435,000,000 for the Mississippi River
Tributaries Project.
background information
My name is Rob Rash, and my home is in Marion, Arkansas, located on
the West side of the Mississippi River and in the St. Francis Basin. I
am the Chief Engineer of the St. Francis Levee District of Arkansas.
Our District is the local cooperation organization for the Mississippi
River and Tributaries Project and the St. Francis Basin Project in
Northeast Arkansas. Our District is responsible for the operation and
maintenance of 160 miles of Mississippi River Levee and 75 miles of St.
Francis River Tributary Levee in Northeast Arkansas.
The St. Francis Basin is comprised of an area of approximately
7,550 square miles in Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. The
basin extends from the foot of Commerce Hills near Cape Girardeau,
Missouri to the mouth of the St. Francis River, 7 miles above Helena,
Arkansas, a total distance of 235 miles. It is bordered on the east by
the Mississippi River and on the West by the uplands of Bloomfield and
Crowley's Ridge, having a maximum width of 53 miles.
The Mississippi River and Tributaries Project and the St. Francis
Basin Project provide critical flood protection to over 2,500 square
miles in Northeast Arkansas alone. This basin's flood control system is
the very lifeblood of our livelihood and prosperity. Our resources and
infrastructure are allowing the St. Francis Basin and the Lower
Mississippi Valley to develop into a major commercial and industrial
area for this great Nation. The basin is quickly becoming a major steel
and energy production area. The agriculture industry in Northeast
Arkansas and the Lower Mississippi Valley continues to play an integral
role in providing food and clothing for this Nation. This has all been
made possible because Congress has long recognized that flood control
in the Lower Mississippi Valley is a matter of national interest and
security and has authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
implement a flood control system in the Lower Mississippi Valley that
is the envy of the civilized world. With the support of Congress over
the years, we have continued to develop our flood control system in the
Lower Mississippi Valley through the Mississippi River and Tributaries
Project and for that we are extremely grateful.
Although, at the current level of project completion, there are
areas in the Lower Mississippi Valley that are subject to major
flooding on the Mississippi River. The level of funding that has been
included in the President's Budget for the overall Mississippi River
and Tributaries Project is not sufficient to adequately fund and
maintain this project. The level of funding will require the citizens
of the Lower Mississippi Valley to live needlessly in the threat of
major flood devastation for the next 30 years. Timely project
completion is of paramount importance to the citizens of the Lower
Mississippi. Ten and Fifteen Mile Bayou improvements are just one of
many construction projects necessary for flood relief in the St.
Francis Basin. Ten and Fifteen Mile Bayou improvements were
reauthorized by Congress through the Flood Control Act of 1928, as
amended. Section 104 of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2001
modified the St. Francis Basin to expand the project boundaries to
include Ten and Fifteen Mile Bayous and shall not be considered
separable elements. Total project length of 38 miles includes Ten and
Fifteen Mile Bayou, Ditch No. 15 and the 10 Mile Diversion Ditch that
provide drainage for the West Memphis and Vicinity. Without additional
funds, construction would be delayed and West Memphis and Vicinity will
continue to experience record flooding as seen December 17, 2001. West
Memphis and Vicinity would experience immediate flood relief when the
first item of construction is completed.
u.s. army corps of engineers
We are strongly opposed to any action that would transfer any part
or the entire U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works mission to any
other agency or department of the Federal Government. This agency has
completed and overseen the Civil Works mission since its inception and
has done quite well. Very few of our other governmental bodies can
report and show a return of the taxpayer's investment as the Corps of
Engineers can and has been doing for many years. It has been reported
this administration desires to transfer the Corps Civil Works program
to the Department of Transportation, the Flood Control and
Environmental Restoration to the Department of Interior and the
Regulatory Program to the Environmental Protection Agency. The U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers has rendered extremely valuable services for
this Nation for many years. The Corps has created an inland waterways
system that is the envy of the rest of the world. Our Nation's
commercial transportation system is critical to the Nation's economy
and the environmental well being and part of this system is used to
transport military equipment in support of the war on terrorism. The
Corps has also been in the forefront to provide flood control and
environmental restoration projects and have supported our troops at
every armed conflict this Nation has engaged in. In our opinion, it
will be a serious mistake and have a negative nationwide impact to
spread the functions of the Corps into several parts across a Federal
bureaucracy. This Nation would lose a wonderful asset and one we have
enjoyed for over 200 years.
proposed funding
We support the amount of $435,000,000 requested by the Mississippi
Valley Flood Control Association for use in the overall Mississippi
River and Tributaries Project. This is the minimum amount that the
Executive Committee of the Association feels is necessary to maintain a
reasonable time line for completion of the overall Mississippi River
and Tributaries Project. Also, the amounts that have been included in
the President's Budget for the St. Francis Basin Project; construction,
operation and maintenance have not been sufficient to fund critical
projects. These declined amounts have resulted in a significant backlog
of work within the St. Francis Basin. Therefore, our District is
requesting additional capabilities of 6,300,000 for the St. Francis
Basin Project construction funds and $14,733,000 for the St. Francis
Basin operation and maintenance funds. The amounts requested for the
St. Francis Basin Project are a part of the total amounts requested for
the Mississippi River and Tributary Appropriations of the Civil Works
Budget.
summation
As your subcommittee reviews the Civil Works Budget of fiscal year
2004 Appropriations for the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project,
please consider the significance of this project to the Mississippi
Valley and the Nation's, economy and infrastructure. As always, I feel
the Subcommittee will give due regard to the needs of the Mississippi
River Valley as it considers appropriations for the Mississippi River
and Tributaries Project. I would like to sincerely thank the
Subcommittee for its past and continued support of the Mississippi
River and Tributaries Project.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY FLOOD CONTROL ASSOCIATION--FISCAL YEAR 2004 CIVIL
WORKS REQUESTED BUDGET--MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
President's Recommended
Project and State Budget Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surveys, Continuation of Planning and
Engineering & Advance Engineering &
Design:
Memphis Harbor, TN.................. .............. $700,000
Germantown, TN...................... $51,000 171,000
Millington, TN...................... 84,000 127,000
Fletcher Creek, TN.................. 120,000 150,000
Southeast Arkansas.................. .............. 1,000,000
Coldwater Basin Below Arkansas...... 185,000 500,000
Quiver River, MS.................... .............. 100,000
Alexandria, LA to the Gulf of Mexico 435,000 700,000
Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico.. 3,487,000 7,992,000
Donaldsonville, LA to Gulf of Mexico 800,000 1,400,000
Spring Bayou, LA.................... 500,000 832,000
Tensas River, LA.................... .............. 500,000
Donaldsonville Port Development, LA. .............. 100,000
Collection & Study of Basic Data.... 695,000 695,000
-------------------------------
Subtotal--Surveys, Continuation of 6,357,000 14,967,000
Planning & Engineering & Advance
Engineering & Design.............
-------------------------------
Construction:
St. John's Bayou-New Madrid .............. 7, 600,000
Floodway, MO.......................
Eight Mile Creek, AR................ 2,050,000 2,050,000
Helena & Vicinity, AR............... 2,180,000 3,407,000
Grand Prairie Region, AR............ .............. 24,700,000
Bayou Meto, AR...................... .............. 16,000,000
West Tennessee Tributaries, TN...... .............. 620,000
Nonconnah Creek, TN................. 2,618,000 3,068,000
Wolf River, Memphis, TN............. .............. 2,500,000
Reelfoot Lake, TN................... .............. 1,240,000
St. Francis Basin, MO & AR.......... 2,365,000 6,300,000
Yazoo Basin, MS..................... 7,740,000 53,555,000
Atchafalaya Basin, LA............... 14,075,000 21,235,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway.......... 7,768,000 14,200,000
MS Delta Region, LA................. 3,200,000 3,400,000
Horn Lake Creek, MS................. .............. 395,000
MS & LA Estaurine Area, MS & LA..... .............. 30,000
Channel Improvements, IL, KY, MO, 39,562,000 44,017,000
AR, TN, MS & LA....................
Mississippi River Levees, IL, KY, 42,919,000 50,645,000
MO, AR, TN, MS & LA................
-------------------------------
Subtotal--Construction............ 124,477,000 254,962,000
Subtotal--Maintenance............. 162,440,000 208,433,000
-------------------------------
Subtotal--Mississippi River & 293,274,000 478,362,000
Tributaries......................
Less Reduction for Savings & Slippage... -13,274,000 -43,362,000
-------------------------------
Grand Total--Mississippi River & 280,000,000 435,000,000
Tributaries......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office
of Public Works and Intermodal Transportation, is the agency designated
to represent the State of Louisiana for the coordinated planning and
development of water resources, including flood control, navigation,
drainage, water conservation and irrigation projects. This statement,
submitted on behalf of the State of Louisiana and its twenty levee
boards, presents the recommendations for fiscal year 2004
appropriations for all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works
Projects in Louisiana.
Louisiana contains the terminus of the Mississippi River, third
largest drainage basin in the world, draining 41 percent, or 1\1/4\
million square miles, of the contiguous United States and parts of two
Canadian provinces. In addition, Louisiana contends with flows from the
Sabine River, the Red River, the Ouachita River, the Amite River and
the Pearl River. All of these river systems combined drain almost 50
percent of the contiguous land mass of this Nation through Louisiana.
Louisiana also plays a strategic part in providing the middle of
this Nation with access to the global marketplace through the Federally
constructed Inland Waterway System. Approximately 75 percent of all
soybeans, animal feed and corn, and almost 50 percent of all rice and
cereals grown in mid-America are shipped to world markets through
Louisiana. The 230 mile deepwater channel portion of the Mississippi
River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf is the largest port complex in the
world allowing Louisiana to rank first in the Nation in volume of
waterborne traffic. Louisiana's maritime industry accounts for 22.5
percent of the total Louisiana gross state product and supports
directly and indirectly almost 244,000 jobs. The ready availability of
this low cost waterborne transportation system allowed Louisiana to
develop the second largest refining capacity in the Nation, producing
15 billion gallons of gasoline annually at 19 refineries. Louisiana
ranks second in produced natural gas and third for oil production. The
pipeline system which supplies much of this Nation with natural gas and
refined petroleum products originates in Louisiana. But none of this
would have been possible without a comprehensive and extensive flood
control system to protect the landside facilities. Louisiana is
protected from riverine and tidal flooding by almost 3,000 miles of
levees (1,500 in the MR&T system) constructed jointly by Federal, State
and local entities. Louisiana's 20 levee boards are responsible for the
maintenance and upkeep of these levees which allow one-third of
Louisiana to be habitable year-round. Concentrated behind these levees
are the vast majority of Louisiana's urban centers and petro-chemical
complexes. Nearly 75 percent of the population lives and works in these
protected areas and produces more than 90 percent of the State's
disposable personal income. Approximately 60 percent of the State's
agricultural products are produced in these protected areas. The lives
and livelihoods of most of Louisiana's citizens depends on the
effectiveness of this comprehensive flood control system. But Louisiana
is not the only beneficiary of this investment. The petrochemical, oil
and gas industries in Louisiana that contribute to the economic well
being of the Nation are almost totally dependent on the Federally
constructed flood control system to protect their facilities. These
industries, and most of the agricultural industries in mid-America, are
heavily dependent on the Federally maintained navigable waterway system
to move their products. It is appropriate that the Federal Government
has committed to providing combined flood control and navigation
measures that benefit both Louisiana and the rest of the Nation.
But the levees and channel improvements that benefit the entire
Nation have been blamed for the rapidly deterioration of our coastal
wetlands that annually produce a commercial fish and shellfish harvest
worth $600 million and 40 percent of the Nation's wild fur and hides
harvest worth $15 million. Additionally these coastal marshes produce a
tidal surge dampening effect that was incorporated into the design of
our hurricane protection levees. The loss of these wetlands is
adversely impacting both the area's natural resources and the
effectiveness of the protection system. These wetlands are not
Louisiana's alone; they constitute 40 percent of the Nation's wetlands
and their restoration needs to be a national priority.
The Mississippi River and Tributaries Project (MR&T) has been
underway since 1928 and isn't scheduled for completion until the year
2031--a date that will continually move further into the future unless
an adequate level of funding is provided each year. The
Administration's budget proposals for the MR&T Project for the past
several years appear to indicate a declining interest on the part of
the Federal Government in seeing this project through to a successful
completion. The Administration's proposed budget of $298 Million for
fiscal year 2004 is totally unacceptable. We strongly support the
Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association's request for $435 Million
for the MR&T Project. This is the minimum amount necessary to continue
the on-going construction work and perform the bare minimum of
maintenance required to prevent further deterioration of the Federal
investment. We urge you to support this requested level of funding.
We strongly oppose the Administration's proposal to use funds from
the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to pay for part of the waterway
system's routine operations and maintenance costs. The Inland Waterways
Trust Fund, established in 1978 and funded by user fee revenues
generated by a tax on towboat fuel, was intended to be used to pay one-
half the cost of construction and major rehabilitation of navigation
infrastructure. The Administration proposal will rapidly deplete the
fund and set the stage for significantly increasing--some say more than
doubling--the user fee. This will adversely impact the Nation's economy
in the agricultural, energy and transportation sectors and will
undermine America's international competitiveness. We urge you to
reject this ill-advised raid on the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, as
well as the tax increase it promises, and to insure that the balance
and all future Trust Fund revenues are spent for their original purpose
of modernizing the system to keep it functioning efficiently well into
the future.
We are also opposed to the Administration's budget proposal to
classify segments of the Inland Waterway System for funding purposes as
either high or low use dependent on the tonnage moved over a particular
segment. The Inland Waterway System--the whole system--allowed
industrial facilities scattered throughout the central portion of the
United States to obtain raw materials and fuel from distant locations
and to reach worldwide markets. The economies of thousands of inland
cities and towns are dependent on low cost waterborne transportation to
link America's far-flung mining, manufacturing, forestry and
agricultural industries with deepwater ports. To give preferential
status to the maintenance of only the main-stem portion of the waterway
system will wreak havoc on the economies of all the communities located
on the so-called low-use waterways, especially now when the Nation's
economy is still struggling to recover.
In making the following funding recommendations regarding specific
construction, studies, and operation and maintenance items, the State
of Louisiana would hope that Congress and the Administration will honor
their prior commitments to infrastructure development and fund our
requests. We feel that water resources projects are probably the most
worthwhile and cost-effective projects in the Federal budget, having to
meet stringent economic justification criteria not required of other
programs. We ask that this be taken into consideration in the final
decision to appropriate the available funds.
We wish to express our thanks to the Appropriations Subcommittees
on Energy and Water Development of the House and Senate for allowing us
to present this brief on the needs of Louisiana. Without reservation,
practically every single project in Louisiana which has been made
possible through actions of these committees has shown a return in
benefits many times in excess of that contemplated by the authorizing
legislation. The projects which you fund affect the economy of not only
Louisiana, but the Nation as a whole. The State of Louisiana
appreciates the accomplishments of the past and solicits your
consideration of the appropriations requested for fiscal year 2004.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES--SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATIONS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004--STATE OF LOUISIANA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Louisiana
Louisiana Budget Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FC MR&T General Investigations:
Alexandria to the Gulf.............. $435,000 $435,000
Donaldsonville to the Gulf.......... 800,000 1,200,000
Morganza to the Gulf, PED........... 3,487,000 10,000,000
Collection & Study Data............. 190,000 190,000
Donaldsonville Port Development, LA. .............. 100,000
Point Coupee St Mary Watershed...... .............. 100,000
Collect & Study of Basic Data (AR, 280,000 280,000
LA, MS)............................
Spring Bayou Area, LA............... 500,000 600,000
Tensas River Basin, LA.............. .............. 500,000
FC MR&T Construction:
Atchafalaya Basin................... 14,075,000 24,075,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodwater System. 7,768,000 11,668,000
Channel Improvement................. 8,900,000 8,900,000
Mississippi Delta Region (FED)...... 3,200,000 3,200,000
Mississippi River Levees, LA........ 4,110,000 4,110,000
Mississippi River Levees (AR, LA, 23,615,000 25,115,000
MS)................................
Channel Improvement (AR, LA, MS).... 15,235,000 17,735,000
FC MR&T Maintenance:
Atchafalaya Basin................... 13,335,000 18,296,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System... 2,450,000 3,850,000
Baton Rouge Harbor (Devil's Swamp).. 15,000 281,000
Bayou Cocodrie and Tributaries...... 85,000 85,000
Bonnet Carre Spillway............... 1,975,000 3,009,000
Channel Improvement................. 15,300,000 15,300,000
Dredging............................ 700,000 700,000
Inspection of Completed Works....... 425,000 425,000
Mapping............................. 440,000 440,000
MS Delta Region..................... 910,000 910,000
Mississippi River Levees, LA........ 785,000 1,285,000
Old River........................... 9,915,000 21,102,000
Mississippi River Levees (AR, LA, 2,050,000 2,650,000
MS)................................
Revetments & Dikes (AR, LA, MS)..... 14,000,000 14,000,000
Dredging (AR, LA, MS)............... 5,600,000 5,600,000
Mapping (AR, LA, MS)................ 365,000 365,000
Inspection of Completed Works (AR, 375,000 375,000
LA, MS)............................
Boeuf & Tensas Rivers............... 2,400,000 2,400,000
Red River Backwater................. 3,425,000 3,982,000
Lower Red River..................... 2,207,000 2,207,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The projects listed above are only those in Louisiana (except when
noted) and directly affect the State. We realize that there are other
projects in the Valley. We endorse the recommendations of the
Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association.
The following is a list of budgetary items that the State of
Louisiana requests funding that differs from what is recommended in the
Fiscal Year 2004 Administrative Budget or is an item of particular
importance for the State. Those items that the State of Louisiana
believes have been appropriately funded have not been included.
FLOOD CONTROL, NAVIGATION, HURRICANE PROTECTION AND WATER RESOURCES
PROJECTS IN LOUISIANA--SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATIONS FISCAL YEAR
2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Louisiana
Louisiana Budget Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Investigations:
Studies:
Amite River & Tributaries, LA-- $100,000 $800,000
Bayou Manchac..................
Atchafalaya River, Bayous Chene, 150,000 1,000,000
Boeuf & Black, LA..............
Calcasieu Lock, LA.............. 100,000 800,000
Calcasieu River Pass Ship .............. 200,000
Channel Enlargement, LA........
GIWW--Ecosystem Restoration, LA. 100,000 600,000
Hurricane Protection, LA........ 100,000 1,000,000
LCA--Ecosystem Restoration, LA.. 848,000 3,000,000
Plaquemines Parish, LA.......... 100,000 500,000
Port of Iberia, LA.............. 150,000 2,000,000
St. Bernard Parish Urban Flood 100,000 500,000
Control, LA....................
St. Charles Parish Urban Flood 100,000 450,000
Control, LA....................
St. John the Baptist Parish, LA. 100,000 400,000
Southwest, AR (AR, LA).......... .............. 400,000
Pearl River, Bogalusa (MS)...... .............. 350,000
PED:
West Shore-Lake Pontchartrain, .............. 600,000
LA.............................
West Baton Rouge Parish, LA..... .............. 1,500,000
New Studies:
Bayou Nezpique Watershed, LA.... .............. 100,000
Millennium Port, LA............. .............. 100,000
Tangipahoa River Ecosystem .............. 100,000
Restoration, LA................
Construction General:
Comite River, LA.................... 2,000,000 6,565,000
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA......... .............. 4,600,000
Grand Isle, LA...................... .............. 200,000
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock, 7,000,000 20,000,000
LA (IWWTF & CG)....................
Lake Pontchartrain, LA.............. 3,000,000 16,000,000
Larose to Golden Meadow, LA......... 461,000 1,200,000
MR-GO (Reevaluation Study).......... .............. 250,000
New Orleans to Venice, LA........... 2,000,000 6,000,000
Southeast, LA....................... 16,500,000 65,000,000
West Bank and Vicinity, New Orleans, 35,000,000 35,000,000
LA.................................
Red River Below Den Dam (AR, LA).... .............. 7,000,000
Red River Emergency (AR, LA)........ .............. 10,000,000
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, MS 13,700,000 29,000,000
River to Shreveport................
Ouachita River Levees............... .............. 3,000,000
Operations & Maintenance General:
Atchafalaya River, Bayous Chene, 19,367,000 24,367,000
Boeuf & Black......................
Barataria Bay Waterway.............. 286,000 4,909,000
Bayou Lacombe....................... .............. 315,000
Bayou Lafourche..................... 133,000 1,221,000
Bayou Segnette...................... 165,000 1,535,000
Bayou Teche......................... 48,000 354,000
Calcasieu River & Pass.............. 12,064,000 20,559,000
Freshwater Bayou.................... 1,558,000 3,558,000
Grand Isle, LA & Vicinity........... .............. 455,000
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.......... 19,418,000 29,028,000
Houma Navigation Canal.............. 1,242,000 1,422,000
Mermentau River..................... 2,651,000 4,651,000
Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to 56,206,000 64,566,000
the Gulf...........................
Mississippi River--Gulf Outlet...... 13,485,000 34,325,000
Mississippi River, Outlets at Venice 1,841,000 5,116,000
Waterway Empire to the Gulf......... 7,000 247,000
Waterway Intracoastal Waterway to 37,000 237,000
Bayou Dulace.......................
Ouachita & Black Rivers (AR, LA).... 10,221,000 16,145,000
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway........ 12,013,000 19,900,000
Lake Providence Harbor.............. 32,000 421,000
Madison Parish Port................. 13,000 80,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The projects listed above are only those in Louisiana (except
where noted) and directly affect the State.
______
Prepared Statement of the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association
introduction
The Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA) is the
organization created in 1981 by the Governors of Illinois, Iowa,
Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin to serve as a forum for coordinating
river-related State programs and policies and for collaborating with
Federal agencies on regional issues. As such, the UMRBA works closely
with the Corps of Engineers on a variety of programs for which the
Corps has responsibility. Of particular interest to the basin states
are the following:
inland waterway trust fund
The UMRBA opposes expanding the uses of the Inland Waterway Trust
Fund to include operation and maintenance of the inland navigation
system. The Inland Waterway Trust Fund was established in 1986 to help
meet the Nation's navigation infrastructure investment needs for new
construction and major rehabilitation on inland rivers. That dedicated
revenue source, generated by taxes on commercial users of the inland
waterway system, should not be diverted to uses other than those for
which it was established. Moreover, the Corps has estimated that
partially funding inland waterway O&M from the Inland Waterway Trust
Fund would deplete the Fund entirely by the end of fiscal year 2006.
Given the pressing navigation infrastructure needs in coming years,
such a course would be imprudent.
environmental management program
For the past 16 years, the Upper Mississippi River System
Environmental Management Program (EMP) has been the premier program for
restoring the river's habitat and monitoring the river's ecological
health. As such, the EMP is key to achieving Congress' vision of the
Upper Mississippi as a ``nationally significant ecosystem and a
nationally significant commercial navigation system.'' Congress
reaffirmed its support for this program in the 1999 Water Resources
Development Act by reauthorizing the EMP as a continuing authority and
increasing the annual authorized appropriation to $33.52 million. The
UMRBA is pleased that the Administration's budget request, for the
first time since the 1999 reauthorization of the program, includes
nearly full funding for the EMP. The fact that the Administration has
identified the EMP as one of eight Corps projects ``that are the
highest priorities in the Nation,'' is tribute to the EMP's success.
EMP habitat restoration projects include activities such as
building and stabilizing islands, controlling water levels and side
channel flows, constructing dikes, and dredging backwaters and side
channels. At the recommended EMP funding level of $33.32 million,
approximately $18.8 million would be allocated to the planning, design,
and construction of such habitat projects. In particular, this level of
investment will support planning work on 15 projects, design of 14
projects, and construction of 12 projects. Approximately $8.6 million
would be devoted to the EMP Long Term Resource Monitoring program
(LTRMP) under a fully funded EMP budget of $33 million. At this funding
level, data collection activities would be revived, including
monitoring of water quality, sediment, fish, invertebrates, and
vegetation. This monitoring, along 300 of the river system's 1,300
miles, had to be suspended in fiscal year 2003 due to lack of funding.
If funding is not restored in fiscal year 2004, the LTRMP will need to
be significantly restructured. Either the spatial extent of the program
will need to be reduced, by eliminating field stations, or sampling
intensity and rigor will need to be reduced. Neither alternative is
sustainable and ultimately the ability of the program to fulfill its
Congressionally mandated mission will be jeopardized.
Meeting the ecological restoration and monitoring needs on the
Upper Mississippi River with renewed commitment and enhanced investment
is critical, given the setback that the EMP suffered in fiscal year
2003, when funding was cut by nearly 40 percent. Within the next year,
the Corps is expected to release its Navigation Study on the Upper
Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System, including a recommended
plan for improving both the river navigation infrastructure and
ecosystem. Yet, without a strong EMP program as one of the tools to
meet river environmental needs, it is unlikely that the plan can be
successfully implemented. The UMRBA thus strongly urges that the EMP be
funded at $33.32 million in fiscal year 2004, as recommended by the
President.
major rehabilitation of locks and dams
Given that most of the locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi
River System are over 60 years old, they are in serious need of repair
and rehabilitation. For the past 17 years, the Corps has been
undertaking major rehabilitation of individual facilities throughout
the navigation system in an effort to extend their useful life. This
work is critical to ensuring the system's reliability and safety.
The UMRBA supports the Corps' fiscal year 2004 budget request for
major rehabilitation work at 3 locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi
River, including Lock and Dam 24, Lock and Dam 11, and Lock and Dam 3.
Half of these amounts are to be provided by the Inland Waterways Trust
Fund. Lock and Dam 24, located near Clarksville, Missouri, is nearing
completion of the first phase of its $87 million rehabilitation. Lock
wall concrete repairs are underway and expected to continue in fiscal
year 2004. However, the fiscal year 2004 budget request of $13 million
is a constrained funding level, which may require suspension of the
contract, thus ultimately increasing project cost. UMRBA thus supports
$17 million for rehabilitation of Lock and Dam 24, which is the fiscal
year 2004 capability level.
Rehabilitation of Lock and Dam 11, located near Dubuque, Iowa,
began in fiscal year 2002. The work includes repair and replacement of
various miter and tainter gate components, culvert valve
rehabilitation, and additional scour protection above and below the
dam. The fiscal year 2004 budget request is $1.313 million, but the
UMRBA supports the full capability funding of $6.52 million.
Lock and Dam 3, near Red Wing, Minnesota is located on a bend in
the river, which causes an outdraft current that tends to sweep down-
bound tows toward the gated dam. A related problem is maintaining the
structural integrity of a set of 3 earthen embankments connecting the
gated dam to high ground on the Wisconsin side. A reevaluation study is
now underway to assess alternatives for addressing these related
navigation safety problems and potentially combining the projects. The
UMRBA supports fiscal year 2004 funding of $600,000, as requested by
the President, to complete the study and begin work on plans and
specifications.
operation and maintenance (o&m) of the upper mississippi river
navigation system
The Corps of Engineers is responsible for operating and maintaining
the Upper Mississippi River System for navigation. This includes
channel maintenance dredging, placement and repair of channel training
structures, water level regulation, and the routine operation of 29
locks and dams on the Mississippi River and 7 locks and dams on the
Illinois River. The fiscal year 2004 budget totals approximately $144
million for O&M of this river system, which includes $97.859 million
for the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and the Missouri River,
$18.099 million for the Mississippi River between the Missouri River
and Ohio River, and $27.615 million for the Illinois Waterway.
These funds are critical to the Corps' ability to maintain a safe
and reliable commercial navigation system. In addition, these funds
support a variety of activities that ensure the navigation system is
maintained while protecting and enhancing the river's environmental
values. For example, O&M funds support innovative environmental
engineering techniques in the open river reaches such as bendway weirs,
chevrons, and notched dikes that maintain the navigation channel in an
environmentally sensitive manner. In addition, water level management
options for a number of pools in the impounded portion of the river are
being evaluated under the O&M program. Pool level management, such as
that being tested in Pool 8 and proposed in Pools 6 and 9, is a
promising new approach for enhancing aquatic plant growth and
overwintering conditions for fish, without adversely affecting
navigation.
Although the President's fiscal year 2004 funding request for O&M
is slightly higher than fiscal year 2003 funding levels for most
segments of the river system, unfortunately it is substantially less
for the St. Paul District (MVP) and well below capability levels in the
other two Districts.
[Millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year
Upper Mississippi River System O&M Accounts Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2004 Full
2003 Omnibus 2004 Request Capability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi River Between MO River and Minneapolis:
St. Paul District (MVP)..................................... 41.820 36.056 56.306
Rock Island District (MVR).................................. 41.820 44.429 54.779
St. Louis District (MVS).................................... 15.443 17.374 26.434
Mississippi River Between Ohio and MO Rivers.................... 17.000 18.099 29.399
Illinois Waterway:
Rock Island District (MVR).................................. 25.154 25.726 35.026
St. Louis District (MVS).................................... 1.683 1.889 1.889
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 23 percent reduction in Mississippi River O&M funding for the
St. Paul District is of particular concern. This dramatic cut will
eliminate the Mississippi River Endangered Species Recovery program and
all maintenance construction contracts, with the exception of dredging
and the continuing contract for the Lock and Dam 9 control systems and
building replacement. Anticipated contract suspensions or cancellations
include those for tow haulage unit replacements, Lock and Dam 4 dam
gate painting, Lock and Dam 1 Ambursen Dam rehabilitation, Lock and Dam
6 fixed crest spillway repairs, Lock and Dam 10 control systems and
building replacement, West Newton dredged material site unloading, and
Upper St. Anthony Falls lock dewatering. In addition, the St. Paul
District will be unable to address the recently-identified lock
bulkhead problems at several facilities. It is projected that $31
million will be required over the next 5 years to construct bulkhead
slots needed to safely dewater Locks 2-10 for repair.
The UMRBA supports increased funding for O&M of the Upper
Mississippi and Illinois River System, particularly in the St. Paul
District. Full capability funding in fiscal year 2004 for all three
Upper Mississippi River districts totals $204 million.
navigation study
The Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway Navigation Study,
which began in 1993, was restructured in 2001, in response to
recommendations from the National Research Council and a new Task Force
of senior leaders from 5 Federal agencies. Now that the study is on a
new course, designed to address both navigation and environmental needs
in an integrated fashion, the UMRBA is anxious to see the study brought
to a successful and timely conclusion. On-going analyses are expected
to yield results that will be used to develop tentative integrated
plans by October 2003, incorporating both navigation improvements and
ecosystem restoration. Fiscal year 2004 activities will thus focus on
agency, stakeholder, and public review and input. This will be an
extremely critical step in the collaborative process, which is expected
to yield a Chief's Report by November 2004. In order to keep this
process on track, it is essential to fully fund the Navigation Study,
as requested by the President.
upper mississippi river comprehensive plan (flood damage reduction)
Section 459 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999
authorized the Corps to develop what is termed the ``Upper Mississippi
River Comprehensive Plan,'' the primary focus of which is systemic
flood damage reduction and flood protection. In fiscal year 2003, a
Project Management Plan (PMP) was developed and data gathering efforts
are now underway. Funding is needed in fiscal year 2004 to continue the
inventory and digital data coverages of floodplain land use,
infrastructure, natural resources, and socioeconomic data and to begin
the development and analysis of alternatives. Development of the
Comprehensive Plan has been awaiting completion of the Flow Frequency
Study, which will provide updated flood elevation profiles and models.
That work is scheduled for completion this fiscal year, thus paving the
way for the Comprehensive Plan to be undertaken in earnest.
The total study costs for the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive
Plan are estimated to be $5.13 million. In fiscal year 2002, the first
year that funding was provided, $692,000 was allocated. In fiscal year
2003, an additional $1.814 million was provided. However, only $492,000
has been requested for fiscal year 2004. Unless additional funds are
made available in fiscal year 2004, the study will not be completed in
the 3-year time frame Congress directed when the study was first
authorized in WRDA 1999, and later reaffirmed in WRDA 2000. Thus, the
UMRBA supports full funding of $2.624 million in fiscal year 2004.
stream gaging
The Corps of Engineers in cooperation with the USGS operates
approximately 150 stream gages in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. In
fiscal year 2003, the Corps' share of the cost of these gages is $1.888
million. Most of these stream gages are funded through the Corps' O&M
account for the specific projects to which the gages are related.
However, there are a number of gages that are not associated with a
particular project. Thus, UMRBA supports the $500,000 requested under
General Investigations to support the Corps' share of non-project USGS
stream gages, many of which are located in the 5 States of the Upper
Mississippi River Basin. In fiscal year 2003, approximately $127,000
was provided by these ``General Coverage Funds'' for gages in the St.
Paul and Rock Island Districts.
______
Prepared Statement of The Nature Conservancy
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, I appreciate this
opportunity to present The Nature Conservancy's recommendations for
fiscal 2004 appropriations. We understand and appreciate that the
subcommittee's ability to fund programs within its jurisdiction is
limited by current national emergency but appreciate your consideration
of these important programs.
The Nature Conservancy is an international, non-profit organization
dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. Our mission is
to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent
the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they
need to survive. The Conservancy has more than 1,000,000 individual
members and 1,900 corporate associates. We have programs in all 50
States and in 28 foreign countries. We have protected more than 14.0
million acres in the United States and more than 80 million acres with
local partner organizations worldwide. The Conservancy owns and manages
1,400 preserves throughout the United States--the largest private
system of nature sanctuaries in the world. Sound science and strong
partnerships with public and private landowners to achieve tangible and
lasting results characterize our conservation programs.
The Nature Conservancy urges the Committee to support the following
appropriation levels in the fiscal 2004 Energy and Water Development
Appropriation bill:
construction general priorities
Section 1135: Project Modification for the Improvement of the
Environment.--The Section 1135 Program authorizes the Army Corps of
Engineers (Corps) to restore areas damaged by existing Corps projects.
This program permits modification of existing dams and flood control
projects to increase habitat for fish and wildlife without interrupting
a project's original purpose. The Nature Conservancy is the non-Federal
cost share partner on several projects including the McKarran Ranch on
the Truckee River, NV and Spunky Bottoms on the Illinois River, IL. The
Nature Conservancy supports full funding of $25.0 million for the
Section 1135 program in fiscal 2004, an increase over the
administration's $14.0 million request.
Section 206: Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration.--Section 206 is a newer
Corps program that authorizes the Corps to restore aquatic habitat
regardless of past activities. The Nature Conservancy has several
projects that put Section 206 to work restoring important habitat,
including a $5 million project at Kankakee Sands in Indiana, and the
Mad Island Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project in Texas. The Nature
Conservancy supports full funding of $25.0 million for this valuable
program in fiscal 2004, an increase over the administration's $10.0
million request.
Upper Mississippi River System Environmental Management Program.--
The Environmental Management Program (EMP) is an important Corps
program that constructs habitat restoration projects as well as
conducts long-term resource monitoring of the Upper Mississippi and
Illinois Rivers. The EMP operates as a unique Federal-State partnership
affecting 5 States (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and
Wisconsin). The EMP was reauthorized in WRDA 1999 with an increased
authorization in the amount of $33.3 million. The Nature Conservancy
supports the President's request for full funding of $33.3 million for
fiscal 2004.
Estuary Habitat Restoration Program.--The Estuary Habitat
Restoration Program was established with the intent to restore 1
million acres of estuary habitat by 2010. This multi-agency program
will promote projects that result in healthy ecosystems that support
wildlife, fish and shellfish, improve surface and groundwater quality,
quantity, and flood control; and provide outdoor recreation. The Nature
Conservancy supports $10 million in fiscal 2004.
Everglades and South Florida Ecosystem Restoration.--The Everglades
and South Florida Ecosystem Restoration program is designed to save and
restore a critical natural treasure by acquiring high priority natural
lands for protection, capturing runoff lost to tide, restoring natural
hydropatterns essential for the overall heath of the system and for
protecting water supplies for human use. The Nature Conservancy
supports $45.0 million in fiscal 2004, an increase over the
administration's $14.8 million request.
Florida Keys Water Quality Program.--The Florida Keys Water Quality
Program is a unique restoration program designed to protect the fragile
marine and coral ecosystem off the Florida Keys. This marine ecosystem
is being impacted by excessive nutrients due to storm and waste water
pollution. This program is cost shared with State and local interests
to repair and improve the storm and wastewater treatment facilities on
the Florida Keys to reduce the harmful levels of nutrient pollution.
The Nature Conservancy, and its partners the State of Florida, Florida
Keys Aqueduct Authority, Monroe County, City of Islamorada, City of
Layton, City of Key Colony Beach, City of Marathon, and City of Key
West, support $30.0 million for fiscal 2004.
Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation.--Created in WRDA 1986,
the Missouri River Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project is designed to
reverse the negative environmental impacts of lower river
channelization and bank stabilization through land acquisition from
willing sellers. The Mitigation Project allows the Corps to restore
chutes, side channels, and other off-channel floodplain habitat for
river wildlife. The Nature Conservancy supports the President's request
of $22.0 million for fiscal 2004.
Challenge 21: Riverine Ecosystem Restoration and Flood Hazard
Mitigation Program.--The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 1999
authorized the Challenge 21 program as a 5-year, $200 million effort to
enhance riverine ecosystems and encourage non-structural flood control
projects. Challenge 21 directs non-structural flood control, in part
through relocation of frequently flooded homes and businesses in
smaller communities; and habitat restoration, including floodplain
wetland restoration. The Nature Conservancy supports $5.0 million as an
initial appropriation in fiscal 2004.
general investigation priorities
White River Basin Comprehensive Study in Arkansas.--The White River
Basin Comprehensive Study will enable the Corps to pull together the
needs of myriad issues in the White River basin and permit a sensible
long term plan for the region. The Nature Conservancy strongly supports
$1.0 million in fiscal 2004 for the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to
continue the Comprehensive Study in the White River basin, an increase
over the administration's $300,000 request.
Savannah River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Study.--The
Savannah Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Study will enable the
Corps and other partners to gain a better understanding of the
influence of hydrologic processes such as timing, duration, frequency,
magnitude, and rate of change of river flows on the river's ecology.
The Nature Conservancy, under a cooperative agreement funded by the
USACE and its cost share partners Georgia and South Carolina, is
working to develop a set of ecosystem flow recommendations for the
Savannah River Basin. Draft flow recommendations will be finalized by
May 2003. The Nature Conservancy supports the President's request of
$200,000 in fiscal 2004.
Sacramento and San Joaquin Comprehensive Basin Study.--The
Sacramento and San Joaquin Comprehensive Basin Study is examining how
to reduce the risk of flood while restoring the watershed's diverse
ecosystem. The Nature Conservancy supports the President's request of
$1.0 million in fiscal 2004.
Connecticut River Ecosystem Restoration Study.--The Connecticut
River Ecosystem Restoration Study identified several ecosystem
restoration opportunities along the mainstem of the Connecticut River.
These funds will support studies of the ecological flow needs and
initiate needed modeling on the Ashuelot River, NH and the West River,
VT, part of the Sustainable Rivers Project, a unique collaboration with
the Army Corps of Engineers and The Nature Conservancy. The Sustainable
Rivers Project seeks to reoperate 16 dams on 12 rivers to better meet
the needs of the freshwater ecosystem while still abiding by the
required purposes of the dams. The Nature Conservancy supports $315,000
for fiscal 2004, an increase over the administration's $115,000
request.
Southeast Oklahoma Feasibility Study.--The reconnaissance phase of
the Southeast Oklahoma Feasibility Study determined there is Federal
interest to preserve and/or restore the riverine ecosystem of the
Kiamichi River Basin between the confluence of Jackfork Creek and the
Kiamichi River and the upper reaches of Hugo Lake over the 50-year
period of analysis. These funds will support studies of the ecological
flow needs and initiate needed modeling on the Kiamichi River which is
part of the Sustainable Rivers Project, a unique collaboration with the
Army Corps of Engineers and The Nature Conservancy. The Sustainable
Rivers Project seeks to reoperate 16 dams on 12 rivers to better meet
the needs of the freshwater ecosystem while still abiding by the
required purposes of the dams. The Nature Conservancy supports $100,000
for fiscal 2004, an increase over the administration's $50,000 request.
regulatory program priorities
Southern California Special Area Management Plan (SAMP).--For the
past 3 years, the Army Corps has been working with three Southern
California counties to develop region-wide Special Area Management
Plans that identify, delineate and plan for the conservation of
wetlands within their jurisdictions. These SAMPs are a critical part of
the regional effort to protect critical natural and resources to plan
for continued economic growth in Southern California. They are emerging
as an important planning tool that addresses streamlining of Federal
wetlands regulations while promoting more effective wetlands
conservation and providing long-term certainty for economic interests
in the region. The Southern California SAMP process is being evaluated
as a model for wetlands planning in other areas. The Nature Conservancy
supports $1.9 million for fiscal 2004.
bureau of reclamation priorities
Recovery Implementation Program for Colorado Endangered Fish
Species.--The Recovery Program is in its thirteenth year of working for
the recovery of endangered fish species in the Upper Colorado River
Basin. The Recovery Program serves as a model of successful cooperation
between three States (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming), Federal agencies,
water development interests, power users and the environmental
community in the recovery of four endangered fish species. The Nature
Conservancy supports $5.9 million in fiscal 2004 for the Bureau of
Reclamation.
Thank you for the opportunity to present The Nature Conservancy's
comments on the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill. We
recognize that you receive many worthy requests for funding each year
and appreciate your consideration of these requests and the generous
support you have shown for these and other conservation programs in the
past. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact us.
______
Prepared Statement of Southeastern Federal Power Customers, Inc.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of the
Southeastern Federal Power Customers' (``SeFPC''), I am pleased to
provide testimony in reference to the Administration's fiscal year 2004
budget request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (``Corps''). My
testimony will focus primarily on the budget request for the Corps'
South Atlantic Division (``SAD'') and the Great Lakes and Ohio River
Division (``LRD'').
The SeFPC has enjoyed a long and successful relationship with the
Corps' SAD and LRD offices that has greatly benefited the approximately
5.8 million customers that are SeFPC members. As the Subcommittee is
aware, the Corps is responsible for operating and maintaining Federal
hydropower generating facilities. The Southeastern Power Administration
(``SEPA'') then markets the energy and capacity that is generated from
the Federal projects in the Southeast. The SeFPC represents some 238
rural cooperatives and municipally owned electric systems in the States
of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia, which purchase power
from SEPA. In some cases, SEPA supplies as much as 25 percent of the
power and 10 percent of the energy needs of SeFPC customers. The SeFPC
therefore greatly relies on the power generated at Corps' projects in
the SAD and LRD.
drastic cuts in the corps' budget
The members of the SeFPC are dedicated to providing reliable and
economic power for their consumers. We therefore are concerned that the
President has proposed a 30 percent reduction in the Corps' Operations
& Maintenance (``O&M'') account and 25 percent reduction in the
Construction General Account for the upcoming fiscal year. With these
reductions in funding, the Corps will not be able to undertake the O&M
and Renewals & Replacements (``R&R'') work necessary to ensure the
long-term reliability of the Southeastern Federal hydropower
facilities. We are particularly concerned about the effects of the
proposed budget cuts on ongoing O&M work on hydropower infrastructure
within the SEPA system of projects.
The proposed reductions will impede the Corps' work in the
following SEPA projects: Walter F. George, J. Strom Thurmond, John H.
Kerr, Allatoona, and Carters.
We also are concerned the President's budget request has zeroed out
funds for construction at many of the projects operated by the Corps of
Engineers. If enacted, the prohibition on ``new starts'' would delay
the badly needed rehabilitation of generating facilities in the
Cumberland River System and throughout the Southeast. Many of the
hydroelectric generating facilities in SEPA's service area are nearing
the 50-year mark, when major rehabilitations are critical if the
project is to continue. Regrettably, the fiscal year 2004 budget
request does not place a high priority on critical needs, such as: (1)
$4 million for replacement of generating units at Wolf Creek project;
and (2) $2.8 million to initiate replacement of generating units at
Center Hill.
When a generating unit becomes inoperable, SEPA may be forced to
purchase expensive replacement power which could result in a reduction
of energy and capacity, possibly forcing the customer to purchase
expensive capacity elsewhere. This has occurred so frequently in the
last several years that the new SEPA rate design now includes a monthly
payment provision by customers to cover any replacement power. Such a
result is inappropriate because preference customers already have
contributed to the Corps' O&M and R&R expenses, and in essence are
double-charged. Even though excess payments pay down the debt
associated with the projects, when generating units deteriorate, the
O&M expenses greatly increase.
We are working on a long-term customer funding proposal that would
facilitate this badly needed replacement and rehabilitation work at
hydroelectric facilities in the LRD and SAD. We anticipate, however,
that this long-term initiative will not be finalized for several years.
In the meantime, some of these facilities will not be able to continue
running without Federal funds.
administration's proposal for direct funding of o&m
It is important to note that the relationship of the Corps, SEPA,
and the SeFPC, forged pursuant to the Federal Power Marketing Program,
is separate and distinct from other Corps activities. The Federal Power
Marketing Program is designed to pay for itself--consumers are
responsible for repaying the Federal taxpayer investment in the Corps'
multi-purpose hydroelectric facilities. In the rates charged by SEPA to
preference customers, a portion of each rate is devoted to future O&M
and R&R activities at these facilities. In turn, these revenues are
deposited in the Treasury and used to reimburse Congressionally
appropriated funds for O&M and R&R expenses at the Corps' hydropower
facilities. Funds collected from consumers may also be used for the
joint costs of dam activities such as recreation, navigation and flood
control. To date, preference customers have paid in SEPA rates over
$108 million in excess of amounts spent by the Corps on O&M and R&R.
The Administration's fiscal year 2004 budget request proposes to
alter this funding arrangement. This year's request includes a
provision from the President's fiscal year 2003 request calling for
direct funding of routine hydropower O&M for SEPA and the other Federal
Power Marketing Administrations. While we support the concept of direct
funding for O&M expenses, we have concerns with the Administration's
proposal. We believe the proposal could limit customer oversight and
involvement in how O&M funds are spent. Moreover, as we have discussed
in greater detail above, some of the most pressing needs at the
Nation's Federal hydropower facilities would require major
rehabilitation and other new construction expenses not covered by the
O&M proposal.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of our comments on the
Administration's fiscal year 2004 budget request for the Corps. We look
forward to working with you to ensure these critical needs are met.
______
Prepared Statement of the City of Los Angeles Board of Harbor
Commissioners, Port of Los Angeles
Chairman Domenici, and Members of the Subcommittee: We are Nicholas
G. Tonsich, President of the City of Los Angeles Board of Harbor
Commissioners, and Larry A. Keller, Executive Director of the Port of
Los Angeles. Together, we oversee the activities of the Port of Los
Angeles, the largest container seaport in the United States. Our
testimony speaks in support of continuing the Federal role in carrying
out the major navigation improvements underway at the Port, which
underpin the United States' decisive role in global trade.
We thank your Subcommittee for its unwavering support of the now
completed Pier 400 Deep-Draft Navigation and Landfill Project that was
the first phase of the 2020 Infrastructure Development Plan at the
Port. In fiscal year 2002, your Subcommittees appropriated $5.8
million, thereby enabling the Port and the Corps of Engineers to
complete the Preconstruction and Engineering Design Phase resulting in
the successful commencement of construction of the Channel Deepening
Project, the second phase of strategic navigation improvements under
the 2020 Plan. The construction contract was awarded in August 2002 and
dredging began the following month. The project is scheduled for
completion in fiscal year 2005.
Again, in fiscal year 2003, your Subcommittee demonstrated its
decisive role in promulgating support for critical national water
resources policy through the appropriation of scarce Federal funds to
continue development of our Nations' navigation infrastructure program.
The Subcommittee's fiscal year 2003 earmark of $12 million has kept the
Channel Deepening Project on schedule.
Today, we respectfully submit testimony requesting full Federal
funding in fiscal year 2004 for continued construction dredging of the
Channel Deepening Project and for particular operations and maintenance
requirements. Consistent with the goals and priorities of the
Administration and the Congress, the Channel Deepening Project will
provide significant economic return to the Nation, fulfill the
commitment to environmental stewardship, and maintain essential
readiness for our national security while fostering positive
international relations. Therefore, we respectfully ask the
Subcommittee to fully fund our fiscal year 2004 appropriations
requests.
the importance of the 2020 infrastructure development plan to the
united states economy
Dramatic increases in Pacific Rim and Latin American trade volumes
have far exceeded our expectations! Consequently, infrastructure
development at the Port of Los Angeles is now more critical than ever.
More than 35 percent of containerized trade entering the United States
through the San Pedro Bay port complex that comprises both the Port of
Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. More than 20 percent represents
container throughputs at the Port of Los Angeles, alone. In fact, the
Port of Los Angeles handled more than 5.1 million TEUs in 2002. Those
figures have escalated to more than 6 million TEUs of container cargo
through the end of January of this year. These container throughputs
represent $300 billion in goods coming into the United States, and are
keen evidence of the unprecedented and continued growth for any
American seaport--and the importance of the Port of Los Angeles in the
national economy.
Pacific Rim and Mexican trade volumes with the United States are
also at an all-time high. These increased trade volumes have solidified
the Port of Los Angeles as a pivotal player in the global trading
network. With a robust Asian economy, we can best describe the
potential for increased two-way trade with the Pacific Rim region,
alone, as colossal! These goods went on to stores and manufacturing
plants across the United States, supporting jobs and local economies.
As was evidenced by the recent West Coast labor lock out, the indirect
impacts to our national economy are significant, and are a result of
the leading position the Port of Los Angeles enjoys in the national and
world economies.
In the late 1970s, the Port of Los Angeles quite accurately
forecast the current surge in the international trade needs of both the
Southern California region and the Nation. In the early 1980s, the Port
entered a long-term cooperative planning effort with the Corps of
Engineers, known as The 2020 Infrastructure Development Plan. Designed
to meet the extraordinary infrastructure demands placed on it in the
face of the continued explosion in global trade, the 2020 Plan
acknowledges the phenomenal growth of trade through the Port of Los
Angeles. Further, the 2020 Plan has become a blueprint for the
infrastructure development of other ports and adaptation to changes in
maritime technology and to the projected growth in trade volumes
experienced by most ports nationally. The Channel Deepening Project
marks the second phase of the 2020 Plan begun with the Pier 400 Deep-
Draft Navigation and Landfill Project. The Port of Los Angeles is
moving forward with the 2020 Plan.
the channel deepening project
The Channel Deepening Project began in February 1999 when the Port
and the Los Angeles District Corps executed a Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA). The MOA expedited the preliminary study phase required to engage
the Corps in the Channel Deepening Project, a Federal navigation
improvement project. In anticipation of a favorable Chief of Engineers'
Report, Congress authorized the Channel Deepening Project in The Water
Resources Development Act of 2000. The Corps of Engineers approved the
Feasibility Study on December 29, 2000, thereby enabling the Channel
Deepening Project to proceed.
In fiscal year 2004, the Port of Los Angeles requests that your
Subcommittee include an appropriation of $35,000,000 for the Federal
share of continued construction dredging of the Channel Deepening
Project. The Corps of Engineers' has estimated the total project cost
of approximately $194,000,000 \1\ with a Federal share of $57,400,000,
and a local share of $136,600,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Escalated through end of construction in fiscal year 2005, per
OMB.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We cannot over emphasize the critical importance of continuing
construction of the Channel Deepening Project in fiscal year 2004. At
-45 Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW), the Main Channel is too shallow to
accommodate the new state-of-the-art container vessels designed to
draft as much as -48 feet and hold containers than 6,000 TEUs. The
Chief of Engineers' Report, issued in December 2000, concurred with the
Feasibility Study's recommendation that the Corps dredge the Channel to
at least -53 feet, including a modest allowance for varied tidal
conditions and under-keel clearance. The project also includes dredging
approximately 8.4 million cubic yards of sediment from the Turning
Basin, the West and East Basins, and the East Basin Channel. Of the
major container shipping lines that currently call at the Port of Los
Angeles, five have vessels that draft -46 feet when fully laden.
Consequently, they call with only partial loads to be able to safely
navigate the Harbor's channels. While unavoidable, this makes for an
inefficient shipping system and opens the door to cargo diversion to
Vancouver, Canada or other non-U.S. West Coast ports.
Simply, Mr. Chairman, there are no other ports on the West Coast of
the United States with the current infrastructure capacity to serve
these container ships in the Pacific Rim trade or to absorb the volume
of container throughputs. These state-of-the-art container ships
represent the new competitive requirements for international shipping
efficiencies in this century. It is imperative that Congress
appropriate the requested funding that will enable the Channel
Deepening Project to continue, with full funding that will keep the
project on schedule for completion in fiscal year 2005.
continued funding of the los angeles harbor models
Furthermore, the Port of Los Angeles also requests a total
appropriation of $3,170,000 for the San Pedro Bay Models at the Corps
of Engineers' Waterways Experiment Station (WES) at Vicksburg,
Mississippi. This funding is critical for the Corps to maintain the Los
Angeles Harbor Model studies and the Wave Gauge Program. Our request
includes $170,000 for the maintenance of the physical model of the San
Pedro Bay to maintain operational readiness for the continued study of
navigation improvements at the Port, and $3,000,000 to upgrade the wave
gauges, wave generators, and computer systems that are now
technologically outdated and beyond their physical service life.
The information derived from these study tools is critical to the
validation of the numerical and physical models used for the design of
ongoing projects under the 2020 Plan of the Port. For example, during
the state-of-the-art design of the Pier 400 Project, the scientists and
engineers at WES, the Port of Los Angeles and the Corps' Los Angeles
District used eight separate, but related models, to site the land
reclamation element of the project and its effect on tidal resonance on
container ships at dock. As a result, maintenance of the hydraulic and
physical models at WES, and their prototype data acquisition
facilities, continue to be an essential resource for the Corps of
Engineers and the Port of Los Angeles.
the economic impact of the 2020 infrastructure development plan
As we have testified before, cargo throughput for the Port of Los
Angeles has a tremendous impact on our national economy. This fact
cannot be over emphasized. The ability of the Port to meet the
spiraling demands of the phenomenal growth in global trade through its
facilities is directly dependent upon the construction of sufficiently
deep navigation channels that will accommodate the largest state-of-
the-art deep-draft cargo container ships that are already in service.
These new ships provide greater efficiencies in cargo transportation,
thereby offering American consumers lower prices on imported goods and
exports that are more competitive from the United States to foreign
markets. However, for American seaports to remain abreast of these
industry trends, we must immediately make the necessary infrastructure
improvements that will enable the Port to participate in this rapidly
changing global trading arena.
The Channel Deepening Project is clearly a commercial navigation
project of national economic significance and one that will yield
exponential economic returns to the United States--and the Southern
California region--well into the future. The national economic benefits
are evidenced by the creation of more than one million permanent well-
paying jobs across the United States; more than $1 billion in wages and
salaries; and, local, State and Federal sales and income tax revenues,
including increased U.S. Customs Service revenues, deposited into the
Federal treasury. The return on the Federal investment is real and
quantifiable, and we expect it to surpass the cost-benefit ratio as
determined by the Corps of Engineers' project Feasibility Study many
times over. The Federal investment in the Channel Deepening Project
will ensure that the Port of Los Angeles, the Nation's largest
container seaport, remains at the forefront of the new global trade
network well into the 21st century.
in summary
Mr. Chairman, the Port of Los Angeles respectfully urges your
Subcommittee to include the following appropriations earmarks in the
fiscal year 2004 Budget to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
navigation construction projects on behalf of the Port of Los Angeles:
--$35,000,000 to continue construction dredging of the Channel
Deepening Project;
--$170,000 for ongoing maintenance of the Los Angeles Harbor Model at
WES; and,
--$3,000,000 to upgrade wave gauge and generators of the Los Angeles
Harbor Model at WES.
Thank you, Chairman Domenici, for the opportunity to submit this
testimony in support of continued Congressional support of the Channel
Deepening Project and other important Federal navigation projects at
the Port of Los Angeles. The Port has long valued the support of your
Subcommittee and its appreciation of the significant role the port
industry plays in maintaining the economic vitality of the United
States, and, in particular, the role of the Port of Los Angeles in
contributing to this country's economic vigor and national security.
______
Prepared Statement of the Louisiana Governor's Task Force on Maritime
Industry
As Chairman of the Louisiana Governors Task Force on Maritime
Industry, I hereby submit testimony to the Senate Subcommittee on
Energy and Water Development on behalf of the ports on the lower
Mississippi River, the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway and the Calcasieu
River waterway and the maritime interests related thereto of the State
of Louisiana relative to Congressional appropriations for fiscal year
2004.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that in 2001 a total of
420.3 million tons of foreign and domestic waterborne commerce moved
through the consolidated deepwater ports of Louisiana situated on the
lower Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and the Gulf of Mexico.
Deepening of this 232-mile stretch of the River to 45 feet has been a
major factor in tonnage growth at these ports. Due in large part to the
efforts of Congress and the New Orleans District of the Corps,
Louisiana's ports and the domestic markets they serve can compete more
productively and effectively in the global marketplace. Ninety-one
percent of America's foreign merchandise trade by volume (two-thirds by
value) moves in ships, and 20.8 percent of the Nation's foreign
waterborne commerce passes through Louisiana's ports. Given the role
foreign trade plays in sustaining our Nation's growth, maintaining the
levels of productivity and competitiveness of Louisiana's ports is
essential to our Nation's continued economic well-being.
In terms of transportation services and global access, Louisiana
ports enjoy a distinct competitive advantage. Hundreds of barge lines
accommodate America's waterborne commerce on the lower Mississippi
River. The high level of barge traffic on the river is indicated by the
passage of more than 222,500 barges through the Port of New Orleans
annually. In 2001, 2,020 ocean-going vessels operated by more than 100
steamship lines serving U.S. trade with more than 150 countries called
at the Port of New Orleans. The Port's trading partners include: Latin
America (40.3 percent); Asia (25.3 percent); Europe (23.6 percent);
Africa (9.4 percent) and North America (1.5 percent). During the same
year, 5,621 vessels called at Louisiana's lower Mississippi River
deepwater ports.
The foreign markets of Louisiana's lower Mississippi River ports
are worldwide; however, their primary domestic market is mid-America.
This heartland region currently produces 60 percent of the Nation's
agricultural products, one half of all of its manufactured goods and 90
percent of its machinery and transportation equipment.
The considerable transportation assets of Louisiana's lower
Mississippi River ports enable mid-America's farms and industries to
play a vital role in the international commerce of this Nation. In
2001, the region's ports and port facilities handled 232.5 million tons
of foreign waterborne commerce. Valued at $38.4 billion, this cargo
accounted for 18.1 percent of the Nation's international waterborne
trade and 26.7 percent of all U.S. exports. Bulk cargo, primarily
consisting of tremendous grain and animal feed exports and petroleum
imports, made up 91.2 percent of this volume. Approximately 49 million
tons of grain from 17 States, representing 58.5 percent of all U.S.
grain exports, accessed the world market via the 10 grain elevators and
midstream transfer capabilities on the lower Mississippi River. This
same port complex received 94 million short tons of petroleum and
petroleum products, 15.9 percent of U.S. waterborne imports of
petroleum products.
In 2001, public and private facilities located within the
jurisdiction of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans,
the fourth largest port in the United States, handled a total of 85.6
million tons of international and domestic cargo. International general
cargo totaled 8.9 million tons. Although statistically dwarfed by bulk
cargo volumes, the movement of general cargo is of special significance
to the local economy because it produces greater benefits. On a per ton
basis, general cargo generates spending within the community more than
three times higher than bulk cargo. Major general cargo commodities
handled at the Port include: iron and steel products; coffee; forest
products; copper; aluminum products; and natural rubber.
Fostering the continued growth of lower Mississippi River ports is
necessary to maintain the competitiveness of our Nation's exports in
the global marketplace and, consequently, the health of the Nation's
economy. Assuring deep-water access to ports has been a priority of our
trading partners around the world. Moreover, an evolving maritime
industry seeking greater economies of scale continues to support
construction of larger vessels with increased draft requirements.
Because it facilitated the provision of deepwater port access, passage
of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, played a most
significant role in assuring the competitiveness of ports on the lower
Mississippi river and throughout the United States.
By December 1994, the Corps completed dredging of the 45-foot
channel from the Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, LA (Mile 233 AHP).
Mitigation features associated with the first phase of the channel-
deepening project in the vicinity of Southwest Pass of the river,
accomplished in 1988, are nearing completion. We urge the continued
funding for this work in fiscal year 2004 to complete construction of
improvements to the Belle Chasse water treatment plant. This will
complete the approximate $15 million in payments to the State of
Louisiana for construction of a pipeline and pumping stations to
deliver potable fresh water to communities affected by saltwater
intrusion. We further urge that the Corps be provided funding to
proceed with design studies for Phase III, which will allow deepening
of the river to the 55-foot authorized depth.
Along with the Port of New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana,
the Nation's largest port with 212.6 million tons of foreign and
domestic cargo in 2001, and the Port of Baton Rouge, the Nation's tenth
largest port with 61.4 million tons of foreign and domestic cargo in
2001, and other lower Mississippi River ports are dependent upon timely
and adequate dredging of Southwest Pass to provide deep draft access to
the Gulf of Mexico. The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget is
$56,206,000 under O&M General. We, however, strongly recommend that the
Corps be funded $64,566,000 to repair and construct foreshore dikes,
lateral dikes and jetties.
Maintenance of adequate depths and channel widths in the
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Channel (MRGO) is also of great concern.
This channel provides deep draft access to the Port of New Orleans
principal container terminals and generates an annual economic impact
of nearly $800 million. In 2001, 418 general cargo vessels calling on
the Port's MRGO terminals accounted for 31.2 percent of the general
cargo tonnage handled over public facilities at the Port and 68.7
percent of Louisiana's containerized cargo.
Because of the MRGO's demonstrated vulnerability to coastal storm
activity, annual channel maintenance dredging and bank stabilization
are essential to assure unimpeded vessel operations. The President's
fiscal year 2004 Budget is $13,485,000 under O&M General. We, however,
strongly recommend that the Corps be funded $34,325,000 for maintenance
dredging and bank stabilization.
We recognize the need for the Corps to evaluate the feasibility of
continuing the maintenance of a deep draft channel in the MRGO because
of increased maintenance costs and environmental impacts.
Unfortunately, the President's fiscal year 2004 Budget does not include
funding for such a study. We, however, strongly recommend that the
Corps be funded $813,000 to complete the MRGO Reevaluation Study. It is
important to note that although the Port of New Orleans plans to
relocate much of its container terminal capacity to the Mississippi
River, a determination to discontinue maintenance of the MRGO's deep
draft channel must be preceded by completion of the IHNC Lock
replacement project to assure continued deep draft access to the many
businesses serviced by the MRGO.
The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock is a critical link in
the U.S. Inland Waterway System as well as the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway (GIWW), and provides a connection between the Port of New
Orleans Mississippi River and IHNC terminals. In 1998, the Corps
approved a plan for replacement of this obsolete facility. The Corps
estimates that the lock replacement project will have a cost-benefit
ratio of 2.1 to one and will provide $110 million annually in
transportation cost savings. To minimize adverse impacts to adjacent
neighborhoods, the project includes a $37 million Community Impact
Mitigation Program. The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget of
$7,000,000 for the IHNC Lock Replacement will pay for engineering and
design work, construction, and the mitigation program, all on a delayed
basis. We, therefore, strongly recommend that the Corps be funded
$20,000,000 to complete demolition on the east side, and advance
engineering and design, levee contracts, and mitigation measures.
Operation and maintenance of the Mississippi River Outlets at
Venice, LA are essential to providing safe offshore support access to
energy-related industries. In 2001, these channels accommodated cargo
movements exceeding 3 million tons. In addition to routine traffic,
shallow draft vessels use Baptiste Collette Bayou as an alternate route
between the MRGO, GIWW and the Mississippi River. The President's
fiscal year 2004 Budget is $1,841,000 under O&M General. We, however,
strongly recommend that the Corps be funded $5,116,000 to perform
critical maintenance dredging.
More than 74.9 million tons of cargo transverse the GIWW in the New
Orleans District annually. The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget is
$19,418,000 under O&M General. We, however, strongly recommend that the
Corps be funded $29,028,000 to perform critical maintenance at the
navigation locks.
The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget for the Bayou Sorrel Lock,
LA project is $707,000 in GI funds. To assure the efficient flow of
commerce on the GIWW, we urge that the Corps be funded $707,000 to
advance the completion of the pre-engineering design for replacement of
the Bayou Sorrel Lock, Morgan City-to-Port Allen alternate route. We
further recommend that the Corps be funded $800,000 in GI funds to
advance the completion of the feasibility phase of the study to replace
Calcasieu Lock on the GIWW by 3 years.
The Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is served by the Calcasieu
River, which often does not meet project depth and width requirements.
This Port is one of Louisiana's major deep-water ports, benefitting the
economy of the State and the Nation. In 2001, the Port handled 37.1
million tons of import cargo and 17.3 million tons of export cargo. The
Port and private facilities along this waterway provide thousands of
jobs for the Lake Charles area. In 2001, 1,284 ships and 7,893 barges
used the Calcasieu River waterway. The Port area's growth and continued
success depends on the provision of a reliable and safe channel at full
project dimensions. The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget is
$12,064,000 under O&M General. We, however, strongly recommend that the
Corps be funded $20,559,000 to construct revetment at Devil's Elbow.
One additional project warrants consideration. The J. Bennett
Johnston Waterway, Mississippi River to Shreveport, LA Project provides
236 miles of navigation improvements, 225 miles of channel
stabilization works and various recreational facilities. Project
completion will stimulate economic growth along the Red River Basin and
increase cargo flows through the deep draft ports on the lower
Mississippi River. The President's fiscal year 2004 Budget is
$13,700,000 (Construction General) and $12,013,000 (O&M General). We,
however, strongly recommend that the Corps be funded $29,000,000
(Construction General) and $19,900,000 (O&M, General) to complete work
already underway.
The need and impetus to reduce the Federal budget is certainly
acknowledged; however, reduced funding on any of the above projects
will result in decreased maintenance levels which will escalate
deterioration and, ultimately, prevent them from functioning at their
full authorized purpose. Reduction in the serviceability of these
projects will cause severe economic impacts not only to this region,
but to the Nation as a whole that will far outweigh savings from
reduced maintenance expenditures. Therefore, we reiterate our strong
recommendation that the above projects be funded to their full
capability.
1. Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to Baton Rouge, LA.--
Recommend the Corps be funded $196,000 (Construction General) to
perform required work on the saltwater intrusion Phase 1 mitigation
plan.
2. Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf, Maintenance
Dredging.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $56,206,000 under
O&M General. Recommend that the Corps be funded $64,566,000 to
construct foreshore rock dike, soft dike at deep draft crossings, and
to repair Southwest Pass pile dike and tie-in.
3. Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), LA, Maintenance
Dredging.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $13,485,000 under
O&M General. Recommend that the Corps be funded $34,325,000 for
maintenance dredging and bank stabilization.
4. Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock, LA.--The President's
Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $7,000,000 in Construction General funds.
Recommend that the Corps be funded $20,000,000 to continue construction
and mitigation for the IHNC Lock replacement.
5. Mississippi River Outlets at Venice, LA.--The President's Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget is $1,841,000 under O&M General. Recommend that the
Corps be funded $5,116,000 to perform critical maintenance dredging and
to repair jetties.
6. Bayou Sorrel Lock, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
is $707,000 under General Investigation Studies. Recommend that the
Corps be funded $707,000 to advance pre-engineering design for the
replacement of Bayou Sorrel Lock on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
(GIWW), Morgan City-to-Port Allen alternate route.
7. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, LA and TX.--The President's Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget is $19,418,000 under O&M General. Recommend that the
Corps be funded $29,028,000 to perform critical maintenance at the
navigation locks.
8. Calcasieu Lock, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is
$100,000 in GI funds. Recommend that the Corps be funded $800,000 to
advance the feasibility phase of the study to replace Calcasieu Lock on
the GIWW.
9. Calcasieu River and Pass, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004
Budget is $12,064,000 under O&M General. Recommend that the Corps be
funded $20,559,000 to construct revetment at Devil's Elbow, perform
critical dredging and maintenance of disposal area.
10. MRGO Reevaluation Study, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004
Budget has no funding for this study. Recommend that the Corps be
funded $813,000 (Construction General). Funds are needed to complete a
study to determine the advisability of maintaining the 36-foot depth of
the MRGO.
11. J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Mississippi River to Shreveport,
LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $13,700,000
(Construction General) and $12,013,000 (O&M General). Recommend that
the Corps be funded $29,000,000 (Construction General) and $19.9
million (O&M, General) to complete work already underway.
______
Prepared Statement of the Port of New Orleans
The Port of New Orleans is located at the terminus of the most
extensively developed waterway system in the world, the 14,500 mile
inland waterway system of the United States. The Port, via the
Mississippi River and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, serves as the
gateway between America's heartland and the global marketplace.
The Louisiana Governor's Task Force on the Maritime Industry has
submitted a statement in support of fiscal year 2004 Congressional
appropriations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This statement
addresses Corps activities on the Lower Mississippi River and
connecting waterways, the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, and the
Calcasieu River Waterway. We endorse the statement of the Governor's
Task Force and the funding levels recommended therein.
We greatly appreciate the outstanding support and cooperation
received over many years from the subcommittee, and look forward to
working with you on these vitally important projects.
______
Prepared Statement of the Steamship Association of Louisiana
I am President of the Steamship Association of Louisiana (SALA).
Our Association represents ship owners, operators, and agents who
handle the majority of the 7,000 ocean-going vessels that call
Louisiana's deep-water ports each year. SALA is dedicated to the safe,
efficient movement of maritime commerce through the State's deep-water
ports. We endorse the testimony of Mr. Donald T. Bollinger, Chairman of
the Governor's Task Force on Maritime Industry.
Channel stabilization and maintenance dredging in Southwest Pass
(SWP) are critical to maintaining project draft. Project draft ensures
the Mississippi River's deep-water ports will continue to handle the
country's foreign and domestic waterborne commerce in the most cost-
effective way possible.
For years we have urged this Committee to provide funds to maintain
project draft at SWP. You have responded, and your wisdom has
benefitted the entire American heartland served by the Mississippi
River system. SWP was greatly restricted throughout the 1970's. From
1970 to 1975, the channel was at less than project draft 46 percent of
the time. In 1973 and 1974, the channel was below the 40-foot project
draft 70 percent of the time. During some periods, drafts were limited
to 31 feet. Fortunately, those conditions have not recurred because of
a combination of factors: Your help, and the constant vigilance of the
Pilots, the Corps, and the maritime community. The years 1990 through
2002 show a tremendous improvement in channel stability. The funding
you provided was money well spent. The repairs to the jetties and
dikes, and the Corps' ability to rapidly respond to shoaling, have been
instrumental in maintaining project dimensions. However, the lack of
available hopper dredges has, at times, threatened the integrity of the
channel.
The Pilots have taken advantage of tidal flows and other factors to
recommend the maximum draft possible consistent with safe navigation.
This results in additional sales and increased competitiveness for U.S.
products on the world market. Industry's partnership with you has kept
Mississippi River ports competitive and attractive to vessels. An
additional 12 inches of draft to a large vessel with a loading capacity
of 250 metric tons per inch is an added 3,000 tons of cargo. As of this
writing, freight rates for grain moving from the Mississippi River to
the Far East were $24 per metric ton before world events increased them
to $30 per ton as this letter is written. Using $24 per ton, each foot
of draft represents an additional $72,000 in vessel revenue, or
$360,000 for the five additional feet over the old 40-foot project
draft that the new channel provides.
The funds we request for maintenance dredging ($64.6 million, $8.4
million over the President's request) are essential for the Corps to
maintain a reliable channel and respond rapidly to potential problems.
This builds the confidence of the bulk trade in a reliable Mississippi
River draft, which is critically important. Much of Louisiana's bulk
trade is exported agricultural products and imported petroleum
products. The export commodities are neither captive to Louisiana nor
the United States if they can be shipped from competing countries at a
consistently lower cost.
The deeper the channel, the more important channel stabilization
becomes. Adequate channel stabilization work minimizes the maintenance
cost of the deeper channel--a cost-effective investment. The faster the
project is stabilized, the faster and greater the benefits of reduced
O&M costs will be realized. Also, we recommend that the Corps conduct
research on prototype dredging techniques.
Funds are also needed for dustpan dredges to work the crossings
above New Orleans. These crossings control the draft to the Ports of
South Louisiana and Baton Rouge, home to eight of our ten major grain
elevators plus many mid-stream and other bulk cargo facilities. This
area caters to the bulk trade and must have a stable channel depth
consistent with the depth at Southwest Pass. Only two dustpan dredges
in the world are available to maintain the deep-draft crossings between
New Orleans and Baton Rouge. There are times when a high river is
followed by a rapid drop in the river's stage. In such cases, the
dustpan dredges may not be available, or both dredges may not be
capable of restoring the 12 crossings within a reasonable time. When
this happens, hopper dredges are used to assist in the work.
For all of the above reasons, we request full funding for the
mitigation features of the O&M General, 45-foot Mississippi River
project. We also request that the New Orleans District receive an
additional $32.1 million to address the shortfall carried forward from
fiscal year 2002. These funds were not provided by Congress in an
fiscal year 2002 supplemental appropriation as requested by the Corps
and are seriously impacting needed channel maintenance on the
Mississippi River, the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) and the
Calcasieu Ship Channel in fiscal year 2003. To ``catch up'' with the
dredging needs on these channels, we respectfully request this
additional funding in fiscal year 2004 if it is not provided in a
fiscal year 2003 supplemental appropriation.
We also support Phase III of the Mississippi River channel
deepening project and urge that the Corps be funded to proceed with
design studies for the 55-foot channel, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of
Mexico.
The MR-GO is also a viable channel for the State of Louisiana. The
funds you provided in past fiscal years have allowed the Corps to
improve the channel considerably. However, the channel width has
remained limited primarily because of erosion. For safety reasons in
this narrow channel, one-way traffic restrictions apply to vessels with
a draft of 30 feet or more, causing delays to the tightly-scheduled
container traffic using the MR-GO. These specialty vessels serving the
Port's facilities are becoming larger. The highest wages under the
International Longshoremen's Association's contract ($27 per straight-
time hour) is paid for work at the MR-GO container facilities. Anything
that threatens the MR-GO jeopardizes these high-paying jobs, which are
held mostly by minority workers.
To improve safety on the MR-GO and protect Louisiana's container
trade (and the well-paying, minority employment it produces), we
request that the Corps be funded at $34.3 million for the MR-GO in
fiscal year 2004. This will allow annual maintenance dredging, north
and south bank stabilization, and jetty maintenance, which is essential
to provide the stability needed for vessel and port operations.
With facilities located on both the MR-GO and the Mississippi
River, an adequate route between the two is essential for efficient
transit between these facilities. The shortest route is the inadequate,
antiquated Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock built in the
1920's with a width of 75 feet and limited depth of 30 feet. Its
maximum capacity has long been exceeded. The average waiting time for
passage through the Lock has increased from 8\1/2\ hours in 1985 to
about 12 hours at present; however, we understand that waiting time can
be more than a day in some instances. A much larger ship lock is
necessary to accommodate today's traffic.
The replacement project for the IHNC Lock is important to the ports
on the lower Mississippi River and to the Nation's commerce since it is
on the corridor for east/west barge traffic. Without full funding, the
project will be delayed and increase the overall cost of the project.
We urge Congress to provide the Corps' full fiscal year 2004 capability
($20 million) for this important project to insure its completion.
Delays are unthinkable since the new lock is long overdue.
The Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana, is served by the Calcasieu
River, which is often below project depth and width. This is another of
Louisiana's major deep-water ports that benefits the economy of the
State and the Nation. The public and private facilities along this
waterway provide thousands of jobs for the Lake Charles area. This
channel, because of its project deficiencies, requires one-way traffic
for many ships, causing delays that disrupt cargo operations. This is
costly and inefficient for industry. The Port area's growth and
continued success depends on a reliable and safe channel that should be
at full project. We request funding to the full capability of the Corps
($20.6 million) to maintain this channel at its project dimensions and
to construct needed revetments at Devil's Elbow.
The J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Mississippi River to Shreveport,
Louisiana, Project is directly related to our deep-water ports. The
continuation and completion of this work will stimulate the economy all
along the Red River Basin with jobs and additional international trade.
This increased trade will help the Port of Shreveport and the ports on
the lower Mississippi River, providing needed growth and benefitting
the States of Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, which are
served through the Shreveport distribution center. Therefore, we
strongly recommend that the Corps be funded to full capability for
fiscal year 2004 at $29 million for Construction General and $19.9
million for O&M General to complete work already underway.
______
Prepared Statement of the Port of South Louisiana
The Port of South Louisiana very much appreciates being given the
opportunity to submit this statement and supportive material to signify
its endorsement of the statement of Mr. Donald T. Bollinger, Chairman
of the Louisiana Governor's Task Force on Maritime Industry.
The Port of South Louisiana is comprised of nearly 54 miles of
Mississippi River north of New Orleans and south of Baton Rouge, with
more than 50 private and public docks and wharves. The Port of South
Louisiana is the largest tonnage port in the United States and third
largest in the world, handling more than 260 million short tons of
cargo during 2002. Of this total tonnage, more than 133 million tons
are shipped in international trade by deep water vessel and 127 million
tons are shipped in domestic trade by vessels and barges. Each year
more than 100,000 barges transport cargo at the Port of South Louisiana
and more than 4,300 ships call at the public and private wharves of our
Port.
A recent study by Dr. Tim Ryan of the University of New Orleans
indicates that nearly 20 percent of the domestic gross product of the
State of Louisiana is dependent upon the maritime industry and one of
eight jobs is created from the economic activity of the maritime
industry. Attached you will find statistics which have been developed
from the records of the Port of South Louisiana.
The Port of South Louisiana strongly urges the Congress to fund all
of the following projects.
--Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to Baton Rouge, LA;
--Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf, Maintenance Dredging;
--Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO), LA., Maintenance Dredging;
--Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock, LA;
--Mississippi River Outlets at Venice, LA;
--Bayou Sorrel Lock, LA;
--Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, LA and TX;
--Calcasieu Lock, LA;
--Calcasieu River & Pass, LA;
--Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MR-GO) Reevaluation Study, LA;
--J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Mississippi River to Shreveport.
The Port of South Louisiana strongly believes that the funding and
completion of the above maritime projects will enhance the ability of
the ports in the region to be competitive in the global economy and
will enhance the ability of domestic industry and agriculture to
compete in the export of its products.
______
Prepared Statement of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge
Maintaining open navigable channels for the Mississippi River and
its tributaries is vital to the Nation's commerce and national
interest. Therefore, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge respectfully
requests that you and your committee give favorable consideration to
the following U.S. Corps of Engineers projects:
1. Mississippi River Ship Channel--Gulf to Baton Rouge, Louisiana
(Construction General).--The Port of Greater Baton Rouge supports full
funding of $196,000 in fiscal year 2004 to the U.S. Corps of Engineers
General Construction Budget. These funds will provide for the required
work on the saltwater intrusion mitigation plan and the Phase I design
studies for the 55-foot channel. Both projects are important to the
future success of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge.
2. Mississippi River--Baton Rouge to the Gulf--Maintenance
Dredging.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $56,206,000 under
O&M General. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps
be funded $64,566,000 to construct foreshore rock dike, soft dike at
deep draft crossings, and to repair Southwest Pass pile dike and tie-
in.
3. Mississippi River--Gulf Outlet (MRGO), LA., Maintenance
Dredging.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $13,485,000 under
O&M General. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps
be funded $34,325,000 for maintenance dredging and bank stabilization.
4. Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Lock, LA.--The President's
Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $7,000,000 in Construction General Funds.
The Port of Greater Baton Rouge recommends the Corps be funded
$20,000,000 to continue construction and mitigation for the IHNC Lock
replacement.
5. Mississippi River Outlets at Venice, LA.--The President's Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget is $1,841,000 under O&M General. The Port of Greater
Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps be funded $5,116,000 to perform
critical maintenance dredging and to repair jetties.
6. Bayou Sorrel, Lock, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
is $707,000 under General Investigation Studies. The Port of Greater
Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps be funded $707,000 to advance
pre-engineering design for the replacement of Bayou Sorrel Lock on the
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), Morgan City-to-Port Allen alternate
route.
7. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, LA and TX.--The President's Fiscal
Year 2004 Budget is $19,418,000 under O&M General. The Port of Greater
Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps be funded $29,028,000 to perform
critical maintenance at the navigation locks.
8. MRGO Reevaluation Study, LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004
Budget has no funding for this study. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge
recommends that the Corps be funded $813,000 (Construction General).
Funds are needed to complete a study to determine the advisability of
maintaining the 36-foot depth of the MRGO.
9. J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, Mississippi River to Shreveport,
LA.--The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget is $13,700,000
(Construction General) and $12,013,000 (O&M General). The Port of
Greater Baton Rouge recommends that the Corps be funded $29,000,000
(Construction General) and $19.9 million (O&M, General) to complete
work already underway.
As stated in previous correspondence, these projects are vital not
only to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge but to the entire lower
Mississippi River and the Nation. They are projects of critical
national significance and have a tremendous impact on shipping for both
ocean-going vessels and barge traffic. The great Mississippi River is
the premier national waterway, providing accessibility to and from
foreign countries for the transportation of goods and services used by
countless number of U.S. companies and individual citizens. The channel
must be properly designed and maintained for the benefit of all ports
and commerce.
We also earnestly request your support for funding of the other
projects included in March 2003 testimony prepared and submitted by Mr.
Donald T. Bollinger. A summary of Mr. Bollinger's statement is
attached. Our waterway infrastructure must be properly maintained if we
are to increase trade and have the confidence of our trading partners
around the world. Your cooperation and support of these important
projects for the Mississippi River are greatly appreciated.
______
Prepared Statement of the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District
The Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District (Port of Lake
Charles, Louisiana) respectfully requests that the U.S. Senate
Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development afford favorable consideration to proposed U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers projects affecting the Calcasieu River Waterway, Calcasieu
Lock and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. We specifically endorse the
appropriateness and necessity for increased funding levels as advocated
by testimony offered by Mr. Donald T. Bollinger, Chairman of the
Governor of Louisiana's Maritime Industry Task Force.
The Calcasieu River Waterway, including its nexus with the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway and Calcasieu Lock, is deemed ``military
essential'' and further supports two refineries, a major portion of the
Nation's liquefied natural gas imports, chemical industries, USDA
programs, and is a major economic engine for the region.
Your support of these essential projects toward maintaining our
contribution to the Marine Transportation System (MTS) infrastructure
will well serve regional and National interests.
______
Prepared Statement of the Associated Branch Pilots, Port of New Orleans
The Associated Branch Pilots is an Association of Pilots that have
been guiding oceangoing vessels into the entrances of the Mississippi
River system for over 125 years. We are called Bar Pilots because we
guide the ships past the constantly shifting and shoaling sand bars in
the area.
Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River is the main entrance for
deep draft oceangoing vessels entering the Lower Mississippi River
System. It is the shallowest stretch of the Lower Mississippi River
System and the area that requires the greatest effort by the Corps of
Engineers to maintain project depth.
In 2002, the Associated Branch Pilots made 10,850 transits on
oceangoing vessels through Southwest Pass. Of these ships, 3,444 were
of 50,000 deadweight tons or greater and 686 had a draft in excess of
40 feet.
This number of heavily laden vessels calling on the Lower
Mississippi River System is a result of having a channel with a depth
of 45 feet.
This first phase has proven to be extremely well designed and well
maintained by the fact that the maximum draft recommended by my
Association for vessels using Southwest Pass has been 45 feet or
greater, except for periods of extremely high water that caused
shoaling that overwhelmed the dredging efforts. This is in stark
contrast to the late 1970's and early 1980's when we often had to
recommend drafts less than the project depth due to shoaling.
To the world shipping community, this means that calling at ports
on the Mississippi River system will be more profitable because larger
ships can enter and carry greater amounts of cargo.
This is beneficial to the entire United States because it makes the
large quantities of petroleum, agricultural, and manufactured products
shipped from the Mississippi Valley more desirable due to increased
profitability.
I would also like to comment briefly on the East-West navigation
channels near Venice, Louisiana. Tiger Pass and Baptiste Collette
provide a shorter, more direct route to Breton Sound and the Gulf of
Mexico for offshore supply boats and small tugs and barges. These
channels not only represent a savings in time and money for these
vessels, but reduce the traffic in the main shipping channel, the
Mississippi River and its passes, which is one of the most congested
waterways in the country.
The dredging and maintaining of South Pass would contribute to the
safety of the overall waterway.
The Associated Branch Pilots also pilot vessels in the Mississippi
River Gulf Outlet, a man-made tidewater channel 75 miles long,
stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to an intersection of the
Intercoastal Waterway in New Orleans.
This channel leads to the Main Container Terminals for the Port of
New Orleans, the Roll On, Roll Off Terminal, the Port of New Orleans
Bulk Handling Plant, and additional General Cargo Docks. For the Port
of New Orleans to remain competitive in the ever growing container
trade, the continued maintenance of this channel is crucial. In 2002,
719 ships called on the port using the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.
Much is being said pro and con concerning the Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet. There is, admittedly, an erosion problem in the
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, but any curtailment of shipping traffic
in the channel without regard to the long term effect upon the Port of
New Orleans would be disastrous. I strongly support approval of funding
for both the maintenance dredging/jetty repair project and the erosion/
rip rap study for the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.
Funding of the Corps of Engineers' projects in the Lower
Mississippi River System has proven to be money well spent. It has
increased exports and imports that have benefited the entire United
States. I urge your support of the funding requested to enable the
Corps to continue to maintain and improve the most efficient and
productive waterway system in the country.
______
Prepared Statement of the Crescent River Port Pilots' Association
I am President of the largest pilot association in the United
States. The Crescent River Port Pilots furnish pilots for ships
destined to the Port of Baton Rouge, Port of South Louisiana, Port of
New Orleans, Port of St. Bernard, and the Port of Plaquemines.
The Crescent River Port Pilots have piloted and shifted over 14,750
ships during 2002. We pilot deep draft vessels on more than 100 miles
on the lower Mississippi River and 35 miles on the Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet.
The lower end of our route on the Mississippi River has a shoaling
problem starting with the high water season each year. The shoaling
requires daily attention by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
to maintain project depth.
Heavy-laden vessel calls on the lower Mississippi River system as a
direct result of the completion by the Corps of Engineers of the
deepening of the channel from 40 feet to 45 feet.
For several years now, we have had extraordinary success in keeping
the river dredges to project depth. This success is a direct result of
an experienced and vigilant Corps of Engineers that, through
experience, is able to timely bid in dredges to avoid extra dredging
cost by waiting too long to start maintenance dredging.
Channel stability sends a positive message to the world's shipping
community that schedule cargo for deep draft vessels months in advance
is reliable. This makes the port call on the Mississippi River very
profitable since the ships can lift greater tonnage.
Keeping project depth is beneficial to 27 States that are directly
tied to the Mississippi River Port Complex.
Additionally, I would like to comment on the east and west
navigation channels near Venice, Louisiana. Baptiste Collette and Tiger
Pass provide a shorter and more direct route to Breton Sound and West
Delta in the Gulf of Mexico for oil field support vessels.
The Crescent River Port Pilots also pilot ships in the Mississippi
River Gulf Outlet. A man-made channel approximately 75 miles long
starting in Breton Sound in the Gulf of Mexico and ending in New
Orleans where it intersects with the Intercoastal Waterway.
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet feeds the main container
terminals in the Port of New Orleans. Additional docks, such as Bulk
Terminal and general cargo facilities depend on this channel, which
handled approximately 847 ship calls last year.
The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet has been a controversial channel
since its inception, but being an integral part of the Port of New
Orleans, it would be a disaster if it is not kept at project width and
depth. The Crescent River Pilots strongly support approval of funding
for both the maintenance dredging, and jetty repair projects.
Funding of the United States Army Corps of Engineers projects in
the lower Mississippi River system which includes the Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet, Tiger Pass, Baptiste Collette, and Southwest Pass has
proven to be money well spent.
I urge your support of the funding requested to allow the Corps of
Engineers to continue to maintain and improve the most productive
waterway system in the world.
Mr. Chairman, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to submit my
comments to your subcommittee.
______
FISCAL YEAR 2004 CONGRESSIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI
RIVER AND CONNECTING WATERWAYS, J. BENNETT JOHNSTON WATERWAY AND
CALCASIEU RIVER WATERWAY--PRESIDENT'S BUDGET REQUEST AND RECOMMENDED
FUNDING LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
President's Recommended
Project Budget Request Funding Levels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi River Ship Channel Gulf to 196 196
Baton Rouge, LA (Construction General).
Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the 56,206 64,566
Gulf, Maintenance Dredging, and
Stabilization (O&M General)............
Mississippi River--Gulf Outlet (MR-GO), 13,485 34,325
LA (O&M General).......................
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock, LA 7,000 20,000
(Construction General).................
Mississippi River Outlets at Venice, LA 1,841 5,116
(O&M General)..........................
Bayou Sorrel Lock, LA (GI Funds)........ 707 707
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, LA & TX (O&M 19,418 29,028
General)...............................
Calcasieu Lock, LA (GI Funds)........... 100 800
Calcasieu River and Pass, LA (O&M 12,064 20,559
General)...............................
MRGO Reevaluation Study, LA 0 813
(Construction General).................
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway 13,700 29,000
(Construction General).................
J. Bennett Johnston Waterway (O&M 12,013 19,900
General)...............................
-------------------------------
TOTAL............................. 136,730 225,010
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepared Statement of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Chairman Domenici, Ranking Member Reid, and distinguished members
of the subcommittee, thank you for allowing me to testify on behalf of
the City of Flagstaff, Arizona in support of $4.5 million in the Army
Corps of Engineers budget for the Rio de Flag flood control project in
fiscal year 2004. I believe this project is critically important to the
City, to northern Arizona, and, ultimately, to the Nation.
As you may know, Mr. Chairman, with this subcommittee's help last
year, Rio de Flag received $1 million to start construction on this
important project. We are extremely grateful that the subcommittee
boosted this project well above the President's request, and we would
appreciate your continued support for this project in fiscal year 2004.
Like many other projects under the Army Corps's jurisdiction, Rio
de Flag received no funding for fiscal year 2004, although the Corps
has expressed capability of $4.5 million to continue construction on
the project. We are hopeful that the subcommittee will fund the Rio de
Flag project at $4.5 million when drafting its bill in order to keep
the project on an optimal schedule.
Flooding along the Rio de Flag dates back as far as 1888. The Army
Corps has identified a Federal interest in solving this long-standing
flooding problem through the Rio de Flag, Flagstaff, Arizona--
Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Study (EIS). The
recommended plan contained in this feasibility report was developed
based on the following opportunities: (1) flood control and flood
damage reduction; (2) environmental mitigation and enhancement; (3)
water resource management; (4) public recreation; and (5) redevelopment
opportunities. This plan will result in benefits to not only the local
community, but to the region and the Nation.
The feasibility study by the Corps of Engineers has revealed that a
500-year flood could cause serious economic hardship to the City. In
fact, a devastating 500-year flood could damage or destroy
approximately 1,500 structures valued at more than $395 million.
Similarly, a 100-year flood would cause an estimated $95 million in
damages. In the event of a catastrophic flood, over half of Flagstaff's
population of 57,000 would be directly impacted or affected.
In addition, a wide range of residential, commercial, downtown
business and tourism, and industrial properties are at risk. Damages
could also occur to numerous historic structures and historic Route 66.
The Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), one of the primary
east-west corridors for rail freight, could be destroyed, as well as
U.S. Interstate 40, one of the country's most important east-west
interstate links. Additionally, a significant portion of Northern
Arizona University (NAU) could incur catastrophic physical damages,
disruptions, and closings. Public infrastructure (e.g., streets,
bridges, water, and sewer facilities), and franchised utilities (e.g.,
power and telecommunications) could be affected or destroyed.
Transportation disruptions could make large areas of the City
inaccessible for days.
Mr. Chairman, the intense wildfires that have ripped through the
West over the last several years have only exacerbated the flood
potential and hazard in Flagstaff. An intense wildfire near Flagstaff
could strip the soil of ground cover and vegetation, which could, in
turn, increase runoff and pose an even greater threat of a catastrophic
flood.
In short, a large flood could cripple Flagstaff for years and even
decades. That is why the City believes it is so important to ensure
that this project remains on schedule and that the Corps is able to
maximize its capability of $4.5 million in fiscal year 2004 for
construction of the Rio de Flag flood control project.
In the City's discussions with the Corps, both the central office
in Washington and its Los Angeles District Office also believe that the
Rio de Flag project is of the utmost importance and both offices
believe the project should be placed high on the subcommittee's
priority list. We are hopeful that the subcommittee will heed this
advice and also place the project high on its priority list and fully
fund the project at $4.5 million for fiscal year 2004.
As you may know, project construction and implementation of Rio de
Flag was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of
2000. The total project is estimated to cost $24,072,000 (October 1999
price levels). The non-Federal share is currently $8,496,000 and the
Federal share is currently $15,576,000. Final project costs must be
adjusted based on Value Engineering and final design features. It is
important to note that the City of Flagstaff has already committed more
than $10 million to this project, which is well in excess of its cost
share agreement and shows the City's commitment to completing this
important project. Through this investment in the project, the City is
prepared to enter into the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with the
Department of the Army.
The City of Flagstaff, as the non-Federal sponsor, is responsible
for all costs related to required Lands, Easements, Rights-of-Way,
Relocations, and Disposals (LERRD's). The City has already secured the
necessary property rights to begin construction in 2003. Implementation
of the City's Downtown and Southside Redevelopment Initiatives
($100,000,000 in private funds) are entirely dependent on the success
of the Rio de Flag project. The Rio de Flag project will also provide a
critical missing bike/pedestrian connection under Route 66 and the BNSF
Railroad to replace the existing hazardous at grade crossings.
Both design and construction are divided into two phases. Phase I
is currently scheduled to commence construction in July of 2003. Phase
II of the project is scheduled to commence in April of 2004.
Mr. Chairman, the Rio de Flag project is exactly the kind of
project that was envisioned when the Corps was created because it will
avert catastrophic floods, it will save lives and property, and it will
promote economic growth. In short, this project is a win-win for the
Federal Government, the City, and the surrounding communities.
Furthermore, the amount of money invested in this project by the
Federal Government--approximately $15 million--will be saved
exponentially in costs to the Federal Government in the case of a large
and catastrophic flood, which could be more than $395 million. It will
also promote economic growth and redevelopment along areas that are
currently underserved because of the flood potential.
In conclusion, the Rio de Flag project should be considered a high
priority for this subcommittee, and I encourage you to support full
funding of $4.5 million for this project in the fiscal year 2004 Energy
and Water Development Appropriations bill. Thank you in advance for
your consideration.
______
Prepared Statement of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee
Mr. Chairman and members of this distinguished Committee, my name
is Lew Meibergen. I am Chairman of the Board of Johnston Enterprises
headquartered in Enid, Oklahoma. It is my honor to serve as Chairman of
the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee, members of which are
appointed by the governors of the great States of Arkansas, Colorado,
Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
In these trying times of war on terrorism, homeland defense and
needed economic recovery, our thanks go to each of you, your staff
members and the Congress. Your efforts to protect our Nation's
infrastructure and stimulate economic growth in a time of budget
constraints are both needed and appreciated.
Our Nation's growing dependence on others for energy, and the need
to protect and improve our environment, make your efforts especially
important. Greater use and development of one of our Nation's most
important transportation modes--our navigable inland waterways--will
help remedy these problems. At the same time, these fuel-efficient and
cost-effective waterways keep us competitive in international markets.
As Chairman of the Interstate Committee, I present this summary
testimony as a compilation of the most important projects from each of
the member States. Each of the States unanimously supports these
projects without reservation. I request that the copies of each State's
individual statement be made a part of the record, along with this
testimony.
Montgomery Point Lock and Dam
The Interstate Committee continues to identify Montgomery Point
Lock and Dam as our top priority. As completion of construction nears,
we respectfully request a $15 million Congressional Add for a total
budget of $35 million for fiscal year 2004 to ensure that this urgently
needed lock and dam is in operation as soon as possible at the lowest
possible cost. Scheduled to be operational in 2004, Montgomery Point
will protect over $5 billion in public and private investments, some
50,000 jobs, world trade, growing military shipments and future
economic development.
Continuing problems caused by the lowering of the Mississippi River
continue to plague McClellan-Kerr entrance channel users. During times
of low water on the Mississippi River the entrance channel is drained
of navigable water depth. As the Mississippi River bottom continues to
lower, the McClellan-Kerr moves toward total shutdown. Thus, the entire
Arkansas River Navigation System is at risk, and its long-term
viability is threatened without Montgomery Point.
Use of the temporary by-pass channel increases navigation hazards
and existing dredge disposal areas are virtually full. Mr. Chairman and
Members of the Committee, continuing Congressional support is essential
at this crucial time in the history of the project.
The Interstate Committee also respectfully recommends the following
as important priorities:
Backlog of Major Maintenance--Arkansas
A $2 million Congressional Add to the fiscal year 2004 O&M funding
for advance maintenance dredging and a $5 million add for the backlog
of channel maintenance, for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Navigation System in Arkansas is vitally important. These additional
funds will help repair bank stabilization, channel and other
navigational system components that have deteriorated over the past 3
decades.
The O&M funding level has been stagnant for the past 11 years while
cost and maintenance needs have continued to increase. Your help in
adding $7 million to the project will reduce the critical backlog of
needed maintenance repairs, the lack of which cause impediments to
commercial navigation.
Equus Beds Aquifer--Kansas
Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project--continuation of a
City of Wichita, Groundwater Management District No. 2 and the State of
Kansas project to construct storage and recovery facilities for a major
groundwater resource supplying water to more the 20 percent of Kansas
municipal, industrial and irrigation users. The project will capture
and recharge in excess of 100 million gallons per day and will also
reduce on-going degradation of the existing groundwater by minimizing
migration of saline water. Federal authorization and continued Federal
funding is requested in the minimum amount of $1.5 million for fiscal
year 2004 for the budget of the Bureau of Reclamation.
Tow Haulage Equipment--Oklahoma
We also request funding of $2.5 million to initiate the
installation of tow haulage equipment on the locks located along the
Arkansas River Portion of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation
System in Oklahoma. Total cost for these three locks is $4.7 million.
This project will involve installation of tow haulage equipment on W.D.
Mayo Lock and Dam #14, Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam #15, and Webbers
Falls Lock and Dam #16, on the Oklahoma portion of the waterway. The
tow haulage equipment is needed to make transportation of barges more
efficient and economical by allowing less time for tows to pass through
the various locks. Plans are complete and ready to implement.
The testimony we present reveals our firm belief that our inland
waterways and the Corps efforts are especially important to our Nation
in this time of trial. Transportation infrastructure like the inland
waterways, need be operated and maintained for the benefit of the
populace. Without adequate annual budgets this is impossible.
We strongly urge the Appropriations Committee to increase the Corps
fiscal year 2004 budget so that long deferred system-wide maintenance
may be accomplished and delayed construction projects may be completed
in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Mr. Chairman, Members of this Committee, we respectfully request
that you and members of your staff review and respond in a positive way
to the attached individual statements from each of our States which set
forth specific requests pertaining to those States.
We sincerely appreciate your consideration and assistance.
arkansas
statement of paul latture, ii, chairman for arkansas
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to present testimony to this most important committee. I
serve as Executive Director for the Little Rock Port Authority and as
Arkansas Chairman for the Interstate Committee. Other committee members
representing Arkansas, in whose behalf this statement is made, are
Messrs. Wally Gieringer of Hot Springs Village, retired Executive
Director of the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County Port Authority; Scott
McGeorge, President, Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company, Pine Bluff;
Barry McKuin of Morrilton, President of the Conway County Economic
Development Corporation; and N.M. ``Buck'' Shell, CEO, Five Rivers
Distribution in Van Buren and Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In this time of war concerns, war on terrorism, homeland defense
and needed economic recovery, our thanks go to each of you, your staff
members and the Congress. Your efforts to protect our Nation's
infrastructure and stimulate economic growth in this time of trial and
tight budgets are greatly appreciated. Our fiscal year 2004 requests
are modest.
First, we have grave concern about a provision of the President's
fiscal year 2004 budget request which would be very detrimental to the
inland waterways, and especially the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Navigation System. That budget proposes 25 percent to 50 percent of the
cost of Operation & Maintenance of fuel-taxed inland waterways segments
be financed by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (which by law is to be
used to pay 50 percent of the cost of lock-and-dam replacements and
major rehabilitations).
This budget proposal singles out so-called ``low-use'' waterway
segments moving less than 5 billion ton-miles of commerce annually, a
category which would include the McClellan-Kerr, and would require
reimbursement of 50 percent of O&M outlays from the trust fund.
The proposal is unfair. The inland waterways provide multiple
benefits: flood control, water supply, hydropower, transportation, and
recreation. While not the sole user of the waterways, transportation
users would be the only beneficiaries paying for the modernization and
maintenance of the waterways.
To take a portion of the inland O&M expenditures out of the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund would quickly deplete the present surplus and lead
to calls for closure of so-called low-use waterways or else for higher
fuel taxes, which would adversely impact our Nation's agricultural,
energy, and transportation sectors at a time when the economy is
struggling to recover.
We urge you to reject this ill-advised proposal and the tax
increase it promises as well.
We call to your attention four projects on the McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River Navigation System that are especially important to
navigation and the economy of this multi-State area: completion of
Montgomery Point Lock and Dam, needed advance maintenance dredging,
backlog of channel maintenance, and completion of the Arkansas River
Navigation Study, AR & OK.
Montgomery Point Lock and Dam
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, continuing Congressional
support is essential as construction for this major project nears
completion. We respectfully request a $15 million Congressional Add for
a total budget of $35 million for fiscal year 2004. With this funding
Montgomery Point is scheduled to be operational in 2004.
Montgomery Point will ensure reliable navigation to and from the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System during periods of low
water on the Mississippi. Thus, it will protect over $5 billion in
public and private investments, some 50,000 jobs, world trade and
growing military shipments that have resulted from the McClellan-Kerr.
Completion of this $262 million project is near. We are very
grateful that you, your associates, and the Congress have recognized
the urgency of constructing Montgomery Point.
Advance Maintenance Dredging
A $2,000,000 Congressional Add to the fiscal year 2004 O&M account
for the McClellan-Kerr in Arkansas is needed for advance maintenance
dredging to assure that the authorized depth of 9 feet is maintained.
This funding is vitally important.
We especially appreciate your help in the fiscal year 2003 budget
by adding $1,000,000 to the O&M account for this procedure which is
used to dredge in known problem areas prior to an event that is
predicted to cause siltation above the authorized 9-foot channel depth.
Dredging of the system is currently done after areas have silted in
above the authorized channel depth causing light loading and delay
problems for the navigation industry. Locations of needed dredging
include the lower White River, at Pool 2, and the downstream approaches
to Locks 6, 5, 4, and 3.
Backlog of Channel Maintenance
A $5 million Congressional Add to the fiscal year 2004 O&M funding
for the McClellan-Kerr will help repair bank stabilization and other
components that have deteriorated over the past 3 decades and reduce
the critical backlog of maintenance repairs essential to commercial
navigation.
Bank stabilization and other components have deteriorated over the
past 3 decades and reducing the critical backlog of maintenance repairs
is essential. Repairs are necessary to maintain channel alignment,
provide full channel width, eliminate shoaling and solve sediment
build-up problems that cause light loading and delay problems for the
navigation industry.
The O&M funding level has been stagnant for the past 10 years while
cost and maintenance needs have continued to increase.
Arkansas River Navigation Study, Arkansas & Oklahoma
A $430,000 Congressional Add is needed for a total budget of
$1,500,000 for the important Arkansas River Navigation Study, AR & OK.
While navigation is the primary purpose of the McClellan-Kerr
System, navigation needs and flood control are closely related. Chronic
high-water flows and channel restrictions result in decreased
navigation traffic, as well as continued flooding in the vicinity of
Fort Smith, Arkansas and reduced recreational use.
This study addresses the Navigation System Operating Plan and
navigable depths to improve navigation conditions on the river as well
as the performance of flood control measures and the impacts of high/
low flows on environmental quality and recreation uses.
In addition, taking into account the need to realize the total
economic potential of the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, WRDA 2000
directed the Corps to ``expedite completion of the Arkansas River
Navigation Study, including the feasibility of increasing the
authorized channel depth from 9 feet to 12 feet.''
Other projects are important to the environment, social and
economic well-being of our region and Nation. We recognize the
importance of continued construction of needed features to the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and strongly recommend
that you favorably consider the following in your deliberations:
--Support continued funding for the construction, and Operation and
Maintenance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation
System. Completion of Montgomery Point will eliminate up 95
percent of the need for dredging in the Lower White and bring
about substantial O&M savings for the Navigation System.
--It is important that future budgets include funds for needed
construction and the backlog of major channel maintenance that
continues to grow. Repairs are necessary to maintain channel
alignment, provide full channel width, and eliminate shoaling.
This channel maintenance will further contribute to the
efficiency and economy of the system.
--Continue construction authority for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas
River Navigation Project until remaining channel stabilization
problems identified by the Little Rock District Corps of
Engineers have been resolved. It is vitally important that the
Corps continue engineering studies to develop a permanent
solution to the threat of cutoffs developing in the lower
reaches of the navigation system and for the Corps to construct
these measures under the existing construction authority.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, please help prevent a crisis for the
Arkansas River Navigation System and the multi-State region it serves
by appropriating $35 million for use in fiscal year 2004 to complete
construction for Montgomery Point Lock and Dam.
The entire Arkansas River Navigation System is at risk and remains
at risk until Montgomery Point is completed. Some $5 billion in Federal
and private investments, thousands of jobs, world trade and growing
military shipments for national security are endangered.
We fully endorse the statement presented to you today by the
Chairman of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee. We
appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony to your most important
subcommittee and urge you to favorably consider these requests that are
so important to the economic recovery of our region and Nation.
kansas
statement of gerald h. holman, chairman for kansas
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am Gerald H. Holman,
Senior Vice President of the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, Wichita,
Kansas and Chairman of the Kansas Interstate Committee for the Arkansas
Basin Development Association (ABDA). I also serve as Chairman of ABDA.
The Kansas ABDA representatives join with our colleagues from the
States of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Colorado to form the multi-State
Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee. We fully endorse the summary
statement of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee.
In addition to the important projects listed below, continued
construction to completion of the Montgomery Point Lock and Dam Project
is essential to maintain viable navigation for commerce on the
McClellan-Kerr Navigation System. This inland waterway is vital to the
economic health of our multi-State area. Likewise, your support is
vital to maintain its future viability. Construction is more than 80
percent complete and continued funding is needed. We state our
unanimous support for the $35 million needed by the Corps of Engineers
for fiscal year 2004 to maintain the most economical and cost efficient
construction schedule.
The critical water resources projects in the Kansas portion of the
Arkansas River Basin are identified below. The projects are safety,
environmental and conservation oriented and all have regional and/or
multi-State impact. We are grateful for your leadership and your past
commitment to our area.
We ask for your continued support for these important Bureau of
Reclamation projects on behalf of the Wichita/South Central Kansas
area:
Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project
This is the continuation of a Bureau of Reclamation project jointly
endorsed by the City of Wichita, Groundwater Management District No. 2
and the State of Kansas. This model technology has proven the
feasibility of recharging a major groundwater aquifer supplying water
to nearly 600,000 irrigation, municipal and industrial users. The
demonstration project has successfully recharged more than 1 billion
gallons of water from the Little Arkansas River. The project is
essential to help protect the aquifer from on-going degradation caused
by the migration of saline water.
The State of Kansas supports this much-needed project in order to
secure the quality of life and economic future for more than 20 percent
of the State's population. The project is included within the Kansas
Water Plan. All interested parties fully support the project as the
needed cornerstone for the area agricultural economy and for the
economy of the Wichita metropolitan area.
The demonstration project has confirmed earlier engineering models
that the full scale aquifer storage and recovery project is feasible
and capable of meeting the increasing water resource needs of the area
to the mid 21st century. Presently, the Equus Beds provide
approximately half of the Wichita regional municipal water supply. The
Equus Beds are also vital to the surrounding agricultural economy.
Environmental protection of the aquifer, which this strategic project
provides, has increasing importance to ensure quality water for the
future since south central Kansas will rely to an even greater extent
on the Equus Beds aquifer for water resources.
The aquifer storage and recovery project is a vital component of
Wichita's comprehensive and integrated water supply strategy. The full
scale design concept for the aquifer storage and recovery project calls
for a multi-year construction program. Phase One is estimated to cost
$17.1 million. The total project involving the capture and recharge of
more than 100 million gallons of water per day is estimated to cost
$110 million over 10 years. This is substantially less costly, both
environmentally and economically, when compared with reservoir
construction or other alternatives.
We are grateful for your previous cost share funding during the
demonstration phase, as a compliment to funds provided by the City of
Wichita. As we enter the construction phase, we request continued
Congressional support:
--By authorizing as a Federal project, the Aquifer Storage and
Recovery Project and directing the Bureau of Reclamation to
participate in its final design and construction to completion.
--Through continued cost share funding of the full-scale Aquifer
Storage and Recovery Project in the minimum amount of
$1,500,000 for fiscal year 2004.
Cheney Reservoir
The reservoir provides approximately half of Wichita's regional
water supply. Two continuing environmental problems threaten the water
quality and longevity of the reservoir. One is sedimentation from soil
erosion and the other is non-point source pollution, particularly the
amount of phosphates entering the reservoir resulting in offensive
taste and odor problems. A partnership between farmers, ranchers and
the City of Wichita has proven beneficial in implementing soil
conservation practices and to better manage and therefore reduce and/or
eliminate non-point source pollution. Lansat 7 imaging and digital
elevation modeling have been employed to identify high priority areas.
To date, over 2,000 environmental projects have been completed within
the 543,000-acre watershed. Buffer strips are most important for the
control of pollution from intermittent streams and also from livestock
waste. This partnership must continue indefinitely to protect the
reservoir and to extend the life of the Wichita regional water supply.
The City of Wichita is providing funding for this critical, nationally
acclaimed model nonpoint source pollution project. We request continued
Federal funding in the amount of $125,000 for fiscal year 2004.
Many of our agricultural communities have historically experienced
major flood disasters, some of which have resulted in multi-State
hardships involving portions of the State of Oklahoma. The flood of
1998 emphasized again the need to rapidly move needed projects to
completion. Major losses also took place in the Wichita metropolitan
area. Projects in addition to local protection are also important.
Our small communities lack the necessary funds and engineering
expertise and Federal assistance is needed. This Committee has given
its previous support to Kansas Corps of Engineers projects and we
request your continued support for the following:
--Arkansas City, Kansas Flood Protection.--Unfortunately, this
project was not completed prior to the flood of 1998. The flood
demonstrated again the critical need to protect the
environment, homes and businesses from catastrophic damages
from either Walnut River or Arkansas River flooding. When the
project is complete, damage in a multi-county area will be
eliminated and benefits to the State of Oklahoma just a few
miles south will also result. The Secretary of the Army was
authorized to construct the project in fiscal year 1997. The
project is slated for completion in fiscal year 2005. We
request your continued support in the amount of $2.6 million,
the level needed by the Corps of Engineers.
--Walnut River Basin, Kansas Feasibility Study.--This basin including
the Whitewater and Little Walnut Rivers is located in south
central Kansas. The feasibility study will identify ecosystem
resources, evaluate the system qualities, determine past losses
and current needs, and evaluate potential restoration and
preservation measures. The non-Federal sponsor is the Kansas
Water Office who believes that environmental restoration is a
primary need in the basin. Environmental restoration features
may also stabilize and protect streambanks from erosion and
improve the water quality in the basin. The request for fiscal
year 2004 is $160,000, which is the Corps' capability.
--John Redmond Reservoir Reallocation Study.--John Redmond Reservoir
remains a primary source of water supply for many small
communities in Kansas. It is suffering loss of capacity ahead
of its design rate due to excessive deposits within the
conservation pool. The flood pool remains above its design
capacity. Funding was provided in fiscal year 2001 to initiate
a study, which will ascertain the equitable distribution of
sediment storage between conservation and flood control
storages and also evaluate the environmental impact of the
appropriate reallocation. Additional funding of $75,000 is
needed in fiscal year 2004 to complete the study.
--Grand Lake Feasibility Study.--A need exists to complete evaluation
of water resource problems in the Grand-Neosho River basin in
Kansas and Oklahoma to evaluate solutions to upstream flooding
problems associated with the adequacy of existing real estate
easements necessary for flood control operations of Grand Lake,
Oklahoma. A study authorized by the Water Resources Development
Act of 1996 was completed in September of 1998 and determined
that if the project were constructed based on current criteria,
additional easements would be required. Section 449 of WRDA
2000 directed the Secretary to evaluate backwater effects
specifically due to flood control operations on land around
Grand Lake. That study indicated that Federal actions have been
a significant cause of the backwater effects and according to
WRDA 2000, the feasibility study should be 100 percent
federally funded. A Feasibility study is necessary to determine
the most cost-effective solution to the real estate
inadequacies. Changes in the operations of the project or other
upstream changes could have a significant impact on flood
control, hydropower, and navigation operations in the Grand
(Neosho) River system and on the Arkansas River basin system,
as well. We request funding in the amount of $3 million in
fiscal year 2004 to fully fund Feasibility studies evaluating
solutions to upstream flooding associated with existing
easements necessary for flood control operations of Grand Lake.
--Grand (Neosho) Basin Watershed Reconnaissance Study.--A need exists
for a basin-wide water resource planning effort in the Grand-
Neosho River basin, apart from the issues associated with Grand
Lake, Oklahoma. The reconnaissance study would focus on the
evaluation of institutional measures needed to improve the
quality of the aquatic and terrestrial habitat in the basin and
to assist communities, landowners, and other interests in
southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma in the
development of non-structural measures to reduce flood damages.
We request funding in the amount of $100,000 in fiscal year
2004.
--Continuing Authorities Programs.--We support funding of needed
programs including the Small Flood Control Projects Program
(Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act, as amended) as well
as the Emergency Streambank Stabilization Program (Section 14
of the 1946 Flood Control Act, as amended). Smaller communities
in Kansas (Iola, Liberal, McPherson, Augusta, Parsons, Altoona,
Kinsley, Newton, Arkansas City, Coffeyville and Medicine Lodge)
have previously requested assistance from the Corps of
Engineers under these programs. The City of Wichita is also
requesting funding through this program to address flooding
problems. We urge you to support these programs to the $50
million programmatic limit for the Small Flood Control Projects
Program and $15 million for the Emergency Streambank
Stabilization Program.
The Planning Assistance to States Program under section 22 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1974, as amended, provides
Federal funding to assist the States in water resource
planning. The State of Kansas is grateful for previous funding
under this program which has assisted small Kansas communities
in cost sharing needed resource planning as called for and
approved in the Kansas State Water Plan. We request continued
funding of this program at the level which will allow the State
of Kansas to receive the $500,000 limit.
Also, Ecosystem Restoration Programs are relatively new programs
which offer the Corps of Engineers a unique opportunity to work
to restore valuable habitat, wetlands, and other important
environmental features which previously could not be
considered. Preliminary Restoration Plan studies are underway
at Newton, Garden City and Neosho County. We urge you to
support section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 and Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1996 at their $25 million programmatic limits.
Finally, we are very grateful that both the Corps of Engineers and
Bureau of Reclamation have the expertise needed for the development and
protection of water resources infrastructure. It is essential to have
the integrity and continuity these agencies provide on major public
projects. Your continued support of these vital agencies, including
funding, will be appreciated. Our infrastructure must be maintained and
where needed, enhanced for the future.
Mr. Chairman and Members of these Committees, we thank you for the
dedicated manner in which you have dealt with the Water Resources
Programs and for allowing us to present our funding requests.
Thank you very much.
oklahoma
statement of james m. hewgley, jr., chairman for oklahoma
Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am James M. Hewgley,
Jr., Oklahoma Chairman of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate
Committee, from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It is my privilege to present this statement on behalf of the
Oklahoma Members of our committee in support of adequate funding for
water resource development projects in our area of the Arkansas River
Basin. Other members of the Committee are: Mr. Ted Coombes, Tulsa; Mr.
A. Earnest Gilder, Muskogee; Mr. Terry McDonald, Tulsa; and Mr. Lew
Meibergen, Enid.
Together with representatives of the other Arkansas River Basin
States, we fully endorse the statement presented to you by the Chairman
of the Arkansas River Basin Interstate Committee. We appreciate the
opportunity to present our views of the special needs of our States
concerning several studies and projects.
Montgomery Point Lock and Dam--Montgomery Point, Arkansas
As we have testified for several years, we are once again
requesting adequate appropriations to continue construction of this
most important and much needed project. This project must be kept on
the current schedule to insure the shippers on the system will not be
impacted by a low water event after that date. Lower funding will only
stretch out the completion of the project and add to the final cost in
real dollars and subject the shippers to possible losses due to low
water and restrictions on, or halting, navigation.
We respectfully request the Congress to appropriate $35 million in
the fiscal year 2004 budget cycle to continue construction on the
current project schedule. With the needed funding for fiscal year 2004
the project can be finished by July of 2004. This request coincides
with the President's recommendation that ``funding go toward ongoing
projects, particularly those nearing completion.'' This will help
insure the project is completed and in operation in a timely manner at
the lowest possible cost.
Mr. Chairman, it is my pleasure to point out to this distinguished
Committee that this navigation system has brought low cost water
transportation to Oklahoma, Arkansas and the surrounding States. There
has been over $5.5 billion invested in the construction and development
of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation system by the Federal
Government ($1.3 billion) and the public and private ($4.2 billion+)
sector, resulting in the creation of over 50,000 jobs in this partnered
project.
Maintenance of the Navigation System
We request additional funding in the amount of $2 million, over and
above normal funding, for deferred channel maintenance. These funds
would be used for such things as repair of bank stabilization work,
needed advance maintenance dredging, and other repairs needed on the
system's components that have deteriorated over the past 3 decades.
In addition to the systemwide needed maintenance items mentioned
above, the budget for the Corps of Engineers for the past several years
has been insufficient to allow proper maintenance of the McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River Navigation System--Oklahoma portion. As a result, the
backlog of maintenance items has continued to increase. If these
important maintenance issues are not addressed soon, the reliability of
the system will be jeopardized. The portion of the system in Oklahoma
alone is responsible for returning $2.6 billion in annual benefits to
the regional economy. We therefore request that $2.8 million be added
to the budget to accomplish the critical infrastructure maintenance
items following: Repair weir at L&D 14; repair tainter gates at L&D 17;
upgrade gate motor controls at L&D 14; dewater, inspect, repair Locks
14, 15, & 16; repair tainter gates at L&D 18; L&D 14-18--remote control
tainter gates; R.S. Kerr--repair miter gates; R.S. Kerr--repair Lock 15
support cell; replace pole lighting--Locks 14--18; replace tainter gate
limit switches--R.S. Kerr. These are the very worst of the needed
repairs of the many awaiting proper preventive maintenance and repair.
Tow Haulage Equipment--Oklahoma
We also request funding of $2.5 million to initiate the
installation of tow haulage equipment on the locks located along the
Arkansas River Portion of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation
System. Total cost for these three locks is $4.7 million. This project
will involve installation of tow haulage equipment on W.D. Mayo Lock
and Dam #14, Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam #15, and Webbers Falls Lock
and Dam #16, on the Oklahoma portion of the waterway. The tow haulage
equipment is needed to make transportation of barges more efficient and
economical by allowing less time for tows to pass through the various
locks.
Arkansas River System Operations Feasibility Study--Arkansas and
Oklahoma
We are especially pleased that the budget includes funds to
continue the Arkansas River Navigation Study, a feasibility study which
is examining opportunities to optimize the Arkansas River system. The
system of multipurpose lakes in Arkansas and Oklahoma on the Arkansas
River and its tributaries supports the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
Navigation System, which was opened for navigation to the Port of
Catoosa near Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1970. The navigation system consists
of 445 miles of waterway that passes through the States of Oklahoma and
Arkansas. This study would optimize the reservoirs in Oklahoma and
Arkansas that provide flows into the river, with a view toward
improving the number of days per year that the navigation system would
accommodate tows. This study could have significant impact on the
economic development opportunities in the States of Oklahoma, Arkansas
and the surrounding States. Due to the critical need for this study, we
request funding of $1.2 million, which is greater than shown in the
budget, to continue feasibility studies in fiscal year 2004.
Miami, Oklahoma and Vicinity Feasibility Study
We request funding of $231,000 to complete the reconnaissance phase
for the vicinity in Ottawa County including and surrounding Miami,
Oklahoma in the Grand (Neosho) Basin. Water resource planning-related
concerns include chronic flooding, ecosystem impairment, poor water
quality, subsidence, chat piles, mine shafts, health effects, and
Native American issues. The State of Oklahoma's desire is to address
the watershed issues in a holistic fashion and restore the watershed to
acceptable levels. Study alternatives could include structural and non-
structural flood damage measures, creation of riverine corridors for
habitat and flood storage, development of wetlands to improve aquatic
habitat and other measures to enhance the quality and availability of
habitat and reduce flood damages.
We are pleased that the President's budget includes funds to
advance work for Flood Control and other water resource needs in
Oklahoma. Of special interest to our committee is funding for the
Skiatook and Tenkiller Ferry Lakes Dam Safety Assurance Projects in
Oklahoma and that construction funding has been provided for those
important projects. We would like to see Tenkiller funded at the $6.0
million level, which is the Corps' capability for fiscal year 2004. We
request that funding in the amount of $1.2 million be provided to
initiate the Canton Lake Dam safety project. We are also pleased that
funding is included to continue reconnaissance studies for the Oologah
Watershed, the Wister Watershed and the Miami, OK and Vicinity region.
We are also pleased to see continued funding for the SE Oklahoma Water
Resource Study, and the Miami, OK and Vicinity region.
Oologah Lake Watershed Feasibility Study
We request funding of $259,000 for ongoing feasibility studies at
Oologah Lake and in the upstream watershed. The lake is an important
water supply source for the city of Tulsa and protection of the lake
and maintaining and enhancing the quality of the water is important for
the economic development of the city. Recent concerns have been
expressed by the City of Tulsa and others regarding potential water
quality issues that impact water users, as well as important aquatic
and terrestrial habitat. Concerns are related to sediment loading and
turbidity, oilfield-related contaminants and nutrient loading.
Illinois River Watershed Reconnaissance Study
We request funding in the amount of $100,000 to conduct a
reconnaissance study of the water resource problems of the Illinois
River Basin. The Illinois River watershed is experiencing continued
water resource development needs and is the focus of ongoing Corps and
other agency investigations. However, additional flows are sought
downstream of the Lake Tenkiller Dam and there are increasing watershed
influences upstream of Lake Tenkiller which impact on the quality of
water available for fish and wildlife, municipal and industrial water
supply users, and recreation users of the Lake Tenkiller and Illinois
River waters.
Grand (Neosho) Basin Reconnaissance Study
We request funding in the amount of $100,000 to conduct a
reconnaissance study of the water resource problems in the Grand
(Neosho) Basin in Oklahoma and Kansas. There is a need for a basin-wide
water resource planning effort in the Grand-Neosho River basin, apart
from the issues associated with Grand Lake, Oklahoma. The
reconnaissance study would focus on the evaluation of institutional
measures which could assist communities, landowners, and other
interests in northeastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas in the
development of non-structural measures to reduce flood damages in the
basin.
Grand Lake Feasibility Study
A need exists to evaluate water resource problems in the Grand-
Neosho River basin in Kansas and Oklahoma to evaluate solutions to
upstream flooding problems associated with the adequacy of existing
real estate easements necessary for flood control operations of Grand
Lake, Oklahoma. A study authorized by the Water Resources Development
Act of 1996 was completed in September of 1998 and determined that if
the project were constructed based on current criteria, additional
easements would be required. Section 449 of WRDA 2000 directed the
Secretary to evaluate backwater effects specifically due to flood
control operations on land around Grand Lake. That study indicated that
Federal actions have been a significant cause of the backwater effects
and according to WRDA 2000, the feasibility study should be 100 percent
federally funded. A Feasibility study is necessary to determine the
most cost-effective solution to the real estate inadequacies. Changes
in the operations of the project or other upstream changes could have a
significant impact on flood control, hydropower and navigation
operations in the Grand (Neosho) River system and on the Arkansas River
Basin system, as well. We urge you to provide $3 million to fully fund
Feasibility studies for this important project in fiscal year 2003 and
to direct the Corps of Engineers to execute the study at full Federal
expense.
Wister Lake Watershed Feasibility Study
We request funding of $200,000 to continue feasibility studies of
the Wister Lake watershed. Wister Lake is located on the Poteau River
near Wister, Oklahoma. The lake was completed in 1949 for flood
control, water supply, water conservation and sediment control. Wister
Lake is the primary water resource development project in the Poteau
River Basin. It provides substantial flood control, municipal and
industrial water supply, and recreation benefits for residents of
LeFlore County, Oklahoma, and the southeastern Oklahoma region.
Ecosystem degradation in the lake and in the basin, in general, is
occurring primarily as a result of non-point source pollution from
poultry operations, forestry practices, abandoned strip coal mines, and
natural gas exploration operations. The study will identify potential
measures to restore the ecosystem in the basin and will evaluate other
water resource problems and potential solutions.
We also support funding for the Continuing Authorities Program,
including the Small Flood Control Projects Program, (Section 205 of the
1948 Flood Control Act, as amended) and the Emergency Streambank
Stabilization Program, (Section 14 of the 1946 Flood Control Act, as
amended). We want to express our appreciation for your continued
support of those programs.
Section 205
Although the Small Flood Control Projects Program addresses flood
problems which generally impact smaller communities and rural areas and
would appear to benefit only those communities, the impact of those
projects on economic development crosses county, regional, and
sometimes State boundaries. The communities served by the program
frequently do not have the funds or engineering expertise necessary to
provide adequate flood damage reduction measures for their citizens.
Continued flooding can have a devastating impact on community
development and regional economic stability. The program is extremely
beneficial and has been recognized nationwide as a vital part of
community development, so much so in fact, that there is currently a
backlog of requests from communities who have requested assistance
under this program. There is limited funding available for these
projects and we urge this program be fully funded to the programmatic
limit of $50 million.
Section 14
Likewise, the Emergency Streambank Stabilization Program provides
quick response engineering design and construction to protect important
local utilities, roads and other public facilities in smaller urban and
rural settings from damage due to streambank erosion. The protection
afforded by this program helps ensure that important roads, bridges,
utilities and other public structures remain safe and useful. By
providing small, affordable and relatively quickly constructed
projects, these two programs enhance the lives of many by providing
safe and stable living environments. There is also a backlog of
requests under this program. Funding is also limited for these projects
and we urge this program be fully funded to the programmatic limit of
$15 million.
We also request your continued support of the Flood Plain
Management Services Program (Section 206 of the 1960 Flood Control Act)
which authorizes the Corps of Engineers to use its technical expertise
to provide guidance in flood plain management matters to all private,
local, State and Federal entities. The objective of the program is to
support comprehensive flood plain management planning. The program is
one of the most beneficial programs available for reducing flood losses
and provides assistance to officials from cities, counties, States and
Indian Tribes to ensure that new facilities are not built in areas
prone to floods. Assistance includes flood warning, flood proofing, and
other flood damage reduction measures, and critical flood plain
information is provided on a cost-reimbursable basis to home owners,
mortgage companies, Realtors and others for use in flood plain
awareness and flood insurance requirements.
We also request your support of the Planning Assistance to States
Program (Section 22 of the 1974 Water Resources Development Act) which
authorizes the Corps of Engineers to use its technical expertise in
water and related land resource management to help States and Indian
Tribes solve their water resource problems. The program is used by many
States to support their State Water Plans. As natural resources
diminish, the need to manage those resources becomes more urgent. We
urge your continued support of this program as it supports States and
Native American Tribes in developing resource management plans which
will benefit citizens for years to come. The program is very valuable
and effective, matching Federal and non-Federal funds to provide cost-
effective engineering expertise and support to assist communities,
States and tribes in the development of plans for the management,
optimization and preservation of basin, watershed and ecosystem
resources. The Water Resources Development Act of 1996 increased the
annual program limit from $6 million to $10 million and we urge this
program be fully funded to the programmatic limit of $10 million.
On a related matter, we would share with you our concern that the
administration has not requested, nor has the Congress appropriated,
sufficient funds to meet the increasing infrastructure needs of the
inland waterways of our Nation. The administration's requests will not
keep projects moving at the optimum level to complete them on a cost-
effective basis. Moving the completion dates out is an unacceptable
exercise since 50 percent of the funds come from the Waterways Trust
Fund. This will not only waste Federal funds but, those from the trust
fund as well.
As the Waterways Trust Fund is now defined, it is to be used for
the Waterway Industries' cost share of new construction and major rehab
of the inland waterway navigation system, so stated by law in the 1986
WRDA. The Administration's request to redirect some of those funds to
operation and maintenance is in conflict with the agreement between the
Congress and the Industry. We urge the Congress to protect and use
these funds for their intended purpose and to honor the agreement
between the Federal Government and the Waterway Industry.
We strongly urge the Appropriations Committee to raise the Corps of
Engineers' budget to $5 billion to help get delayed construction
projects back on schedule and to reduce the deferred maintenance
backlog which is out of control. This will help the Corps of Engineers
meet the obligations of the Federal Government to people of this great
country.
Concerning another related matter, we have deep concerns about the
attempt to re-authorize the Endangered Species Act without significant
beneficial reforms. If a bill is passed through without reforms, it
will be devastating to industry and the country as a whole. We strongly
urge you to take a hard look at any bill concerning this re-
authorization and insure that it contains reasonable and meaningful
reforms. We urge the re-authorization of the act with reforms at the
earliest possible time.
Mr. Chairman, we appreciate this opportunity to present our view on
these subjects.
______
Prepared Statement of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and
the City of Mesa, Arizona
Chairman Domenici, Ranking Member Reid, and distinguished members
of the subcommittee, thank you for allowing us to testify on behalf of
the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and the City of
Mesa in support of a fiscal year 2004 appropriation of $870,000 for the
Va Shly'ay Akimel, Arizona, project of the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. This project, intended to restore a degraded stretch of the
Salt River in central Arizona, is critically important to the tribe,
the City, and the region.
Mr. Chairman, because of this subcommittee's efforts, $800,000 was
appropriated for the feasibility phase of the Va Shly'ay Akimel project
in fiscal year 2003. We are extremely grateful for the subcommittee's
ongoing support of the project. We respectfully request your continued
support for this project in fiscal year 2004 with an appropriation of
$870,000, the amount required to complete the feasibility study.
Like many projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Va Shly'ay
is drastically underfunded in the President's budget. Although the
budget does include $400,000 for the project in fiscal year 2004, the
Corps has a capability of $870,000 to complete the feasibility study in
the coming year. We hope that the subcommittee will provide this level
of funding in order to contain costs and maintain an optimal project
schedule.
SRPMC and the City of Mesa fully recognize the importance of
restoring the Salt River's environmental integrity. As a consequence,
the tribe and City--the non-Federal sponsors of the project--remain
committed to discharging the requisite cost-sharing obligations
associated with the project. We would also note that, as far as we
know, this project is the only one in the Nation featuring a joint
cost-share agreement between an Indian tribe and a local community.
This makes it a unique project of the Corps of Engineers. We have every
reason to believe that this example of municipal-tribal cooperation
could serve as a model for future joint projects of tribal communities
and local governments.
In conclusion, it is critically important that this project remain
on an optimal schedule. The Corps has expressed a maximum capability of
$870,000 to complete the feasibility study in fiscal year 2004. On
behalf of the SRPMIC and the City of Mesa, we ask that you fully fund
the Va Shly'ay Akimel project at $870,000 in fiscal year 2004.
______
Prepared Statement of the National Mining Association
The National Mining Association (NMA) membership includes companies
engaged in the production of coal, metallic ores, nonmetallic minerals,
and in manufacturing mining machinery and equipment. The transportation
of coal and minerals to domestic and international markets utilizes our
Nation's inland waterways system, Great Lakes, coastal shipping lanes
and harbors and shipping channels at deep draft inland and coastal
ports.
NMA believes that a strong transportation network comprised of our
highways, rails, inland waterways and ports is critical to the economic
growth, security and competitiveness of the United States. According to
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics of
2001, approximately 2.4 billion tons of commerce moved in the U.S.
marine system (inland waterways, Great Lakes, coastal and deep-draft
ports). Of that total, approximately 1.04 billion tons were domestic
movements with coal comprising approximately 223 million tons or 21
percent of all commodities. Of the 223 million tons of coal, 170
million tons were carried on the inland and intracoastal waterways,
18.5 million tons on the Great Lakes and the remainder moved in
coastwise and intraport shipments. On the Ohio River system and its
tributaries, coal movements totaled 157 million tons or 56 percent of
all the traffic. Coal moved to power plants along the system and to
power plants in 8 States outside of the basin. In addition, 55 million
tons of coal was exported in 2001.
Iron ore, phosphate rock, and other minerals also utilize the
inland waterways system. In 2001, almost 66 million tons of iron ore
moved on the system. Of the total, 48.4 million tons moved domestically
with 44.8 million tons moved on the Great Lakes and 3.5 million tons on
the inland system. More than 1.7 million tons of phosphate rock moved
on the waterways system through coastwise movements.
NMA strongly opposes the administration's proposals in the fiscal
year 2004 budget to expand the responsibilities of the Inland Waterways
Trust Fund (IWTF) and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). These
trust funds were established after a great deal of public debate and
study as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. The
unique partnership for sharing construction, rehabilitation and
maintenance costs between the public and private sectors has built a
marine transportation system that is world class.
In addition, NMA is very concerned that the proposed Fiscal Year
2004 Budget for the Corps of Engineers does not provide sufficient
funding to keep critical navigation projects on schedule, allow for the
start of new projects, and address the maintenance backlog for existing
navigation projects. As the system is asked to do more, it is critical
that all parties are committed and a critical demonstration of the
commitment is through appropriations levels that address the current
challenges facing the system and plan for future demands.
administration's proposals to expand expenditures from the iwtf and the
hmtf
Users of the inland waterways system pay a fuel tax of 20 cents per
gallon, which has historically generated approximately $100 million
annually for the IWTF. Also, an additional fuel tax of 4.3 cents is
paid to the General Treasury for deficit reduction. These monies in the
IWTF are used to pay 50 percent of the annual costs associated with new
construction and major rehabilitation of locks and dams on the fuel-
taxed inland waterways. The remaining 50 percent is matched by money
from the Federal Government. Instead of being used immediately as
originally intended for inland waterways projects, the IWTF has a
surplus of approximately $394 million. In reality, there is no surplus
because these funds, as well as the revenue generated by the 20-cents-
per gallon fuel tax for the next 8 years, are committed to complete six
of the priority and congressionally-approved projects currently under
construction.
Without existing authorization, the administration's fiscal year
2004 budget proposes to use the surplus and future trust fund revenues
to finance 25-50 percent of the costs associated with operations and
maintenance in addition to current expenditures for new construction
and maintenance. The proposal is for IWTF to provide $146 million for
operations and maintenance in addition to the $110 million for IWTF
projects.
It is estimated that under this proposal the IWTF will be out of
funds in 3 years. The real effect of the administration's proposal is
an increase in user taxes for the transporters. It is estimated that
the diesel tax would have to be increased from its current 20 cents per
gallon to 53.5 cents per gallon--a stunning 168 percent increase. These
increases would be passed along as additional transportation costs and
reflected in the cost of coal and other minerals shipped on the inland
waterways systems. In 2001, more than 293 million tons of coal moved
domestically or to international markets. Consumers would see cost
increases for electricity generated by coal and for products such as
steel that use coal as a raw material. The already dismal coal exports
would be further disadvantaged in the international marketplace.
Barge companies and private sector companies, such as coal and
mineral producers, are not the only beneficiaries of a well-maintained
inland waterways system. However, they would be the only beneficiaries
paying for operations and maintenance of the system. The system also
provides benefits related to national security, water supply, flood
control, hydropower, and recreation. The Federal Government, up until
this time, has recognized the multiple benefits and has assumed
responsibility for operations and maintenance. During consideration of
the Water Resources Act of 1986, Congress debated this issue and the
current system was the outcome. And in 1996, a proposal to increase the
fuel tax by $1.00 per gallon was rejected by Congress.
The administration's proposal related to the HMTF would require
that the Federal share of deep-draft navigation channel construction
costs be allocated from the trust fund rather than the Federal
Government as currently mandated. Again, authorization does not exist
for this proposal. Investment in the Nation's ports and harbors is a
local and Federal partnership. Local authorities invest in marine
terminal capacity and efficiency, dredging of berths and approach
channels and cost sharing new construction dredging projects to widen
or deepen navigation channels. Ports are expected to spend
approximately $1.9 billion over the next 5 years on capital
expenditures. Currently, the HMTF covers 100 percent of all operations
and maintenance costs associated with maintaining our Nation's harbors.
The funds for the HMTF come from a tax on the value of cargo imported
into the United States or moved coastwise.
The Federal Government invests only in navigation projects that
return national benefits. The administration's proposal relieves the
Federal taxpayer, who is the ultimate beneficiary of these projects
from any responsibility to pay for the modernization of our Nation's
deep-draft navigation system. In addition, the proposal completely
abdicates the Federal responsibility for national security. The U.S.
Coast Guard, Navy and other units of the Armed Forces depend on well-
maintained and deepened harbors as bases of operation. At this time,
more than any other in recent history, the national security
implications are very clear. Furthermore, with the administration's
proposal for HMTF covering 100 percent of costs related to operations
and maintenance as well as the Federal share for new construction
projects, any Federal responsibility or role related to our Nation's
ports and harbors is abdicated.
general recommendations for fiscal year 2004 appropriations for the
army corps of engineers civil works program
NMA reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2004 Appropriations for the
Army Corps of Engineers and the Civil Works Program and has the
following general recommendations.
--A minimum of $5 billion should be appropriated in fiscal year 2004
for the Civil Works Program. This level balances the need to
address the significant project backlog and the capability of
the Corps with our Nation's need at this time for homeland
security and national defense.
--A level of $150 million should be withdrawn from the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund to be matched by an equal appropriation
from the general fund for the construction and major
rehabilitation of locks and dams on the inland waterway system.
By maintaining this level of appropriations for the next 10
years, the surplus in the Trust Fund can be reduced to more
appropriate levels. Timely completion of these required
navigation projects would accelerate the national economic
benefits from the projects, minimize cost increases and ensure
a viable and reliable national waterways system.
--The fiscal year 2004 appropriations for the Corps' General
Investigations account should be increased to $154.4 million,
the same level as appropriated in fiscal year 2002. The
proposed fiscal year 2004 level of $100 million will not permit
the Corps to undertake any new studies. These studies are
critical to ascertaining and developing future projects that
will be needed to maintain and improve our system. It takes
time to complete these projects and while there are issues
related to new construction starts, projects should be in the
pipeline and ready should funds be available.
--The fiscal year 2004 proposed funding in the amount of $1.939
billion for the Corps' Operations and Maintenance functions
should be increased. At the end of fiscal year 2003, it was
estimated that critical maintenance backlog was $884 million.
Of the total, $534 million is navigation's share with $364 for
inland waterways. Currently, 53 percent of the locks and dams
operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are 50 years or
more. With the constraints related to funds for new
construction and rehabilitation, it is imperative that existing
locks and dams are maintained. Delaying necessary maintenance
impacts the ability to move commerce efficiently, exasperates
further deterioration and accelerates the need for major
rehabilitation and possibly at higher costs than necessary.
Further comments and specific project recommendations are
outlined below.
budget proposals supported by nma
NMA strongly supports the administration's fiscal year 2003 budget
proposal to increase funding for two priority projects: the Olmsted
Locks and Dam on the Ohio River (between Illinois and Kentucky) and the
Marmet Locks and Dam on the Kanawha River in West Virginia. The
proposed fiscal year 2004 funding level for Olmsted of $73 million,
which is the efficient funding level for the project, illustrates the
approach that should be taken for other priority projects as well. This
level will reduce any further construction delays resulting in delayed
economic benefits for the country. While Marmet is not at the efficient
funding level, the appropriations level is significantly more than
fiscal year 2003 and is recognition of the importance of the project.
Following the testimony is a list of projects that NMA supports for
additional appropriations to permit efficient funding schedules. By
appropriating funds at the level to permit efficient funding schedules,
the backlogs will be reduced and the Nation will be able to realize the
economic benefits that were projected when these projects were
authorized. The list also contains recommendations for additional funds
for preconstruction, engineering and design and surveys.
ports
Our Nation's ports and harbors provide the critical link in our
marine transportation system that provide U.S. shippers, both importers
and exporters, with options that maximize their ability to compete and
remain competitive in a global marketplace. U.S. deep-draft commercial
ports handle over 95 percent of the volume and 75 percent of the value
of cargo moving in and out of the United States. For the U.S. mining
industry, coal, iron ore, phosphate, and other minerals move to export
out of U.S. ports. In addition, minerals critical to the United States
are imported through our ports. Unfortunately, many of these minerals
could be produced in the United States but current policies are making
it increasingly difficult for U.S. mineral companies to remain in the
country. By providing the United States with much needed minerals from
domestic sources, our reliance on imports would be reduced and equally
important new jobs would be created contributing to the country's
economic strength.
The proposed fiscal year 2004 budget proposes only $212 million,
which represents less than half of the $430 million necessary to fund
ongoing and new projects for deep-draft harbors. As with inland
waterways projects, failure to maintain optimal schedules increase
costs and delay project benefits.
conclusion
NMA strongly opposes the administration's proposals to expand the
IWTF to cover 25-50 percent of operation and maintenance costs and the
expansion of the HMTF to cover deep-draft construction costs. In
addition, we are concerned that the administration continues to propose
funding levels for our inland waterways system that will continue to
have very negative impacts on the system. As a country we cannot afford
to neglect the continued improvement and maintenance of our Federal
navigation system. Failure to continue our investment and commitment to
all aspects of our marine system will have serious long-term
consequences for our Nation's economic health, safety and security.
nma's fiscal year 2004 appropriations request for inland waterways
projects
FISCAL YEAR 2004 APPROPRIATIONS LEVELS SUPPORTED BY NMA
[In millions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year Efficient
2004 Request Funding Level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olmsted Lock and Dam................... $73 $73
Greenup Lock and Dam................... 2.895 3
Ohio River Mainstem Study.............. 1.35 1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
fiscal year 2004 project appropriation levels needing additional funds
Construction and Rehabilitation
McAlpine Locks Replacement Project--Fiscal Year 2004
Request: $26.1 million, Efficient Funding Level:
$70 million
Located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky and near Jefferson,
Indiana, the project provides for a new 1,200 lock that will replace
an inactive 56 360 lock and a 110 600 auxiliary lock. According to
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics for
2001, more than 55 million tons of commodities valued at nearly $11.7
billion were shipped through the locks. Coal was the leading commodity,
comprising 37 percent of all shipments. Of the 20 million tons of coal
moving through McAlpine in 2001, 13 million tons went to 30 power
plants in 8 States. Kentucky received the most tonnage with 12.6
million tons valued at $1.6 billion and coal was the top commodity
received in Kentucky. The total project cost is $278 million. The
project is 6 years behind schedule with a current loss of $245 million
in benefits.
Locks and Dams 2, 3, and 4--Fiscal Year 2004 Request: $35
million, Efficient Funding Level: $61 million
Located on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this
project replaces some of the oldest structures (some parts are more
than 100 years old) operating in the inland system. The extreme
structural deterioration of Dam 2 and Locks 3 and Dam 3 are of major
concern. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne
Commerce Statistics for 2001, almost 22.2 million tons of commodities
valued at $1.7 billion were shipped through any or all of the locks.
Coal comprised 86 percent of the tonnage moving through the locks. Of
the 19.2 million tons of coal moving through the locks, more than 7.2
million tons went to 23 power plants in 7 States. The value of the coal
was almost $1.6 billion. Pennsylvania received and shipped the most
tonnage through the locks with coal the No. 1 commodity. Construction
began on the $750 million project in 1994 and is scheduled for
completion in 2010. The project is 6 years behind schedule with a
current loss of $134.6 million in benefits.
Marmet Locks and Dams--Fiscal Year 2003 Request: $52.154
million, Efficient Funding Level: $69.2 million
Located on the Kanawha River near Belle, West Virginia this project
includes the construction of an additional 110 800 lock landward of
the existing smaller dams, which would be converted to auxiliary
status. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne
Commerce Statistic for 2001, 17.1 million tons of commodities valued at
$802 million were shipped through the locks. Coal shipments comprised
95 percent of all shipments with 16.1 million tons moving through
Marmet. West Virginia shipped the most tonnage with 16.4 million tons
valued at $665 million. Ohio received the most tonnage with 6.4 million
tons valued at $245 million. For both States, coal was the No. 1
commodity shipped. The project cost is $313 million. Originally
scheduled to be completed in 2007, it will not be completed until 2010
with a current loss of benefits of almost $118 million.
Kentucky Lock--Fiscal Year 2004 Request: $24.8 million,
Efficient Funding Level: $53 million
Located on the Tennessee River near Grand Rivers, Tennessee this
project includes the addition of a 110 1,200 lock and the relocation
of an existing railroad, highway and powerhouse access road. According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics for
2001, almost 35 million tons of commodities valued at $6.2 billion
moved through Kentucky Lock. Coal was No. 1 commodity with 12.6 million
tons or 36 percent of all shipments. The value was almost $500 million.
Of the total coal shipments nearly 10 million tons moved to 9 power
plants. Construction began on this project in 1999 and the total cost
of $533 million. The project is now scheduled to be completed in 2010
(originally 2008) with a current loss of $75 million in benefits.
Preconstruction Engineering and Design
J.T. Myers Locks and Dam--Fiscal Year 2004 Request: $0,
Efficient Funding Level: $2 million
The John T. Myers Locks and Dam located on the Ohio River about
3\1/2\ miles downstream from Uniontown, KY. The John T. Myers and
Greenup Locks Improvements Interim Feasibility Report, a product Ohio
River Mainstem Study, recommends a 600 extension of the auxiliary
chambers at both locations along the Ohio River. This project was
authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. The expected
cost is $225 million with a benefit/cost ratio of 1.8 to 1. According
to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterbourne Commerce Statistics for
2001, over 75 million tons of commodities were shipped through the
project with a total value of $13.8 billion. Coal comprised almost 33
million tons or 44 percent of all shipments. Most of the coal went to
31 power plants in 8 States. Louisiana shipped the most commodities
with iron and steel No. 1 at almost 21 million tons. Indiana received
the most commodities with coal being No. 1 at 16.1 million tons.
Surveys
Emsworth, Dashields & Montgomery Lock and Dams--Fiscal Year
2004 Request: $0, Efficient Funding Level: $1.5
million
As the uppermost navigation projects on the Ohio River (located
downstream of Pittsburgh, PA), these three projects have main lock
chambers measuring 600 100 and auxiliary locks of 360 56. The main
chambers are one-half the size of the standard chamber (1,200 110) on
the Ohio River and the auxiliary locks are one-fourth the standard
auxiliary locks (600 100). Major remedial work was done in the 1980s
at a total cost of more than $100 million. The work was designed to
extend the life of the projects to the 2005-2010 timeframe. In order to
look at all of the problems and needs associated with the three
projects, Congress authorized and provided funding for a detailed
feasibility study.
______
Prepared Statement of the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I am Christopher
Brescia, President of the Midwest Area River Coalition 2000 (MARC
2000). Thank you for the opportunity to submit MARC 2000's views on the
needs of the Mississippi Valley and especially the Upper Mississippi
River Basin for fiscal year 2004.
MARC 2000 supports full efficient funding levels for the Upper
Mississippi/Illinois River Navigation Feasibility Study and key major
rehabilitation projects on the Upper Mississippi/Illinois Rivers,
including the Environmental Management Program (EMP). We would like to
specifically highlight the increasing backlog of navigation-related
operation and maintenance projects in the entire Mississippi River
Valley. MARC 2000 rejects the call to raid the Inland Waterway Trust
Fund (Trust Fund) for purposes other than it was originally created.
upper mississippi/illinois river navigation feasibility study
This study is the most important ``project'' for the Upper
Mississippi River Basin. Full efficient funding is critical to keep
this study from falling even further behind. Re-initiation of the study
along broader parameters has increased the cost once again. Every year
we fail to complete this work adds burden to the system and increases
the risk of failure of these 70-year-old lock and dam structures.
MARC 2000 requests an increase to the President's request for a
total of $7.216 million for this study in fiscal year 2004 to keep the
study on schedule. Alternatively, $3.8 million in fiscal year 2003
supplemental funds along with the President's $3.216 fiscal year 2004
request would be an even more efficient funding stream. This is the No.
1 priority of our coalition.
Linked to this study is the need to begin PED for both 1,200 lock
design and enhanced environmental restoration. MARC 2000 urges the
appropriation of $8 million for this very important effort in providing
a seamless process and for not falling further behind in assuring the
region of a modernization program.
[In millions]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Investigative Budget Request Needed Amount Variance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upper Miss Nav. Study........................................... $3.216 $7.216 $3.8
Comprehensive Plan.............................................. .494 2.6 2.106
Upper Miss/Illinois PED......................................... 0 8.0 8.0
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................................. 3.710 17.616 13.906
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addressing these functions immediately, as we approach the close of
the study phase, prepares us for Congressional authorization for large-
scale construction for the basin. Waiting until the study's completion
to address design work causes at least 2 more unnecessary years in
elevated competitive risk, a problem recognized in WRDA'99.
While this study evaluates navigation needs and environmental
restoration options for the basin, conclusion of the Comprehensive
Plan, along with full efficient funding, is needed so the Basin can
evaluate all aspects including: navigation, flood control and
environmental restoration.
construction general and major rehabilitation
The lock and dam system on the Upper Mississippi, once considered a
flagship for the Nation's principal artery, the Mississippi River, is
virtually crumbling in some cases.
MARC 2000, in concert with the Inland Waterway Users Board,
supports full efficient funding for key priority projects already
underway, with priority given to Lock and Dam 24 at $17.2 million
(+$4.2 million); Lock and Dam 11 at $6.5 million (+$5.187) and Lock and
Dam 3 at $.6 million. A congressionally approved fiscal year 2003 new
start at Lock and Dam 19 and a fiscal year 2004 new start at Lock and
Dam 27 need attention this year as well. Funding for EMP has met
requested levels, ensuring its credibility for fiscal year 2004.
[In millions]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction General and Major Rehabilitation Budget Request Needed Amount Variance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lock & Dam 24................................................... $13.00 $17.20 $4.2
L&D 11.......................................................... 1.313 6.50 5.187
L&D 3........................................................... .6 .6 0
L&D 19.......................................................... 0 1.2 1.2
L&D 27.......................................................... 0 6.0 6.0
Environmental Management Program................................ 33.320 33.320 0
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................................. 51.943 78.636 26.690
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As indicated in the preceding table, construction and general
rehabilitation funding is severely lacking with an additional need of
$26.690 million in fiscal year 2004. Consistent under funding by the
President's budget results in inefficient timelines, extended
schedules, delayed projects, and broken commitments from our Federal
Government, and the loss of benefits to the Nation from an efficient
inland waterway system.
operations and maintenance
The President's budget continues to place a strain on the
operations and maintenance (O&M) of the system. One example of this is
the failure to fund an additional $26 million in non-deferrable
maintenance and operations services, work that is essential to keeping
the program working properly.
[In millions]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Maintenance Budget Request Needed Amount Variance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miss. River--StL................................................ $35.473 $38.00 $2.527
Miss. River--Rock Island........................................ 44.429 54.429 10.00
Miss. River--St. Paul........................................... 36.056 45.405 9.394
Illinois River.................................................. 27.615 31.915 4.3
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal.................................................. 143.573 169.749 26.176
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funding support for Operations and Maintenance has been lacking for
the last 5 years. The result is an accumulated backlog of critical
maintenance on the Upper Mississippi approaching $200 million in
navigation needs alone. As O&M allotment fails to address the
maintenance of our region's lock & dam sites, we face the greater risks
of lock closures and the hundreds of millions of dollars costing the
Nation via tows waiting for repairs to lock gates, chambers, and other
parts of the system.
critical backlog
An issue of paramount importance to the entire inland navigation
system is new safety-imposed de-watering requirements for locking
chambers. The recently discovered need to establish bulkheads at
virtually every lock in our system will compound the resource
allocation of existing dollars without additions to the President's
Budget. At least $81 million is needed in the Mississippi Valley to
address these concerns in fiscal year 2003-fiscal year 2005. The
inability to de-water a lock resulting from emergency closures or
winter rehabilitation work could bring the Mississippi River to a
standstill.
oppose raiding the inland waterway trust fund
Even more disconcerting than lack of funding support and a growing
backlog is the proposed raid of the Inland Waterway Trust Fund to be
reallocated to O&M needs. This fuel tax depository, founded over 20
years ago, was a result of a unique agreement between the Federal
Government and industry to establish a funding mechanism for costs
toward major construction of our infrastructure. Through the years,
industry has contributed more than a billion dollars into this fund,
into which over $400 million now sits while we await the conclusion of
the navigation study, and lose world market opportunities.
Proposals to use these dollars to cover 25 percent-50 percent of
the cost of O&M will eliminate the balance of the fund in just 2\1/2\
years, exactly when an Upper Mississippi Basin modernization plan
should be in place and begin to utilize those dollars for the purpose
for which they were intended. The implications of this trust fund raid
would also require additional .30-.40 cents per gallon to meet O&M
needs alone, or a 200 percent tax increase. The Inland Waterway Trust
Fund must be reserved for its original purpose. Anything less
constitutes a violation of the agreement and trust forged between the
Federal Government and industry in a good faith effort to ensure the
future of our inland waterways.
______
Prepared Statement of the Moss Landing Harbor District, Monterey Bay,
California
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of the
Chairman and Members of the Board of Harbor Commissioners, thank you
for the opportunity for me, Russell Jeffries, as President of the Board
of Harbor Commissioners of Moss Landing Harbor District in California
to submit prepared remarks to you for the record in support of the
fiscal year 2004 Energy and Water regular appropriations measure.
The Commission recognizes and expresses its gratitude to our local
Congressman, the Honorable Sam Farr, a valued member of the
Appropriations Committee for his continued assistance and support on
our behalf.
We express our profound appreciation to the Subcommittee and full
Committee for its inclusion of approximately $2.750 million in fiscal
year 2002 funds for periodic maintenance dredging of the federal
entrance channel and the initiation of a first-ever Dredged Material
Management Plan (DMMP) for the Harbor District in order to plan for
orderly maintenance dredging of the federal channel and local berths
over the next twenty or more years. This effort is supported by a
working group organized under national dredging team local planning
guidance, including representatives of the federal, state and local
agencies, and other stakeholder and public interest groups with an
interest in dredging activities.
To put our needs in proper perspective, our geographical location
and marine ecosystem is unique in that the harbor district is located
at the confluence of the Pajaro and Salinas Rivers in between two
national treasures--the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve--precluding most
potential upland disposal sites. The SF-12 Aquatic Disposal Site is
grandfathered for sanctuary purposes. It is located fifty yards
offshore at the apex of the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon which plunges
to a depth of 8,000 feet in less than one mile. Every year deposition,
erosion, and flushing cycles transport thousands of tons of sedimentary
material down the canyon like a chute--so much so that our dredged
material is a miniscule amount measured against the total annual
flushing event.
Periodic El Nino events deposit trace elements of DDT in our harbor
sediments traced to Salinas Valley agriculture--America's salad bowl--
as a natural sink. With no realistic long term alternative--including
upland disposal--to continued use of our current disposal site, our
very livelihood as the largest fishing port on the central coast and
largest concentration of marine scientific research south of Seattle,
is at stake.
Of amounts previously appropriated, approximately $2.4 million has
been expended for maintenance dredging to date and $350,000 has been
expended to begin the DMMP process. Most of that was transferred to the
Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (WES) to prepare a
preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA). We expect that something
on the order of $1,250,000 will belatedly emerge in operations and
maintenance funds in the fiscal year 2003 budget. Much of that has
already been expended or will be used to reimburse the San Francisco
District for program management costs, conduct of the required economic
analysis (including of a finding of a very favorable current benefit
cost ratio of 1.7 to 1), DMMP plan formulation and project scoping
(including alternative upland disposal site analysis), and technical
support to WES.
The completion of both the federal channel work and the Inner
Harbor with a combination of beach replenishment and ocean disposal at
the SF-12 historic disposal site marks the first time in a decade that
we have returned to a normal three year maintenance cycle of the
federal channel.
We are just now embarking on the heart of the ERA process defining
a preliminary statement of work, identifying data gaps to drive the WES
model, and initiating complementary local site-specific scientific
studies, and with those results completing the remainder of the DMMP
process.
To this end we request the Subcommittee's approval of $2.0 million
in appropriations from the Operations and Maintenance General Account
in fiscal year 2004 in order to complete the Ecological Risk Assessment
and Dredged Material Management Plan so that the process is completed
and plan implemented prior to the next periodic maintenance event
scheduled to occur in fiscal year 2005.
With the assistance of the local scientific community, we are
fortunate to have as much as three years of scientific data in the form
of benthic community biomass and tissue sampling, and first-ever
nearshore state-of-the-art bathymetric survey of the disposal site and
Monterey Bay Canyon. These efforts should prove invaluable in measuring
before and after direct impacts of dredged material disposal at the
disposal site.
With the assistance of the San Francisco district, we were
determined to take advantage of this year's dredging episode to do
before and after measurement of both sedimentary transport at the
disposal site and to measure any direct impacts on benthic
communities--the source of any bioaccumulation of contaminated
sediments in trace amounts. It appears that this will now occur with
district support as we proceed to the use of current dredging activity
as an experiment involving approximately 20,000 cubic yards from which
we can derive valuable data.
Despite the drastic differences between the use of the WES ERA
model adapted from aquatic Mississippi River application and our unique
submarine canyon ecosystem and volume of material, the district has
elected to proceed with a tracer study using European technology that
may be of help in other areas with similar problems. We now recognize
that we must undertake local site-specific data collection and studies
to complement the WES activities or the end result will not be a
document that will prove persuasive to the greater scientific
community, federal and state regulatory agencies, and an informed and
involved public in our community.
We now know that there is a considerable body of unpublished
relevant data concerning the Monterey Bay Canyon and the impact, fate
and effect of sedimentary material transport in the hands of the local
scientific community that must be collected, catalogued, analyzed, and
used both as input data and for comparison with the WES model so that
each can operate as an invaluable countercheck on the output results of
the other in predicting and directly measuring the impacts of dredged
material disposal at our ocean disposal site.
We have agreed with the district that in order to remove any
potential bias in data interpretation, an independent scientific peer
review group will be convened utilizing EPA guidelines for ERA review
to oversee this process.
The next periodic maintenance cycle would normally occur in fiscal
year 2005. We do not anticipate either another El Nino event on the
heels of the last severe one. Beyond completion of the ERA and gap
filling scientific research and peer review, a significant part of the
DMMP process is the identification and evaluation of potential upland
disposal sites of which there are few choices in our situation.
Nonetheless a long lead time would be necessary in our situation, front
end funding of which would necessarily be a part in order to complete
the DMMP process in exhaustive fashion.
From our perspective the better job we do completing the DMMP/ERA
process now in developing a persuasive case to the various
constituencies as a decision document supporting continued aquatic
disposal for all but a very small fraction of total dredged material in
exceptional circumstances over the twenty year span of the study will
save significant amounts of scarce federal and local dollars in the
future . . . that said, we sincerely hope our experience in this effort
will:
--Produce both a useful and practical multidisciplinary decision
document for those agencies exercising regulatory or oversight
jurisdiction over dredging in both our and other settings; and
--Serve as a model for collaborative effort in dredged material
disposal consensus decisionmaking in unique situations such as
for other Corps districts and local sponsors seeking to balance
required maintenance dredging to support navigation with the
corresponding need to protect environmentally sensitive areas,
in this instance the unique Monterey submarine canyon located
at the heart of the Monterey Bay Marine sanctuary.
I am prepared to supplement my prepared remarks for the record in
response to any questions that the Chair, Subcommittee Members, or
staff may wish to have me answer. Thank you Mr. Chairman and Members of
the Subcommittee. This concludes my prepared remarks.
______
Prepared Statement of the Port of Garibaldi
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Carol
Brown. I am one of three elected Commissioners of the Port of
Garibaldi, Oregon, located on Tillamook Bay on the Oregon Coast. We are
thankful for the support provided by the Committee for fiscal year 2002
and 2003, and we also appreciate the opportunity to present our views
on fiscal year 2004 appropriations issues.
appropriations request
The Port of Garibaldi requests an $8,000,000 appropriation for
operations and maintenance (O&M) of Tillamook Bay and Bar, Oregon.
These funds will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps)
Portland District begin the protection, restoration and repair of the
Tillamook Bay North and South Jetties. Specifically, the funds will
allow the Corps to build a revetment near the North Jetty root, and
perform additional restoration and repair work on the South Jetty.
The Committee provided an additional $200,000 for a Major
Maintenance Report in fiscal year 2002, and an additional $300,000 for
Plans and Specifications in fiscal year 2003. Both of these
appropriations were made above the Administration's budget requests for
the project. The Major Maintenance Report is nearly complete, and the
Corps will begin Plans and Specifications soon after the completion of
the report. We believe that the total cost to protect, restore and
repair the jetties will be $10-$15,000,000. The Administration did not
request funding for this project for fiscal year 2004.
report on the tillamook bay jetty system
There are serious problems with both jetties. The Corps' recent
engineering analysis demonstrates that erosion on the north side of the
North Jetty continues at a highly accelerated rate. Frequently, the
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) pulls its crewmembers out of the tower located
near the root of the North Jetty because of the threat of a jetty
breach at that site during periods of high seas. Should the breach
occur, shellfish beds, a county park and a state highway would sustain
severe damage. The USCG has also determined that deterioration of the
South Jetty has created a dangerous threat to navigation safety.
A functional Tillamook Bay Jetty System is key to maintaining
navigation safety, protecting both public and private property and the
environment, and preserving the economic vitality of the Oregon Coast.
In December 2000, The Board of Commissioners of the Port of
Garibaldi and Tillamook County prepared a report on the Tillamook Bay
jetty system and bar to inform legislators and other concerned parties
of the need to restore the jetties and their bar to safe, acceptable
engineering standards. Excerpts of that report are included below.
There are three major issues currently associated with the
deterioration of the system.
--There is a clearly documented increasing hazard to navigation from
erosion around the ocean ends of both jetties and resultant
damage to the bar, which is causing an escalating loss of life
in boating accidents every year.
--There is a potentially significant loss of landmass containing
recreational facilities and permanent structures in one area
where the North Jetty has already breached near its root.
--There is data currently being collected (but incomplete at this
time) which suggests a possible relationship between the
deteriorated condition of the jetties and bar and the degree of
flooding in some land areas surrounding Tillamook Bay.
The report contains a history of construction and repair of the
jetties by the Corps, an overview of construction and repair results, a
summary of an independent engineering report solicited by the Port and
the Corps' own evaluations of the jetties' present condition, reasons
for restoration of the jetties and bar, and the Commissioners'
endorsement of repair of the jetty system and bar as both an urgent
public safety measure and possible contribution to mitigation of
flooding in the estuary. We will provide a copy of the report to the
Committee upon request.
Background.--Since settlement in the 1800s, Tillamook County's
primary industries have been dairy, water and timber oriented.
Tillamook Bay and the five rivers which feed it have historically
furnished an abundance of shellfish, salmon and other species of fresh-
water and ocean food fish. Over the past century the area has become
renowned as one of the West's premier sport fishing locations.
Tillamook County's economy has always depended on prime conditions
in Tillamook Bay, its estuary and watershed for cultivation and use of
these natural resources. However, human activities including forestry,
agriculture and urban development have adversely impacted the entire
Bay area by increasing erosion rates and landslide potential in the
forest slopes and significantly reducing wetland and riparian habitat.
All five rivers entering Tillamook Bay now exceed temperature and/or
bacteria standards established by the Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality. The installation of a north jetty on Tillamook
Bay begun in 1912 caused increased erosion of the Bay's westerly land
border, Bayocean Spit, on the ocean side. The Spit breached in 1950.
This allowed the Bay to fill with ocean sands on its southern and
western perimeters and caused a major reduction in shellfish habitat,
sport-fishing area, and an increase in the cross-section of the bar. A
south jetty begun in 1969 helped stabilize the Spit and created the
navigation channel presently in use.
Increasingly poor water quality in the Bay's feeder rivers and a
substantial loss of marine life over the past twenty-five years enabled
Tillamook Bay to become part of the National Estuary Program in 1992.
The Project's scope of study included the estuary and watershed. One of
the stated goals in the Project's final Comprehensive Conservation and
Management Plan is ``the reduction of magnitude, frequency and impact
of flood events.'' This goal was found to be consistent with the scope
of study of the Corps' Feasibility Study for Water Resources in
Tillamook County now being conducted, and was incorporated into this
new project.
Previous Corps' evaluations of jetty systems clearly state the
adverse effects of jetty deterioration and infilling of channels and
bars on tidal prism (the rate at which water flows into and out of the
Bay) and indicate that they may influence flooding in a bay's estuary.
During the past thirty-six months measurements have been taken of
differential water levels in Tillamook Bay and its estuary and speeds
of tidal flows during normal and high water events. This data suggests
an increase in the cross-section of the Tillamook Bay bar and some
channel infilling, which may be affecting estuarine flooding. These
measurements are of stated interest to the Corps. The Port of
Garibaldi, many Tillamook County businesses that have been victims of
flooding, and some governmental agencies concerned with various aspects
of the flooding issue are supporting continuing gathering of these
measurements of water levels and tidal flow speeds.
While the conditions of jetties and their resultant bars invariably
and continually affect the bay on which they are constructed, their
basic function is the creation of a safe channel between ocean and
harbor for the transit of maritime traffic. As originally designed and
constructed, the Tillamook Bay jetties accomplished this. Due to their
present state of deterioration, that initial effectiveness has been
substantially reduced.
Results in Brief.--Tillamook County has suffered a series of
devastating floods since the winter of 1996. The storms caused by El
Nino/La Nina events have increased the rate of deterioration of
Tillamook Bay's jetties and bar. Their present condition is raising
increasing navigational safety issues. The North Jetty is now breached
in an especially sensitive location near its root where the wall
protects inhabited land, and the eroded area is increasing in size. A
significant quantity of water flowing through this area would result in
loss of the existing landmass adjacent to it and the structures on it.
A second area of deterioration on the North Jetty at the beach line is
threatening to breach. But in either location, an infill of the channel
with sands would reduce the navigability of the channel, further slow
the rate of tidal flow and impact the cross-section of the bar. An even
greater degree of danger to boaters than that which presently exists
would surely be created.
The Bayocean Spit breach in 1950 buried one-third the Bay's
shellfish habitat under ocean sands and did extensive damage to
estuarine lands. The lost shellfish habitat has never been recovered.
The direction of tidal flow in the Bay is such that a breach in the
North Jetty would cause additional buildup of ocean sands to the inside
edge of the Spit. This infill would eventually deposit toward the south
end of the Bay and demolish even more shellfish habitat and sport
fishing area, adversely impacting Tillamook County's already reduced
economy. The harbor area would certainly suffer some degree of damage,
resulting in increased commercial hardship.
But the most serious impact of jetty and bar deterioration has been
on navigational safety. The USCG Tillamook Bay Station has publicly
commented on the threat of a jetty breach to its observation tower, and
transit danger to sport, commercial and their own vessels due to
erosion effects, which now constitute a maritime hazard. Many local
sport and most commercial fishermen have abandoned Garibaldi as a
permanent berth and sought harbor facilities where channel navigation
is easier and transit of the bar less treacherous. The USCG has
formally requested that the Corps ``restore the north and south jetties
to their original dimensions, and remove materials from the original
construction that may now pose a maritime hazard.''
Principal Findings.--Since the last repair to the South Jetty,
approximately 302 feet have been lost to erosion, 215 feet of that
amount since 1998. The North Jetty was designed and authorized by the
USACOE to be 5,700 feet in length. As of December 2000, approximately
275 feet of the ocean end of the North Jetty is eroded and remains
below mean lower low water level--submerged, in other words. In 1990
the USACOE capped the head of the North Jetty from its above-water
point going landward for a distance of 161 feet in an unsuccessful
attempt at erosion control. The North Jetty remains at least 300 feet
short of its engineering-approved and authorized length. In the spring
of 2001, the Corps put in place temporary barriers to provide support
to the North Jetty at the root. These temporary barriers have largely
eroded since that time.
Because of the increased magnitude of storms since 1996, both
jetties have suffered far more damage than that normally expected to
occur to such structures. Erosion and displacement of large support
stones at the ocean ends of both jetties is particularly severe, and
the submerged ends of both structures are being pushed southward. The
USCG now identifies these two areas, adjacent to popular sport fishing
locations, as extremely dangerous locations. Water swirls around the
displaced boulders causing eddies sometimes strong enough to suck small
boats into them. Even in calm, flat seas, water breaks over these
boulders into waves powerful enough to throw smaller vessels onto the
jetties. (This was the case on September 22, 2000, when a sport fishing
boat inadvertently drifted inside the 200 foot exclusion zone and was
dashed onto the end of the South Jetty. Two people were killed and a
third injured, this incident being the most recent loss of life this
year in the accident record of the Tillamook Bay jetties and bar.)
Conclusion.--On behalf of the Port of Garibaldi and Tillamook
County, I thank the Committee for giving me this opportunity to provide
testimony on the Tillamook Bay Jetty System.
______
Prepared Statement of the Coosa-Alabama River Improvement Association
summary
Mr. Chairman & distinguished Committee members, this statement
includes the following: A) A plea to rend maintain our Nation's inland
waterways system as a vital part of the national transportation
infrastructure; B) A request for support in the following areas: 1)
Sufficient funding to maintain and improve our nation's inland waterway
system; 2) O&M funding for federal projects in the Coosa-Alabama Basin;
3) Funding to renovate and upgrade a recreation site on the Alabama
River; 4) Funding to complete backlogged maintenance items to keep the
Alabama River navigation channel a viable economic asset to the State
of Alabama.
expanded statement
The Coosa-Alabama River Improvement Association is a large and
diverse group of private citizens and political and industrial
organizations that sees the continued development of the Coosa-Alabama
Waterway as an opportunity for economic growth in our region as well as
the Nation. The attached statements from many of our members and
interested parties in our region call for measures to assure a viable
inland waterways system and are indicative of the strong support of the
inland waterways system in our region of the country.
Our Association is concerned about the deteriorating waterway
infrastructure throughout the Nation. The waterways are vital to our
export and import capability, linking our producers with consumers
around the world. Barges annually transport 15 percent of the Nation's
commodities, 1 out of every 8 tons. It is incumbent upon the Federal
Government to maintain and improve this valuable national asset.
Therefore, we ask Congress to appropriate funds for required
maintenance and construction to keep the waterways the economic
multiplier they are. To maintain the inland waterways facilities and to
accommodate vitally needed growth will require a minimum of $5 billion.
The Federal Government must commit to improve the waterways
infrastructure or risk serious economic consequences and jeopardizing
large public benefits.
We are concerned that any budget strategy that reduces funding for
the operations and maintenance of inland and intracoastal waterways
will have a detrimental effect on the economic growth and development
of the river system. We are especially concerned about the President's
direction to direct funding away from those waterways suffering
temporary downturns in barge transportation. We cannot allow that to
happen. In the Alabama-Coosa River Basin, we must be able to maintain
the existing river projects and facilities that support the commercial
navigation, hydropower, and recreational activities so critical to our
region's economy. The first priority must be the O&M funding
appropriated to the Corps of Engineers to maintain those projects.
The President's Budget for fiscal year 2004 does not provide enough
funding to keep the Alabama River navigation channel open. Most
conspicuous is the absence of money for dredging, a vital element of
keeping the channel operational. We ask Congress to reinstate the
dredging capability on the Alabama River by adding $3 million for
dredging on the Alabama-Coosa River project. Without dredging, the
channel is vulnerable to being closed for several months of the year.
Without the channel, the State of Alabama has no hope of attracting
prospective users of barge transportation in the Alabama River basin,
which traverses counties with some of the highest unemployment in the
Nation. We cannot close any opportunities to bring jobs to these
counties. Several prospective barge-using shippers (representing 3 to 4
million tons a year) are currently evaluating the Alabama River basin
for relocating or expanding their businesses. A fully-maintained
channel is crucial to their decision. Maintaining the channel also
dampens the rail and truck prices for movement of goods between Mobile
and Montgomery. The relatively small investment in this channel pays
large dividends for the consumers and businesses in Alabama.
Recreation is a major economic factor on our waterways. Boating,
fishing, swimming, and camping have become an indispensable economic
tool for many of our lake and river communities, and, in that respect,
the Alabama River has extraordinary potential. One of the most
promising sites for development is the Corps-owned Swift Creek
campground. Now a minimally developed site, Swift Creek needs to be
upgraded and renovated to serve an ever-increasing demand for
recreational facilities on the waterway. We ask that $1.5 million be
added to the RF Henry project to renovate and upgrade Swift Creek.
Studies predict international trade, particularly with Latin
America, over the next 20 years will double or even triple current
levels of activity. Containerized cargo is expected to increase
dramatically as shippers move away from break bulk shipping and realize
the economies of moving goods in containers. The primary method of
moving that cargo out of the Port of Mobile is by truck and rail. There
is limited capacity to increase rail. Our highways cannot accommodate
the expected increase in truck traffic. The only logical, safe, and
environmentally-friendly alternative mode of transportation is by
water. With Montgomery sitting at a junction of road, rail, air, and
water modes, it makes sense to evaluate the feasibility of an
intermodal port in the Montgomery area. We ask the Committee to include
$100,000 in General Investigations to allow Mobile District of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers to conduct this study, which was authorized by
resolution (Docket 2699) in July 2002 by the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee of the 107th Congress.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Association's
Fiscal Year President's Fiscal Year
Project 2003 Budget Fiscal 2004 Budget
Appropriation Year 2004 Request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama-Coosa River, AL \1\ (AL River incl Claiborne L&D)....... $3,174,000 $2,961,000 $5,961,000
Miller's Ferry L&D.............................................. 7,094,000 5,429,000 5,429,000
Robert F. Henry L&D \2\......................................... 5,858,000 5,726,000 7,326,000
Lake Allatoona, GA.............................................. 6,456,000 6,000,000 6,000,000
Carters Lake, GA................................................ 9,958,000 10,012,000 10,012,000
-----------------------------------------------
Totals.................................................... 34,413,000 30,128,000 34,728,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes dredging from the mouth of the Alabama River through Claiborne L&D to Miller's Ferry. Coosa River
not included. The Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Request includes funding for maintenance dredging to keep the
Alabama River navigation channel open.
\2\ Fiscal year 2004 request includes $1.5 million for upgrade and rehabilitation of Swift Creek campground and
$100,000 for a Federal study to determine feasibility of an intermodal port in the Montgomery-Selma, area.
In summary, we request your support in the following areas:
--Sufficient O&M funding of the US Army Corps of Engineers Civil
Works budget to maintain the Alabama River navigation channel,
including dredging below Claiborne Dam;
--Funding to renovate and upgrade Swift Creek campground on the
Alabama River; and
--Funding to evaluate the feasibility of an intermodal port in the
Montgomery-Selma area.
Thank you for allowing us to submit this testimony and for your
strong support of the Nation's waterways.
______
Prepared Statement of the Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc.
The Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc. respectfully submits
this written testimony to the Appropriations Sub-Committee on Energy
and Water Development for appropriations for fiscal year 2004.
Perkins County is located in northwestern South Dakota on the North
Dakota State line. We are the second largest county in South Dakota and
have a total of 2,866 square miles. Perkins County has a population of
3,542 people, of which 2,065 live in the two incorporated towns of
Lemmon and Bison. Number one business in our country is agriculture and
support services for the farmer and rancher. We have three
manufacturing plants in Lemmon that employ approximately 130-140 full-
time jobs. Other large employers in Perkins County are Federal
Government offices, State highway district offices, rural electric
offices, county government, hospital and clinic and three school
districts. Perkins County and the rest of northwestern South Dakota is
a semi-arid climate with an annual precipitation of 14 inches, of which
76 percent falls normally in April through September.
History of this project goes back to 1982 when a group of farmers
and ranchers in Perkins County were contacted by Southwest Pipeline
project in North Dakota if they would be interested in obtaining water
to serve Perkins County. At that time, approximately 100 farms and
ranches and the towns of Bison and Lemmon were interested, so Perkins
County was included in their feasibility study. In November of 1992,
Southwest Water Pipeline Project had grown to the point that Perkins
County was contacted about receiving water from the project and to be
included in the engineering design work. A committee of interested
landowners and representatives from the two incorporated towns were
organized through the Perkins County Conservation District/Natural
Resources Conservation Service. From this committee, nine directors
volunteered to serve on a board to study the feasibility of rural water
for the county. In March of 1993, Perkins County Rural Water System,
Inc. was organized as a non-profit organization. Two grants were
obtained from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural
Resources for $50,000 each to do a feasibility study. At the same time,
the Directors were able to acquire good intention fees from rural
landowners, State land, Federal land, and the two towns for a total of
$28,250 to cost share the State money on an 80-20 share basis. A
feasibility study was conducted for Perkins County Rural Water by KBM,
Inc. of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and the Alliance of Rapid City,
South Dakota in 1994. In the 1995-96 South Dakota legislature, we
obtained State authorization and appropriation of $1 million. This
money was used to up-size the pipe in North Dakota for our capacity and
for administration costs of Perkins County Rural Water. We have signed
a contract with the North Dakota State Water Commission to deliver 400
gallons per minute to the border. We have also signed contracts with
both towns to be the sole supplier for their water systems. We have had
a very good response from the rural farmers and ranchers in that 50 to
60 percent have signed and paid for water contracts delivered to their
farmstead. The total for those contracts equals $81,500 plus
obligations of another $72,000 when the project becomes a reality. To
the ranchers and farmers of Northwestern South Dakota, that is a
substantial investment for them to make. We also have signed a contract
with a grazing association that run livestock on U.S. Forest Service
land. In the fall of 1999, we received Federal authorization with the
106th Congress for a 75 percent grant of $20 million. We have received
appropriations for the last two appropriation's bill in 2002 and 2003
for $3.4 million and $4.3 million respectively. The budget presented
has been sent to the Bureau of Reclamation in Bismarck, North Dakota to
be entered in their budget processing for 2004.
During our feasibility study, conducted by the combination of two
engineering firms of the Alliance of South Dakota and KBM, Inc. of
North Dakota, several alternatives were looked at to provide Perkins
County with quality water. These alternatives were pumping water from
Shadehill Lake or from deep-water wells drilled into the Fox Hills
formation. Due to the high salt content, both of these sources would
have to use reverse osmosis treatment that is very costly to build and
operate. Buying bulk water from a large rural water system turned out
to be the most feasible. Water from Southwest Water Authority is
already treated at a large treatment plant and distributed to the
border of North Dakota and South Dakota.
The quality of water in Northwestern South Dakota is the main
concern for the health and well being of the people. Although the water
in Perkins County typically meets the primary standards established by
the U.S. EPA, most of the chemicals in the water are exceedingly high
by the State of South Dakota standards. Due to the fact that new
standards by the EPA are set each year, it will be impossible for small
water systems such as those in our towns to comply. Just across the
line in North Dakota, two small towns have exceeded the fluoride levels
from the same aquifer that water is pumped in South Dakota. At this
time, fluoride in the Town of Lemmon is within one- to two-tenths of
the MCL set by EPA through the Safe Drinking Water Act. In the deep
wells of both Bison and Lemmon, the total dissolved solids, sulfates,
and sodium consistently exceed the recommended levels set by EPA.
Sodium is the major concern with the water in Perkins County. Running
at 450 parts per million and above, the medical community has problems
with people who have to be on a salt free diet. In the rural areas,
bacteria contamination has been noted in wells that dug into shallow
aquifers. The rural population has noticed declining water levels in
these same wells due to drought and over use. We are currently in a
drought that has dried up any surface water supplies for livestock. If
water had been available, some ranches would not have had to sell or
ship livestock out of the country last fall.
Inserts include the request for fiscal year 2004. We are able to do
this much construction work in 1 year and hope to finish the project in
6 years with this size appropriation per year.
2004 BUDGET
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income:
Bureau of Reclamation \1\........................... $5,000,000.00
Projected Water Sales............................... 259,000.00
All Other Income.................................... 101,000.00
---------------
Total Income...................................... 5,360,000.00
===============
Expenses:
Administrative expenses............................. 195,150.00
O&M expenses including water purchases.............. 156,500.00
Engineering, construction, contingency.............. 5,008,350.00
---------------
Total Expenses.................................... 5,360,000.00
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Request is for $5,000,000.00 in the Bureau of Reclamation Budget.
Water quality and quantity in Perkins County has been a plague for
the county over many years. Droughts, both long and short term, are a
fact of life for the people in this area. Being able to obtain quality
water during these periods and having a backup system for other times
would make the life in the country easier. Due to our isolation from
major water supplies, this may be our only chance to obtain water at an
affordable cost.
At the present time, we have finished our final engineering report,
environmental and cultural resources reports, and, with a 50-60 percent
signup rate, we are still signing up farmers and ranches. Upon
obtaining the amount requested, we would be able to proceed with
construction in the spring of 2004 and have the system completed in 6
years. We know that funds are hard to obtain, but finding quality water
in our area is even harder. Thank you for reading our report and, on
behalf of the people of Perkins County South Dakota, we hope you can
find the funds to build our system.
______
Prepared Statement of the Pontchartrain Levee District
mississippi river and tributaries project
FISCAL YEAR 2004 RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mississippi River & Tributaries Flood Control Project... $435,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
comments on projects
History.--The Mississippi River and Tributaries Project (MR&T) was
authorized following the Record Flood of 1927 that inundated some
26,000 square miles of the fertile and productive land in the Alluvial
Valley of the Mississippi River, left 700,000 people homeless, stopped
all East/West Commerce and adversely affected both the Economy and
Environment of the entire Nation.
The MR&T Project has prevented over $180 billion in flood damages
for an investment of less that $70 billion and in addition the Nation
derives about $900 million in Navigation Benefits each year due to the
MR&T.
The Project is not complete and we cannot pass another event as
great as the 1927 Flood safety to the Gulf, this is an Historical
Event--not the much greater Project Flood.
Levees.--The Mississippi River and Tributaries Flood Control
Project has been under construction as an authorized project for about
76 years, and yet there are a number of segments not yet complete.
Although most levees are complete to grade and section in south
Louisiana and extensive reach from the Old River Control Structure in
lower Concordia Parish upstream to the Lake Providence area is still
below grade. Should these levees be overtopped during a major flood,
those people in south Louisiana know full well those flood waters are
going to head southward. Other items not yet complete are slope
protection and crown surfacing. It is recommended that a minimum of
$50,645,000 be appropriated for Mississippi River Levees.
Channel.--The second item of indispensable importance to the
Pontchartrain Levee District and the State of Louisiana is Channel
Improvements. Main line levees must be protected from caving banks
throughout this lower river reach where extremely narrow battures are
the last line of defense against levee crevasses and failures. If
caving banks are not controlled the only answer is ``setback''. Simply
stated there is no room remaining for levee setbacks in the
Pontchartrain Levee District. Revetment construction must be annually
funded to prevent levee failures, land losses and relocations. This
item also benefits the 55-foot depth navigation channel. The
Pontchartrain Levee District recommends at least $44,017,000 be
appropriated for fiscal year 2004 for Mississippi River Channel
Improvements.
Total Appropriation Request for MR&T.--The $435 million we are
requesting for Fiscal Year 2004 Appropriations for the MR&T Project is
the minimum amount we consider necessary to continue with vital on-
going construction work and to do the barest amount of maintenance work
that is required to prevent further deterioration of the Federal
investment already made to our Flood Control and Navigation Work and to
continue to work of restoring and protecting our natural environmental
including providing for adequate water supply. The total appropriation
we are requesting is attached.
Opposition.--We strongly oppose the Administration's recommendation
in its fiscal year 2004 Budget Submission to use funds from the INLAND
WATERWAYS TRUST FUND to pay for a part of the Operations and
Maintenance Cost of the Inland Waterways. The Trust Fund was
established in 1978 to make available monies for Construction and
Rehabilitation for navigation on the Inland and Coastal Waterways, not
for Operations and Maintenance. If Congress allows this recommendation
the Trust Fund would be drained in a short period of time and the 50
percent share to pay for Construction for Navigation would not be
available unless the tax on fuel used by tow-boats was raised, some day
doubled, which would make it extremely difficult for barge operators to
continue their operations and making it more expensive for farmers to
get their products to market and for the public to realize savings in
transportation cost for bulk commodities such as fuel, oil, gasoline
and other items shipped by barge.
We are also strongly opposed to any action that would transfer all
or any part of the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers Civil Works mission to
other agencies or department of the Federal Government. It has been
reported that the Administration would desire to transfer the Corps
NAVIGATION program to the Department of Transportation, FLOOD CONTROL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION to the Department of the Interior, and
the REGULATORY PROGRAMS to EPA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has
rendered extremely valuable services to this Nation since 1802 (over
200 years). The Corps has created an Inland Waterways System that is
the envy of the rest of the world. This commercial transportation
system is critical to the Nation's economy and environmental well-being
and part of this system is used to deploy military equipment in support
of the war on terrorism. The Corps has also been in the forefront to
provide Flood Control and Environmental Restoration Projects, they have
also supported our troops in every armed conflict this Nation has
engaged in. It would be a serious mistake of Nation-wide impact to
spread the functions of the Corps into several parts and across the
Federal Bureaucracy. This Nation would lose a wonderful asset that we
have enjoyed for many, many years.
We are strongly opposed to any proposal to ``out-source'' or
contract-out any of the present positions in the Corps of Engineers'
Civil Works function. The Secretary of the Army has proposed that 90
percent of all Corps of Engineers' positions be contracted out, this
would eliminate approximately 32,000 current employees and make it
almost impossible to continue with our work.
comments
The Pontchartrain Levee District has full realization of the
necessity of keeping these Subcommittees advised of current and future
needs for Federal monetary support on vital items of the MR&T Flood
Control Project. Beginning in 1995 the subcommittees refused to give
audience to the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association. This year
no oral testimony will be heard. Again, this is a great travesty of
justice. Such actions seriously erode the partnership that has been
built between Congress, the Corps of Engineers and local sponsors.
We trust that this pattern will revert back to the 63-year practice
of hearing our delegation.
conclusion
The Board of Commissioners, Pontchartrain Levee District,
compliments the Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development for its
keen understanding of real needs for the MR&T Flood Control Project
along with Hurricane Protection and efficient, alert actions taken to
appropriate funds for the many complex requirements. We endorse
recommendations presented by the Association of Levee Boards of
Louisiana, Department of Transportation and Development, Mississippi
Valley Flood Control Association and Red River Valley Association. The
Board of Commissioners desires our statement be made a part of the
record.
FISCAL YEAR 2004 CIVIL WORKS REQUESTED BUDGET--MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND
TRIBUTARIES APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project and State Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVEYS, CONTINUATION OF PLANNING AND ENGINEERING &
ADVANCE ENGINEERING & DESIGN:
Memphis Harbor, TN.................................. $700,000
Germantown, TN...................................... 171,000
Millington, TN...................................... 127,000
Fletcher Creek, TN.................................. 150,000
Southeast Arkansas.................................. 1,000,000
Coldwater Basin Below Arkansas...................... 500,000
Quiver River, MS.................................... 100,000
Alexandria, LA to the Gulf of Mexico................ 700,000
Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico.................. 7,992,000
Donaldsonville, LA to Gulf of Mexico................ 1,400,000
Spring Bayou, LA.................................... 832,000
Tensas River, LA.................................... 500,000
Donaldsonville Port Development, LA................. 100,000
Collection & Study of Basic Data.................... 695,000
---------------
SUBTOTAL--SURVEYS, CONTINUATION OF PLANNING & 14,967,000
ENGINEERING & ADVANCE ENGINEERING & DESIGN.......
---------------
CONSTRUCTION:
St. John's Bayou-New Madrid Floodway, MO............ 7,600,000
Eight Mile Creek, AR................................ 2,050,000
Helena & Vicinity, AR............................... 3,407,000
Grand Prairie Region, AR............................ 24,700,000
Bayou Meto, AR...................................... 16,000,000
West Tennessee Tributaries, TN...................... 620,000
Nonconnah Creek, TN................................. 3,068,000
Wolf River, Memphis, TN............................. 2,500,000
Reelfoot Lake, TN................................... 1,240,000
St. Francis Basin, MO & AR.......................... 6,300,000
Yazoo Basin, MS..................................... 53,555,000
Atchafalaya Basin, LA............................... 21,235,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway.......................... 14,200,000
MS Delta Region, LA................................. 3,400,000
Horn Lake Creek, MS................................. 395,000
MS & LA Estaurine Area, MS & LA..................... 30,000
Channel Improvements, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & LA... 44,017,000
Mississippi River Levees, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & 50,645,000
LA.................................................
---------------
SUBTOTAL--CONSTRUCTION............................ 254,962,000
SUBTOTAL--MAINTENANCE............................. 208,433,000
---------------
SUBTOTAL--MISSISSIPPI RIVER & TRIBUTARIES......... 478,362,000
LESS REDUCTION FOR SAVINGS & SLIPPAGE................... -43,362,000
---------------
GRAND TOTAL--MISSISSIPPI RIVER & TRIBUTARIES...... 435,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of the Fifth Louisiana Levee District
In order to continue the current level of construction on the
Mississippi River and Tributaries Project (MR&T), and to provide proper
maintenance of the completed portions, it is essential that the $435
million, as requested by the Mississippi Valley Flood Control
Association for fiscal year 2004 (copy attached), be appropriated for
the MR&T Project.
Less than $10 billion has been invested in the MR&T Project since
its authorization following the great flood of 1927, but even in its
incomplete stage, the MR&T project has prevented over $180 billion in
flood damages and makes possible about $900 million in navigation
benefits each year.
Levee enlargements have been completed along most of the
Mississippi River Levee, with one exception being portions of the
system in Louisiana where people and property remain vulnerable to a
Levee that is the lowest in the MR&T system, even though it conducts to
the Gulf 41 percent of the total water runoff of the Nation. It is
imperative that construction of these Levees remain a top priority for
the Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and that adequate
funding be provided.
I urge reconsideration of the Administration's recommendation (in
its Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Submission) to fund Operations and
Maintenance cost of the Inland Waterways by using funds from the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund. Depletion of that fund will have long term
effects on construction for navigation, and ultimately on commerce and
individuals dependent upon River transportation of bulk commodities.
It is essential that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers remain intact
and not be divided into separate, smaller entities and transferred to
administration of other established Departments. The Inland Waterways
System created by the Corps is recognized world-wide and has set the
standard for construction of water control and navigational systems. It
must continue to function as one unit to retain its effectiveness.
It is vital to the people of Louisiana and to the Nation that the
Mississippi River and Tributaries Project be completed as designed and
as quickly as possible. To transfer any part of the Civil Works
mission, or to ``out-source'' or contract-out positions in the Corps'
Civil Works organization, as proposed by the Secretary of The Army,
will wreck the current construction and maintenance time table and
eliminate approximately 32,000 current employees.
I respectfully request that $435 million be appropriated for the
MR&T Project for the coming fiscal year, and urge your support for
protection of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and the structure of the
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as it currently exists.
FISCAL YEAR 2004 CIVIL WORKS REQUESTED BUDGET--MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND
TRIBUTARIES APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project and State MVFCA Request
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVEYS, CONTINUATION OF PLANNING AND ENGINEERING &
ADVANCE ENGINEERING & DESIGN:
Memphis Harbor, TN.................................. $700,000
Germantown, TN...................................... 171,000
Millington, TN...................................... 127,000
Fletcher Creek, TN.................................. 150,000
Southeast Arkansas.................................. 1,000,000
Coldwater Basin Below Arkansas...................... 500,000
Quiver River, MS.................................... 100,000
Alexandria, LA to the Gulf of Mexico................ 700,000
Morganza, LA to the Gulf of Mexico.................. 7,992,000
Donaldsonville, LA to Gulf of Mexico................ 1,400,000
Sprung Bayou, LA.................................... 832,000
Tensas River, LA.................................... 500,000
Donaldsonville Port Development, LA................. 100,000
Collection & Study of Basic Data.................... 695,000
---------------
SUBTOTAL--SURVEYS, CONTINUATION OF PLANNING & 14,967,000
ENGINEERING & ADVANCE ENGINEERING & DESIGN.......
---------------
CONSTRUCTION:
St. John's Bayou-New Madrid Floodway, MO............ 7,600,000
Eight Mile Creek, AR................................ 2,050,000
Helena & Vicinity, AR............................... 3,407,000
Grand Prairie Region, AR............................ 24,700,000
Bayou Meto, AR...................................... 16,000,000
West Tennessee Tributaries, TN...................... 620,00
Nonconnah Creek, TN................................. 3,068,000
Wolf River, Memphis, TN............................. 2,500,000
Reelfoot Lake, TN................................... 1,240,000
St. Francis Basin, MO & AR.......................... 6,300,000
Yazoo Basin, MS..................................... 53,555,000
Atchafalaya Basin, LA............................... 21,235,000
Atchafalaya Basin Floodway.......................... 14,200,000
MS Delta Region, LA................................. 3,400,000
Horn Lake Creek, MS................................. 395,000
MS & LA Estaurine Area, MS & LA..................... 30,000
Channel Improvements, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & LA... 44,017,000
Mississippi River Levees, IL, KY, MO, AR, TN, MS & 50,645,000
LA.................................................
---------------
SUBTOTAL--CONSTRUCTION............................ 254,962,000
SUBTOTAL--MAINTENANCE............................. 208,433,000
---------------
SUBTOTAL--MISSISSIPPI RIVER & TRIBUTARIES......... 478,362,000
LESS REDUCTION FOR SAVINGS & SLIPPAGE................... -43,362,000
---------------
GRAND TOTAL--MISSISSIPPI RIVER & TRIBUTARIES...... 435,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Prepared Statement of the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District
On behalf of the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District and the
users of Freeport Harbor, we extend gratitude to Chairman Domenici and
members of the subcommittee for the opportunity to submit testimony in
support of the feasibility study for the proposed channel improvement
project for Freeport Harbor and Stauffer Channel, Texas.
We express full support of the inclusion in the fiscal year 2004
budget for: Second phase of a Corps of Engineers feasibility study for
Freeport Harbor, Texas--$500,000.
history and background
Port Freeport is an autonomous governmental entity authorized by an
act of the Texas Legislature in 1925. It is a deep-draft port, located
on Texas' central Gulf Coast, approximately 60 miles southwest of
Houston, and is an important Brazos River Navigation District
component. The port elevation is 3 to 12 feet above sea level. Port
Freeport is governed by a board of six commissioners elected by the
voters of the Navigation District of Brazoria County, which currently
encompasses 85 percent of the county. Port Freeport land and operations
currently include 186 acres of developed land and 7,723 acres of
undeveloped land, five operating berths, a 45-inch deep Freeport Harbor
Channel and a 70-foot deep sink hole. Future expansion includes
building a 1,300-acre multi-modal facility, cruise terminal and
container terminal. Port Freeport is conveniently accessible by rail,
waterway and highway routes. There is direct access to the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway, Brazos River Diversion Channel, and, State
Highways 36 and 288. Located just 3 miles from deep water, Port
Freeport is one of the most accessible ports on the Gulf Coast.
project description
The Fiscal Year 2002 Energy and Water Appropriations signed into
law included a $100,000 appropriation to allow the United States Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) to conduct a reconnaissance study to
determine the Federal interest in an improvement project for Freeport
Harbor, Texas. The USACE, in cooperation with the Brazos River Harbor
Navigation District as the local sponsor, has completed that study. The
report indicates that ``transportation savings in the form of National
Economic Development Benefits (NED) appear to substantially exceed the
cost of project implementation'', thus confirming ``a strong Federal
interest in conducting the feasibility study of navigation improvements
at Freeport Harbor''. In fact, the Corps anticipates a benefit to cost
ratio of the project to be at an impressive more than 20 to 1 benefit
to cost.
Port Freeport has the opportunity to solidify significant new
business for Texas with this improvement project. In addition, the
improvement to the environment by taking a huge number of trucks off of
the road, transporting goods more economically and environmentally
sensitive by waterborne commerce is infinitely important to the
community, the State, and the Nation. Moreover, the enhanced safety of
a wider channel cannot be overstated.
economic impact of port freeport
Port Freeport is 16th in foreign tonnage in the United States and
24th in total tonnage. The port handled over 25 million tons of cargo
in 2001 and an additional 70,000 T.E.U.'s of containerized cargo. It is
responsible for augmenting the Nation's economy by $7.06 billion
annually and generating 30,000 jobs. Its chief import commodities are
bananas, fresh fruit and aggregate while top export commodities are
rice and chemicals. The port's growth has been staggering in the past
decade, becoming one of the fastest growing ports on the Gulf Coast.
Port Freeport's economic impact and its future growth is justification
for its budding partnership with the Federal Government in this
critical improvement project.
defense support of our nation
Port Freeport is a strategic port in times of National Defense of
our Nation. It houses a critically important petroleum oil reserve--
Bryan Mound. It also is the only port in Texas that is being considered
by the United States Navy and General Dynamics as the site for the
building of Amphibious Assault Vehicles. Its close proximity to State
Highways 36 and 288 make it a convenient deployment port for Fort Hood.
In these unusual times, it is important to note the importance of our
ports in the defense of our Nation and to address the need to keep our
Federal waterways open to deep-draft navigation.
community and industry support
This proposed improvement project has wide community and industry
support. The safer transit and volume increase capability is an
appealing and exciting prospect for the users of Freeport Harbor and
Stauffer Channel. The anticipated more than 20-to-1 benefit-to-cost
ratio that was indicated from the Corps of Engineers reconnaissance
study firmly solidified the Federal interest.
what we need from the subcommittee in fiscal year 2004
The Administration's budget included $250,000 for the first phase
of the feasibility study, which will be conducted at a 50/50 Federal
Government/local sponsor share. The Corps had indicated a capability
for Fiscal Year 2004 of $500,000 to continue the feasibility study and
keep this project on an optimal and most cost-efficient time frame for
the Federal Government and the local sponsor. We respectfully request
the additional $250,000 for fiscal year 2004.
______
Prepared Statement of Cameron County, Texas
On behalf of Cameron County and the users of the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway, (GIWW) Texas, we extend gratitude to Chairman Domenici, and
members of the subcommittee for the opportunity to submit testimony in
support of an appropriation to direct the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) to conduct a reconnaissance study to reroute the
GIWW.
We express full support of the inclusion in the fiscal year 2004
budget for: First Phase of feasibility study--$500,000.
history and background
On September 15, 2001, a tugboat and several barges struck the
Queen Isabella Causeway on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at the mouth
of the Brownsville Ship Channel east of Port Isabel. The accident took
the lives of eight people. On May 2, 2002, three barges being pushed by
a tug collided with the swing bridge at Port Isabel, Texas, closing the
waterway and stranding residents of Long Island Village. These
accidents prompted Cameron County to request a reconnaissance study to
study realignment of the portion of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway near
the swing bridge to straighten the circuitous route, thus significantly
reducing the threat of future accidents.
A January 1997 Reconnaissance Report of the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway-Corpus Christi Bay to Port Isabel, Texas (Section 216), was
conducted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The study was
initiated to determine the Federal interest in rerouting the GIWW. The
information available at the time indicated a less than favorable
benefit-to-cost ratio for the proposed realignment. Since the September
15 incident, the Corps, Cameron County officials, and a number of local
entities and residents of the County have reopened discussion of the
rerouting of the GIWW.
The Corps of Engineers agrees that new facts regarding the safety
of the current alignment warrants a revisiting of the issue to
determine the viability of rerouting the channel in a direct line from
the point where the waterway crosses underneath the causeway to the
point where it reaches the Brazos Santiago Pass and the Brownsville
Ship Channel. The route in question is the exact one traveled by the
tugboat and barges that struck the bridge on September 15, killing
eight people. The tugboat captain failed to negotiate the sharp turn
after it passed through the Long Island Swing Bridge. This particular
turn is one of the most dangerous on the entire waterway.
project description
The reconnaissance study allowed the Corps to reopen the
examination of the rerouting of the GIWW on the basis of safety. The
measure would seek to eliminate safety hazards to Port Isabel and Long
Island residents created by barges that move large quantities of fuel
and other potentially dangerous explosive chemicals through the
existing route under the Queen Isabella Causeway. The overall goal of
the study would be to enhance safety and transportation efficiency on
this busy Texas waterway by removing the treacherous turn tug and barge
operators are forced to make as they navigate the passage through the
Long Island Swing Bridge. In addition to the hazardous curve, the
winding and congested course taken by the waterway through the City of
Port Isabel adds needless distance and time to the transportation of
goods to and from Cameron County ports. These costs are borne not only
by commercial operators using the waterway, but also by consumers and
businesses all across Texas and the Nation. The rerouting would also
seek to correct the adverse impact of waterway traffic on Cameron
County residents. Apart from the obvious potential for damage to the
Queen Isabella Causeway, adverse impacts are created by waterway
traffic in the form of traffic delays associated with the Long Island
Swing Bridge and the transportation of hazardous materials within
several hundred feet of densely populated areas in Port Isabel and Long
Island.
Currently, a 1950's era swing bridge that floats in the waterway
channel connects Long Island and the City of Port Isabel. As waterborne
traffic approaches the bridge, cables are used to swing it from the
center of the channel and then swing it back into place. This costly
and time-consuming process, which frequently backs up traffic into the
downtown business district of Port Isabel, is estimated to drain
hundreds of dollars a year from the economy of this economically
distressed area. More serious problems are created when the heavily
used cables or winch motors on the swing bridge fail, leaving the
bridge stuck in an open or closed position. Equipment failures often
cause delays for several days and leave Long Island residents cut off
from vehicle access or the ports of Port Isabel and Brownsville cut off
from in-bound and out-bound barge traffic. During these times, supplies
of vital commodities are halted all across the Rio Grande Valley as
stocks dwindle and produce and finished goods begin to pile up.
impact of the gulf intracoastal waterway
The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is an integral part of the inland
transportation system of the United States. Stretching across more than
1,300 coastal miles of the Gulf of Mexico, this man-made, shallow-draft
canal moves a large variety and great number of vessels and cargoes.
The 426 miles of the waterway running through Texas makes it possible
to supply both domestic and foreign markets with chemicals, petroleum
and other essential goods. Barge traffic is essential to many of the
port economies from Texas to Great Lakes ports, indeed, throughout the
entire GIWW. Some ports feel their future strategic plans are closely
linked to the efficient operation of the GIWW. This is true for ports
that rely almost entirely on barge traffic as well as ports that
function primarily as recreational facilities. Most of the cargo moved
along Texas waterways is petroleum and petroleum products. The GIWW is
well suited for the movement of such cargo, and, therefore, has allowed
many of the smaller, shallow-draft facilities to engage in both
interstate and international trade. Commercial fishing access via the
GIWW has had a significant impact on these port economies as well.
conclusion
A 1995 Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs report
entitled ``The Texas Seaport and Inland Waterway System'' warned of
concern with the safe operation of barges on the GIWW citing, ``a
serious accident perhaps involving a collision between two barges
carrying hazardous materials could force closure of the waterway''. No
one foresee the terrible accident that occurred on September 15 or the
additional one on May 2, 2002. The lives of eight people came to an end
and the lives of their loved ones was irrevocably changed forever. This
important waterway must be improved to prevent another tragedy.
what we need from the subcommittee in fiscal year 2004
The $500,000 that must be added to the fiscal year 2004
appropriations bill will allow the Corps of Engineers to begin to
remedy this dangerous situation. Cameron County, the users of the GIWW,
and the residents of the area respectfully requests the addition of
this much-needed appropriation.
______
Prepared Statement of the Chambers County-Cedar Bayou Navigation
District
On behalf of the Chambers County-Cedar Bayou Navigation district
and the users of the Cedar Bayou Channel, Texas, we extend gratitude to
Chairman Domenici and members of the subcommittee for the opportunity
to submit testimony in support of the improvement project for the Cedar
Bayou Channel, Texas.
We express full support of the inclusion in the fiscal year 2004
budget for: Pre-Construction Engineering and Design (OEM) For Cedar
Bayou, Texas--$100,000.
history and background
The River and Harbor Act of 1890 originally authorized navigation
improvements to Cedar Bayou. The project was reauthorized in 1930 to
provide a 10-foot deep and 100-foot wide channel from the Houston Ship
Channel to a point on Cedar Bayou 11 miles above the mouth of the
bayou. In 1931, a portion of the channel was constructed from the
Houston Ship Channel to a point about 0.8 miles above the mouth of
Cedar Bayou, approximately 3.5 miles in length.
A study of the project in 1971 determined that an extension of the
channel to project Mile 3 would have a favorable benefit to cost ratio.
This portion of the channel was realigned from mile 0.1 to mile 0.8 and
extended from mile 0.8 to Mile 3 in 1975. In October 1985, the portion
of the original navigation project from project Mile 3 to 11 was
deauthorized due to the lack of a local sponsor. In 1989, the Corps of
Engineers, Galveston District completed a Reconnaissance Report dated
June 1989, which recommended a 12 125 channel from the Houston Ship
Channel Mile 3 to Cedar Bayou Mile 11 at the State Highway 146 Bridge.
The Texas Legislature created the Chambers County-Cedar Bayou
Navigation District in 1997 as an entity to improve the navigability of
Cedar Bayou. The district was created to accomplish the purpose of
Section 59, Article XVI, of the Texas Constitution and has all the
rights, powers, privileges and authority applicable to Districts
created under Chapters 60, 62, and 63 of the Water Code--Public Entity.
The Chambers County-Cedar Bayou Navigation District then became the
local sponsor for the Cedar Bayou Channel.
project description and reauthorization
Cedar Bayou is a small coastal stream, which originates in Liberty
County, Texas, and meanders through the urban area near the eastern
portion of the City of Baytown, Texas, before entering Galveston Bay.
The bayou forms the boundary between Harris County on the west and
Chambers County on the east. The project was authorized in Section 349
of the Water Resources Development Act 2000, which authorized a
navigation improvement of 12 feet deep by 125 feet wide from mile 2.5
to mile 11 on Cedar Bayou.
justification and industry support
First and foremost, the channel must be improved for safety. The
channel is the home to a busy barge industry. The most cost-efficient
and safe method of conveyance is barge transportation. Water
transportation offers considerable cost savings compared to other
freight modes (rail is nearly twice as costly and truck nearly four
times higher). In addition, the movement of cargo by barge is
environmentally friendly. Barges have enormous carrying capacity while
consuming less energy, due to the fact that a large number of barges
can move together in a single tow, controlled by only one power unit.
The result takes a significant number of trucks off of Texas highways.
The reduction of air emissions by the movement of cargo on barges is a
significant factor as communities struggle with compliance with the
Clean Air Act. Several navigation-dependent industries and commercial
enterprises have been established along the commercially navigable
portions of Cedar Bayou. Several industries have docks on at the mile
markers that would be affected by this much-needed improvement. These
industries include: Reliant Energy, Bayer Corporation, Koppel Steel,
CEMEX, US Filter Recovery Services and Dorsett Brothers Concrete, to
name a few.
project costs and benefits
Congress appropriated $100,000 in fiscal year 2001 for the Corps of
Engineers to conduct the feasibility study to determine the Federal
interest in this improvement project. The study indicated a benefit to
cost ratio of the project of 2.8 to 1. The estimated total cost of the
project is $16.8 million with a Federal share estimated at $11.9
million and the non-federal sponsor share of approximately $4.9
million. Total annual benefits are estimated to be $4.8 million, with a
net benefit of $3 million. Congress appropriated $400,000 each in
fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003 to support the feasibility study.
This project is environmentally sound and economically justified.
what we need from the subcommittee in fiscal year 2004
We would appreciate the subcommittee's support of the required add
of the $100,000 appropriation needed by the Corps of Engineers to
complete the plans and specifications of the project so that it can
move forward at an optimum construction schedule. The users of the
channel deserve to have the benefits of a safer, most cost-effective
Federal waterway.
______
Prepared Statement of the City of Newark, New Jersey
Chairman Domenici and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for
giving the City of Newark the opportunity to submit testimony about a
project under your jurisdiction which is very important to the quality
of life of the people of Newark, New Jersey and the surrounding region.
The Passaic River Streambank Restoration Project, known as the Joseph
G. Minish Passaic River Waterfront Park and Historic Area, is an
important part of the overall economic, land use and transportation
development plan of the City of Newark.
The Joseph G. Minish Park/Passaic Riverfront Historic Area project
addresses the restoration and rehabilitation of approximately 9,000
linear feet of Passaic River shoreline. This encompasses the eastern
boundary of Newark's Central Business District, as well as the edge of
the City's densely populated Ironbound neighborhood. This reach of the
Passaic River, from Bridge Street to Brill Street, in the City of
Newark is eroded, deteriorated and environmentally degraded due to past
heavy commercial and industrial use and flooding. The total project
includes bulkheading and other streambank restoration measures, the
creation of a 40-foot-wide walkway on top of the bulkhead, and a system
of open spaces tying together large public park areas as well as open
space required in any private development.
The project was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA) of 1990 (Public Law 101-640) as an element of the Passaic River
Flood Damage Reduction Project on November 28, 1990, modified in the
Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-580) by
extending the project area, and further modified in the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-303). The project is divided
into three phases. Phase I consists of 6,000 feet of bulkhead
replacement (Bridge Street to Jackson Street) and 3,200 feet of
wetlands restoration (Jackson Street to Brill Street). The Project
Cooperation Agreement for Phase I was executed in May 1999. Plans and
specifications for this first phase have been prepared, and it is being
implemented in four contracts. Construction of the first bulkhead
section at a value of $2,069,910 was completed in September of 2000. A
second construction contract to continue Phase I has been contracted at
a cost of $4.7 million, and is scheduled for completion in March 2003.
The third contract specifications have been prepared, and will be bid
as soon as required property remediation is completed by a private
owner. The fourth contract includes a naturalized streambank area in
the riverfront area adjacent to City and County parkland in a densely
populated neighborhood, and could be constructed simultaneously to
contract three. The Army Corps of Engineers has committed funds still
available to apply toward Phase I elements. The State of New Jersey has
been the primary cost-sharing sponsor of Phase I, with significant City
investment and support. Some additional funding will be needed for
Phase I, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers March 2002
project fact sheet. Prior appropriated funds have been utilized to
fully design the bulkhead, a segment of naturalized streambank, and a
system of walkways and public open spaces.
City Engineering professionals are coordinating with the Corps to
complete all elements of the bulkheading and its integration with
significant Combined Sewer Overflow facilities and related Phase I
costs. Close coordination has also been continuing with the NJ
Department of Transportation, which is rebuilding the section of Route
21 adjacent to Minish Park, and NJ Transit, which has begun
construction of the Minimum Operable Segment of a light rail line, the
Newark Elizabeth Rail Link, on the west side of Route 21. Adjacent,
previously dormant, sites have become desirable locations for
development of commercial properties, due to the projected walkway,
park and open space facilities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has
become the tenant in a new office building on the riverfront, and a
private developer is planning new housing units on a riverfront site
adjacent to Penn Station. The complexity of all of these interrelated
projects, as well as the private development of properties in the area,
has increased the importance of moving the Minish Park construction at
an accelerated pace.
As planned, Phase II will add a 9,200-foot long and 40-foot-wide
waterfront walkway on top of and adjacent to the bulkhead, and Phase
III adds park facilities, plazas, and landscaping on the inland side of
the promenade, between the river and Newark's downtown edge. Future
project segments will create linkages to Riverbank Park and other
community facilities, including a naturalized streambank and a new
Essex County Park. However, a change in the phasing, but not the scope,
of the overall project would provide needed open space in one of our
Nation's oldest and most densely populated cities.
It is vital to the interests of the City of Newark, its residents,
visitors, businesses and investors that construction of the walkway and
park between Penn Station and the northern end of the completed
bulkhead proceed as soon as possible. This area includes the large park
proposed at Center Street and the Riverfront. Construction of this
project segment will allow pedestrians safe and convenient access to
the riverfront from Newark Penn Station north to the New Jersey
Performing Arts Center. The Army Corps has completed preliminary
designs, so that the waterfront walkway can built over the two sections
of the bulkhead which have been substantially completed, and the park
built on adjacent property now owned by the City of Newark and other
public entities.
Mandatory site remediation by private owners on property slated for
bulkhead construction has become more extensive than originally
anticipated. Since design efforts for Phases II and III are underway,
as are negotiations for a Project Cooperation Agreement, construction
of Phases II and III can take place on completed areas of Phase I. This
restoration will provide a new focal point for downtown development
activities, reconnect Newark to its riverfront and maritime history,
and allow neighborhood residents direct access to the riverfront as
part of a much-needed recreation complex.
An appropriation of $14 million for the continuation of
construction on the Newark Riverfront Project is requested, so that
this integral element in Newark's revitalization can move forward as
planned, and can be utilized by the Army Corps of Engineers, in fiscal
year 2004. The current funding will only take us through the
construction of bulkhead and some of the mud flats restoration, not to
a usable facility. An additional appropriation will enable the City,
State and Corps to proceed with a Phase II City/Corps cooperative
program agreement on the next set of essential Phase II and Phase III
elements. This will include the walkway/greenway component above and
behind the completed bulkheading, and the critical connective
infrastructure that will be needed to insure access and maximum
effectiveness and utilization of this project for the community and key
stakeholders and project partners.
A supplemental appropriation of $14 million is requested so that
this integral element in Newark's revitalization can move from partial
construction to the beginning of full project build-out. This
investment in Newark's future will help us to improve the economic
status of our Nation's third oldest major city. The development of the
riverfront now is a critical element in the overall plan for Newark's
downtown revitalization. This linear park will serve as a visual and
physical linkage among several key and exciting development projects.
It is adjacent to one of the oldest highways in the Nation, Route 21,
which is undergoing a multi-million dollar realignment and enhancement.
A light rail system, the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link, is under
construction. It will connect Newark's two train stations, and
ultimately, Newark International Airport and the neighboring City of
Elizabeth, providing users with access to mass transportation.
Conversely, the riverfront will become a destination served by that
system, providing an important open space and waterfront opportunity
for residents of one of the most densely populated cities in the
Nation.
The environmental benefits of the project include flood control,
riverbank and wetlands restoration, creation of urban green space, and
enhancement of water quality in the Passaic River. These improvements
will allow the Passaic River to be converted from one of the nation's
most troubled waterways to a cultural and recreational asset. Ongoing
and planned greenway projects will provide pedestrian and bicycle
access to the waterfront from Newark's residential neighborhoods as
well as the City's five major institutions of higher learning.
The riverfront development will complement and provide a visual and
physical connection with the $170 million New Jersey Performing Arts
Center, which opened in the Fall of 1997 and has been incredibly
successful. Further north along the riverfront, also accessible from
the riverfront walkway when it is fully built, the City of Newark and
Essex County have opened Riverfront Stadium, home to a minor league
baseball team as well as community sporting events such as the Project
Pride Bowl. Also in close pedestrian proximity is the site for the new
Newark Sports and Entertainment Arena, which is expected to bring two
million visitors a year into the area. In addition, NJ Transit has
completed construction of a new concourse, which is directly adjacent
to the riverfront. Once the park and walkway are completed, rail and
bus passengers will be able to exit the Penn Station north concourse
directly onto the riverfront area. On the eastern portion of Minish
Park, residents of a crowded community, Newark's Ironbound, will have
direct access to the river and its streambank for active and passive
recreation for the first time.
The riverfront will be the nexus of these activities, creating a
vibrant downtown center that will provide economic development
opportunities for the citizens of Newark and our region. Visitors from
throughout the Nation are expected to come to visit our revitalized
city, and participate in the exciting growth and development taking
place. There is tremendous potential for Newark's riverfront to mirror
the success of other riverfront developments throughout the country,
and Newark stands ready to accept the challenges such developments
present.
The City of Newark has completed conducting a master plan study for
the entire riverfront area, which will guide us in tying together these
incredibly exciting, and challenging, projects. We have received State
of New Jersey planning funds to develop a redevelopment plan for the
entire site, which will serve to coordinate redevelopment plans with
private developers, public agencies, and non-profit partners. Funds
have also been made available by the State for a Newark Waterfront
Community Access Study, which is examining the optimum way to safely
cross Route 21 to enable pedestrians to enjoy the riverfront area. We
have a once in a lifetime opportunity to coordinate several major
development activities into a virtually seamless development plan. The
appropriation of $15 million which Newark requests will serve to
incorporate the Army Corps of Engineers' construction into our overall
economic development plan to reinvigorate Newark. I urge you to support
this appropriation request, and help us to continue Newark's
revitalization.
In closing, I would like to extend my thanks to the entire New
Jersey delegation for its ongoing support, especially to subcommittee
member Rodney Frelinghuysen for his advocacy of Newark's critical
projects. The time and attention of this subcommittee are deeply
appreciated.
______
Prepared Statement of the City of Miami Beach, Florida
On behalf of the City of Miami Beach, I appreciate this opportunity
to submit for the record testimony in support of the request by Miami-
Dade County for beach renourishment funds.
support for miami-dade construction request
The City of Miami Beach would first like to thank the members of
the subcommittee for all their efforts in the past to provide support
for the State of Florida's beaches and in particular, those of Miami
Beach.
Beaches are Florida's number one tourist ``attraction.'' In 2002,
beach tourism generated more than $16 billion for Florida's economy and
more tourists visited Miami Beach than visited the three largest
national parks combined.
In addition to their vital economic importance, beaches are the
front line defense for multi-billion dollar coastal infrastructure
during hurricanes and storms. When beaches are allowed to erode away,
the likelihood that the Federal Government will be stuck with
astronomical storm recovery costs is significantly increased.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimates that
at least 276 miles (35 percent) of Florida's 787 miles of sandy beaches
are currently at a critical state of erosion. This includes the entire
6 miles of Miami Beach. As a result of the continuing erosion process
and more dramatically, recent intense storms which have caused
tremendous damage to almost all of the dry beach and sand dune
throughout the middle segment of Miami Beach. Three years ago, most of
the Middle Beach dune cross-overs were declared safety hazards and
closed, as the footings of the boardwalk itself were in immediate
jeopardy of being undercut by the encroaching tides. If emergency
measures, costing approximately $400,000 had not been taken by the
City, there would have been considerable risk of coastal flooding west
of the dune line in residential sections of Miami Beach. As you can
see, this example points to the commitment we as a beach community have
to our beaches, but Federal assistance remains crucial. While we are
thankful of the substantial commitment made by the subcommittee in the
fiscal year 2002 Energy and Water Conference Report, there is still
much work to be done. Our beaches must be maintained not only to ensure
that our residents and coastal properties are afforded the best storm
protection possible, but also to ensure that beach tourism, our number
one industry, is protected and nurtured.
In 1987, the Army Corps of Engineers and Metropolitan Dade County
entered into a 50-year agreement to jointly manage restore and maintain
Dade County's sandy beaches. Since then, Metropolitan Dade County has
been responsible for coordinating and funding the local share of the
cost for the periodic renourishment of our beaches.
In order to ensure that adequate funding will continue to be
available, the City of Miami Beach supports and endorses the
legislative priorities and appropriation requests of Metropolitan Dade
County, as they relate to the restoration and maintenance of Dade
County's sandy beaches. Specifically, the City respectfully adds their
strong support for the efforts of Miami-Dade County and wholeheartedly
supports their fiscal year 2003 request for beach renourishment funds.
Your support would be appreciated, Mr. Chairman. The City of Miami
Beach thanks you for the opportunity to present these views for your
consideration.
______
Prepared Statement of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission
summary
The Commission requests that the Congress appropriate $10,000,000
in Construction General Funds for the Project in fiscal year 2004, to
continue construction of the Project.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, my name is Vernon A.
Noble, and I am the Chairman of the Green Brook Flood Control
Commission. I submit this testimony in support of the Raritan River
Basin--Green Brook Sub-Basin project, which we request be budgeted in
fiscal year 2004 for $10,000,000 in Construction General funds.
As you know from our previous testimony, a tremendous flood took
place in September of 1999. Extremely heavy rainfall occurred,
concentrated in the upper part of Raritan River Basin. As a result, the
Borough of Bound Brook, New Jersey, located at the confluence of the
Green Brook with the Raritan River, suffered catastrophic flooding.
Water levels in the Raritan River and the lower Green Brook reached
record levels.
There were tremendous monetary damages, and extensive and tragic
human suffering.
As we have previously reported to you, a thorough study of the
water levels throughout the Bound Brook Borough area in the terrible
flood of September, 1999 showed that although the flood water reached
record levels, it would have been contained by the extra margin of
safety, the ``free board'', which the Corps. of Engineers has
incorporated in the design of this Project.
The flooding of September 1999 is not the first bad flood to have
struck this area. Records show that major floods have occurred here as
far back as 1903.
Disastrous flooding took place in the Green Brook Basin in the late
summer of 1971. That flood caused $304,000,000 in damages (April 1996
price level) and disrupted the lives of thousands of persons.
In the late summer of 1973, another very severe storm struck the
area, and again, thousands of persons were displaced from their homes.
$482,000,000 damages was done (April 1996 price level) and six persons
lost their lives.
As you no doubt know, actual construction of the Project began in
late fiscal year 2001. This first construction involved the replacement
of an old bridge over the Green Brook which connects East Main Street
in the Borough of Bound Brook, Somerset County, New Jersey, with
Lincoln Boulevard in the Borough of Middlesex, in Middlesex County, New
Jersey. That work is now complete, and the new bridge is in use.
Last year, the New York District of the Corps of Engineers awarded
the second construction contract, known as Segment T.
This Segment T contract will complete the construction of
protection for the eastern section of the Borough of Bound Brook, New
Jersey. The protection consists of levees and associated elements which
will connect with the new and higher bridge. This Segment T also
includes a large pumping station being built into the levee, for the
purpose of gathering up the internal rain water, and pumping it safely
over the levee and in to the Green Brook stream on the other side of
the levee.
The next following segment of the Project is planned for
construction to begin later this year. This next construction, known as
Segment U, will begin the protection for the western portion of Bound
Brook Borough.
As that segment gets into construction, the final plans for the
remaining segments for the protection of Bound Brook Borough will be
translated into construction documents.
It is important to recognize that the Borough of Bound Brook will
remain in danger of further catastrophic flooding until the ring of
protection for the Borough is completed.
The constructed completed thus far will not provide protection for
Bound Brook Borough until the ring is closed around the Borough. It is
of the utmost importance that the remaining construction to complete
the protection for the people and property of Bound Brook Borough be
carried forward with dispatch. With the continued support of the
Congress, this work can continue seamlessly during the next few years.
Since the devastating Floyd flood of 1999, the Borough of Bound
Brook has been in desperate financial condition. That flood destroyed
extensive tax rateables, and the Borough is in a critical situation.
The only hope for stabilizing the municipal tax situation is
redevelopment projects in Bound Brook. Because of its strategic
location, there appear to be significant redevelopment opportunities
available for Bound Brook Borough.
However, realization of redevelopment depends upon completion of
flood protection on schedule.
Bound Brook Borough needs flood protection sooner, not later.
To accomplish that, the Project requires $10,000,000 in Federal
appropriation for fiscal year 2004.
The Green Brook Flood Control Commission was established in 1971,
pursuant to an Act of the New Jersey Legislature shortly after the very
bad flood of 1971.
The Green Brook Flood Control Commission is made up of appointed
representatives from Middlesex, Somerset and Union Counties in New
Jersey, and from the 13 municipalities within the Basin. This
represents a combined population of about one-quarter of a million
people.
The Members of the Commission are all volunteers, and for 32 years
have served, without pay, to advance the cause of flood protection for
the Basin. Throughout this time, the Corps of Engineers, New York
District, has kept us informed of the progress of their work, and a
representative from the Corps has been a regular part of our monthly
meetings.
We believe that it is clearly essential that the Green Brook Flood
Control Project be carried forward, and pursued vigorously, to achieve
protection at the earliest possible date. This Project is needed to
prevent loss of life and property, as well as the trauma caused every
time there is a heavy rain.
New Jersey has programmed budget money for its share of the Project
in fiscal year 2004.
We urgently request an appropriation for the Project in fiscal year
2004 of $10,000,000.
The Green Brook Flood Control Commission is dedicated to the
proposition that Bound Brook Borough, and the other municipalities, and
their thousands of residents, who would otherwise suffer in the next
major flood, must be protected. We move forward with continued
determination to achieve the protection which the people of the flood
area need and deserve.
With your continued support, we are determined to see this Project
through to completion.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Members of the subcommittee, for your
vitally important past support for the Green Brook Flood Control
Project; and we thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony.
GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT FUNDING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Money
Federal Congressional Effective Net Transfer by Corps Net Money Received by Corps
Federal Fiscal Year Administration Appropriation Savings and Appropriation to To (-) From (+) Available for Since
Budget Request (Nominal) Slippages Corps of Other Projects Work on Project Authorization in
Engineers (Work Allowance) 1986
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986....................................................... $445,000 $445,000 -$19,000 $426,000 ................. $426,000 $426,000
1987....................................................... 1,370,000 1,370,000 ................. 1,370,000 ................. 1,370,000 1,796,000
1988....................................................... 1,400,000 1,400,000 ................. 1,400,000 ................. 1,400,000 3,196,000
1989....................................................... 1,500,000 1,500,000 -68,000 1,432,000 ................. 1,432,000 4,628,000
1990....................................................... 1,200,000 1,200,000 -116,000 1,084,000 +$23,000 1,107,000 5,735,000
1991....................................................... 2,000,000 2,000,000 -496,000 1,504,000 -98,000 1,406,000 7,141,000
1992....................................................... 2,600,000 3,169,000 -364,000 2,805,000 ................. 2,805,000 9,946,000
1993....................................................... ................. 3,500,000 ................. 3,500,000 ................. 3,500,000 13,446,000
1994....................................................... ................. 2,800,000 -594,000 2,206,000 +571,000 2,777,000 16,223,000
1995....................................................... 2,000,000 2,000,000 ................. 2,000,000 +135,000 2,135,000 18,358,000
1996....................................................... 3,600,000 3,600,000 -932,000 2,668,000 +193,000 2,861,000 21,219,000
1997....................................................... 2,781,000 2,781,000 -300,000 2,481,000 ................. 2,781,000 24,000,000
1998....................................................... ................. 3,100,000 -189,000 2,911,000 ................. 2,911,000 26,911,000
1999....................................................... ................. 9,900,000 -694,000 9,206,000 -6,500,000 2,706,000 29,617,000
2000....................................................... 1,000,000 1,000,000 -142,000 858,000 ................. 858,000 30,475,000
2001....................................................... 4,000,000 4,000,000 -640,000 3,360,000 +89,000 3,449,000 33,924,000
2002....................................................... 10,000,000 10,000,000 -1,598,000 8,402,000 -1,000,000 7,402,000 41,326,000
2003....................................................... 5,000,000 7,000,000 ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
2004....................................................... 6,500,000 \1\ 10,000,000 ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Recommendation of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission for Fiscal Year 2004 to Continue Construction
Reference: This summary of funding for the Green Brook Flood Control Project has been assembled based upon publicly available information.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Prepared Statement of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, my name is Dave Koland; I
serve as the manager of the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District.
The mission of the Garrison Diversion is to provide a reliable, high
quality and affordable water supply to the areas of need in North
Dakota. Over 77 percent of our State residents live within the
boundaries of Garrison Diversion. I would like to comment on the impact
that the President's fiscal year 2004 budget request has on the effort
to provide reliable, high quality and affordable water supplies to the
citizens of North Dakota through the Garrison Diversion Unit.
The President's fiscal year 2004 budget request removed, from the
Garrison Diversion Unit budget, funding for one of the most successful
government programs in North Dakota. As I read the OMB Program
Assessment Rating Tool (PART), dealing with Rural Water Supply
Projects, I can only conclude that they had no knowledge of the North
Dakota Municipal, Rural and Industrial (MR&I) program.
The MR&I program was started in 1986 after the Garrison Diversion
Unit was reformulated from a million-acre irrigation project into a
multipurpose project with emphasis on the development and delivery of
municipal and rural water supplies. The statewide MR&I program has
focused on providing grant funds for water systems that provide water
service to unserved areas of the State. The State has followed a policy
of developing a network of regional water systems throughout the State.
Every rural water system built in North Dakota is still operating. They
are providing safe, clean water to their members, reducing their debt,
putting money in reserve, complying with every State and Federal
regulation, and doing so with a stable, prudent rate structure.
north dakota's success story
Rural communities offer the experience and lifestyle many people
seek in which to raise their family. People live on farmsteads with a
rural water connection, while farmsteads without decent water stand
empty. For instance, Sheridan County lost 20.4 percent of its
population between 1990 and 2000, yet the rural water system serving
that county hardly lost a connection. Good water does make a difference
as to where people choose to live.
The key to providing water to small communities and rural areas has
been the Grant and Loan program of Rural Development and the MR&I
program jointly operated by the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District
and the State Water Commission. Without the assistance of these two
grant programs, the exodus from the rural areas would have been a
stampede.
Rural water systems are being constructed using a unique blend of
local expertise, State financing, rural development loans, MR&I grant
funds to provide an affordable rate structure, and the expertise of the
Bureau of Reclamation to deal with environmental issues. The projects
are successful because they are driven by a local need to solve a water
quantity or quality problem. The solution to the local problem is
devised by the community affected by the problem. Early, local buy-in
helps propel the project through the tortuous pre-construction stages.
The MR&I program has been so successful and so important to North
Dakota that the North Dakota Legislature loaned the program $15 million
to help deal with the severe lag time that developed in the Federal
appropriations process.
The desperate need for clean, safe water is evidenced by the
willingness of North Dakota's rural residents to pay water rates well
above the rates EPA considers affordable. The EPA Economic Guidance
Workbook states that rates greater than 1.5 percent of the median
household income (MHI) are not only unaffordable, but also ``may be
unreasonable''.
The average monthly cost on a rural water system for 6,000 gallons
of water is currently $48.97. The water rates in rural North Dakota
would soar to astronomical levels without the 75 percent grant dollars
in the MR&I program. For instance, current rates would have to average
a truly unaffordable $134.19/month or a whopping 3.8 percent of the
MHI. Rates would have ranged as high as $190.80/month or a prohibitive
5.3 percent of MHI without the assistance of the MR&I program.
The people waiting for water in our rural communities are willing
to pay far more than what many consider an affordable, or even
reasonable, price for clean, safe water.
environmental laws
The Bureau of Reclamation plays a vital role by ensuring compliance
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and dealing
with international issues. Such is the case with the Northwest Area
Water Supply Project (NAWS). Canada and the province of Manitoba have
filed a lawsuit protesting the thorough Final Environmental Assessment
and the subsequent Finding of No Significant Impact on the NAWS
project.
One reason for the success of the North Dakota program is the
reliance on local control. Decision-making is accomplished at the
lowest level possible. The decision on who the system can afford to
provide service to and the rate structure is made by a local board of
directors composed of members who will be served by the water system.
Volunteer involvement and low administrative costs are hallmarks of the
program. Local firms that have experience in designing and constructing
systems in North Dakota typically provide engineering services.
Across North Dakota, we have seen the impact of providing good
water to rural areas and witnessed the dramatic change in small
communities. Homes once occupied by aging widows are soon rented or
sold to young adults, while houses and farmsteads without rural water
stand empty.
Good drinking water is still a dream in many rural North Dakota
communities. Turning on the tap each morning brings brown, putrid
smelling water instead of clear, fresh water a majority of people
enjoy.
The opportunity to impact rural North Dakota is now. If we do
nothing, it is easy to predict what will occur in rural North Dakota.
We only need to look at counties without good water.
It is in the best interest of North Dakota and the 150+ local
communities not yet served by a regional system that we build every
piece of rural infrastructure feasible. We must continue to build on
what has proven so successful in the past.
Providing a reliable source of good, clean water in rural areas has
worked to stabilize the rural economy in North Dakota. The combination
of leveraging Rural Development loan funds with MR&I grant dollars has
provided a cost efficient, long-term solution to the rural communities
in North Dakota.
If we act now, we can make a difference in rural North Dakota.
Providing for healthy, vibrant rural communities is good for North
Dakota and good for our Nation. We know from past experience that
providing good water for rural communities is one sure way of helping
people change the future.
The MR&I program in North Dakota should serve as an outstanding
example of a successful program that could be implemented in other
States.
discussion of overall bureau of reclamation budget
It is important to recognize that the fiscal year 2004 budget
submission of $771 million for the Bureau of Reclamation's Water and
Related Resources program is $45 million more than their request for
fiscal year 2003. It is $150 million less than has been called for by
the ``Invest in the West'' Coalition, a coalition of nine western water
organizations that are involved in the full array of western water
issues.
The ``Invest in the West'' goal, one with which I agree, is to
raise the Bureau's Water and Related Resources Budget to $1 billion by
the end of fiscal year 2005. This is simply a goal to restore the
budget to previous levels. The erosion of the Bureau's budget during
the 1990s has created problems across the west for virtually all of its
constituents.
budget impacts on garrison diversion unit
At this point, I would like to shift to the particulars of the
budget as it impacts the Garrison Diversion program and some specific
projects within the State of North Dakota. Let me begin by reviewing
the various elements within the current budget request and then discuss
the impacts the current level of funding will have on the program.
Attachment 1 shows the funding history over the last 7 years for
the Garrison Diversion Unit. The average is approximately $27 million.
The President's budget request for fiscal year 2004 is $17.314 million.
A continuation of this trend is a formula for disaster. The President's
budget request does not even maintain the historic funding level and
ignores the needs of the current programs and does not keep up with
price increases expected in major programs as delays occur.
Fortunately, Congress saw fit to provide that the unexpended
authorization ceilings would be indexed annually to adjust for
inflation in the construction industry. The proposed allocation to the
indexed programs in the President's budget is zero. If a modest 2
percent inflation factor is assumed, the increase will be $8 million
for MR&I and $2 million for the Red River Valley phase. Simply put,
with the current request, we will lose ground on the completion of
these projects.
This year, the District is asking the Congress to appropriate a
total of $61.3 million for the Project. Attachment 2 is a breakdown of
the elements in the District's request. To discuss this in more detail,
I must first explain that the Garrison Diversion budget consists of
several different program items. For ease of discussion, I would like
to simplify the breakdown into three major categories. The first I
would call the base operations portion of the budget request.
Attachment 3 contains a breakdown of the elements in that portion of
the budget. This amount is nominally $20 million annually. However, as
more Indian MR&I projects are completed, the operation and maintenance
costs for these projects will increase and create a need that will need
to be addressed.
The second element of the budget is the MR&I portion. This consists
of both Indian and non-Indian funding. The Dakota Water Resources Act
contains an additional $200 million authorization for each of these
programs. For discussion purposes, I have lumped them together and
acknowledged that, however each program proceeds, it is our intent that
each reaches the conclusion of the funding authorization at
approximately the same time. We believe this is only fair.
The MR&I program consists of a number of medium-sized projects that
are independent of one another. Project costs generally run around $20
million. Some are, of course, smaller and others somewhat larger. One
that is considerably larger is the NAWS Project. The first phase of
this project is under construction. The optimum construction schedule
for completion of the first phase has been determined to be 5 years.
The total cost of the first phase is $66 million. At a 65 percent cost
share, the Federal funding needed to support NAWS is $43 million. On
the average, the annual funding for the NAWS Project alone is over $8
million. Four other projects have been approved for future funding, and
numerous projects on the reservations are ready to begin construction.
These requests will all compete with one another. It will be a delicate
challenge to balance these projects. Nevertheless, we believe that once
a project is started, it needs to be pursued vigorously to completion.
If not, we simply run up the cost and increase the risk of
incompatibility among the working parts.
An example of the former would be the certain impact of the
increased cost of construction over time through inflation, as well as
increased engineering and administration costs.
The third element of the budget is the Red River Valley Water
Supply Project (RRV) construction phase. The Dakota Water Resources Act
authorized $200 million for the construction of facilities to meet the
water quality and quantity needs of the Red River Valley communities.
It is my belief that the final plans and authorizations, if necessary,
should be expected in approximately 5 years. This will create an
immediate need for increased construction funding.
This major project, once started, should be pursued vigorously to
completion. The reasons are the same as for the NAWS project and relate
to good engineering construction management. Although difficult to
predict at this time, it is reasonable to plan that the RRV project
features, once started, should be completed in approximately 7 years.
This creates a need for an additional $25 million. Fortunately, it
appears the RRV project start will probably follow the completion of
the NAWS first phase.
Using these two projects as examples sets up the argument for a
steadily increasing budget. First, to accelerate the MR&I program in
early years to assure the timely completion of the NAWS project and
then to ready the budget for a smaller MR&I allocation when the RRV
project construction begins.
Attachment 4 illustrates the level of funding for the two major
items, MR&I and RRV. It is quickly apparent that if a straight-line
appropriation is used for each, a funding spike will occur in the sixth
year. This is when an additional $25 million will suddenly be needed
for the RRV program. It is simply good management to blend these needs
to avoid drastic hills and valleys in budget requests. By accelerating
the construction of NAWS and other projects, which are ready for
construction during the early years, some of the pressure will be off
when the RRV project construction funding is needed. Over time, a
smoother, more efficient construction program will result.
Attachment 5 shows such a program. It begins with a $61.3 million
budget this year and gradually builds to over $90 million when the RRV
construction could be in full swing (fiscal year 2008). Mr. Chairman,
this is why we believe it is important that the budget resolution
recognize that a robust increase in the budget allocation is needed for
the Bureau of Reclamation. We hope this testimony will serve as, at
least, one example of why we fully support the efforts of the ``Invest
in the West'' campaign to increase the overall allocation by $150
million in fiscal year 2004 and, over time, an increase totaling $1
billion.
The Bureau of Reclamation, Rural Development, Garrison Diversion
Conservancy District, State Water Commission and local rural water
districts have formed a formidable alliance to deal with the lack of a
high quality, reliable water source throughout much of North Dakota.
These cost-effective partnerships of local control, statewide guidance
and Federal support have combined to provide safe, clean, potable water
to hundreds of communities and thousands of homes across North Dakota.
attachment 2.--justification for $61.3 million gdu appropriation
fiscal year 2004
Northwest Area Water Supply is under construction after 15 years of
study and diplomatic delay. Construction of first phase is estimated to
be $66 million.
Designs are based on a 5-year construction period; thus, $12
million is needed for NAWS alone. Indian MR&I programs should be
approximately the same.
Ramsey County expansion, Southwest Pipeline, and Williston Water
Treatment Plant are under construction.
Red River Valley special studies are underway and need to be
accelerated.
[In millions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF INDIAN MR&I SYSTEMS PLUS $3.4
JAMESTOWN DAM..........................................
BREAKDOWN OF $57.9 MILLION CONSTRUCTION REQUEST:
Operation and Maintenance of Existing Supply System. 4.8
Wildlife Mitigation & Natural Resources Trust....... 4.4
Red River Valley Special Studies and EIS............ 1.0
Indian and non-Indian MR&I.......................... 39.0
Indian Irrigation................................... 3.2
Recreation.......................................... 0.5
Under financing 9.5 percent......................... 5.0
---------------
Total for Construction............................ 57.9
---------------
Grand Total....................................... 61.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
attachment 3.--elements of the base operations portion of the garrison
diversion unit budget fiscal year 2004
[In millions]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operation and Maintenance of Indian MR&I Systems and $3.4
Jamestown Dam..........................................
Operation and Maintenance of Existing GDU Facilities.... 4.8
Funding of Natural Resources Trust and Remaining 4.4
Wildlife Mitigation Programs...........................
Indian Irrigation....................................... 3.2
Recreation.............................................. 0.5
Under financing at 9.5 percent.......................... 5.0
---------------
Total............................................. 21.3
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
Letter From the North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association
Bismarck, North Dakota, March 26, 2003.
Gale Norton,
U.S. Dept. of Interior, Washington, DC 20240.
Dear Ms. Norton: The North Dakota rural water community would
appreciate your assistance and support to restore rural water funding
for the fiscal year 2004 and re-establish a firm rural water supply
function of the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) for 2005 and beyond.
North Dakota has a healthy relationship with the BOR and has worked
side-by-side in the development and building of rural water systems.
The North Dakota State Water Commission, Garrison Diversion Conservancy
District, BOR, and project sponsors have successfully built rural water
systems in a team effort throughout North Dakota.
This unique team concept has delivered water through pipeline
projects to small communities as well as to rural residents at
responsible costs. North Dakota rural residents are willing to pay a
reasonable cost-share to complete current projects and begin future
projects. The EPA's household affordability ratio states water rates
should be 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent of a household's median income to
be considered affordable. The attached document provides information
documenting household water rate affordability ratios that range from
2.07 percent to 2.31 percent. These percentiles weigh on the high side
of what the EPA suggests is affordable.
The Southwest Pipeline Project provides treated drinking water via
2,600 miles of pipeline and serves 23 communities and more than 2,300
rural residents. The Federal cost-share of this project is $7,200 per
connection. The life of a water system is estimated at 40 years. $7,200
per connection divided by 40 years equals an investment by the Federal
Government of $180 per year per connection. North Dakota has a long
list of additional rural water projects that reflect similar economics.
Is $180 per year per connection too much for the Federal Government to
invest to sustain residents in rural North Dakota, which ranks 4th in
the harvesting of our Nation's principal crops?
New Federal drinking water regulations have increased the cost and
complexity of the water treatment and distribution process.
Increasingly, small communities find that their best and most efficient
solution for safe drinking water is to obtain their water supply from a
rural water system. Small communities simply cannot afford to comply
with the Federal mandates in many situations. In an effort to comply
with the Safe Drinking Water Act, communities with populations of less
than 500 will have to invest more than $1 million in treatment
facilities. Rural water systems provide a dependable supply of treated
drinking water to communities and rural residents from centralized
treatment facilities resulting in a very cost effective way to treat
water.
Drought conditions have plagued the west, southwest, and central
areas of North Dakota. Indications are that this drought pattern will
continue and is moving east as well. The need for an abundant supply of
quality water is serious.
The Dakota Water Resources Act authorized an additional $200
million for state MR&I and $200 million for tribal MR&I projects. North
Dakota has started a process of long-range water development planning
with many rural water systems in the construction phase. The Dakota
Water Resources Act is the basis of our planning. North Dakota has had
a healthy relationship with the BOR and is willing to share in the cost
of developing and building water systems to sustain our North Dakota
heritage.
Respectfully submitted,
Stuart Carlson,
Executive Director.
______
Prepared Statement of the Oregon Water Resources Congress
The Oregon Water Resources Congress (OWRC) was established in 1912
as a trade association to support member needs, to protect water rights
and encourage conservation and water management statewide. OWRC
represents non-potable agriculture water suppliers in Oregon, primarily
irrigation districts, as well as member ports, other special districts
and local governments. The association represents the entities that
operate water management systems, including water supply reservoirs,
canals, pipeline and hydropower production.
bureau of reclamation
For this reason we support an increase of $150 million above the
administration's proposed budget request for the Bureau of
Reclamation's programs westwide. The administration's current budget
proposal is $45 million less than Congress provided in the 2003 omnibus
appropriations for Reclamation.
With many western States confronting significant budget deficits,
increased emphasis is being placed on targeted Federal aid. Oregon is
facing a $2 billion deficit, or about 16 percent of the State's general
fund budget. We also support the Western Water Initiative of the Bureau
of Reclamation.
oregon needs
Conservation Implementation
The largest need for funding for OWRC's members is to implement
water conservation projects. Irrigation districts in Oregon continue to
line and pipe open waterways to enhance both water supply and water
quality. But the ability to continue this work depends on some public
investment in return for the public benefits. Districts have conserved
water and provided some of the saved or conserved water to benefit the
fishery instream while also building reservoir supplies. Oregon
districts hope to continue this work through enhanced conservation, but
to do that the districts need support to implement effective
alternative programs such as pilot water banking projects (Klamath
Basin and the Deschutes Basin), energy reduction programs, additional
measurement and telemetry monitoring, etc.
Rogue River Basin
Medford Irrigation District
Rogue River Valley Irrigation District
Talent Irrigation District
Grants Pass Irrigation District
Three contiguous districts in the Rogue Project (Medford, Rogue
River and Talent irrigation districts) are requesting $1 million to
fund the Bear Creek and Little Butte Optimization Study by the Bureau
of Reclamation. That study will propose a plan to conserve water
throughout the basin by lining and piping canals within the districts,
considering the potential for raising Howard Prairie Dam and the
feasibility of other conservation options.
The Grants Pass Irrigation District (GPID) continues to address
conservation and the eventual outcome of the Savage Rapids Dam. In the
2004 budget, $3,700,000 is requested for the Rogue River Water
Conservation Project of the Grants Pass Irrigation District as part of
the Department of Agriculture budget for the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, or the Western Water Initiative or other
applicable programs. If that amount is not fully funded, any unfounded
amount would be requested as part of an ongoing multiyear request. This
amount is not included in the administration's requested budget. The
request is supported by the Governor's office, as well as conservation
and recreation interests. The district will provide matching funds.
The GPID funding will be used to install piping or lining in 68.4
miles of existing open ditches and canals to reduce water seepage
losses. These actions will eliminate 53 percent of seepage and reduce
the District's diversion from the Rogue River by approximately 8,300
acre feet of water annually.
Deschutes Basin
Tumalo Irrigation District
Deschutes Resource Conservancy
Ochoco Irrigation District
The Tumalo Irrigation District has been piping canals and replacing
other water management structures to achieve conservation measures
districtwide. Public Law 106-496 authorized $2.5 million for the
current portion of the work to be accomplished. The district requests
$882,500 as the final portion of the authorized funds.
In the 2002 budget Congress appropriated $300,000 but the Bureau of
Reclamation reduced the amount to $275,000. In the 2003 budget Congress
appropriated $1,300,000 but Reclamation reduced that amount to
$750,000. As this work is already in the engineering and construction
process, the shortfall is delaying the project and the $882,500 is
needed to complete the conservation package.
The Ochoco Irrigation District (Prineville, Oregon) has worked with
the Bureau of Reclamation, along with the North Unit Irrigation
District (Madras, Oregon) for the better part of a decade to determine
the use of unallocated water in the district's reservoir. Approximately
$200,000 in additional dollars is required to finish the project.
Reclamation earlier invested $500,000 in the process, which has not
been completed.
The Deschutes Resource Conservancy has requested $2 million for
fiscal year 2004. The DRC is a non-profit corporation authorized by
Congress to receive technical assistance and financial support from
Federal agencies to support conservation and restoration in the
Deschutes Basin of Central Oregon, founded by 7 irrigation districts,
the Warm Springs Confederated Tribe, and others to maximize
collaborative efforts in the basin. Since 1998, the DRC has granted
irrigation districts and their water users almost $1 million in funding
for piping and water conservation work. The current request includes
partial funding of a pilot water banking project to enhance the 8,000
acre feet of leased water developed in 2001 and 2002. Expectations for
storage enhancement in 2003 exceed earlier program results.
From the funding request, in addition to the water bank, the DRC
hopes to fund pilot water management projects within the districts for
$550,000, providing telemetry and monitoring devices, restoring private
lands on tributaries in the Ochoco district, providing tailwater
management to enhance water quality in other districts, and evaluating
the feasibility of generating hydropower within irrigation pipelines.
Umatilla/Columbia Basins
Stanfield Irrigation District
Westland Irrigation District
Hermiston Irrigation District
West Extension Irrigation District
The Umatilla districts draw their water supply from the Umatilla
and Columbia Rivers. The districts are in the process of completing
boundary changes and seeking supplemental contracts as part of the
conclusion of the boundary process. This process has been on going for
a decade. The districts are not proposing new legislation or funding
but appreciate legislative oversight to get this project completed. If
the Bureau of Reclamation cannot accommodate these needs within its
existing budget, then additional funding should be provided to expedite
the conclusion of this long on-going need.
Eastern Basins
Burnt, Malheur, Owyhee and Powder River Basins Water
Optimization Study
The irrigation districts in these basins continue to seek support
for this optimization study to seek alternatives for more effective
water management through conservation projects and enhancement of water
supply. This project has been identified by the Bureau of Reclamation
as a regional need.
Klamath Basin
The Klamath Project districts continue to require support of their
Water Bank proposal, fishscreen funding and other projects within
Reclamation's budget for the Mid-Pacific Division.
In addition to those needs, the Enterprise Irrigation District in
the Klamath Basin has specific needs for funding two small projects
totaling a Federal request of $98,179. To eliminate water losses and
improve water management and control, the district requires $64,916 for
a repair and enhancement of a particular lateral in its system. The
district will be providing its portion of the cost share in addition to
that amount. Another portion of the system can be repaired and upgraded
by provision of $33,263. The district will provide additional cost
share funds.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the
2004 Federal budget. While we support existing proposals, we feel that
given the record-setting droughts we have suffered in the past few
years and in anticipation of another drought this year, we need to
support an increased budget to stabilize the Nation's water supply for
the many needs it must meet. Providing a stable water supply feeds the
economy locally and at the national level.
______
Prepared Statement of the National Urban Agriculture Council
Mr. Chairman, Members of the subcommittee, I am Roger Waters,
President of the National Urban Agriculture Council (NUAC). NUAC is a
national nonprofit organization established as a center for the
promotion and implementation of effective water management in the urban
landscape.
NUAC's objective is to enhance the environment by increasing
education, training, and research on the use of recycled water and
water conservation techniques that produce healthier and more vigorous
landscapes while conserving potable water supplies. NUAC is
headquartered in Washington, DC. NUAC is a service and product oriented
council that is involved with quality research, technology development,
training, community outreach, and program and policy development.
Additionally, NUAC partners with our members and State and Federal
agencies to address the related issues of water availability, drought
preparedness and water management policy.
I would like to offer testimony on six Bureau of Reclamation
programs: Drought Emergency Assistance; Efficiency Incentives, Water
Management and Conservation, Technical Assistance to States, Soil and
Moisture Conservation, and the Title XVI--Water Reclamation and Reuse.
I would like to request that the subcommittee support efforts to
increase the overall Water and Related Resources budget of the Bureau
of Reclamation by $150 million above the administration's request in
fiscal year 2004. NUAC is part of the Western Water Industry's ``Invest
In the West'' campaign that aims to substantially increase the Bureau's
Water and Related Resources Budget to $1 billion by fiscal year 2005 to
meet critical water supply improvements throughout the western United
States. NUAC is proud to be a part of the important campaign on this
issue that includes the Western Coalition of Arid States, the WateReuse
Association, the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources
Association, the Association of California Water Agencies, the Oregon
Water Resources Congress, the Upper Missouri Water Association and the
Idaho Water Users Association.
drought emergency assistance
NUAC was an active participant in the Interim National Drought
Policy Commission's efforts that produced a report and plan for moving
forward on recommendations for a national drought policy for our
country. Part of NUAC's core mission is to serve as a center for the
acceptance, promotion, and implementation of practical, science-based
water resource management and conservation measures. An important
element of our mission is making sure water users are prepared for the
eventuality of drought. We have been supportive of the efforts of the
Commission to produce such a vision as part of their recommendations in
the final report.
Federal response to drought planning has great impact on the
economic strength of our Nation. The USDA in the Global Climate Change
Prevention Act of 1990 underscored the need to address drought related
information and to ``coordinate research and share expertise with other
Federal agencies working on issues related to global change''. NUAC
believes that other Federal agencies require similar funding to meet
research objectives and prepare for the challenges of drought planning.
Droughts drastically impact the availability of water resources for all
purposes. The Agricultural Research Service has identified the drought
of 1988 as the most costly natural disaster in U.S. history with
economic losses estimated at more than $39 billion.
The Bureau of Reclamation requested $1,120,000 for fiscal year
2004. NUAC believes and would ask that Congress consider, that given
the ongoing and likely future potential for droughts throughout our
country, a budget of $10 million be included in this program for fiscal
year 2004. The Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Agriculture
appear to be the agencies best suited to working with State and local
governments, tribes and local water users on the issue of drought.
Through active planning these agencies future will save the Federal
Government from the more costly future expense of emergency bailouts to
recuperate from the devastation of drought. Funding commensurate with
the responsibilities of drought planning needs to be provided to the
Bureau in order for the agency to meet its objectives.
efficiency incentives program
NUAC is supportive of this program that provides a partnership
among the Bureau of Reclamation, water users and States to implement
water use efficiency and conservation solutions that are tailored to
local conditions. The Bureau of Reclamation requested only $3,265,000
for the program for fiscal year 2004. We would like to see the program
increased up to $5,000,000 so that a greater amount of work can take
place among water districts throughout the west for the necessary
planning, assistance, training and development of water conservation
plans and water efficient landscapes. The need for this training was a
key impetus upon which NUAC was founded. Water resource managers and
policy makers are increasingly challenged by management issues.
Paramount to making good management decisions is the availability of
sound scientifically based information. This information is the
keystone to the development of practical and environmentally sound
programs that are cost effective and socially responsible.
water management and conservation program
On the surface this program appears to be a duplication of other
Bureau of Reclamation assistance programs. The Bureau of Reclamation
requested $6,639,000 for this program for fiscal year 2004. A question
that has arisen is whether the Bureau of Reclamation has construction
authority for funds provided to districts under the program. This is an
issue we would like the Committee to clear up so projects could go
forward. We believe the funding requested is less than adequate and
would suggest it be increased to $10 million. However, if construction
is going to occur under this program, we would suggest a cap on the
size of the project receiving such funding, so it does not become a
program for the few and not the many.
technical assistance to the states
NUAC is concerned with how this program has been cut by Congress
over the past several years. We believe the data collection and
analyses for management of water and related land resources that occurs
with this funding is extremely important in the absence of a national
water policy. We would ask that the request of $1,908,000 not be cut.
We would further request that funding be increased to $3 million to
help make up the shortfall that has occurred from previous cuts.
soil moisture and conservation
The modest amount of the Bureau of Reclamation's request, $267,000
makes this program appear unimportant. NUAC would like to see this
increased by a modest amount to $500,000 with the caveat that this
increase be tied to assisting in implementing the recommendations of
the final National Drought Policy Commission Report. We believe this
program should be examined to see if it can assist in the proper site
management of Federally funded structures that require water for urban
landscapes and horticultural purposes.
title xvi--water reclamation and reuse
NUAC is supportive of the funding that has been provided for the
ongoing projects authorized by the Title XVI Program. The $12,680,000
budget request is substantially below the $36 million provided by
Congress for fiscal year 2002 and we would request that you consider
increasing the funding at least up to that level this year. The funding
provided for research, new starts, and feasibility studies needs to be
examined from the standpoint of how long it is going to take to fund
the existing projects, instead of looking to increase the number of
projects. We believe there is a need for a serious discussion among
water policy leaders on the methods to fund the future of this program
in a timely manner. With regard to research, we see this as an area for
the private and public sector to move forward on their own. It is
important that discussions continue on how and for what type of
research needs to take place and the role Reclamation should play in
that agenda. We believe the results of those discussions would be
beneficial in terms of laying the groundwork for any future legislative
changes to the program and NUAC looks forward to continuing to be a
part of that effort.
western water initiative
We note with some interest the new Western Water Initiative that is
proposed for fiscal year 2004 for $11 million. The Budget documents do
not give a lot of detail in terms of how this initiative is going to
actually work. We believe it is important for the Bureau to report on
an annual basis what they have done with the money, who has received
the funding and the expected results from the funding that is provided.
We believe it is important to put additional funding into water
management and conservation, as well as the science and technology
program.
An issue that we have with the Initiative is that it was developed
without any input from the stakeholders in the Reclamation program. We
spent considerable time and resources being involved in the Strategic
Plan development of the Bureau and the Department of the Interior. This
Initiative is being proposed and a direction being set that could have
been more fully developed and targeted if an opportunity had been
provided for such involvement. It raises the question of why this
funding was not directly incorporated into the existing program and how
it will be integrated into those programs' missions.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony for the record
on these programs.
______
Prepared Statement of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District
(CAWCD)
Mr. Chairman, the Central Arizona Water Conservation District
(CAWCD) is pleased to offer the following testimony regarding the
fiscal year 2004 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.
The Central Arizona Project or ``CAP'' was authorized by the 90th
Congress of the United States under the Colorado River Basin Project
Act of 1968. The CAP is a multi-purpose water resource development
project designed to deliver the remainder of Arizona's entitlement of
Colorado River water into the central and southern portions of the
State for municipal and industrial, agricultural, and Indian uses. The
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) initiated project construction in
1973, and the first water was delivered in 1985. The CAP is now
delivering its full normal year entitlement of 1.5 million acre-feet
and Arizona is utilizing its full Colorado River apportionment of 2.8
million acre-feet.
CAWCD was created in 1971 to contract with the United States to
repay the reimbursable construction costs of the CAP that are properly
allocable to CAWCD, primarily non-Indian water supply and commercial
power costs. CAWCD also operates and maintains the project. Its service
area is comprised of Maricopa, Pima, and Pinal counties. CAWCD is a
tax-levying public improvement district, a political subdivision, and a
municipal corporation governed by a 15-member Board of Directors
elected from the three counties it serves. CAWCD's Board members are
public officers who serve without pay and represent roughly 80 percent
of the water users and taxpayers of the State of Arizona.
Project repayment is provided for through a 1988 Master Repayment
Contract between CAWCD and the United States. Project repayment began
in 1994 for Stage 1 and in 1997 for Stage 2. To date, CAWCD has repaid
$685 million of CAP construction costs to the United States.
In 2000, CAWCD and Reclamation successfully negotiated a settlement
of the dispute regarding the amount of CAWCD's repayment obligation for
CAP construction costs. This dispute has been the subject of ongoing
litigation in United States District Court in Arizona since 1995. The
settlement provides a 3-year timeframe, ending in May 2003, in which to
complete several other activities that are necessary for the settlement
to become final, including a final Indian water rights settlement for
the Gila River Indian Community. In 2002, when it became apparent that
these activities would not be completed by the May 2003 deadline, CAWCD
initiated discussions with representatives of the Department of the
Interior to extend the terms of the repayment stipulation. The
Department of the Interior has now agreed to extend the terms of the
repayment stipulation to May 2012 which should allow the United States
sufficient time to complete the necessary activities.
central arizona project
CAP construction activities are not yet complete. In its fiscal
year 2004 budget request, Reclamation seeks $34,087,000 for the CAP.
CAP Indian Distribution Systems.--$23,048,000 is requested for the
construction of Indian distribution systems. CAWCD continues to support
appropriations necessary to ensure timely completion of all CAP Indian
distribution systems. Most of the CAP non-Indian distribution systems
were completed over 10 years ago; however, many of the Indian systems
remain incomplete. CAWCD supports full funding for this important
program.
CAP Biological Opinion Costs.--$6,787,000 is earmarked to fund
activities associated with implementation of a 1994 biological opinion
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) pertaining to delivery of
CAP water to the Gila River Basin and for native fish activities on the
Santa Cruz River. Historically, CAWCD has objected to Reclamation's
continued spending in these areas. Both environmental groups and CAWCD
challenged the 1994 biological opinion in court. However, given its
settlement with the United States over CAP costs, and a final judgment
in the litigation concerning the 1994 biological opinion, CAWCD
supports Reclamation's budget request to allow it to complete
Endangered Species Act compliance for CAP deliveries in the Gila River
basin.
Environmental Activities at New Waddell Dam.--Reclamation is again
requesting funds ($115,000) to complete a reservoir limnology follow-up
study at Lake Pleasant, continue Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
activities, and support non-contract costs (Reclamation staff costs).
According to Reclamation, this is the last environmental impact
statement commitment for New Waddell Dam. Reclamation has carried this
funding request in its budget justification documents for the past 5
years with no apparent progress toward its completion. CAWCD would urge
Reclamation to expedite the completion of this study and close out its
environmental program at New Waddell Dam.
Environmental Activities at Modified Roosevelt Dam.--Reclamation is
again requesting funds ($2,027,000) to complete environmental
activities at Modified Roosevelt Dam. This includes Endangered Species
Act compliance for the southwestern willow flycatcher and support for
Reclamation's non-contract costs. As is the case with New Waddell Dam,
these activities have been ongoing for at least 5 years with no
apparent end in sight. While CAWCD supports Reclamation's activities to
comply with the Endangered Species Act at Modified Roosevelt Dam, CAWCD
would also urge Reclamation to expedite the completion of these
activities and close out its environmental program at Modified
Roosevelt Dam.
Tucson Reliability Division.--Reclamation is requesting $390,000 to
continue coordination and design elements for the water supply
reliability features of the Tucson Reliability Division, also known as
Tucson Terminal Storage. The budget justification documents indicate
that these funds will be used to complete the planning report,
environmental impact statement, and designs for the reservoir. CAWCD is
not aware of any Reclamation decisions to actually construct
reliability features in the Tucson area. The repayment stipulation
requires that, prior to construction of any such feature, CAWCD must be
consulted regarding the development of these features and the
associated repayment obligation. While CAWCD supports the continuation
of planning efforts to identify acceptable reliability features for the
Tucson area, we expect to be consulted as planning activities proceed.
Recreational Trails.--CAWCD notes that Reclamation is requesting
$702,000 for the development of recreational trails along portions of
the Hayden Rhodes Aqueduct in Phoenix and Scottsdale. An additional
$600,000 is requested for the development of recreational trails along
portions of the Tucson Aqueduct in Pima County. $439,000 is identified
to support Reclamation's non-contract costs associated with various
land management activities throughout the CAP service area. CAWCD
continues to experience significant land management conflicts at the
CAP interface with private property owners. These conflicts might be
remedied through the development of an appropriate trails system. CAWCD
strongly supports Reclamation's activities in this area.
lower colorado river operations--mscp
In its fiscal year 2004 budget request, Reclamation also seeks
$13,822,000 for its Lower Colorado River Operations Program. This
program is necessary for Reclamation to continue its activities as the
``water master'' on the lower Colorado River. In addition, this program
provides Reclamation's share of funding to complete the Lower Colorado
River Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP). Of the $13,822,000
sought, $2,769,000 is for administration of the Colorado River,
$1,821,000 is for water contract administration and decree accounting,
and $7,748,000 is for fish and wildlife management and development. The
fish and wildlife management and development program includes
$5,094,000 for the MSCP; an additional $4,000,000 will be contributed
by non-Federal entities.
CAWCD supports Reclamation's budget request for the Lower Colorado
River Operations Program. The increased funding level is necessary to
support the MSCP effort as well as environmental measures necessary to
fully implement the interim surplus criteria for the lower Colorado
River. Once reinstated, the interim surplus guidelines would allow the
Secretary of the Interior to declare limited Colorado River surpluses
through 2016 to assist California in gradually reducing its use of
Colorado River to its annual apportionment of 4.4 million acre-feet.
These are both critical programs upon which Lower Colorado River water
and power users depend.
The MSCP is a cost-shared program among Federal and non-Federal
interests to develop a long-term plan to conserve endangered species
and their habitat along the Lower Colorado River from Lake Mead to
Mexico. CAWCD is one of the cost-sharing partners. Development of this
program will conserve hundreds of threatened and endangered species
and, at the same time, allow current water and power operation to
continue. CAWCD strongly supports Reclamation's budget request for
development and implementation of the MSCP.
colorado river basin salinity control project--title i
In its fiscal year 2004 budget request, Reclamation is requesting
$11,250,000 under the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Project--
Title I. This program supports the operation of the Yuma Desalting
Plant (YDP), maintaining the U.S. Bypass Drain and the Mexico Bypass
Drain, and ensuring that Mexican Treaty salinity requirements are met.
Currently, Reclamation is not operating the YDP. Instead, Reclamation
is allowing all Wellton-Mohawk drainage water (over 100,000 acre-feet
per year) to bypass the YDP and flow to the Santa Clara Slough in
Mexico. These flows are in excess of Mexican Treaty requirements and
represent a significant depletion of the Colorado River water currently
in storage. Continuing this practice will eventually reduce the amount
of water available to the Central Arizona Project, the lowest priority
water user in the Colorado River basin, and increase the risk of future
shortages for CAP water users. The Colorado River system is now in its
fourth consecutive year of below normal runoff, and water levels in
Lake Powell and Lake Mead are at their lowest levels in 30 years. In
fact, water year 2002 was the lowest runoff year in recorded history on
the Colorado River. Reclamation's operation of the YDP would conserve
an additional 100,000 to 120,000 acre feet per year of Colorado River
water for use by the lower basin States. This amount is roughly equal
to the City of Phoenix's full annual entitlement to CAP water.
Reclamation acknowledges that the House of Representatives Report
accompanying the fiscal year 1995 Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill directed Reclamation to maintain the YDP in such a
manner as to be capable of operating at one-third capacity with a 1-
year notice of funding. While the Plant was operated at one-third
capacity for a few months in 1992, it has not been operational at any
time since that test operation. Even though Congress has annually
appropriated several million dollars for Reclamation to maintain and
rehabilitate the YDP, Reclamation now states in a draft report recently
provided to CAWCD and other interested parties that it would require
$11 million for specific rehabilitation and modernization costs and 24
to 30 months to bring the YDP to operational readiness at one-third
capacity. An additional $15 million and an additional 12 to 24 months
would be needed to make the Plant fully operational. We request that
Reclamation be directed to bring the Plant to a state of readiness as
soon as possible. We believe that Reclamation can achieve one-third
operational capacity in 24 months within the funding limits currently
requested if it directs those monies toward that goal.
The $11,225,000 fiscal year 2004 budget request contains several
activities that could and should be stopped and those expenditures
directed toward making the plant operational using up-to-date
technology that will enhance both plant capacity and efficiency as well
as reduce operating cost:
--$751,000 of the request is listed as Water and Energy Management
and Development. It is further described as technology research
for lower cost operation of the YDP. All of this amount could
be dedicated to making the plant operational.
--$1,773,000 is listed as Facility Operations. While much of these
activities are directed toward Title I features other than the
YDP, part of the expenditures are for Pilot system operation
and research and testing of the Water Quality Improvement
Center. Some of these expenditures could be redirected to
making the plant operations.
--$5,524,000 is listed as Facilities Maintenance and Rehabilitation
and is further described as ``continuous efforts to ensure the
YDP can operate for treaty and other Federal requirements.''
Based on the activities described, essentially all of these
dollars could and should be directed to making the YDP
operational.
--$3,242,000 is described as being needed to continue a long term
program to bank water, to continue design deficiency
corrections, and to continue the YDP permitting and
environmental compliance process. There is no ongoing program
to bank water. Any water banking program would involve the
Interstate Water Banking program in Arizona. No such program is
planned in Arizona for YDP purposes. The other two activities
in this category already contribute to making the YDP
operational; therefore, all of these funds could and should be
directed toward making the plant operational.
A Reclamation analysis of Title I expenditure in 2001 indicates
less than $2,500,000 was spent for maintenance of facilities or
activities other than the YDP. That information and the analysis of the
$11,250,000 fiscal year 2004 funding requests demonstrates that
Reclamation could direct at least $8,000,000 of its fiscal year 2004
funding request toward making the YDP operational.
CAWCD welcomes this opportunity to share its views with the
Committee, and would be pleased to respond to any questions or
observations occasioned by this written testimony.
______
Letter From the Tumalo Irrigation District
March 28, 2003.
Honorable Pete V. Domenici,
Chair, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water,
SD-156 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510.
Dear Chairman Domenici: The Tumalo Irrigation District (TID) in
Bend, Oregon respectfully requests your support for inclusion of
$882,000 in the fiscal year 2004 Energy and Water appropriations bill
for the District's Bend Feed Canal Project. The 106th Congress
authorized the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to participate in the further
construction associated with the project in the amount of $2.5 million.
This amount would complete the Bureau's share of the project
construction funding.
The TID is proposing to continue and complete in this next fiscal
year construction to pipe a critical portion of our open canals,
essentially eliminating water loss and enhancing public safety along
the project's approximate 14,500 foot length. The conserved water would
be used to deliver enhanced water to the TID irrigators even in drought
years, as they currently receive inadequate water in 8 of 10 years. It
will also increase stream flows in Tumalo Creek and the Deschutes
River.
The TID Board of Directors has expressed its willingness to pay
their share of the estimated $5 million project cost of this important
project and have provided all of their share. We are concerned that no
funding for the project was requested by the administration in their
Fiscal Year 2004 Budget for the Bureau of Reclamation. Our request for
$882,000 for fiscal year 2004 would allow us to complete the project in
this next fiscal year which would benefit both the District and the
general public. We appreciate the previous funding that we have
received for work in this area and look forward to your favorable
consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Elmer McDaniels,
Manager.
______
Prepared Statement of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum
bureau of reclamation--fiscal year 2004 appropriation
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum's Recommendation:
--Title II Program Authorized in 1995 (Public Law 104-20)--
$17,500,000.
--General Investigation Funds--Adequate Funding.
--Operation and Maintenance--Adequate Funding.
This testimony is in support of funding for the Title II Colorado
River Basin salinity control program. Congress has designated the
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), to be
the lead agency for salinity control in the Colorado River Basin. This
role and the authorized program were refined and confirmed by the
Congress when Public Law 104-20 was enacted. A total of $17,500,000 is
requested for fiscal year 2004 to implement the needed and authorized
program. Failure to appropriate these funds will result in significant
economic damage in the United States and Mexico.
The President's request for funding for fiscal year 2004 is
$9,198,000 for this program. Studies have shown that implementation of
the program has fallen behind the needed pace to control salinity
concentrations. In previous years, the President has supported, and
Congress has funded, a program at about $12 million. In recent years,
the President's requests have dropped and this year's request, in the
judgement of the Forum, is inappropriately low. Water quality
commitments to downstream U.S. and Mexican water users must be honored
while the Basin States continue to develop their Compact apportioned
waters of the Colorado River. Concentrations of salts in the river
cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in the United States
and result in poorer quality water being delivered by the United States
to Mexico. For every 30 mg/l increase in salinity concentrations, there
is $75 million in additional damages in the United States. The Forum,
therefore, believes implementation of the program needs to be
accelerated to a level beyond that requested by the President.
The program authorized by the Congress in 1995 has proven to be
very successful and very cost effective. Proposals from the public and
private sector to implement salinity control strategies have far
exceeded the available funding and Reclamation has a backlog of
proposals. Reclamation continues to select the best and most cost-
effective proposals. Funds are available for the Colorado River Basin
States' cost sharing for the level of Federal funding requested by the
Forum. Water quality improvements accomplished under Title II of the
Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act also benefit the quality of
water delivered to Mexico. Although the United States has always met
the commitments of the International Boundary & Water Commission's
(Commission) Minute 242 to Mexico with respect to water quality, the
United States Section of the Commission is currently addressing
Mexico's request for better water quality at the International
Boundary.
Some of the most cost effective salinity control opportunities
occur when the USBR can improve irrigation delivery systems at the same
time that the USDA's program is working with landowners (irrigators) to
improve the on-farm irrigation systems. Through the newly authorized
USDA EQIP program, adequate on-farm funds appear to be available and
adequate USBR funds are needed to maximize the effectiveness of the
effort.
overview
In 2000, Congress reviewed the program as authorized in 1995.
Following hearings, and with administration support, the Congress
passed legislation that increased the ceiling authorized by this
program by $100 million. Reclamation has received cost-effective
proposals to move the program ahead and the Basin States have funds
available to cost-share up-front.
The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program was authorized by
Congress in 1974. The Title I portion of the Colorado River Basin
Salinity Control Act responded to commitments that the United States
made, through Minute 242, to Mexico concerning the quality of water
being delivered to Mexico below Imperial Dam. Title II of the Act
established a program to respond to salinity control needs of Colorado
River water users in the United States and to comply with the mandates
of the then newly legislated Clean Water Act. Initially, the Secretary
of the Interior and Reclamation were given the lead Federal role by the
Congress. This testimony is in support of adequate funding for the
Title II program.
After a decade of investigative and implementation efforts, the
Basin States concluded that the Salinity Control Act needed to be
amended. Congress revised the Act in 1984. That revision, while leaving
implementation of the salinity control policy with the Secretary of the
Interior, also gave new salinity control responsibilities to the
Department of Agriculture, and to the Bureau of Land Management.
Congress has charged the administration with implementing the most
cost-effective program practicable (measured in dollars per ton of salt
removed). The Basin States are strongly supportive of that concept as
the Basin States cost share 30 percent of Federal expenditures up-front
for the salinity control program, in addition to proceeding to
implement their own salinity control efforts in the Colorado River
Basin.
The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Forum (Forum) is composed
of gubernatorial appointees from Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada,
New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. The Forum has become the 7-State
coordinating body for interfacing with Federal agencies and Congress to
support the implementation of the program necessary to control the
salinity of the river system. In close cooperation with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and under requirements of the
Clean Water Act, every 3 years the Forum prepares a formal report
analyzing the salinity of the Colorado River, anticipated future
salinity, and the program necessary to keep the salinities under
control.
In setting water quality standards for the Colorado River system,
the salinity levels measured at Imperial, and below Parker, and Hoover
Dams in 1972 have been identified as the numeric criteria. The plan
necessary for controlling salinity and to reduce downstream damages has
been captioned the ``plan of implementation.'' The 2002 Review of water
quality standards includes an updated plan of implementation. The level
of appropriation requested in this testimony is in keeping with the
agreed upon plan. If adequate funds are not appropriated, State and
Federal agencies involved are in agreement that damage from the higher
salt levels in the water will be more widespread in the United States
as well as Mexico and will be very significant.
justification
The $17,500,000 requested by the Forum on behalf of the seven
Colorado River Basin States is the level of funding necessary to
proceed with Reclamation's portion of the plan of implementation. In
July of 1995, Congress amended the Colorado River Basin Salinity
Control Act. The amended Act gives Reclamation new latitude and
flexibility in seeking the most cost-effective salinity control
opportunities, and it provides for utilization of proposals from
project proponents as well as more involvement from the private as well
as the public sector. The result is that salt loading is being
prevented at costs often less than half the cost under the previous
program. Congress recommitted its support to the revised program when
it enacted Public Law 106-459. The Basin States' cost sharing up-front
adds 43 cents for every Federal dollar appropriated. The federally
chartered Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council,
created by the Congress in the Salinity Control Act, has met and
formally supports the requested level of funding. The Basin States urge
the subcommittee to support the funding as set forth in this testimony.
additional support of funding
In addition to the funding identified above for the implementation
of the most recently authorized program, the Salinity Control Forum
urges the Congress to appropriate necessary funds needed to continue to
maintain and operate salinity control facilities as they are completed
and placed into long-term operation. Reclamation has completed the
Paradox Valley unit which involves the collection of brines in the
Paradox Valley of Colorado and the injection of those brines into a
deep aquifer through an injection well. The continued operation of this
project and other completed projects will be funded through Operation
and Maintenance funds.
In addition, the Forum supports necessary funding to allow for
continued general investigation of the salinity control program. It is
important that Reclamation have planning staff in place, properly
funded, so that the progress of the program can be analyzed,
coordination between various Federal and State agencies can be
accomplished, and future projects and opportunities to control salinity
can be properly planned to maintain the water quality standards for
salinity so that the Basin States can continue to develop their
Compact-apportioned waters of the Colorado River.
______
Prepared Statement of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and
Dry Prairie Rural Water
fiscal year 2004 budget request
The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and Dry Prairie Rural
Water respectfully request fiscal year 2004 appropriations for the
Bureau of Reclamation from the Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development. Funds will be used to construct critical elements of the
Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System, Montana, (Public Law 106-382,
October 27, 2000). The amount requested is $14,486,000 as set out
below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Missouri River Water Treatment Plant.................... $10,604,000
Fort Peck Electrical, Meters, Easements................. 650,000
Culbertson to Medicine Lake............................. 3,618,000
Dry Prairie P Electrical, Meters, Easements............. 635,000
---------------
Total............................................. 15,507,000
---------------
Federal................................................. 14,486,000
Non-Federal............................................. 1,021,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sponsor Tribes and Dry Prairie greatly appreciate the
appropriations from the subcommittee for fiscal year 2003 that have
permitted significant progress on the Missouri River intake and the
first phase of the Culbertson to Medicine Lake Project.
proposed activities
This project, which includes all of the Fort Peck Indian
Reservation in Montana and the Dry Prairie portion of the project
outside the Reservation, was authorized by Public Law 106-382, October
27, 2000. The request for fiscal year 2004 will begin the construction
of the Missouri River water treatment plant, which will require fiscal
year 2005 funds for completion. The request will also complete the
Culbertson to Medicine Lake Project, which was initiated in fiscal year
2003. The Master Plan on page 2 of the testimony shows the relationship
of the fiscal year 2004 request to the funds requested in fiscal year
2003 and the needs in fiscal year 2005.
MASTER PLAN--ASSINIBOINE SIOUX AND DRY PRAIRIE RWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriated Funding Needs
Project Cost -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal Year
Segment (Oct. 2002) Fiscal Year Fiscal Year 2007-Fiscal
2002 Funds 2003 Funds 2004 2005 2006 Year 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assiniboine and Sioux RWS:
Intake.............................. $3,418,000 .............. $3,418,000 .............. .............. .............. $0
Missouri River Water Treatment Plant 19,861,000 .............. 464,000 $8,000,000 $11,397,000 .............. 0
Poplar to Big Muddy................. 25,583,000 .............. 0 .............. .............. $12,792,000 12,791,000
Highway 13 to FP Boundary........... 10,430,000 .............. 0 .............. .............. .............. 10,430,000
Poplar to Wolf Point................ 16,794,000 .............. 0 .............. .............. .............. 16,794,000
Wolf Point to Porcupine Ck.......... 28,539,000 .............. 0 .............. .............. .............. 28,539,000
FP OM Buildings..................... 1,050,000 .............. 0 .............. .............. .............. 1,050,000
Fort Peck Electrical, Meters, 4,414,000 .............. 0 490,000 490,000 490,000 2,944,000
Easements..........................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... 110,089,000 $0 3,882,000 8,490,000 11,887,000 13,282,000 72,548,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning, Design, Admin:
Reclamation Oversight........... 4,634,000 295,000 154,000 465,000 465,000 465,000 2,790,000
Environmental Mitigation........ 579,000 0 0 64,000 64,000 64,000 387,000
Administration.................. 7,987,000 503,000 322,000 796,000 796,000 796,000 4,774,000
Easement Acquisition............ 3,104,000 0 0 345,000 345,000 345,000 2,069,000
Design.......................... 8,980,000 2,237,000 500,000 500,000 829,000 911,000 4,003,000
Inspection...................... 8,109,000 0 272,000 594,000 832,000 930,000 5,481,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................... 33,393,000 3,035,000 1,248,000 2,764,000 3,331,000 3,511,000 19,504,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 143,482,000 3,035,000 5,130,000 11,254,000 15,218,000 16,793,000 92,052,000
===============================================================================================================
Dry Prairie RWS:
Big Muddy to Plentywood:
Culbertson to Medicine Lake..... 4,630,000 .............. 2,265,000 2,365,000 .............. .............. 0
Remaining....................... 17,289,000 .............. 0 0 2,000,000 5,096,000 10,193,000
FP Boundary to Scobey............... 4,540,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 4,540,000
Scobey to Plentywood................ 11,097,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 11,097,000
Scobey to Opheim.................... 8,962,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 8,962,000
Porcupine Creek to Glasgow.......... 4,370,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 4,370,000
Glasgow to Opheim................... 3,955,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 3,955,000
DP OM Buildings..................... 525,000 .............. 0 0 .............. .............. 525,000
Dry Prairie P Electrical, Meters, 3,732,000 .............. 0 415,000 415,000 415,000 2,487,000
Easements..........................
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... 59,100,000 0 2,265,000 2,780,000 2,415,000 5,511,000 46,129,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planning, Design, Admin:
Reclamation Oversight........... 2,497,000 85,000 63,000 261,000 261,000 261,000 1,566,000
Environmental Mitigation........ 313,000 6,000 20,000 32,000 32,000 32,000 191,000
Administration.................. 4,675,000 121,000 132,000 491,000 491,000 491,000 2,949,000
Easement Acquisition............ 899,000 31,000 26,000 94,000 94,000 94,000 560,000
Design.......................... 4,838,000 342,000 100,000 350,000 427,000 427,000 3,192,000
Inspection...................... 4,369,000 .............. 170,000 245,000 219,000 386,000 3,349,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal...................... 17,591,000 585,000 511,000 1,473,000 1,524,000 1,691,000 11,807,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total......................... 76,691,000 585,000 2,776,000 4,253,000 3,939,000 7,202,000 57,936,000
===============================================================================================================
Total......................... 220,173,000 3,620,000 7,906,000 15,507,000 19,157,000 23,995,000 149,988,000
===============================================================================================================
Federal................................. 201,767,000 3,480,000 7,240,000 14,486,000 18,212,000 22,267,000 136,083,000
Non-Federal............................. 18,406,000 140,000 666,000 1,021,000 945,000 1,728,000 13,905,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL....................... 220,173,000 3,620,000 7,906,000 15,507,000 19,157,000 23,995,000 149,988,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The project also has the capability to build the first portion of
the pipeline leaving the water treatment plant. The section will be
east of the water treatment plant and will serve the community of
Poplar, headquarters community for the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
Construction is scheduled to start in fiscal year 2006. This will also
provide a source of water for a section of the Fort Peck Indian
Reservation contaminated by oil drilling operations and the subject of
EPA orders to the non-Tribal oil company responsible. The oil company
will provide the distribution system necessary to mitigate the problems
and the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System will provide the
interconnecting pipeline without duplicating any facilities identified
in the Final Engineering Report. This is an exigent circumstance that
will be corrected by the project in fiscal year 2006. No funds are
requested for fiscal year 2004 for this project even though design will
be complete.
The Dry Prairie rural water system will finish the facilities
necessary to bring water supplies from an existing treatment plant on
the Missouri River at Culbertson to Medicine Lake where the existing
water treatment is inoperable. The system to be completed in fiscal
year 2004 will also provide the capability to connect to Dane Valley
residents. The Dane Valley project will rely on fiscal year 2005 and
fiscal year 2006 funds to mitigate costs of hauling water so prevalent
there. The budget request is consistent with the Master Plan on the
previous page as approved by the Bureau of Reclamation.
status of project design
The Final Engineering Report (FER), water conservation plan and
Finding of No Significant Impact were completed in fiscal year 2002.
The FER was delivered to OMB in May 2002 and was released to the
Department of Interior for review and delivery to Congress in March
2003. The requirement to reside with Congress for 90 days will expire
at the end of July 2003. Design is nearing completion or is completed
for the Missouri River intake and the Culbertson to Medicine Lake
Project. Those projects will commence construction in July/August 2003.
Design of the water treatment plant will end in late fiscal year
2003 or early fiscal year 2004. The design of the lagoons at the water
treatment plant and the site landscaping will be completed in third-
quarter fiscal year 2003, and construction of these preliminary
facilities will begin in late fiscal year 2003.
Design of the Poplar to Big Muddy pipeline is well advanced and can
be completed to utilize first quarter fiscal year 2004 funds, but the
appropriation requirements to undertake this pipeline construction in
combination with the water treatment plant were considered too great to
include in the funding request. Therefore, construction of this
pipeline will depend on the availability of funds not currently
identified in fiscal year 2004 or fiscal year 2005 or as programmed in
fiscal year 2006 in the master plan presented above. The discussion of
this pipeline is intended to demonstrate the capability of the project
to use funds prior to fiscal year 2006 if funding were available.
Similarly, the design of the branches that will serve rural
residents between Culbertson and Medicine Lake can be concluded in time
to utilize fiscal year 2004 or fiscal year 2005 funds, and the
discussion is intended to demonstrate capability to use funding if it
were available.
local project support
The Fort Peck Tribes have supported the project since 1992 when
they conceived it and sought means of improving the quality of life in
the region. The planning was a logical step after successful completion
of an historic water rights compact with the State of Montana. This
compact was the national ``ice breaker'' that increased the level of
confidence by other Tribes in Indian water right settlement
initiatives. The Tribes did not seek financial compensation for the
settlement of their water rights but contemplated water development for
meaningful projects as now authorized.
The 1999 Montana Legislature approved a funding mechanism from its
Treasure State Endowment Program to finance the non-Federal share of
project planning and construction. Demonstrating support of Montana for
the project, there were only three votes against the statutory funding
mechanism in both the full House and Senate. The 2001 and 2003 Montana
Legislatures have provided all requirements of the non-Federal cost
share.
Dry Prairie support is demonstrated by a financial commitment of
all 14 communities within the service area to participate in the
project. Rural support is strong, with about 70 percent of area farms
and ranches intending to participate as evidenced by their intent fees
of $100 per household.
need for water quality improvement
The Fort Peck Indian Reservation was designated as an ``Enterprise
Community'' during the previous administration, underscoring the level
of poverty and need for economic development in the region. The success
of the economic development within the Reservation will be
significantly enhanced by the availability of higher quality, safe and
more ample municipal, rural and industrial water supplies that this
regional project will bring to the Reservation, made more necessary by
an extended drought in the region. Outside the Fort Peck Indian
Reservation, the Dry Prairie area has income levels that are higher
than within the Reservation but lower than the State average.
The feature of this project that makes it more cost effective than
similar projects is its proximity to the Missouri River. The southern
boundary of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation is formed by the Missouri
River for a distance of more than 60 miles. Many of the towns in this
regional project are located 2 to 3 miles from the river, including
Nashua, Frazer, Oswego, Wolf Point, Poplar, Brockton, Culbertson, and
Bainville. As shown on the enclosed project map, a looping transmission
system outside the Fort Peck Indian Reservation will deliver water 30
to 40 miles north of the Missouri River. Therefore, the distances from
the Missouri River to all points in the main transmission system are
shorter than in other projects of this nature in the Northern Great
Plains.
administration's budget for fiscal year 2004
The administration's budget for fiscal year 2004 contained serious
errors in analysis when it included the Fort Peck Reservation Rural
Water System with other rural water projects that were characterized as
follows:
``. . . many projects are currently developed by local sponsors
without agency involvement and submitted to Congress for authorization.
Agency involvement is necessary to ensure that all options to
efficiently and effectively meet local needs are considered. The lack
of agency involvement during project development may result in a
project that is not in the local interest . . .''.
The Tribes and Dry Prairie worked extremely well and closely with
the Bureau of Reclamation prior to and following the authorization of
this project in fiscal year 2000. The Bureau of Reclamation reviewed
and commented on the Final Engineering Report for the project, and
comments were either incorporated into the report or agreement was
reached on final presentation. The Commissioner, Regional and Area
Offices of the Bureau of Reclamation were consistently in full
agreement with the need, scope, total costs, and the ability to pay
analysis that supported the Federal and non-Federal cost shares. All of
these items were thoroughly and formally reviewed in writing by the
Bureau of Reclamation and there were no areas of disagreement or
controversy in the final formulation of the project. Bureau of
Reclamation testimony during the authorization phase fully supported
the project within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and opposed any
Federal participation in the costs of the project outside the Fort Peck
Indian Reservation, as a matter of policy, but Congress addressed that
issue in Public Law 106-382.
The Bureau of Reclamation collaborated with the Tribes and Dry
Prairie to conduct and complete value engineering investigations of the
Final Engineering Report (planning), the Culbertson to Medicine Lake
pipeline (design), the Poplar to Big Muddy River pipeline (design), the
Missouri River intake (design) and (during the week of March 31, 2003)
on the regional water treatment plant (design). Each of these
considerable efforts has been directed at ways to save construction and
future operation, maintenance and replacement costs as planning and
design have proceeded. Agreement with Reclamation has been reached in
all value engineering sessions on steps to take to save Federal and
non-Federal costs in the project.
Cooperative agreements have been developed and executed from the
beginning phases to date between the Bureau of Reclamation and the
Tribes and between Bureau of Reclamation and Dry Prairie. Those
cooperative agreements carefully set out goals, standards and
responsibilities of the parties for planning, design and construction.
All plans and specifications are subject to levels of review by the
Bureau of Reclamation pursuant to the cooperative agreements. The
sponsors do not have the power to undertake activities that are not
subject to oversight and approval by the Bureau of Reclamation. Each
year the Tribes and Dry Prairie are required by the cooperative
agreements to develop a work plan setting out the planning, design and
construction activities and the allocation of finding to be utilized on
each project feature.
Clearly, the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System does not fall
into the category of concern expressed in the fiscal year 2004 budget
by the Bureau of Reclamation. This project has been authorized by
Congress with a plan formulated in full cooperation and collaboration
with the Bureau of Reclamation, and major project features will be
under construction in fiscal year 2003. The project sponsors are
disappointed that the fiscal year 2004 budget did not include a
significant level of funding for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water
System in a year in which the overall budget for Reclamation increased
by more than 6 percent. The sponsors are similarly disappointed that
narrative in the report improperly characterized the planning, design
and construction history of this project.
______
Letter From the Wyoming Water Association
Cheyenne, WY, June 2, 2003.
The Honorable Pete V. Domenici,
Chairman,
The Honorable Harry Reid,
Ranking Minority Member,
Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, Committee on Appropriations,
United States Senate, 129 Dirksen Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC 20510.
Dear Chairman Domenici and Senator Reid: The Wyoming Water
Association is writing to request your support for an appropriation in
fiscal year 2004 of $6,915,000 to the Bureau of Reclamation within the
budget line item entitled ``Endangered Species Recovery Implementation
Program'' for the Upper Colorado River Region. The President's
recommended budget for fiscal year 2004 includes this line-item amount.
The Association respectfully requests the designation of $5,479,000 for
the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program; $851,000 for
the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program, $535,000 for
Fish and Wildlife Management and Development and $50,000 for Water and
Energy Management and Development.
The objectives of the Wyoming Water Association are to promote the
development, conservation, and utilization of the water resources of
Wyoming for the benefit of Wyoming people. Since 1932, the Wyoming
Water Association has served the interests of Wyoming's water users.
With changing and growing demands on Wyoming's limited water resources,
complicated by an increasingly complex overlay of Federal laws and
regulations, management and development challenges and conflicts
continue to become more numerous. The Association maintains an active
role in supporting the State of Wyoming's efforts to put Wyoming water
to use for Wyoming's citizens.
These ongoing, highly successful, cooperative programs involving
the States of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, Indian tribes,
Federal agencies and water, power and environmental interests have as
their objective recovering endangered fish species while water
development proceeds in compliance with the Endangered Species Act of
1973. They reflect the proper approach to providing endangered species
conservation and recovery within the framework of the existing Federal
Endangered Species Act, while concurrently resolving critical conflicts
between endangered species recovery and the development and use of
Compact-apportioned water resources in the Upper Colorado River Basin
region of the Intermountain West.
The requested fiscal year 2004 appropriation will allow
construction of fish passage at the Grand Valley Project and Price-
Stubb diversion dams on the Colorado River near Grand Junction,
Colorado, providing access to an additional 50 miles of historic
habitat upstream of these dams. Floodplain restoration activities,
including levee removal and obtaining conservation easements will
continue at high-priority sites and is especially important for the
survival of the razorback sucker species. Screening of existing
diversion canals, including those of the Redlands Water and Power
Company and Grand Valley Project, will be accomplished with the
requested funding. Screens are needed to prevent endangered fish from
being drawn out of the river and into the canals and power plant
intakes at these facilities. The requested funding for the San Juan
River Recovery Program will be used to design a fish passage at the
Arizona Public Service weir and initiate floodplain restoration for
razorback sucker in that Basin.
Substantial non-Federal cost sharing funds are provided by the four
States, power users, and water users in support of these recovery
programs. Public Law 106-392, as amended by Public Law 107-375,
authorized the Federal Government to provide up to $46 million of cost
sharing for these two ongoing recovery programs' remaining capital
construction projects. The four participating States are contributing
$17 million and $17 million is being contributed from revenues derived
from the sale of Colorado River Storage Project (CRSP) hydroelectric
power. Additional hatchery facilities to produce endangered fish for
stocking, restoring floodplain habitat and fish passage, regulating and
supplying instream habitat flows, installing diversion canal screens to
prevent fish entrapment and controlling nonnative fish populations are
key components of the capital construction efforts. These facts
demonstrate the strong commitment and effective partnerships that are
present in both of these successful programs.
The past support and assistance of your subcommittee has greatly
facilitated the success of these multi-State, multi-agency programs.
The Wyoming Water Association gratefully thanks you for that support
and request the subcommittee's assistance relative to fiscal year 2004
funding to ensure the Bureau of Reclamation's continuing financial
participation in these vitally important programs.
Sincerely,
John W. Shields,
Executive Secretary.
______
Prepared Statement of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
fiscal year 2004 budget request
The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe respectfully requests fiscal year 2004
appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation from the subcommittee on
Energy and Water Development. Funds will be used to construct the
urgently needed pipeline from Fort Thompson to Stephan. Planning
studies for the project (Special Study, environmental assessment, and
water conservation plan) back up the request. The project has been
supported by the subcommittee since fiscal year 1995.
The amount requested for fiscal year 2004 is $6,824,000 as set out
below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Thompson to Stephan Emergency Project.............. $5,536,000
Reclamation Oversight................................... 208,000
Environmental Mitigation................................ 42,000
Administration.......................................... 637,000
Design and Investigations............................... 401,000
Inspection.............................................. 277,000
---------------
Total............................................. 6,824,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
proposed activities
The request for funds in fiscal year 2004 is for construction of
the urgently needed pipeline system between Fort Thompson and Stephan
on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Fort Thompson is on the Missouri
River near Big Bend Dam and has an intake and water treatment plant
capable of serving the entire Crow Creek Indian Reservation with high-
quality water. Stephan is a community 14 miles north of Fort Thompson
and the home of a regional Indian high school within inadequate and
extremely poor water quality. The pipeline system between Fort Thompson
and Stephan will be constructed with sufficient capacity to serve rural
households along the route and to extend the system in future years to
the Big Bend community, all part of the implementation of a
comprehensive system on the Reservation. This is not a new project but
one that has been in development for more than 8 years with oversight
by the Bureau of Reclamation and periodic line-item appropriations by
Congress.
exigent conditions
There is a need to construct facilities to distribute Missouri
River water and improve water quality throughout the Crow Creek Indian
Reservation. This action will reduce health risks to the membership of
the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and other residents of the Reservation. With
the exception of the community of Fort Thompson, water supplies and
water quality are deplorable throughout the Reservation.
There is an immediate need to extend pipelines from Fort Thompson
to the community and day school at Stephan where water quality is
extremely poor, and existing wells are limited in capacity. Efforts
last year to drill new wells to replace failing wells of very poor
quality were not successful. The new wells also fail to produce an
adequate water supply, and there was no improvement of the exceedingly
for water quality. The school at Stephan provides for over 200
students. Staff and teachers reside at the school. Reliance for
drinking water has been placed on bottled water, and fire protection is
inadequate given the current lack of supply.
Inspired by efforts of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, including the
planning for the Reservation municipal, rural and industrial water
system, the water treatment facilities at Fort Thompson have been
improved with microfilters that produce high quality water for
residents of the community. The new water treatment facilities are
incorporated as a part of the Reservation-wide project and, with
construction of necessary pipelines, will permit delivery of high-
quality water north to Stephan.
The need for the Reservation-wide project is underscored by the
population increases documented by the 2000 census. Our planning had
projected population increases on the Reservation from 1990 to 2000 at
a rate of 14.3 percent. The actual rate of growth experienced in the
last decade was 26.7 percent, significantly greater than what was
believed to be a liberal projection made from the 1990 census.
The subcommittee is respectfully requested to carefully consider
the Tribe's needs and provide the necessary funding to complete this
emergency project.
project construction costs and recommended project alternative
Costs of reservation-wide alternatives, including construction
contracts and non-contract costs, range from $15,403,000 (Alternatives
b, d and e) to $17,853,000 (Alternative a) in October 1998 dollars.
Based on the least cost scenario considering all life-cycle costs
and the Tribe's desire for self-determination, the Tribe's preferred
project alternative is Alternative a ($17,853,000): source of water on
Lake Sharpe near Fort Thompson, constructed, operated, maintained and
replaced by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. Environmental factors, such as
cultural and historic resources, and identifiable impacts on physical
and biological resources are not significantly different between
alternatives.
Five alternatives for developing the project were:
--A project constructed, operated, maintained and replaced by the
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and meeting all needs through year 2030
within the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Source of water would
be the Missouri River with modifications to the existing intake
and water treatment plant at Fort Thompson.
--A project constructed, operated, maintained and replaced by the
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and meeting all needs through year 2030
within the Crow Creek Indian Reservation. Source water would be
the Missouri River from the intake and water treatment plant
constructed by Mid-Dakota on Lake Oahe. The reservation system
would be connected to the Mid-Dakota system along the northern
and eastern borders of the reservation. Mid-Dakota would sell
water to the Tribe as a bulk user.
--A project constructed, operated, maintained and replaced by the
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe to service the Fort Thompson and Crow
Creek community areas, and rural areas in between, from intake
and water treatment plant at Fort Thompson. The balance of the
project would be constructed, operated and maintained by Mid-
Dakota with water supply from the Mid-Dakota intake and water
treatment plant.
--A project constructed, operated, maintained and replaced
exclusively by Mid-Dakota to service the entire reservation
with water supply from the Mid-Dakota intake and water
treatment plant.
--A project constructed by Mid-Dakota throughout the reservation and
operated, maintained and replaced by the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
with water supply from the Mid-Dakota intake and water
treatment plant.
future operation, maintenance and replacement (omr) costs
Future operation, maintenance and replacement costs, including
staff, equipment, electricity, chemicals and all other materials
necessary for repair and replacement, have an estimated range in cost
from $597,195 (Alternative a) to $826,185 (Alternatives b, d and e).
present value of net costs
Net costs were estimated as the present value of the costs of
construction and OMR less the off-setting value of construction and OMR
earnings by members of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, an under-employed
labor force. Present value of net costs ranges from $15,348,180
(Alternative a) to $22,673,000 (Alternatives d and e).
construction schedule
A construction schedule beginning in fiscal year 2003 and ending in
fiscal year 2006 is proposed. Construction and non-contract employment
would provide 131 full-time equivalent man years of employment. Annual
levels of funding needs would range from $2,135,000 in fiscal year 2003
to $6,736,000 in fiscal year 2005.
environmental factors
Pipelines proposed for the project range from 1.5 to 12 inches in
diameter and have lengths ranging from 269.8 miles (Alternative c) to
276.4 miles (Alternative a). From five to seven pump stations with
horsepower ranging from 103.0 to 164.5 are representative of the
alternatives. From six to eight reservoirs with up to 495,000 gallons
of capacity are proposed. Future population growth will require
approximately 5 acres of new wastewater lagoons by year 2030.
Approximately 70 wetlands will be crossed by the project on the
basis of the current layout, which will be modified in later designs to
avoid wetlands. As many as 31 perennial stream crossings will be made.
Nearly 43 miles of prime farmlands will be crossed by pipelines where
most of the farmlands are defined as ``prime'' if irrigated in the
future. Approximately 23 miles of unstable soils will be crossed. Up to
134 miles of trust lands (slightly less than 50 percent of the total)
will be crossed by pipelines.
An Environmental Assessment and a class I cultural resource
inventory and descriptive report have been prepared.
population
The population of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in the 2000
census was 2,225 persons: 2,074 Indian persons and 251 non-Indian
persons. Based on the rate of growth in the Indian and non-Indian
population over the past several decades, year 2030 population
estimates were made resulting in a future population of 3,417. These
estimates recognize a relatively high growth rate within the Indian
population and out-migration by non-Indians.
income and employment
Median household income in 2000 on the Crow Creek Indian
Reservation averaged $12,070 (down from $12,763 in 1990) as contrasted
with an average for the State of South Dakota of $35,282 (up from
$22,503 in 1990). The Indian labor force on the reservation represented
55.7 percent of the population over 16 years of age, and 21.6 percent
were unemployed. Across the State of South Dakota, 68.4 percent of the
population was in the labor force, and 3.0 percent were unemployed.
Income levels on the reservation are extremely low, and unemployment is
extremely high. The percentage of families below poverty level in the
2000 census was 56.5 percent on the Reservation and 9.3 percent in
South Dakota. (Note: the reporting is from the Special Study, which is
being modified in detail, but not substance.)
______
Prepared Statement of the Jicarilla Apache Nation
The Jicarilla Apache Nation respectfully requests $5 to $8 million
in the fiscal year 2004 appropriations cycle to begin construction on
the water delivery and wastewater infrastructure improvement project
authorized by Title VIII of Public Law 107-331, December 13, 2002 (The
Jicarilla Apache Reservation Rural Water System Act). This law
authorized a $45 million project to repair and replace the dilapidated
federally owned water delivery and waste water system that serves the
Jicarilla Apache Reservation in north-central New Mexico.
authorizing legislation
The Jicarilla Apache Reservation Rural Water System Act was
introduced by Representative Tom Udall (D-NM) along with the other New
Mexico Congressional Representatives Joe Skeen and Heather Wilson, as
original co-sponsors, and including 12 additional co-sponsors. Senators
Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) supported and guided the
legislation through the Senate. The purpose of the Act is to ensure a
safe and adequate water supply for the citizens of the Jicarilla Apache
Reservation, and authorizes the Department of the Interior, through the
Bureau of Reclamation (BoR), and the Nation to plan, design and
construct a safe and adequate water system utilizing Public Law 93-638
contracting authority. The Act requires the Secretary of the Department
of the Interior to enter a Public Law 93-628 contract with the Nation
with the ultimate goal of the Nation assuming title and responsibility
of operating and maintaining the system. The Act authorizes
appropriations in the amount of $45,000,000 for the construction of the
water system.
background
The existing water and wastewater facilities on the Jicarilla
Apache Reservation are held in trust by the United States Department of
the Interior and operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Jicarilla Agency staff. The initial water supply system was erected in
the early 1900's in the community of Dulce primarily to serve the BIA
operations and facilities. The source of the community's water supply
is the Navajo River located about a mile from Dulce.
Over the years, random and ad hoc connections and expansions have
been made to the system, and without adequate upkeep and substantial
improvements, it has deteriorated and become over utilized. The public
water system does not adequately and safely serve the existing and
future growth needs of the Nation. Moreover, the system's deteriorated
state created serious public health problems. Jicarilla members are
experiencing high incidences of internal organ diseases affecting the
liver, kidneys and stomach. The diseases are suspected to be related to
the poor condition of the drinking water distribution system and
inadequate treatment of wastewater. The resulting pollution released
from non-compliant sewage ponds has creating public health hazards for
families and communities within and well beyond the Nation's borders.
The Nation has delayed important community improvement efforts,
including the construction of much needed housing and the replacement
of deteriorating public healthcare facilities and tribal administrative
offices due to the lack of a modern waste water treatment facility.
In the 1990's, the Nation began assessing the feasibility of
assuming ownership and operation of the systems and commissioned
studies to assess their condition. The findings indicated it would cost
$25 million to bring the systems into compliance with Federal water
quality standards. This investment did not, however, include community
expansion needs.
These dire conditions escalated in October of 1998, when the
drinking water diversion system on the Navajo River failed leaving the
community without water for 6 days. With no funding from BIA or other
Federal programs, the Nation was compelled to expend $5 million on an
emergency basis to replace the water treatment plant and associated
facilities in 1999.
legislative approach
The magnitude of the infrastructure issues couple with the BIA's
inability to comprehensively address the scope of the problems
associated with their systems left the Tribal leadership with no
alternative but to take the lead to resolve these issues. The Nation
approached the BoR and learned that legislation would be needed to
authorize BoR to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the most
feasible method of developing a safe and adequate municipal, rural, and
industrial water supply for the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. The
Nation working with the New Mexico Congressional Delegation pursued
such legislation, and on July 10, 2000, the President signed into law
Public Law 106-243 which directed the Secretary of the Interior to work
in cooperation with the Jicarilla Apache Nation in conducting the
Feasibility Study. The statute also authorized $200,000 for the
completion of the study.
In September 2001, BoR, in cooperation with the Nation completed
the feasibility study and report, entitled ``Municipal Water and
Wastewater Systems Improvement, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Dulce, New
Mexico, Planning Report/Environmental Assessment.'' The report
recommended that none of the older existing pipelines be salvaged due
to age and size and that an estimated $35 million was needed to
adequately replace existing deteriorated facilities and to build a new
conventional wastewater treatment plant to treat water to Federal
discharge standards, eliminate the serious odor problem permeating the
community, and enhance the community's water supply. The report
recommended an additional $10 million to address environmental and
public health needs and to meet long-term growth and economic
development needs of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, for a total project
cost of $45 million.
tribal contributions to the project
After discovering the Federal programs and funding sources were
limited to solve even the immediate capacity problems and public health
concerns, the Nation was compelled to fund several projects beginning
in 1998.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projects Tribal Funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Studies and Engineering................................. $450,000
Water Treatment Plant................................... 2,730,000
Water Storage and Distribution.......................... 2,240,000
Mundo Development Infrastructure (completed by 2003).... 2,250,000
Wastewater Design and Initial Construction.............. 6,000,000
---------------
Total Tribal Investment........................... 14,670,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a percentage basis, this investment would amount to nearly 25
percent of total project costs, if what the Nation has already funded
($14.6 million) is added to the Federal portion being requested ($45
million). The Nation recently committed an additional $6 million to
begin construction on the new wastewater treatment plant because the
current situation is so extreme and requires immediate action. The
total project cost is broken listed below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace existing water system facilities................ $18,500,000
Replace existing waste water system facilities.......... 18,640,000
Total to replace existing water/wastewater systems...... 35,140,000
Provide wastewater facilities to areas not served....... 2,800,000
Total to replace existing water/wastewater facilities 35,140,000
for all existing development...........................
Water system facilities to the expansion area (known as 3,550,000
``Mundo Ranch'').......................................
Wastewater system facilities to the Mundo ranch......... 3,550,000
Total for water/wastewater facilities for Mundo ranch... 7,100,000
---------------
TOTAL PROJECT COST................................ 45,040,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moreover, the Nation is making the commitment to assume title to
the facilities and to operate these facilities in perpetuity once
constructed to Federal standards. This is a significant Federal benefit
as it alleviates the Federal liability in the operation of a
substandard system and shifts the costs of operations, maintenance and
replacement of these facilities to the Nation. It is estimated by the
O,M&R portion of the report, that it will cost approximately $750,000
per year to adequately operate and maintain these facilities. The
Federal investment would be protected under tribal management as BIA
funding for this purpose has been significantly cut over the years
resulting in the current conditions that exist today. The present value
of this cost over a 50-year project life at a 6 percent financing rate
is $12 million.
current status
In addition to the funding for the Feasibility Report, Senator
Domenici was instrumental in securing $2.5 million for final design
work and to prepare for the initiation of construction. Accordingly,
the Nation has entered into a Self-Determination Act (Public Law 93-
638) Construction Assistance Agreement on September 2002 with the
Bureau of Reclamation. As of April 15, 2003, the Nation has met all
conditions and requirements of this Agreement and has prepared final
plans and specifications to construct approximately $2.3 million in
water and wastewater infrastructure critical to its needs.
Advertisement for bids is scheduled for April 30th and construction is
scheduled to begin June 15. Completion of this phase will coincide with
completion of a wastewater treatment facility currently under
construction with tribal funds scheduled for operations in January
2004.
use of appropriations in fiscal year 2004
The Nation is prepared to begin final design work for the next
phase of construction upon notification of funding availability. A
design-build approach will be utilized to expedite construction and the
Nation has management capacity for up to $10 million for fiscal year
2004. Features that would be constructed are the raw water pumping
station and related pipeline, water distribution and wastewater
collection facilities in the southwest portion of the community and
similar features at the Mundo Ranch development. These components were
thoroughly studied and assessed in the Feasibility Report and would be
constructed accordingly.
conclusion
By authorizing this project, Congress provided a mechanism for the
United States to meet its trust responsibility to the Nation by
providing adequate water and wastewater infrastructure to protect and
advance the health, safety and welfare of the Jicarilla people. The
Nation, in cooperation with Reclamation and with the assistance of
Congress, has demonstrated the poor condition that these facilities are
in and have exposed the risk facing the Bureau of Indian Affairs as it
continues to operate these facilities in their current condition. The
Nation has demonstrated our resolve in improving conditions for our
people by investing nearly $15 million in infrastructure of our own
financial resources even though we believe strongly that the United
States has failed in providing these services as part of its trust
responsibility to the Nation.
In sum, the Jicarilla Apache Nation is suffering premature deaths,
community members are subject to continuing health hazards, and
community development is blocked by the Department of the Interior's
failure to maintain and modernize the public water system that it
established and undertook to operate on the Reservation. Interior has
asked the Jicarilla Apache Nation to take over the operation of the
public water system, and as a Tribal Government we are willing to take
over the operation of a safe and sound public water system. But before
we will take over the operation, Interior must fix the health hazard
that it has created. Therefore, we respectfully request the Committee
to appropriate $5 to $8 million in fiscal year 2004 to begin
construction of this project.
______
Prepared Statement of the Mid-Dakota Project
First let me thank the Subcommittee for the opportunity to testify
in support of the fiscal year 2004 appropriations for the Mid-Dakota
Rural Water Project and for the Subcommittee's support both past and
present.
The Mid-Dakota Project is requesting $23.869 million in Federal
appropriations for fiscal year 2004. As with our past submissions to
this subcommittee, Mid-Dakota's fiscal year 2004 request is based on a
detailed analysis of our ability to proceed with construction during
the fiscal year. In all previous years, Mid-Dakota has fully obligated
its appropriated funds, including Federal, State, and local, and could
have obligated significantly more were they available.
tentative fiscal year 2004 construction schedule \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Project features listed in table are subject to rescheduling
based upon funding provided and readiness to proceed and other factors.
Actual construction activities, therefore, may not coincide exactly
with schedule presented here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The proposed construction would provide service to an estimated
14,000 more people than are currently receiving or scheduled to receive
Project drinking water (estimate includes the City of Huron, SD). Our
construction schedule will also provide the necessary pipeline
infrastructure to move forward with many more rural and community
connections in the future.
MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER SYSTEM STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES--FISCAL YEAR 2004 (OCTOBER 2003 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2004)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection
Construction Percent of Engineering Subtotals
Construction and Legal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100--Source and Intake (percent)................ .............. 12 10 ..............
200--Water Treatment (percent).................. .............. 0 0 ..............
Huron--Constructed MD Facilities............ $150,000 .............. .............. $150,000
Huron--Improvements & Assistance............ $100,000 .............. .............. $100,000
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals................................. .............. .............. .............. $250,000
===============================================================
300--Main Transmission Pipeline (percent)....... .............. 8 8 ..............
Pumping Stations............................ $1,384,547 $110,764 $110,764 $1,606,075
3-3D Cathodic Protection System............. $142,800 $11,424 $11,424 $165,648
Increase Collins Slough BPS................. $884,660 $6,773 $6,773 $98,206
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals................................. $1,612,007 $128,961 $128,961 $1,869,928
===============================================================
400--Distribution Pipeline (percent)............ .............. 6 6 ..............
Highmore East............................... $1,232,480 $73,949 $73,949 $1,380,378
Wolsey...................................... $7,737,224 $464,233 $464,233 $8,665,691
Staum Dam................................... $1,833,409 $110,005 $110,005 $2,053,418
Redfield East............................... $376,839 $22,610 $22,610 $422,060
Improve West Canning Service Area........... $207,050 $12,423 $12,423 $231,896
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals................................. $11,387,002 $683,220 $683,220 $12,753,442
===============================================================
500--Water Storage (percent).................... .............. 12 6 ..............
Wolsey...................................... $2,050,000 $246,000 $123,000 $2,419,000
Staum Dam................................... $510,000 $61,200 $30,600 $601,800
Pearl Creek................................. $510,000 $61,200 $30,600 $601,800
Redfield.................................... $430,000 $51,600 $25,800 $507,400
Huron-Water Storage Tank Cost Share......... $600,000 .............. .............. $600,000
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals................................. $4,100,000 $420,000 $210,000 $4,730,000
===============================================================
SCADA and Controls (percent).................... .............. 12 .............. ..............
Controls and SCADA System................... $509,925 $40,794 $40,794 $591,513
---------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotals................................. $509,925 $40,794 $40,794 $591,513
===============================================================
$17,858,934 $1,272,975 $1,062,975 $20,194,883
===============================================================
Administration and General as a percent of .............. .............. .............. $535,768
Construction--3.0 percent......................
Bur. of Rec. oversight as a percent of .............. .............. .............. $535,768
Construction--3.0 percent......................
Contingencies as a Percent of Construction...... .............. .............. .............. $1,785,893
---------------
TOTAL RURAL WATER SYSTEM CAPABILITIES-- .............. .............. .............. $23,052,313
FISCAL YEAR 2004.........................
WETLAND ENHANCEMENT COMPONENT REQUEST--FISCAL .............. .............. .............. $817,117
YEAR 2004......................................
---------------
TOTAL RURAL WATER AND WETLAND CAPABILITY-- .............. .............. .............. $23,869,430
FISCAL YEAR 2004.........................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
impacts of fiscal year 2004 award
The most obvious impact of any significant reduction from Mid-
Dakota's request will be the delay of construction of one or more
Project components. The $23.869 million request will allow the Project
to proceed with construction of multiple contracts summarized later in
this testimony. An award of less than our request will result in the
deletion or reconfiguration of one or more of these contracts from the
fiscal year 2004 construction schedule. Further, reduced appropriations
have the effect of adding more cost to the amount needed for completion
of the Project.
history of project funding
The Project was authorized by Congress and signed into law by
President George H.W. Bush in October 1992. The Federal authorization
for the project totaled $100 million (1989 dollars) in a combination of
Federal grant and loan funds (grant funds may not exceed 85 percent of
Federal contribution). The State authorization was for $8.4 million
(1989 dollars). A breakdown of Project cost ceilings are as follows:
PROJECT COST CEILINGS (FISCAL YEAR 2004)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Ceiling......................................... $140,279,000
State Ceiling........................................... 9,670,000
---------------
Subtotal Rural Water System....................... 149,949,000
Wetland Enhancement Component........................... 2,756,000
---------------
Total Project Cost Ceiling........................ 152,705,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total authorized indexed cost of the project is approximately
$152.705 million (fiscal year 2004). All Federal funding considered,
the Government has provided 80 percent of its commitment ($114.135 \2\
million of $143.035 million) to provide construction funding for the
Project. When considering the Federal and State combined awards, the
project is approximately 81 percent complete, in terms of financial
commitments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Includes $17.860 million appropriated in fiscal year 2003, but
does not include Agency ``underfinancing''.
SUMMARIZATION OF FEDERAL FUNDING
[In Millions of Dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Mid- Pres. Conf. Bureau Additional Fed.
Fed. Fiscal Year Dakota Budget House Senate Enacted Award Funds Funds
Request Levels Levels Provided
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994........................................................... 7.991 ......... ......... 2.000 2.000 1.500 .......... 1.500
1995........................................................... 22.367 ......... ......... 8.000 4.000 3.600 .......... 3.600
1996........................................................... 23.394 2.500 12.500 10.500 11.500 10.902 2.323 13.225
1997........................................................... 29.686 2.500 11.500 12.500 10.000 9.400 1.500 10.900
1998........................................................... 29.836 10.000 12.000 13.000 13.000 12.221 1.000 13.221
1999........................................................... 32.150 10.000 10.000 20.000 15.000 14.100 2.000 16.100
2000........................................................... 28.800 5.000 15.000 7.000 14.000 12.859 1.000 13.859
2001........................................................... 24.000 6.040 11.040 6.040 10.040 9.398 .......... 9.398
2002........................................................... 30.684 10.040 15.040 15.540 15.040 13.611 0.861 14.472
2003........................................................... 29.360 10.040 17.040 17.900 17.900 ......... .......... .........
2004........................................................... 23.869 2.040 ......... ......... ......... ......... .......... .........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals \3\............................................... ......... 58.160 104.120 112.480 112.480 87.591 8.684 96.275
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ Includes Congressional appropriations for the operation and maintenance of the ``Wetland Enhancement'' Component of the Project.
Additionally, the State of South Dakota has contributed $9.67
million in grants to the Mid-Dakota Project, in previous years. The
State of South Dakota completed its initial authorized financial
obligation to the Mid-Dakota Project in the 1998 Legislative Session.
construction in progress
Mid-Dakota began construction in September of 1994, with the
construction of its Water Intake and Pump Station. Since that eventful
day of first construction start, we have bid, awarded, and completed 23
project components and are into construction on eight other major
Project components. The following table provides a synopsis of each
major construction contract:
SUMMARIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION
[In Millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent
Cont. Cont. Final Over Over
Cont. No. Description Budget \4\ Bid Cont. (Under) (Under)
Award Price Budget Budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-1......................... Oahe Water Intake and Pump 4.662 3.959 3.945 (0.717) (15)
Station.
2-1......................... Oahe Water Treatment Plant... 13.361 9.920 10.278 (3.083) (23)
3-1A........................ Raw Water Pipeline........... 1.352 1.738 1.719 0.367 27
3-1B........................ Main Pipeline--Blunt......... 7.823 6.916 7.024 (0.799) (10)
3-1C........................ Main Pipeline--Highmore...... 5.439 4.791 4.798 (0.641) (12)
3-1D........................ Main Pipeline--CP 1st Phase.. 0.220 0.215 0.215 0.010 (0.5)
3-2A........................ Main Pipeline--Ree Hights.... 3.261 3.155 3.149 (0.112) (3)
3-2B........................ Main Pipeline--St. Lawrence, 3.691 3.349 3.352 (0.339) (9)
SD.
3-3A........................ Main Pipeline--Wessington, SD 2.700 2.406 2.383 (0.317) (12)
3-3B........................ Main Pipeline--Wolsey, SD.... 4.291 3.928 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
3-3C........................ Main Pipeline--Huron, SD..... 2.938 2.629 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
4-1A/B (1-5)................ Distribution System--West.... 9.345 9.983 10.731 \5\ 1.386 15
4-1A/B (6).................. Distribution System--North 8.333 8.329 9.028 \5\ 0.695 8
West.
4-2 (1)..................... Distribution System--Central. 4.727 4.717 4.700 (0.027) (0.5)
4-2 (2)..................... Distribution System--South 2.763 2.835 3.000 \5\ 0.237 9
Central.
4-2 (4-5)................... Distribution System--Central. 5.753 4.952 5.135 (0.620) (11)
4-2A (4).................... Distribution System--Central. 1.042 991 1.186 \5\ 0.140 13
4-2AP (2-3)................. Distribution System--Central. 10.340 9.824 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
4-2 AV (2-3)................ Distribution System Vaults-- 668 557 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
Central.
5-1......................... Water Storage Tank--Highmore. 1.545 1.434 1.433 (0.108) (7)
5-1A (1).................... Water Storage Tank--Onida.... 0.471 0.395 0.400 (0.075) (16)
5-1A (2).................... Water Storage Tank--Okobojo.. 0.381 0.338 0.333 (0.048) (13)
5-1A (3).................... Water Storage Tank--Agar..... 0.422 0.391 0.385 (0.037) (9)
5-1A (4).................... Water Storage Tank-- 0.952 0.814 0.808 (0.144) (15)
Gettysburg.
5-2 (1)..................... Water Storage Tank--Mac's 460 573 561 0.101 22
Corner.
5-2 (2)..................... Water Storage Tank--Rezac 438 493 499 0.060 14
Lake.
5-2 (3)..................... Water Storage Tank--Collin's 254 393 410 0.160 63
Slough.
5-2A (1).................... Water Storage Tank--Ames..... 300 378 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
5-2A (2).................... Water Storage Tank-- 800 696 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
Cottonwood Lake.
5-2A (3).................... Water Storage Tank-- 515 491 ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
Wessington Springs.
6-1......................... SCADA & Controls............. ( \7\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \6\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
----------------------------------------------------
Totals................. 99.247 91.59 75.472 (3.911) (4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Contract budget is determined by Mid-Dakota's estimate for the contract at the time of bidding.
\5\ A significant portion of cost increases are attributable to the placement of additional users as
construction proceeds.
\6\ In progress.
\7\ Not applicable.
As is evident by the foregoing table, Mid-Dakota has been very
successful in containing Project costs. Currently the construction of
major Project components are approximately 4 percent under budget,
providing an estimated saving of over $3.91 million. The savings are an
example of sound engineering, good management and advantageous bid
lettings. While we can't guarantee future contract bid lettings will
continue to provide the level of savings currently experienced, we do
think it speaks well of the Mid-Dakota Project and how we've managed
Project funding to date.
Additionally, Mid-Dakota is keeping in close contact with the City
of Huron, SD (population 11,893) regarding potentially serious EPA
water quality violations anticipated with the implementation of the
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) enhanced surface water rules. Engineers
who have analyzed the current drinking water source for Huron (James
River) have concluded that the City will not be able to treat the
current James River source without very significant and costly upgrades
to their existing treatment facilities. Further the engineers have
concluded that without these upgrades or switching to a new source
i.e., Mid-Dakota, the City will be out of compliance with the
Disinfection and Disinfection by-products rule D/DBP to be implemented
in 2003. Huron is located at the East end of the Mid-Dakota Project
(Mid-Dakota is being built in a general West to East manner) and is
currently Mid-Dakota's largest contracted user. It is anticipated that
Mid-Dakota will be in a position to connect to Huron in time to remedy
the potential EPA non-compliance issue faced by Huron.
closing
Mid-Dakota is very aware of the tough funding decisions that face
the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee and we do not envy the
difficult job that lies ahead. We strongly urge, the Subcommittee to
look closely at the Mid-Dakota Project and recognize the dire need that
exists. Consider the exceptionally high level of local and State
support. And lastly our readiness, our credibility and our ability, to
proceed.
Again, we thank the Subcommittee for its strong support, both past
and present.
______
Prepared Statement of the Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc.
project history
History of this project goes back to 1977 when a group of farmers
in Perkins County were contacted by Southwest Pipeline Project in North
Dakota if they would be interested in obtaining water to serve Perkins
County. At that time, approximately 100 farms and ranches and the Towns
of Lemmon and Bison were interested, so Perkins County was included in
their feasibility study.
In November of 1992, Southwest Water Pipeline Project had grown to
the point that Perkins County was contacted about receiving water from
the project and to be included in the engineering design work. A
committee of interested landowners and representatives from the two
incorporated towns were organized through the Perkins County
Conservation District. From this committee, nine directors volunteered
to serve on a board to study the feasibility of rural water for the
county. In March of 1993, Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc. was
organized as a non-profit corporation. Two grants were obtained from
the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources for
$50,000 each to do a feasibility study. At the same time, the Directors
were able to acquire good intention fees from rural landowners, State
land, Federal land, and the two towns totaling $28,500 to cost share
the State money on a 80-20 share basis.
A feasibility study was conducted for Perkins County Rural Water by
KBM, Inc. of Grand Forks, North Dakota and the Alliance of Rapid City,
South Dakota in 1994. In the 1995-1996 South Dakota legislature, we
obtained State authorization and appropriations of $1 million. This
money was used to up-size the pipe in North Dakota for our capacity and
for administration cost of Perkins County Rural Water. We have signed a
contract with the North Dakota State Water Commission to deliver 400
gpm to the border. We have signed contracts with both towns to be the
sole supplier for their water systems. We have had a very good response
from the rural farmers and ranchers in that 50 to 60 percent have
signed and paid for water contracts delivered to their farmstead. We
have also signed a contract with the Grand River Grazing Association
that grazes cattle on U.S. Forest Service land.
In the fall of 1999, we received Federal authorization with the
106th Congress for a 75 percent grant of $20 million. Due to the fact
it is indexed back to 1995, that amount has grown to $28 million. In
2002, we received our first appropriation of $3.2 million.
Appropriations for 2003 were passed out of committee in February in the
amount of $4.3 million. With the appropriations for 2002 and 2003, we
will be able to hookup approximately 45 rural users, install a seven
pump station and hookup at the border to start delivering water to our
customers. Our request for 2004 is $5.0 million. With this money, we
will be able to deliver water to both towns and put them on line the
fall of 2004. These hookups are very essential to our corporation since
they will be our two largest customers and will provide quality water
for the first time for either municipality.
project location and description
Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc. (PCRWS) would provide
potable water to approximately 300 farms and ranches and two towns,
Lemmon and Bison, in Perkins County, South Dakota. The system will
serve rural users and provide bulk water to Lemmon and Bison. Currently
the only two existing water systems in the project area are the
municipal supply systems for the towns of Lemmon and Bison.
When constructed, PCRWS would be the first rural water system in
Perkins County.
The purpose of PCRWS is to create a water distribution network to
deliver treated water to rural subscribers, who currently rely upon
well water of variable quality and quantity. Both Bison's and Lemmon's
water currently has high concentrations of sodium and sulfates of which
recommended limits are consistently exceeded. The implementation of
this project would ensure a reliable supply of water to rural residents
that meet the water quality standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The proposed primary water source will be buying bulk water from
Southwest Water Authority of southwestern North Dakota. They obtain
their water from an intake on the Missouri River and move it to a
treatment plant at Dickinson, North Dakota. It is then piped to the
border for PCRWS. The proposed system will include approximately 550
miles of distribution pipe, 4-5 booster pumps, and 2-4 supply tanks.
sponsors
The Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc., a non-profit
corporation consisting of nine directors from three districts, sponsors
the project. The money for the project is available at a 75 percent
Federal grant, 10 percent State grant, and 15 percent local match. The
75 percent Federal grant will be from the Bureau of Reclamation, the
lead Federal agency for the project. The State funds will be
administrated through the South Dakota Department of Environment and
Natural Resources. The consumers of PCRWS, plus a loan from the State
of South Dakota or U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development,
will provide the 15 percent local money. KBM, Inc. of Grand Forks,
North Dakota, and The Alliance of Rapid City, South Dakota is under
contract to perform the engineering services for the project.
water source alternatives
The proposed water source is a bulk supply of water treated and
delivered by Southwest Water Authority. Line capacity for delivery has
been or will be paid by PCRWS to deliver 400 gallons per minute to the
border of South Dakota.
Other alternatives that were considered are water from deep-water
wells and water from Shadehill Reservoir, a Bureau of Reclamation
project. Since both of these sources were very high in sodium and total
dissolved solids (TDS), treatment would be accomplished by reverse
osmosis. Raw water would have been blended with treated water to obtain
the quantity needed. A third alternative would have been a combination
of Southwest water and a treatment plant. All alternatives were
rejected because of the added expense to operation and maintenance of
the system.
water treatment facilities
Water will be treated at the Dickinson water treatment plant in
Dickinson, ND. The water treatment plant has expanded from 6 million
gallons per day to 12 million gallons per day and has also turned
management over to Southwest Water Authority within the last 2 years.
The current plant uses a conventional lime softening process to treat
the water. Chloramines are added at the Dodge pumping station and the
rest of the treatment takes place in the Dickinson treatment plant.
benefits of the project
PCRWS will provide a clean, safe domestic water supply to users in
Perkins County. Currently, rural residents obtain water from shallow
water wells whereas the towns obtain their water from deep-water wells
in the Fox Hills aquifer. Water quality in the shallow wells is high in
sodium and TDS. Water from the deep-water wells is high in sodium,
fluoride, and sulfates. These chemicals are either at or above
recommended levels set by the EPA. By buying treated water from an
existing water system, the towns can save money and still comply with
the rules and regulations set by the Safe Drinking Water Act and the
State of South Dakota.
permits and environmental requirements
Final report of Class I Cultural Resources Research and Survey
Design Plan has been completed. Presently the draft of the
Environmental Assessment has been completed and a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued and signed on February 3, 2003.
The Final Engineering Report along with the Environmental Assessment
are currently in Office of Management and Budget and will be
distributed to Congress in a few weeks. Utility permits to occupy State
and county rights of way have been acquired and right of entry from
private landowners for the first two phases are also being obtained.
Special use permits will be required for any part of the line that
crosses U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service land and
will be issued shortly.
proposed construction schedule
Construction of the PCRWS will be delayed till the summer of 2003
after reports and assessments have been approved by the Bureau of
Reclamation. Work on the Lodgepole project is on going and construction
hopefully will be started and finished this year. Construction in the
City of Lemmon and the Town of Bison is also planned for this summer.
Construction of the entire project is dependent on federal funding
levels per year, but the project could be completed in 5-6 years.
Maps showing the construction phases and the total project plus
project costs follow. Table 1 shows the total project construction
costs, table 2 shows final O&M costs for the total system.
work plan for fiscal year 2004
Perkins County Rural Water System, Inc. (PCRWS) budget is broke
down into three parts which includes Administration, Construction, and
Non-Project. Administration includes the day to day operation of the
System, Construction is broke down into several items of construction
for 2003, and Non-Project is the money spent on Federal lobbying.
Administration budget includes:
--Income including BOR grant funds, water sales, interest.
--Expenses include: Office administration; Utilities for both office
and pumps (O&M budget will be drafted later); Payroll including
all of the Office Managers wages, and 48.5 percent of General
Managers wages; Water purchases for the last 3 months of 2003
for people hooked up by fall; Office equipment for office use.
Construction budget includes:
--Income totally from BOR (based on $1.9 million carryover and $4.3
million appropriations).
--Expenses including: Advertising for bids, easements, construction
schedules; Legal fees for contracts, bid openings; Engineering
for plans and specs, bids, contracts, inspections; Construction
fees include:
--a. Lemmon infrastructure @ $720,000.00,
--b. Bison infrastructure @ $50,000.00,
--c. Combination of Phase I and II includes (page 79 in the FER):
--1. Rural pipeline (Lodgepole) consisting of all sizes,
approximately 70 miles;
--2. Border vault;
--3. Pumping Station #1;
--4. Three phase transmission line;
--5. Partial mainline to Bison;
--d. North Dakota State Water Commission Payment.
--Wages for construction will include all of O&M Manager's and 48.5
percent of General Manager's.
Non-Project budget includes:
--Income from hook-up fees and building rental fees.
--Expenses include directors and managers costs for work and travel
to Washington, DC.
Also included is a worksheet containing the breakdown of items
included in the three budgets.
The work plan for Perkins County Rural Water is as follows:
Administration
Income will include water sales for the fourth quarter, October
thru December ($16,600), interest income ($40,000), hookup fees
($7,400) and $7,500 from Bureau of Reclamation. Advertising, Legal
fees, Insurance, Accounting Fees, Mileage Reimbursement, Meals, Dues
and Fees, Office supplies, Repairs, and Telephone is based on past
budgets and will total to $25,250.00. Utilities, for the pumps, are
based on electricity needed to pump water for 3 months for a price of
$3,000.00. Depreciation is figured on equipment inventory, building,
and vehicle for a total of $4,000.00 (not included is depreciation of
pipeline, etc.). Payroll for this budget includes all of the Office
Manager's wages and benefits ($22,712.82), and 48.5 percent of General
Managers ($42,391.20 48.5 percent = $20,559.73). Water purchases are
based on water sold for last quarter of 2003 for rural hookups plus
Bison. Office equipment consists of copier ($5,000.00), computer for
telemetry and O&M management ($3,000.00), software including Arc View,
Telemetry, misc. ($4,000.00) for a total of $12,000.00. Building
includes heat, electric, taxes and insurance ($3,000.00, vehicle
includes tax and license, maintenance ($2,750.00) and a contingency of
($8,820.00).
Construction
Construction income will come totally from the BOR at $5,732,500.
All office items including advertising, legal fees, office
supplies, and telephone is a percentage of the total that we believe
will be used strictly for construction, amounts to $13,000. Engineering
is based on an estimate from KBM, Inc of $180,000 for 2003. The use tax
is the 4 percent State tax applied to the engineering fees and will be
$7,200 based on $180,000. Wages are calculated using 100 percent of the
O&M Manager and 48.5 percent of the General Manager's salary.
Contingency is 4 percent of the total.
Construction is broke down in the following table:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payment to NDSWC........................................ $946,000
Lemmon Infrastructure................................... 720,000
Bison Infrastructure.................................... 50,000
Border Vault............................................ 100,000
Three Phase Transmission Line........................... 225,000
Pumping Station #1...................................... 500,000
Lodgepole Distribution.................................. 1,800,000
Partial Main Transmission Line to Bison................. 907,700
---------------
TOTAL............................................. 5,248,700
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Project
Non-project is money that is used for lobbying for funds from the
Federal Government. Income for this budget will not come from the BOR.
Income will include $12,000 from hookup fees and $2,400 from rental
fees in the System's building.
Office budget will be mileage reimbursement ($500), office
supplies, ($500), and telephone ($100). Meeting expenses for both the
directors and manager is money spent on time in Washington, DC
($11,000). This includes the possibility of three trips to Washington
for up to three directors plus the manager. Three percent of the
manager's wages have been allocated for this item equaling $1,300.
Contingency is set at $1,100 (7 percent).
Conclusion
It is anticipated that the work proposed in this document will
require 12 months to complete. This time frame could lengthen
considerably, dependent upon future appropriations from the U.S.
Federal Government to the project.
A full budget is included at the end of the report broke down in
the three categories. Also included are the phase projections through
2007.
______
Letter From the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, March 27, 2003.
The Honorable Pete V. Domenici,
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Development, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510.
Dear Chairman Domenici: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California (Metropolitan) is pleased to submit the following testimony
for the record, regarding programs contained in the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation's, the Department of Energy's and the Army Corps of
Engineers' fiscal year 2004 budgets for your Subcommittee's hearing
record.
Metropolitan strongly recommends your approval of a Reclamation
fiscal year 2004 budget that includes $30 million in funding for the
CALFED Bay-Delta Program. In addition, Metropolitan urges your support
for the San Joaquin Water Supply and Exchange Program, as part of the
reauthorization of the California Bay-Delta Act.
We ask for your support for additional Federal funding for
Reclamation's Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program (Salinity
Control Program). We request that Congress appropriate $17.5 million
for implementation of the Title II--Basinwide Program, an increase of
$8.302 million from the President's request to ensure water quality
protection for this important source of water supply to Arizona,
California, and Nevada. We support funding of the Grand Valley and the
Paradox Valley Units of the Title II, Salinity Control Program at the
President's requests of $752,000 and $2.102 million, respectively. In
addition, we support funding of the Colorado River Water Quality
Improvement Program at the President's request of $450,000. High
salinity from the Colorado River continues to cause significant impacts
to residential, industrial and agricultural water users. Furthermore,
high salinity adversely affects the region's progressive water
recycling programs, and is contributing to an adverse salt buildup
through infiltration into Southern California's irreplaceable
groundwater basins. The Salinity Control Program has proven to be a
very cost-effective approach to help mitigate the impacts of higher
salinity.
In addition, we support funding of the Title I, Salinity Control
Program at the President's request of $11.25 million to maintain the
Yuma Desalting Plant (Plant) and the saline water Bypass Drain, and
ensure that Mexican Treaty salinity requirements are maintained.
Although the Colorado and Gila Rivers experienced above-normal runoff
during the 1980's and 1990's, storage in the Colorado River system
reservoirs has now dropped to a 30-year low. With declining reservoir
levels, operation of the Plant is needed to reduce the amount of
drainage water that is bypassed and not credited toward Mexico's Treaty
entitlement delivery. As such, it is essential that Plant design
deficiencies be corrected promptly as a step toward its efficient
operation.
Further, we also ask that you support the reauthorization of the
Water Desalination Act of 1996 [Public Law 104-298, Section 8], which
Metropolitan supported in the fiscal year 2003 budget process, as well
as increasing the President's fiscal year 2004 budget request from
$775,000 to $4 million. Federal support of desalination is vital to
realizing technological advances leading to reduced costs, improved
efficiency and cost-effectiveness in order for this resource to become
an important water supply program for many regions of the United
States.
Metropolitan also requests your support for Reclamation's
Endangered Species Recovery Implementation program at the President's
request of $13.371 million. This activity develops and implements
projects for the stewardship of endangered, threatened, proposed, and
candidate species that are resident or migratory to habitats within the
Colorado River Basin as well as other regions of the western United
States. In addition, Metropolitan urges your support for the Lower
Colorado River Operations Program at the President's request of $13.822
million. This program includes:
--Protection of endangered species, ecological restoration, and
riparian restoration research along the lower Colorado River,
--Development of the cost-shared Arizona-California-Nevada/federal
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program to
provide future Endangered Species Act compliance, and
--Implementation of the Secretary of the Interior's responsibilities
for administering federal laws and court decrees related to
operation of Reclamation's reservoirs.
California has developed a Colorado River Water Use Plan
(California Plan) to provide a framework for the agencies that rely on
river water to reduce diversions to within California's 4.4 million
acre-foot per year normal apportionment. Successful implementation of
the California Plan is vital to the water supply reliability of the
State of California, and is critical to the Colorado River interests of
the six other Colorado River Basin States and Mexico. Two water
management reservoirs near the All-American Canal, an 8,000 acre-foot
reservoir to the east of the Imperial Valley and a 3,000 acre-foot
reservoir on the western side of the Valley, would help facilitate the
implementation of the California Plan and could be of significant
benefit to the other Colorado River Basin states and Mexico for
improved river operations and water deliveries. Reclamation funding of
$6.9 million is needed in fiscal year 2004 in order to complete the
environmental impact analysis and, if a decision is made to move
forward, the initial stage of project design. Reclamation has been
funding this work under the Colorado River Front Work and Levee System.
As such, Metropolitan requests that the Subcommittee augment
Reclamation's funding for this activity.
Projects funded under Title XVI of the Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-575) and the
Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996 (Public Law
104-266) will greatly enhance Southern California's water supply
reliability and the environment through effective water recycling and
recovery of contaminated groundwater. Additionally, Title XVI allows
Reclamation to conduct much needed water recycling and desalination
research programs, as well as, studies of potential water recycling
projects. Funding in the fiscal year 2004 budget for previously
unfunded projects, as well as the continued support for previously
funded projects, is a positive step toward realizing regional water
supply reliability. The Bureau of Reclamation's budget request for
research into the technologies and science of water recycling is
another vital step toward making water reuse a viable alternative for
communities faced with limited water supplies. Metropolitan urges your
full support for the $12.7 million for Title XVI.
Metropolitan desires your support for the funding level of $6
million, necessary for the Soil and Water Remediation-Moab Project
associated with radioactive uranium mill tailings in Moab, Utah. The
President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget includes $2 million for maintenance
of the Moab Tailings Project which would be used for site maintenance
and completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process.
These funds would maintain the status quo, but they are not sufficient
for continued work to remove surface and groundwater contamination and
implement a reclamation plan. The President's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget
proposal is not designed to conduct the necessary remediation work. The
Colorado River adjacent to the site has been negatively affected from
site-related contamination, mostly due to ground water discharge. This
Project is essential for protecting the quality of Colorado River
water. In addition to the $2 million in the President's Budget,
Metropolitan supports an additional $4 million, as requested by
Governor Leavitt of Utah, to accomplish the following: operation and
maintenance of the interim groundwater pump and treat system;
completion of groundwater studies; completion of site stabilization
projects; and initiating design and onsite work for remediation.
The Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps) comprehensive civil works
program has the capability to contribute to the social, economic, and
environmental well being of California. Metropolitan is primarily
interested in the Corps' environmental restoration studies and projects
that address the needs of the Bay-Delta Estuary. The President's
proposed fiscal year 2004 budget includes numerous programs in the
Corps' South Pacific Division, which includes California. Several
ecosystem restoration studies and projects specifically address
significant habitat issues at various locations in the Bay-Delta
watershed. Corps programs that will contribute to the long-term Bay-
Delta solution include environmental restoration studies in the
Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds, habitat conservation and
mitigation elements of flood damage prevention projects, and ecosystem
restoration programs. Metropolitan urges Congress to fully support
these Corps programs as the fiscal year 2004 Federal appropriations
process moves forward.
We look forward to working with you and your Subcommittee. Please
contact Metropolitan's Legislative Representative in Washington, DC, if
we can answer any questions or provide additional information.
Very truly yours,
Ronald R. Gastelum,
Chief Executive Officer.
METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2004 APPROPRIATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
President's MWD
Appropriations Bill Budget Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation:
California Bay-Delta Ecosystem $15,000,000 $30,000,000
Restoration........................
Colorado River Front Work and Levee 155,000 6,900,000
System, Water Management Reservoirs
near the All-American Canal........
Colorado River Basin Salinity
Control Program--Title II:
Basinwide Program............... 9,198,000 17,500,000
Grand Valley Unit............... 752,000 752,000
Paradox Valley Unit............. 2,102,000 2,102,000
Colorado River Basin Salinity 11,250,000 11,250,000
Control Program--Title I...........
Colorado River Water Quality 450,000 450,000
Improvement Program................
Desalination Research and 775,000 4,000,000
Development Program................
Endangered Species Recovery 13,371,000 13,371,000
Implementation.....................
Lower Colorado River Operations 13,822,000 13,822,000
Program............................
Title XVI Water Reclamation and 12,700,000 12,700,000
Reuse Program......................
Water Conservation Field Services \1\ 500,000 \1\ 500,000
Program............................
Department of Energy: Removal of 2,000,000 6,000,000
Radioactive Tailings in Moab, Utah.....
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: South .............. ( \2\ )
Pacific Division.......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For Metropolitan Water District.
\2\ Support Corps programs.
______
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Prepared Statement of Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc.
high temperature superconductivity r&d
Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee. My name is Bob
Lawrence, I am President of Bob Lawrence and Associates, Inc., of
Alexandria, Virginia. I appreciate the opportunity to present this
testimony, today, on the important subject of Superconductivity. I am
here to request an appropriation of $49 million for the Department of
Energy program for fiscal year 2004.
Background
Of all the technologies which are emerging today, Superconductivity
is arguably one of the most promising in terms of dramatic, potential
enhancements to American infrastructure and national benefits.
Laboratory results are now moving into government-industry partnerships
aimed at accelerating superconducting products into the electrical
marketplace with concurrent, dramatic, energy efficiency and
environmental improvements.
Superconductivity is the property of a material to conduct
unusually large quantities of electrical current with virtually no
resistance. Since the middle of the century, researchers have known
that certain ceramic materials show superconductive properties when
they approach a temperature near absolute zero, or the temperature of
liquid hydrogen and liquid helium. Practical applications of these
materials are difficult, however, since they are characteristically
very costly to make, very brittle in nature, and prohibitively
expensive to cool to the required, very low temperature.
In 1986, a new class of ceramic materials was discovered which
showed superconductive properties at temperatures up to 34K. Since that
time, improvements have produced superconducting materials at the
temperature of liquid nitrogen, or 72K. These ``high temperature''
superconductive (HTS) materials have generated great excitement since
the projected costs of applications have dropped by orders of
magnitude, and first viable products appear to be within reach.
the program
Today, a number of HTS-based pieces of electrical equipment are at
the prototype stage with capable manufacturing entities intimately
involved. Early candidates for commercial products include
Transformers, Electric Motors, Generators, Fault Current Limiters, and
underground Power Cables. Later in the commercialization process,
replacements for overhead transmission lines are also foreseen;
however, this will not be an early application. To enhance and
accelerate the prospects for early commercialization of HTS products,
the Department of Energy has developed a vertically integrated program
in which product oriented teams are focused on the development and
implementation of HTS equipment. Under the title of the
Superconductivity Partnership Initiative (SPI), these vertically
integrated teams typically each consist of an electric utility, a
system manufacturer, an HTS wire supplier, and one or more national
laboratories. Supporting these vertical teams is a Second Generation
Wire Initiative, in which development teams are exploiting research
breakthroughs at Los Alamos, Argonne, and Oak Ridge National labs that
promise unprecedented current-carrying capabilities in high-temperature
superconducting wires. Since superconducting wire is the main component
of all superconducting cables, products and systems, the price drop
projected by the Second Generation technology is highly significant and
important to successful commercialization.
Transformer development is being carried out by the team of
Waukesha Electric Systems, Intermagnetics General Corporation,
Rochester Gas and Electric, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the
Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This team has conducted a series of
reference designs concentrating mostly on a 30-MVA, 138-kV/13.8kV
transformer which is representative of a class expected to capture
about half of all U.S. power transformer sales in the next two decades.
According to industry experts, Japan and Europe are somewhat ahead of
the United States in transformer development.
The United States HTS electric motor team is headed by Reliance
Electric with American Superconductor Corp as the HTS coil supplier and
manufacturer. Also on this team are Centerior Energy (a utility
company) and Sandia National Laboratory. ``In February 1996, Reliance
Electric successfully tested a four-pole, 1,800 rpm synchronous motor
using HTS windings operating at 27-K at a continuous 150kW output. The
coils . . . achieved currents of 100A . . . , 25 percent over the
initial goal of 80 A.'' This program has now been extended to ``develop
a pre-commercial prototype of a 3.7MW HTS motor''. The demonstration of
this motor will be an important milestone in the commercialization
process, since it will provide a measure of efficiency, reliability,
and projected costs and benefits.
Generator efforts in the United States have recently begun with a
team headed by General Electric. The efforts here, again, appear to be
behind those in Japan. In Japan, funds expended on HTS design,
development, and demonstration exceed those in the United States. This
Japanese, heavily funded effort involves 16 member organizations with
representation from the electric utilities, manufacturers of electric
power equipment, research organizations, manufacturers of HTS wire and
tape, refrigeration and cryogenic suppliers, and independent research
institutes.
Fault Current Limiters represent a new class of electric utility
equipment with many attractive properties. This type of equipment may,
in fact, be a market leader, since its properties appear to provide
substantial potential cost savings to electric utilities as well as
containing power outages. This type of equipment is only possible using
superconducting technology.
Exciting developments have taken place in the field of underground
HTS cables for transmission and distribution. In the United States, two
teams are pursuing two different technical concepts, but each team is
led by a powerhouse electrical cable manufacturer; Pirelli North
America, and Southwire Co. First design cables are now under test in
practical applications. Worldwide, about 10 superconducting electric
power cable demonstrations are now underway, in various stages of
completion.
The Benefits
Dramatic cost and energy savings are projected when the candidate
systems and products from superconducting technology are fully
implemented, with incremental benefits accruing from the time of
technology readiness and commercial introduction to the time of full
market penetration. When fully implemented into the electric generation
and utilization sectors of our economy, superconducting technology is
expected to save $8 billion per year in retail value of presently lost
electricity, lost due to transmission and distribution. An additional
$8 billion per year can be saved with the installation of
superconductive transformers and electric motors. Yet another $1
billion or so can be saved by full implementation of HTS generators.
This totals fully implemented benefits of $17 billion per year from
full implementation of HTS technology in presently envisioned
equipment. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) experts and studies
carried out by Energetics, Inc. indicate that HTS underground cable
savings would be in the range of 125,000 kWhr per mile, per year. At
the present average rate of 6.89 cents per kWhr, this corresponds to
retail level monetary savings of $8,612.50 per mile per year. These
savings will flow directly into reductions in taxpayer electric bills,
under a competitive electricity delivery environment.
National Security
Above ground transmission lines are vulnerable to terrorist attack,
as well as severe weather. High Temperature Superconductivity would
allow transmission lines to be placed underground with very large
capacity increases per cross section. This also allows for a more
environmentally effective use of the surface land. Higher national
security and better environmental posture: a good combination.
There are Defense applications of this technology, enabling in
nature, applying to directed energy weapons. Exact applications are
sensitive in nature, but it is important to note that the benefits from
success in this technology will apply to many cross sections of the
American economy and infrastructure.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to
present this testimony. Major efforts in this technology are now
underway in China, South Korea, Japan, and a number of European
countries, as well as the United States. It is very important that we
make every effort to be ahead of the rest of the world in this
technology, and for that reason, I ask that the Committee provide an
appropriation of $49 million for the Superconductivity R&D program for
fiscal year 2004.
electric transmission reliability and technology needs
I am here, today, to request an appropriation of $18 million for
fiscal year 2003 for Transmission Reliability, a subject area found
within the Electric Energy Systems program of the Department of Energy.
Within that amount, I request that you designate $4 million to continue
the Aluminum Matrix Composite Conductor program which was started in
fiscal year 2002. This program has the promise of evolving a new family
of transmission line conductors which will carry twice the capacity of
today's conductors, greatly reducing the need for new transmission
rights-of-way. This will be, clearly, of tremendous benefit to our
Nation.
Since 1974, our country has confronted a series of alerts and
crises involving energy. In the early pursuit of alleviating these
crises, natural gas, coal, and electricity were examined as possible
alternatives to oil. However, in the ensuing years, there has been a
natural gas crisis, a natural gas bubble, another tightening of natural
gas supply, wide swings in the prices of oil-based products, and now, a
strong reminder in the electrical sector that our Nation's electricity
generation and delivery system is in desperate need of upgrading and
repair. Moreover, a new approach to planning for future electric
generation and, most importantly, the delivery system, is critical.
Numerous recent articles and reports describe the situation from a
variety of perspectives. Clearly, there is no ``National Grid'' to
accept and deliver electricity. Rather, our present system evolved from
a patchwork of local systems designed to accept local generation and
provide it to local customers from a regulated, wholly owned,
vertically integrated structure. Today, the national thrust is to move
this system into a configuration wherein merchant power generators sell
to a variety of widely situated customers on a competitive basis, and
the power is delivered through a reliable and affordable transmission/
distribution network. How this situation will ultimately evolve remains
conjecture; however, it is certain to involve a confluence of
legislation, regulations, technology advances, and societal changes
before it is all over.
The Nation's present patchwork system clearly requires upgrading
with a more global design based on a new system of planning and
financing. The U.S. electricity industry is in the midst of a
transition from a structure dominated by vertically integrated
utilities regulated primarily at the State level to one dominated by
competitive markets. In part because of the complexities of this
transition, planning and construction of new transmission facilities
are lagging behind the need for such grid expansion.
Electricity, when transmitted, flows over all available paths to
reach the customer and it cannot be easily directed in one particular
way. Major problems are occurring as new merchant power plants are
being built, but increased transmission capacity is not being
installed. In 2000, normalized capacity was 17 percent lower relative
to demand than it had been a decade earlier, and the projection for
2009 shows a further decline of another 12 percent.
Upgrades: Replacements, Additions, and Siting
Transmission rights-of-way are rarely abandoned. Rather, existing
conductors are replaced, often with wires capable of handling larger
power flows, or towers and conductors are replaced. Due to the problems
associated with constructing new transmission lines, it is important to
examine the possible options for increasing the transmission capability
on present sites and making maximum use of existing transmission
systems through upgrades. When feasible, upgrades are an attractive
alternative, because the costs and lead times are less than those for
constructing new transmission lines.
The most obvious but most expensive method for alleviating the
thermal constraints on a line is to replace the lines with larger ones
(conductors) through ``restringing'' or to add one or more lines,
forming ``bundled'' lines. This approach requires consideration of the
tower structures that support power lines.
Other typical cost estimates for restringing transmission lines
with larger conductors are:
--60 kV line, to 397.5 kcmil: $40,000 per mile,
--115 kV line, to 715.5 kcmil: $80,000 per mile,
--230 kV line, to 1,113 kcmil: $120,000 per mile.
``Long-distance power transmission can be essential in a
deregulated system, by increasing competitive offers for customers,''
said Ken Rose, senior economist with the National Regulatory Research
Institute in Columbus, Ohio. From suburbs to farms, the giant towers
and the drooping lines they support are loathed and opposed. ``It's
easier to site a generation plant than to build a 20-mile transmission
line through people's backyards,'' said Mike Calimano, vice president
for operations of the New York Independent System Operator, the State's
power grid manager. ``We haven't built any [transmission lines] from
Canada or the West since 1978, and that was a war,'' said Minnesota
State Attorney General Mike Hatch. ``We had highway patrols trying to
keep the peace. It was awful then,'' and will be again as new power-
line projects go forward, he warned.
The long-distance transmission lines, strung on 150-foot-tall steel
towers spaced at quarter-mile intervals, face particularly strong local
opposition. Citizen protests have also stalled plans to build power
plants, but outrage soars when it comes to the high-voltage wires.
Aluminum Matrix Composite Conductor Technology
This advanced transmission line conductor is expected to carry
twice as much electricity, per line, as present conductors, allowing
for transmission upgrades without needing additional land rights-of-
way. The program was begun in fiscal year 2002 with $4 million, and is
structured to be a 3-year effort at $4 million per year. Substantial
cost sharing from both industry and utilities is occurring. Continued
funding would allow industry, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the
Department of Energy to develop and demonstrate a new class of overhead
conductors through laboratory tests and field trials. Under the
proposed program, medium and large size constructions of composite
conductors will be developed and tested in preparation for the field
trials. Accessories tailored for each conductor construction will also
be developed and tested. The testing will include a low-voltage outdoor
test span operated by ORNL that can continuously cycle a 1,200-foot
multispan line to high-temperature operation.
Multi-year field trials will demonstrate medium and large size
conductor performance under different conditions, such as various
voltages, mechanical loading conditions, and operating conditions. WAPA
will host the first field trial in fiscal year 2002 under this program.
Field trials require performance monitoring, which spans more than 1
year. A number of the proposed laboratory tests require months to carry
out. Thus it is important that the proposed program be viewed with
respect to the overall multi-year plan.
Objectives of the Program in 2003 and 2004
The level of effort in fiscal year 2003 will be of slightly less
magnitude than the effort that was executed in fiscal year 2002 due to
a funding level of $3 million in fiscal year 2003 as opposed to the $4
million in fiscal year 2002.
The technical objectives in fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004
are a continuation of 2002 activities as follows:
--Monitor the WAPA field trial with the 795 kcmil ACCR over a minimum
of 1 year, and preferably 2 years.
--Complete the laboratory testing of the 1272 kcmil and 598 kcmil/TW
ACCR. The testing is aimed at understanding and modeling the
conductor mechanical and electrical performance.
--Complete the thermal cycling of 795 kcmil ACCR at ORNL. Install and
test the 1272 kcmil and 598/TW conductors on the ORNL test
line. The objective of this task is to evaluate the performance
of 795, 1272 and 598/TW and accessories in operation at
elevated temperature. The test can simulate in 3 months the
emergency current conditions that would be expected over 40
years of operation.
--Install and monitor the 1272 kcmil in a new field trial with a
utility to be determined. The objective of this field test is
to demonstrate the installation, operation, and reliability of
1272 family of conductors for use on 230kV-500kV applications.
--Install and monitor the 598 kcmil/TW with in a field trial with a
utility to be determined. The objective of this field test is
to demonstrate the installation, operation, and reliability of
high efficiency composite conductors.
--Evaluate system network impacts of conductor upgrades.
--Establish national perspective regarding potential of new
conductors.
--Draft industry standards necessary for commercial introduction.
At this point in time, a comprehensive study has been completed by
the Department of Energy on the National Transmission Grid System. The
Study was completed in December 2001. Since that time, the Office of
Management and Budget has refused to fund the results and objectives of
the study, even though it is comprehensive in nature and could form the
basis for Congress to appropriate needed funds to fix our Nation's
critical grid problems. This action is unfortunate, and clearly not in
the Nation's best interest.
We ask the subcommittee to restore Transmission Reliability program
to the funding level that it had in fiscal year 2002--$18 million.
cost/benefits of geothermal energy r&d
I and my firm, have been working with the Department of Energy's
Geothermal program since 1990, and during the past 13 years, we have
seen many positive changes in the program which are helpful to the
industry and to our country as a whole. I come before you, today, to
request $37 million for the program for fiscal year 2004, of which, $4
million would be applied to the GeoPowering the West portion of the
Program.
Geothermal electric generation, at 16 billion Kw/hrs per year, is
the largest contributor to delivered electricity from Renewables except
for Hydro generation. For the past several years, the Geothermal
Technology program has been held back at budget levels below $30
million. This has been harmful to the industry which is dependent upon
the technology evolving from the DOE programs to develop new and ever
more difficult resources. During the fiscal year 2003 appropriations
process, the Senate funded the Geothermal program at $37 million.
Although the Conference only funded the program at $30 million, it was
certainly a step in the right direction. It is consummately in the
national interest to increase the funding level of this program to $37
million annually to accelerate increased geothermal use for energy
purposes.
At $37 million, last year's Senate level, it gives the Geothermal
program the chance to move forward with industry on several fronts. The
$7 million additional will actually be closer to $14 million
additional, since it is expected to draw an equal amount of industry
cost sharing. At the $37 million level, strong programs can move ahead
addressing Enhanced Geothermal Systems, where tertiary treated waste
water is injected deep into the earth to provide additional needed
water to under-saturated geothermal resources. The GeoPowering the West
program, addressing 19 Western States, can be strengthened. And most
importantly, Cost-Shared Exploratory Drilling, Reservoir Definition,
and New Resource Exploration can move forward in areas where it has
slowed to nearly a stop. Even at $37 million, the Geothermal program
will be the lowest funded of all Renewables, even though the program
has been the most successful based on present generation annual levels.
Overview
Cost-shared Department of Energy investments in geothermal energy
R&D, starting in the 1970's, have made possible the establishment of
the geothermal industry in the United States. Today that industry
generates over 16 billion kilowatt-hours per year in the United States,
alone. The total, retail value of this electricity exceeds $1 billion
per year. The Industry:
--returns over $41 million annually to the Treasury in royalty and
production payments for geothermal development on Federal
lands;
--supplies the total electric-power needs of about 4 million people
in the United States, including over 7 percent of the
electricity in California, about 10 percent of the power in
Northern Nevada, and about 25 percent of the electricity for
the Island of Hawaii (the Big Island);
--employs some 30,000 U.S. workers;
--displaces emissions of at least 16 million tons of carbon dioxide,
20,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, 41,000 tons of nitrogen oxides,
and 1,300 tons of particulate matter every year, compared with
production of the same amount of electricity from a State-of-
the-Art coal-fired plant;
--has installed geothermal projects worth $3.0 billion overseas,
mostly in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Near Term Potential
The geothermal industry, with appropriate government R&D support,
can provide an additional 600 Megawatts of power in about 18 months.
This power will come from:
--Use of tertiary treated wastewater injection (Enhanced Geothermal
Systems): 200 MW.
--Implementation of new technologies into old plants, well field
upgrades, and turbine replacements: 400 MW.
In addition, direct use increases, through the GeoPowering the West
initiative, will provide an additional, near term, 100MW of use for
heating, cooling, industrial drying, agricultural applications, and
recreational purposes.
This is an additional 700MW of clean, renewable, geothermal energy
available within 2 years with appropriate government funding and
support, right in the heart of the Western States that presently have
the most critical power problems.
Longer Term Potential
The long term potential of Geothermal energy in the United States
is estimated to be 25,000 MW of electrical generation and an additional
25,000 MW of direct use. To date, the geothermal industry has made use
of only the highest grade geothermal resources in the United States.
The keys to realizing the enormous potential of geothermal energy are
improved technology to tap resources that can not, at present, be
economically developed, and cost shared programs with industry for
accelerated implementation of the technology. Substantial investments
in R&D by the geothermal industry, acting alone, have not happened and
are unlikely, because the developers are uniformly financial entities,
with small engineering components, which rely on the technology
centered at national laboratories and university institutes for project
development and engineering.
Technology Needs
Applied R&D is essential to reduce the technical and financial
risks of new technology to a level that is acceptable to the private
sector and its financial backers. The U.S. geothermal industry has
conducted a series of workshops to determine the industry's needs for
new technology and has recommended cost-shared R&D programs to DOE
based on the highest-priority needs.
The Geothermal Industry supports the Strategic Plan of the DOE
Office of Geothermal Technology. The plan calls for increased spending,
quickly reaching $50-60 million per year, a geothermal budget level
consistent with that recommended by the President's Committee of
Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) in their 1997 report.
Technical needs include:
Drilling.--Geothermal drilling differs dramatically from oil and
gas drilling since the necessary production holes are three times as
wide as oil and gas production holes, and they must be drilled through
hard, volcanic rock rather than sedimentary soils. Also, because of the
high temperatures and corrosive nature of geothermal fluids, geothermal
drilling is much more difficult and expensive than conventional oil and
gas drilling. Each well costs $1 million to $3 million, and an average
geothermal field consists of 10 to 100 or more wells. The drilling
technology program continues to show cost-saving advancements.
Exploration and Reservoir Technology.--The major challenge facing
the industry in exploration and development of geothermal resources is
how to remotely detect producing zones deep in the subsurface so that
drill holes can be sited and steered to intersect them. No two
geothermal reservoirs are alike. Present exploration techniques are not
specific enough, and result in too many dry wells, driving up
development costs. The industry needs better geological, geochemical,
and geophysical techniques, as well as improved computer methods for
modeling heat-extraction strategies from geothermal reservoirs.
Energy Conversion.--The efficiency in converting geothermal steam
into electricity in the power plant directly affects the cost of power
generation. During the past decade, the efficiency of dry- and flash-
steam geothermal power plants was improved by 25 percent. It is
believed that geothermal power-plant efficiency can be improved by an
additional 10-20 percent over the next decade with a modest investment
in R&D.
Reclaimed Water Use for Geothermal Enhancement.--Many potential
geothermal resources are not utilized due to insufficient water in the
hot zones. Reclaimed water, the disposal of which is an expensive
problem for many communities, could be used productively, in many
cases, to enhance the geothermal resources, making them more
economically viable for local use. In the United States, over 300
western communities each have a potentially useable geothermal resource
co-located within 5 miles. The technology which will evolve from this
effort could be broadly applicable to these communities and their
combined energy and wastewater problems.
GeoPowering the West.--This initiative, now in its third year,
seeks to develop, as well as provide information and implement those
technologies needed to utilize geothermal resources in the over 300
presently identified ``co-located'' communities in 19 Western States.
Studies now underway may increase the number of communities to over
350. The program is creating partnerships with the subject communities
to utilize hot geothermal waters for direct use applications such as
space conditioning, industrial drying, agricultural applications, and
recreational purposes. Additionally, the program will provide
technology needed to explore these resources for generation potential.
In the short time that this program has been ongoing, it has played a
major role in expanding the number of States with geothermal electric
generation potential from four to eight, or a doubling of candidate
States. This program is singularly important to the expanded geothermal
future of our country.
GeoSciences.--Basic research in the GeoSciences needs to continue
at national laboratories, universities, and research institutes to
expand and advance the knowledge base in this technology area. Funding
the GeoSciences ensures a flow of new, capable, engineers and
scientists into this important field as well as expanding the basic
knowledge base surrounding geothermal resources and geothermal energy.
It is important for this program to continue.
Conclusion
The cost shared, cooperative, research, development, and
implementation programs of the Department of Energy's Geothermal
program should serve as a model for programs whose purpose is to
provide and enhance national benefits, while reaping a return on
investment for the taxpayer. The $41 million that the industry returns
to various governmental entities in royalties and leases exceeds,
annually, the amount that the government invests in the future of the
technology. Yet, the future of the technology and the expanded industry
is closely tied to these programs. Clearly, the Geothermal research and
technology development is an outstanding example of a proper, taxpayer
investment. $37 million is required for fiscal year 2004.
______
Prepared Statement of the Solar Energy Industries Association
Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, I would first like to thank
you for the opportunity to address the committee regarding the state of
the solar energy research programs sponsored by the Federal Government.
Our organization, the Solar Energy Industries Association, represents
photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, and solar thermal
manufacturers, distributors, contractors installers and component
suppliers throughout the United States.
These businesses have experienced a recent growth rate that can
only be described as blistering. Our most recent production survey data
shows that the world photovoltaics market last year increased by
approximately 40 percent above 2001 levels. These growth rates are why
U.S. photovoltaic production has doubled since 1996, and quadrupled
since 1994. Meanwhile, a project is underway to bring an additional 50
MW clean, reliable Concentrating Solar Power online by 2004. This
technology alone will be providing more than 400 MW of power in the
United States--enough to power more than 100,000 U.S. homes.
Market success is being further recognized at the polls. A USA
Today/CNN/Gallup poll released in May 2001 found that 91 percent of
Americans support ``investments in new sources of energy such as solar,
wind and fuel cells,'' with only 6 percent opposed. Meanwhile, in a
Washington Post/ABC News poll from June 2001 on American's desired
solutions to our energy problems, the No. 1 choice across America was
``develop more solar and wind power.'' A 2001 Newsweek poll similarly
found 84 percent of Americans favor increased funding for the
development of solar and wind power.
This demand is further spurred by increased performance and
decreased costs. DOE research continues to bring the cost of solar
systems down markedly even as performance improves, fostering the
strong growth of a domestic high-tech manufacturing base. However,
we're starting to see a very disturbing trend in photovoltaics. The
U.S. photovoltaics market reportedly increased 60 percent last year.
Total world manufacturing increased nearly 40 percent. However, U.S.
manufacturing barely held steady, losing a great deal of market share,
to Japan and the European Union, as can be seen below.
Distressingly similar trends can be seen in the concentrating solar
power market, where the ``power tower'' technology originally developed
in collaboration with the Department of Energy is now seeing its
commercial debut in Spain's ``Solar Tres'' project, and in the solar
hot water market, where Israel and other countries have seized a
commanding lead.
In all of these countries, the potential market is no stronger than
that in the United States. Government support, however, is much more
robust. In the coming years, we fully expect that increasingly
relevant, inexpensive, and high-performance solar technologies will
continue their exponential rate of sales growth. The only question is
whether the United States will fully harness this engine of
environmental benefit, energy security, and high-tech jobs growth, or
if we will simply yield to the competition of other countries, losing
what was once unassailable market dominance to our competitors. This
would be a sad echo of what has already happened with the wind turbine
market.
Solar energy's benefits to the Nation are far too numerous to list
here comprehensively. However, we cannot mention enough that as a long-
lived source of perpetually renewable energy, solar enables us to make
more of our energy at home, rather than being forced to acquire it
overseas or from volatile fuel markets. By its modularity and
simplicity, it can provide quick answers to grid congestion or supply
inadequacy problems, while sidestepping environmental and NIMBY issues.
The high coincidence of solar panels' peak output and daily peak demand
cycles makes them a particularly attractive solution for areas that
experience load pockets or seasonal demand spikes, avoiding the use of
the dirtiest and least efficient conventional generators. Finally,
solar will undoubtedly be one of the critical cornerstone technologies
of the hydrogen economy, giving us the ability to produce motor fuels
when and where we want them, with no emissions of any kind.
The most well known programs within DOE, and those that have
received the most consistent support are the photovoltaics research
initiatives. However, even these are likely still not realizing their
full potential. This is ``gold standard'' research--a 2001 Peer Review
of the DOE Photovoltaic Program concluded that:
``In terms of the programs' relevance to national needs, the
panelists found that the PV program's work was outstanding across all
activities . . . In summary, it is the panel's considered opinion that
the PV program is doing an extremely effective job of setting
priorities, balancing allocation of available resources, recognizing
and addressing critical problems and barriers to progress and
commercialization, and supporting the quality of work required to
achieve its goals . . . The panel notes that the consistently high
rankings assigned in this evaluation are very unusual, and they are
also very deliberate . . . The panel believes this to be a truly
outstanding element of the Department of Energy's programs.''
SOLAR CELL PRODUCTION, 1988-2002
[MW/year]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest of World..................................... 3 4 4.7 5 4.6 4.4 5.6 6.35 9.75 9.4 18.7 20.5 23.42 32.62 47.8
Europe............................................ 6.7 7.9 10.2 13.4 16.4 16.55 21.7 20.1 18.8 30.4 33.5 40 60.66 86.38 112.75
Japan............................................. 12.8 14.2 16.8 19.9 18.8 16.7 16.5 16.4 21.2 35 49 80 128.6 171.22 251.07
United States..................................... 11.1 14.1 14.8 17.1 18.1 22.44 25.64 34.75 38.85 51 53.7 60.8 74.97 100.32 100.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................................... 33.6 40.2 46.5 55.4 57.9 60.09 69.44 77.6 88.6 125.8 154.9 201.3 287.65 390.54 512.22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within these programs, the cost-shared components have been
experiencing particular success. The advanced photovoltaics
manufacturing, (formerly PVMaT,) Thin Films Partnership, and Building-
Integrated PV (BiPV) programs obtain cost-competitive research in
coordination with industry, while keeping solar manufacturing in the
United States. Manufacturers of solar and related equipment are located
in States including California, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, Arizona,
New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Massachusetts, employing
thousands of workers, all of whom benefit from the increased
performance realized from DOE programs.
The advanced photovoltaics manufacturing programs have focused on
helping to bringing efficiency and technology to bear on the complex
process of manufacturing solar cells, having now brought module-
manufacturing costs down by more than 50 percent. These innovations
occur in a competitive cost-sharing environment that ensures rapid and
cost-effective development and adoption of technologies that would not
likely emerge otherwise. It is a critical component to maintaining U.S.
technological viability in the face of particularly aggressive and
growing German and Japanese research efforts.
The BiPV program has attracted Administration notice, with the
Fiscal Year 2003 Congressional Budget Document trumpeting ``an exciting
and rapidly growing solar application which . . . will help cross the
profit threshold that holds the key to significant growth in
distributed, grid-connected electricity markets.'' Meanwhile, the Thin
Films Partnership continues to make important discoveries, routinely
knocking down their own efficiency records while investigating
materials that show the real, near-term potential of cutting module
prices by half or more. To support the research needs of the evolving
technology and growing industry behind these programs, SEIA requests at
least $100 million for the photovoltaics program in total.
Photovoltaics, of course, do not form a functioning system on their
own, and we therefore request that the systems and reliability account
receive robust funding so that all necessary inverter and balance-of-
systems work can be carried out.
A worrisome budget note is the effective closeout of the
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) program. CSP systems currently produce
354 MW of clean, reliable, and relatively inexpensive power in the
California desert. Reentering the market with newer, more refined, and
more sophisticated technologies, early construction has begun for
another 50 MW plant in Nevada, and a 1 MW plant in Arizona. Other
project sites are being sought out or are in early negotiations now,
and the Western Governor's Association has stated that they support
further developing this resource.
A recent ``due diligence'' review of the CSP program, conducted by
third party consultants Sargent and Lundy under the auspices of the
National Research Council, found that ``CSP technology is a proven
technology for energy production, there is a potential market for CSP
technology and that significant cost reductions are achievable assuming
reasonable deployment of CSP technologies occurs.'' The
Administration's own budget document for 2003 states that:
``Large-scale CSP technologies have been operating successfully in
the California desert for 15 years. Over this time the cost of these
systems has decreased by a factor of 3, and . . . they are currently
the least expensive source of solar electricity. Recent technology
advancements . . . (have) revitalized the CSP industry and placed them
in a position to play a major role in near-term green power
opportunities, both domestically and overseas, as costs are projected
to drop into the 6-8 cents/kWh range.''
Given this degree of support, promise, and sheer technological
achievement, a closeout budget is simply unjustifiable.
In the recently released fiscal year 2003 omnibus appropriations,
Congress instructed the Department to ``spend not less than $5,500,000
for the continuation of work on concentrating solar power''. This
minimum level is wholly inadequate to operate an effective program. The
funding roller coaster for these programs has damaged their ability to
make long-term investments and to retain top-quality staff. Funding in
the range of $25 million would allow the Department of Energy, through
the national laboratories at Sandia and NREL, to validate technology
and components with industry as well as lowering operations and
maintenance costs in a stable environment. Given the growth potential
of this industry, and the very strong international interest in these
technologies, it seems a small price to pay.
We also note with interest the provision of the current Senate
Republican staff draft of the energy bill that provides substantial
research support for using Concentrating Solar Power as a source of new
hydrogen fuel. The simplest means of funding this account may well be
the hydrogen portion of the budget, which should address hydrogen
production from renewable resources.
SEIA also strongly supports the Administration's support for Solar
Buildings products and projects, including the visionary Zero Energy
Buildings Program. The multi-year goal of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB)
is to achieve the requisite technology advances to spur widespread
adoption of zero energy residences by 2010 and zero energy commercial
buildings by 2015. This would slow and eventually eliminate new
buildings' consumption of our finite energy sources. Builders around
the country are increasingly developing new construction techniques,
utilizing new building materials, and including solar technologies
which will achieve zero finite fuel source energy consumption. For
these programs we request $8 million in funding.
A different program, formerly filed under the ``solar buildings''
heading, is Solar Heating and Lighting. Solar water heating
technologies are utilized around the world in quantities far exceeding
those in the United States. Such systems can significantly reduce the
consumption of electricity, and of natural gas, which is increasingly
being used to generate electricity, exposing the country both to
increasing energy dependence on foreign nations and to the inherent
risks of transporting these fuels. Solar water heating technologies are
already ubiquitous in many other countries, thereby saving other energy
sources for higher value purposes.
Within this program, emphasis will be placed on reducing the cost
of solar water heating by using light-weight polymer materials that can
replace the heavy copper and glass materials used in today's solar
thermal collectors. The goal is to complete R&D on new polymers and
manufacturing processes to reduce the cost of solar water heating to
4 cents/kWh in 2004. We recommend that this program be funded
explicitly at the $5 million level.
We are further concerned that in many cases, the budget for ``solar
buildings'' is frequently confused by the inclusion of non-solar
technologies and research programs. These earmarks tend to distract
resources and attention from important core research, and we urge that
they be reexamined and strictly limited.
With these minor changes to the existing budget, we are confident
that the committee can lay the foundations for a solar future where the
United States can regain its lead and reap the many benefits of this,
the cleanest of all energy sources.
______
Prepared Statement of the Biomass Energy Research Association
This testimony pertains to the fiscal year 2004 appropriation for
biomass research, development, and deployment (RD&D) conducted by the
Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy (EERE). Separate statements will be submitted in
support of biomass RD&D performed under the Interior and Related
Agencies Bill by EERE's Office of Industrial Technologies, and on
forest biomass production research by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Forest Service (USDAFS).
BERA recommends that for fiscal year 2004, $114,500,000 be
appropriated for RD&D under EERE's Biomass and Biorefinery Systems
Program, and biomass-related Hydrogen Technology Program.
--$24,000,000 to continue the Bioenergy and Bioproducts Initiative
(BBI, Crosscutting RD&D) and $5,000,000 to continue the
Regional Biomass Energy Program (RBEP).
--$21,000,000 for R&D under the core programs: Advanced Biomass
Technology--Thermochemical Conversion and Bioconversion.
--$26,000,000 for R&D and $32,000,000 for the industry cost-shared
scale-up projects under the core programs: Systems Integration
and Production (Exclusive of the BBI).
--$6,500,000 for the biomass-related core programs under Hydrogen
Technology.
On behalf of BERA's members, I would like to thank you, Mr.
Chairman, for the opportunity to present the recommendations of BERA's
Board of Directors for the high-priority projects and programs that we
strongly urge be continued or started. BERA is a non-profit association
based in Washington, DC. It was founded in 1982 by researchers and
private organizations that are conducting biomass research. Our
objectives are to promote education and research on the production of
energy and fuels from virgin and waste biomass that can be economically
utilized by the public, and to serve as a source of information on
biomass RD&D policies and programs. BERA does not solicit or accept
Federal funding for its efforts.
In fiscal year 2003, about 30 percent of the appropriation for
EERE's RD&D was provided as earmarked funds. This is less than the 43
percent figure for fiscal year 2002, but EERE's planned objectives for
their core programs will be extremely difficult or impossible to
achieve because the baseline funding requested and the appropriation
were almost the same in fiscal year 2003. The excessive earmarks do not
allow for sufficient funding of the core programs, and several cut-
backs have been necessary. BERA respectfully asks the Subcommittee to
carefully consider the impacts of earmarks on EERE's RD&D. If they are
for projects that are not in DOE's formal request, BERA urges that they
be add-ons to the baseline funds rather than deductions.
The original goal of the BBI created as a result of ``The Biomass
Research and Development Act of 2000,'' and Title IX of the Farm Bill,
was to triple the usage of bioenergy and biobased products. Congress
has provided annual funding for the BBI since fiscal year 2000. A
strategic plan has been developed by the multi-agency Biomass Research
and Development Board (BRDB), co-chaired by the Secretaries of Energy
and Agriculture, to achieve this goal. Its achievement is necessary
because of environmental, energy security, and projected fuel supply
issues, and our increasing dependence on imported oil. We must
determine whether practical biomass systems capable of displacing much
larger amounts of fossil fuels can be developed. The fossil fuel
displaced by waste and virgin biomass in 2000 was 1.55 million BOE per
day, approximately 79 percent of which was wood-based. In DOE's funding
request, the BBI is included under ``Crosscutting Biomass R&D.'' BERA
strongly urges that the BBI be continued in fiscal year 2004 at the
funding level recommended by BERA, and that the highest priority be
given to development of this program component.
program integration, coordination, and management
For several years, BERA has urged that all biomass-related research
funded by DOE should be coordinated and managed at DOE Headquarters so
that the program managers are heavily involved in this activity. We are
pleased to note that this process, which began in fiscal year 2002, has
continued in fiscal year 2003. BERA congratulates DOE on the progress
made in restructuring the program and its management. BERA also
congratulates DOE and USDA for the new spirit of working together and
coordinating the programs of each department to increase the usage of
agricultural and forestry biomass for the production of much larger
amounts of affordable fuels, electricity, and biomass-derived products
than have been realized in the past. These efforts are expected to help
facilitate the transition of waste and virgin biomass in the USA into
major sources of renewable energy, fuels, and chemicals.
BERA urges that the BBI be incorporated into the overall Federal
biomass research program. Without it, the time table for this
transition will be stretched out for several decades and possibly never
happen except to a very limited extent for niche markets. Large,
strategically located, energy plantations are ultimately envisaged in
which waste biomass acquisition and virgin biomass production systems
are integrated with conversion systems and operated as analogs of
petroleum refineries to afford flexible slates of multiple products
from multiple feedstocks. Unfortunately, relatively large amounts of
capital and inducements are required to get the private sector involved
in developing even modest size projects in the field. So to help
implement this program, BERA includes the BBI as a line-item in its
annual testimony.
BERA also continues to recommend that implementation of the BBI
should include identification of each Federal agency that provides
funding related to biomass energy development, each agency's programs,
and the expenditures by each agency. DOE and the USDA have initiated
this process. This is an on-going activity that should be expanded to
include other agencies and departments and help fine-tune the critical
pathways to program goals. Continual analysis of the information
compiled should enable the coordination of all Federally funded biomass
energy programs through the BRDB to facilitate new starts focused on
high priority targets, and help to avoid duplication of efforts,
unnecessary expenditures, and continuation of projects that have been
completed or that do not target program goals. Full implementation of
the BBI will enhance the value of the Federal expenditures on biomass
research to the country in many different ways.
bera recommendations
BERA's project recommendations consist of a balanced program of
mission-oriented RD&D on conversion research and technology transfer to
the private sector. Advanced conversion processes and power generation
technologies, alternative liquid transportation fuels, and hydrogen-
from-biomass processes are emphasized. Biomass production RD&D for
energy uses is ultimately expected to be done by the USDA.
BERA continues to recommend that at least 50 percent of the Federal
funds appropriated for biomass research, excluding the funds for scale-
up projects, are used to sustain a national biomass science and
technology base via sub-contracts for industry and universities. While
it is desirable for the national laboratories to coordinate this
research, increased support for U.S. scientists and engineers in
industry, academe, and research institutes that are unable to fund
biomass research will encourage commercialization of emerging
technologies and serious consideration of new ideas. It will also help
to expand the professional development and expertise of researchers
committed to the advancement of biomass technologies.
In its core RD&D, EERE has terminated research in several microbial
and thermochemical conversion areas. BERA believes that a balanced
program of high-priority research should be sustained and protected, so
we continue to recommend both a diversified portfolio of research and
an appropriate amount of funding for scale-up without diminishing
either EERE's R&D or scale-up programs. BERA's specific dollar
allocations are listed in the table on page 3. Additional commentary on
each program area is presented on pages 4 and 5. Other mission-oriented
biomass RD&D programs are funded through EERE's Office of Industrial
Technologies (OIT) under the Interior and Related Agencies Bill. DOE's
basic research on biomass energy outside of EERE by the Office of
Science, which supports academic research, should be designed to
complement EERE's mission-oriented biomass RD&D and the BBI.
allocation of appropriations recommended by bera
BERA recommends that the appropriations for biomass RD&D in fiscal
year 2004 be allocated as shown in the accompanying table. BERA's
recommendations are generally listed in the same order as DOE's
requests for funding under the headings Energy Supply, Biomass Program,
Biomass/Biorefinery Systems R&D; and Energy Supply, Hydrogen
Technology, Hydrogen/Fuel Cells/Infrastructure Technologies Program.
However, several research areas are included that are either new or
that BERA recommends be restored to sustain a balanced program. Note
that in fiscal year 2004, EERE incorporated several new changes in
program names and nomenclature in addition to those made in fiscal year
2003, and zeroed-out or moved some programs between EERE's Offices.
Note also that the recommended budget for each scale-up category does
not include industry cost-sharing, which is required to be a minimum of
50 percent of each project cost. BERA recommends that funds for the BBI
be used mainly for scale-up projects after evaluating the projected
contribution of each project to the BBI's goals. New projects should
not be started until this is done.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended Budget
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Program Area -------------------------------
Energy For Research For Scale-Up
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biomass/Biorefinery Systems:
Advanced Biomass Technology............... Thermochemical Conversion:
Combustion.................. $2,000,000
Gasification................ 2,000,000
Pyrolysis................... 2,000,000
Liquefaction................ 2,000,000
Bioconversion:
Fermentation (Ethanol)...... 4,000,000
Organisms and Enzymes....... 6,000,000
Fermentation (Methane)...... 1,000,000
Chemicals................... 2,000,000
Systems Integration/Production............ BBI (Crosscutting RD&D)\2\...... 2,000,000 $22,000,000
Thermochemical Conversion:
Ethanol..................... 3,000,000 4,000,000
Other Oxygenates/Mixed 4,000,000 4,000,000
Alcohols.
Syngas-Based Chemicals, 2,000,000 4,000,000
Fuels\3\.
Ash Deposition, Uses, 1,000,000
Disposal.
By-Products, Recovery, Uses. 1,000,000
Improved Emissions, Controls 2,000,000
Wastewater Treatment........ 2,000,000
Hot Gas Clean-Up............ 1,000,000
Small Modular Biopower.......... 0 2,000,000
Feedstock Infrastructure........ 2,000,000
Bioconversion:
Ethanol Scale-Up with 0 8,000,000
Cellulosics.
By-Products, Recovery, Uses. 1,000,000
Improved Emissions, Controls 1,000,000
Wastewater Treatment........ 2,000,000
Integrated Biorefinery
Development:
Designs, Economics, Markets. 1,000,000
Product Slates, Flexibility, 1,000,000
Costs.
Siting, Acquisition, 2,000,000 10,000,000
Construction.
Regional Biomass Energy 0 5,000,000
Program\3\.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................ ................................ 49,000,000 59,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hydrogen Technology\1\........................ Thermal Processes (Reforming)... 500,000 1,000,000
Photolytic Processes (Algae).... 1,000,000 0
Innovative Conversion Processes. 4,000,000 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................ ................................ 5,500,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................................. ................................ 54,500,000 60,000,000
=================================================================
Grand Total............................. $114,500,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ BERA's recommendations pertain only to the biomass-based portion of Hydrogen Technology.
\2\ BERA's recommendations for the Biomass and Bioproducts Initiative are expected to be used for research and
scale-up as indicated, but are not allocated by program area in this table.
\3\ The McNeil Gasification Project in Burlington, VT and the Regional Biomass Energy Program have been zeroed-
out of EERE's fiscal year 2004 budget. BERA strongly urges that they be restored and continued (see Systems
Integration/Production, Thermochemical Conversion, and Regional Biomass Energy Program sections in text).
Advanced Biomass Technology
Thermochemical Conversion.--Continued R&D to develop advanced
biomass combustion and gasification methods could have environmental
and economic benefits that can lead to significant growth in low-cost
power generation from waste biomass and the disposal of certain kinds
of high-moisture waste biomass such as biosolids (municipal sewage),
which are very costly to treat and dispose of. Most of this research
has been phased out by DOE. Research (not scale-up) should be initiated
or restored with the goal of developing the next generation of
thermochemical biomass conversion processes for power generation and
the utilization of high-moisture biomass for combined disposal-power
generation applications.
The pyrolysis of biomass, or its thermal decomposition in the
absence of oxygen, yields a large number of gaseous, liquid, and solid
products. Hardwood feedstocks were used commercially until the 1930's
to manufacture fuel gases, solvents, chemicals, fuel oils, and
charcoal. Because of the steadily increasing prices of natural gas and
petroleum crude oils, a few small-scale commercial biomass pyrolysis
systems have recently been installed and operated under conditions that
increase product flexibility and selectivity to yield cost-competitive
products. BERA recommends that exploratory research on biomass
pyrolysis be added to EERE's program to help design advanced processes.
All of the basic data compiled during DOE-funded research on biomass
pyrolysis in the 1970's and 1980's should be reexamined in this work.
Several thermochemical technologies are available for the
liquefaction of biomass feedstocks to afford storable liquid fuels and
chemicals. Included among these conversion methods is pyrolysis under
certain conditions that maximize the yields of liquid products, the
catalytic conversion of syngases from biomass to liquid chemicals such
as ethanol and other oxygenates, catalytic hydrogenation of biomass and
biomass derivatives such as natural oils for the direct production of
liquid fuels, and biomass liquefaction under supercritical conditions
of pressure and/or temperature. BERA recommends that thermochemical
liquefaction of biomass be added to EERE's program to find and improve
innovative conversion methods that have a high probability of leading
to cost-effective, storable liquid fuels from biomass.
Bioconversion.--The goal of simultaneous conversion of pentoses and
hexoses from low-cost cellulosics to fermentation ethanol at high
efficiencies on a commercial scale requires the use of special
processes for producing genetically engineered organisms and cellulase
systems at acceptable costs and performance. Research should continue
to perfect these technologies for incorporation into the overall
fermentation process designs to be used in the scale-up program for
fermenting cellulosic feedstocks.
Methane fermentation (anaerobic digestion) is unique in that it
produces methane, the major component in natural gas, at high
concentrations (medium-Btu gas) from a full range of virgin and waste
biomass. DOE has terminated most of this research. Research can lead to
advanced processes as well as the alleviation of numerous environmental
problems encountered during waste treatment and disposal. This research
should be restored.
Bioconversion is useful for converting a variety of biomass and
derivatives to a wide range of commodity and specialty organic
chemicals and polymers. The use of selected microbial populations is in
fact the only practical route to certain types of chemicals and
polymers. An exploratory program to advance this technology is a
natural adjunct to DOE's on-going biomass fermentation program. BERA
recommends that part of the research effort under Advanced Biomass
Technology focus on this field.
Systems Integration and Production
Biomass and Bioproducts Initiative (Crosscutting RD&D).--See pages
1 and 2 of testimony.
Thermochemical Conversion.--The availability of thermochemical
biomass conversion processes for producing ethanol, mixed alcohols, and
other oxygenates offers a range of non-microbial options for
commercializing biomass liquefaction technologies. This should be one
of the key components of EERE's program, but is minimal when compared
with the efforts expended on fermentation ethanol over many years. The
development of medium-Btu biomass gasification is also a key component
for the production of fuels, power, and chemicals. However, funding for
the commercial scale demonstration plant in Burlington, VT by DOE was
ended in fiscal year 2003. This plant is capable of use as a multi-
purpose development site for biomass gasification and related
technologies. BERA recommends that both thermochemical liquefaction and
gasification RD&D be expanded and continued by EERE. The existing plant
in Vermont should be utilized to test advanced gas clean-up methods and
advanced power generation systems.
Small Modular Biopower.--Research on the development of small,
biomass combustion turbines should be continued to develop advanced
designs for small modular systems, and for cogeneration and distributed
generation.
Feedstock Infrastructure.--BERA recommends that DOE develop the
infrastructure, while the Forest Service of the USDA initiates and
continues RD&D on biomass production, particularly woody biomass.
Bioconversion.--As reported last year, DOE's contributions to the
costs of several fermentation ethanol plants have either been completed
or are winding down. The processes used are conventional and advanced
technologies, and a plant using corn stalk feedstocks was planned for
the Midwest. BERA recommends that the existing scale-up projects should
be completed, the results analyzed, and the technologies confirmed
before other scale-up projects are started. Since corn continues to be
the main feedstock for U.S. plants, it is vital to commercialize the
use of low-cost cellulosic feedstocks to reduce the cost of
fermentation ethanol. RD&D should focus on the information needed to
facilitate scale-up and make this happen. Although much of it is in-
hand now, critical information related to biomass transport, storage,
and handling; feedstock characterization, pretreatment and hydrolysis;
storage, maintenance, and use of genetically modified organisms and of
active cellulase systems for pentose and hexose conversion; nutrient
cost reductions, by-product recovery and utilization; and improved
emissions, controls, and wastewater treatment, is still needed to
design optimum low-cost processes that afford fermentation ethanol at
competitive motor fuel prices. NREL's fermentation pilot plant and
counter-current pretreatment pilot plant reactor installed in fiscal
year 2000 should be fully utilized on a cost-shared basis with DOE's
industrial partners to support the scale-up of processes operated with
cellulosic feedstocks.
Integrated Biorefinery Development.--This program component is
expected to include the activities necessary to select and integrate
all unit operations employed in the biorefinery and the biomass
acquisition systems. This effort should address plant design, siting,
financing, permitting, construction, environmental controls, waste
processing and disposal, and sustained plant operations; feedstock
selection, transport, storage, and delivery; all waste and emissions
issues; and storage and delivery of all salable products. BERA
recommends that industrial partners be carefully selected for
participation in this cost-shared program at the beginning of each
project. This work should be given the highest priority. Most of the
funds for the BBI provided by Congress should be used for this effort.
Long-range planning is essential to ensure that each project has a high
probability of success and lays the groundwork for continued
installation of similar systems by the private sector.
Regional Biomass Energy Program.--The RBEP has been a
legislatively-mandated model information and outreach program for
almost 20 years. There is no other Federal program with the information
transfer role, capabilities, leverage, experience, local-level
presence, and widespread networks of the RBEP; nor is there a DOE
program so closely affiliated with State and regional government
organizations. Historically, RBEP's partners have provided between $2
to $4 for every $1 of RBEP funds, making it one of the most cost-
effective Federal programs. If DOE terminates this program, BERA
recommends that it be transferred to and operated by the USDA, and that
it continue to be managed by the government host organizations:
Coalition of Northeast Governors, Southern States Energy Board, Council
of Great Lakes Governors, and Western Governors Association, which
provide direct links to the governors and legislators of each State.
Hydrogen Technology
Research on the thermal reforming of biomass and on splitting water
with algae, which is the equivalent of photolysis, should be continued.
In addition, innovative conversion methods such as the use of anaerobic
digestion under ambient conditions and catalytic and non-catalytic
thermochemical gasification under certain operating conditions that
minimize methane formation while maximizing hydrogen formation should
be studied. These technologies may lead to low-cost hydrogen production
methods.
______
Prepared Statement of the University Corporation for Atmospheric
Research
On behalf of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
(UCAR) and the university community involved in weather and climate
research and related education, training and support activities, I
submit this written testimony for the record of the Senate Committee on
Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
UCAR is a consortium of 66 universities that manage and operate the
National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and additional programs
that support and extend the country's scientific research and education
capabilities. The UCAR mission is to support, enhance, and extend the
capabilities of the university community, nationally and
internationally; to understand the behavior of the atmosphere and
related systems and the global environment; and to foster the transfer
of knowledge and technology for the betterment of life on earth. In
addition to its member universities, UCAR has formal relationships with
approximately 100 additional undergraduate and graduate schools
including several historically black and minority-serving institutions,
and 40 international universities and laboratories. UCAR is supported
by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other Federal agencies
including the Department of Energy (DOE).
doe office of science
The DOE is the third largest Federal sponsor of basic research and
the largest supporter of research in the physical sciences. It supports
more than 15,000 Ph.D. scientists, graduate students and post-doctoral
researchers in universities and national laboratories. The programs and
national user facilities of the agency's Office of Science are vital to
the Nation's basic research investment across all disciplines in the
natural and physical sciences. These yield both short-term benefits and
future advances in environmental research, basic computing and physics
research, energy supply, homeland security, and educational growth.
Last month the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
responded to the President's fiscal year 2004 request, and expressed
its concern for DOE's Office of Science budget, and the trend of level
or flat funding for programs within it. UCAR endorses the views of the
Committee. The President's request for DOE's Office of Science is flat,
and has remained level funded for a decade. Funding it at the request
of $3.3 billion would be significantly less than the $3.6 billion
recommended in H.R. 34, the Energy and Science Research Investment Act
of 2003, a bipartisan bill supported by almost 40 House members.
This request also falls short of the goal of the President's
Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), which
recommended in its October 2002 report that the budget request begins
bringing funding for the physical sciences into parity with that of the
life sciences.
In order to achieve parity, DOE's Office of Science should be
funded at $3.6 billion, a level that will critically augment and
reinvigorate the work of researchers throughout the Nation.
Within the Office of Science, the Biological and Environmental
Research (BER) program develops the knowledge necessary to identify,
understand, and anticipate the potential health and environmental
consequences of energy production and use. These are issues that are
absolutely critical to our country's well-being and security. The BER
program is of particular importance to the work of the atmospheric
sciences community. Specifically, the Climate Change Research Program
is dedicated to advancing very important climate work, including
climate modeling, the atmospheric radiation measurement program, global
change research, meteorological research. It also supports a mentoring
program for a 4-year graduate and undergraduate program for minority
students pursuing careers in the atmospheric and related sciences. The
request for this program is decreased almost 6 percent from the fiscal
year 2003 enacted level of $530 million. In following the
recommendation made above for the Office of Science, it is critical
BER's allocation be increased by 9 percent, for a total of $577.7
million.
climate change research initiative (ccri)
In fiscal year 2004, BER will continue to contribute to the
Administration's Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) to deliver
information useful to policy makers. The BER contribution to the CCRI
will primarily be through focused research on the carbon cycle to
further understand carbon dioxide emissions in relation to the North
American carbon sink. BER will also contribute to the CCRI in other
areas, including climate change modeling, atmospheric composition, and
regional impacts of climate change. To make significant headway in
these areas, it is very important the Committee support the fiscal year
2004 request for CCRI, of $25.3 million.
advanced scientific computing research (ascr)
DOE's ASCR provides advances in computer science and the
development of specialized software tools that are necessary to
research the major scientific question being addressed by the Office of
Science. ASCR's continued progress is of particular importance to
atmospheric scientists involved with complex climate model development,
research that takes enormous amounts of computing power. By their very
nature, problems dealing with the interaction of the earth's systems
and global climate change cannot be solved by traditional laboratory
approaches. Of particular importance to the U.S. National Assessment
effort in global change is ASCR's critical contribution to the
multiagency effort to develop the Coupled Parallel Climate Model (PCM)
and its successor, the Community Climate System Model (version 2.0).
The fiscal year 2004 request for ASCR is disappointing to the
community, providing it with a 0.5 percent increase. In order to regain
our international leadership in advanced computing, it is essential the
Committee to provide a 9 percent increase for ASCR and fund it at $188
million.
On behalf of UCAR and the atmospheric sciences research community,
I want to thank the Committee for the important work you do for U.S.
scientific research. We appreciate your attention to the
recommendations of our community concerning the fiscal year 2004 budget
of the Department of Energy. We understand and appreciate that the
Nation is undergoing significant budget pressures at this time, but a
strong Nation in the future depends on the investments we make in
science and technology today.
______
Prepared Statement of the Nuclear Energy Institute
On behalf of the nuclear energy industry, thank you for your
support of nuclear technology-related programs in the Energy Department
and your oversight of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for
fiscal year 2003.
The Nuclear Energy Institute is responsible for developing policy
for the U.S. nuclear industry. NEI's 270 corporate and other members
represent a broad spectrum of interests, including every U.S. energy
company that operates a nuclear power plant. NEI's membership also
includes nuclear fuel cycle companies, suppliers, engineering and
consulting firms, national research laboratories, manufacturers of
radiopharmaceuticals, universities, labor unions and law firms.
America's 103 nuclear power plants are the safest, most efficient
and reliable in the world. Nuclear energy is the largest source of
emission-free electricity generation in the United States. Nuclear
power plants in 31 States provide electricity for one of every five
homes and businesses in the Nation, and the industry again last year
reached record levels for efficiency and electricity production. It is
essential that Congress adopt policies that foster the further
development of this vital part of our Nation's energy mix--and fulfill
existing Federal obligations, such as the commitment to manage used
nuclear fuel.
My statement for the record addresses three key points: (1)
Congress should reclassify the Nuclear Waste Fund, reorienting it to
its original purpose and ensuring adequate funding for the Yucca
Mountain repository project; (2) research and development (R&D) on
advanced nuclear technology should continue to maintain America's
leadership role in commercial nuclear technologies; and (3) the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission's (NRC) budget and staffing should be reassessed
in light of current trends.
I also will discuss briefly several important programs supported by
the nuclear energy industry, including research into the health effects
of low-level radiation.
congress should reclassify the nuclear waste fund
National policy clearly establishes the Federal Government's
responsibility for deep geologic disposal of used nuclear fuel and the
by-products of defense-related activities. In 1982, the Nuclear Waste
Policy Act codified Federal policy for developing a repository for
long-term stewardship of used nuclear fuel.
President Bush last year approved Yucca Mountain as the site to
develop a Federal repository and the decision was overwhelmingly upheld
by the 107th Congress. I commend this committee for its leadership in
supporting the Yucca Mountain resolution and the President's request
for funding the program. The next step is for the Department of Energy
(DOE) to submit an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by
December 2004 for a license to construct the repository.
It is imperative that DOE meet its milestones for licensing, so the
repository can be built and operating by 2010. This is consistent with
our Nation's longstanding policy for responsible management of used
nuclear fuel. It also honors the Federal Government's commitment to
consumers--who, since 1983, have committed more than $22 billion for
used nuclear fuel disposal. The Nuclear Waste Fund has a balance of
more than $13 billion and is growing at a rate of about $1 billion
annually, including interest. The funds collected from consumers of
electricity from nuclear power plants specifically for used fuel
management must be available for repository construction and operation.
fund treatment diverts consumer money from original intent
The Nuclear Waste Fund was established in 1982 as a separate
account in the Federal treasury. However, congressional efforts to
control deficit spending in the 1980's and 1990's changed the status of
the fund. Appropriations from the fund, but not the receipts, were
placed under a discretionary spending cap. The result is that the
Nuclear Waste Fund is subject to appropriations caps and ``pay-as-you-
go'' budget rules, even though the fund is self-financed. These rules
expire on September 30, but the President's fiscal year 2004 budget
proposed that they be continued for 2 more years.
By the current approach, Congress must fund the used fuel programs
within the confines of the discretionary spending allocation for the
Energy and Waster Development Appropriations bill. As a result, Yucca
Mountain funding consistently has been reduced below the level of
receipts to provide increased funding in other, unrelated areas,
despite the fact that receipts into the fund are specifically earmarked
for the used nuclear fuel disposal program. In short, Congress's
current budgetary process is taking consumer contributions to the
Nuclear Waste Fund for use in funding unrelated programs.
The industry urges Congress to reclassify the Nuclear Waste Fund
this year to prevent future funding shortfalls for Yucca Mountain. This
will help ensure that the government does not further delay meeting its
legal obligation to remove used nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear
plant sites. And it is the right thing to do with Americans' money.
industry supports proposal to adjust spending cap
The nuclear energy industry supports the administration's proposal
to adjust the fund's discretionary spending cap. We have attached a
policy brief that examines this issue. We encourage the committee to
support the proposal. A more permanent solution is needed to ensure
that funds collected for the waste program are allocated directly to
the project based on annual project funding requirements and with
continued congressional oversight.
The industry strongly supports DOE's fiscal year 2004 funding
request of $591 million for the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste
Management. We do not believe that the program will be able to meet the
important milestone for submitting a license application to the NRC
absent this level of funding for the program.
We strongly urge restoration of funds not appropriated in fiscal
year 2003 so that the program recovers from reductions in scientific
study and licensing activities at the lower funding level of $460
million. Increased funding is necessary for DOE to file a license
application to the NRC in 2004. In additional, funding for other
critical activities--such as transportation planning--is essential to
DOE's ability to achieve the major milestones in the program.
Although the repository program is the foundation of our national
policy for managing used nuclear fuel, the nuclear industry also
recognizes the value in researching emerging technology for used fuel
treatment and management. Such farsighted R&D programs would allow our
Nation to remain the world leader in nuclear technologies. However,
technologies like transmutation--the conversion of used nuclear fuel
into less toxic materials--still require a Federal repository for
disposal of the radioactive by-products generated from the process.
research and development must foster nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is a secure, domestic source of electricity and
plays a vital role in meeting national Clean Air Act requirements and
voluntary greenhouse gas reduction programs. Last year, the industry's
average capacity factor--a measure of efficiency--was 91.5 percent, and
103 reactors generated a record 778 billion kilowatt-hours of
electricity. Production costs are low and stable over many years.
Nuclear energy is important today, and it will be even more
important in the future, given rising electricity demand and the nexus
between energy and environmental policy. For its part, the nuclear
industry will continue to increase the amount of electricity generated
by nuclear power by relicensing reactors, continuing to improve
efficiency and implementing new technology to uprate, or boost the
output from, current reactors.
But in the near future, new nuclear power plants will be needed.
The Energy Information Administration projects that demand for
electricity will increase about 1.9 percent annually over the next two
decades. To meet this increased demand, and replace outmoded fossil
fuel-fired power plants, the United States will need to add more than
327,000 megawatts of capacity--the equivalent of 36 mid-size (500-
megawatt) power plants every year between now and 2020.\1\ Some of the
new plants must be emission-free nuclear reactors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ One-point-nine percent annual increase for 18 years (2003-2020)
equals 327,300 megawatts increased demand equals about 18,000 megawatts
per year equals 36 500-megawatt power plants per year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
As other nations pursue new or expanded nuclear programs, continued
R&D also is important for the United States to maintain energy
diversity--one of the strengths of our electricity infrastructure--to
expand nuclear energy's environmental benefits to our Nation, and to
remain the world leader in applying this technology. U.S. leadership is
necessary to ensure reliable operations and a significant export market
for U.S. products. The industry supports increased fiscal year 2004
funding for DOE nuclear energy R&D programs, especially the Nuclear
Energy Technologies (NET) program, which promotes the development of
new nuclear energy systems. Within this program, DOE includes Nuclear
Power 2010, which will foster the construction and operation of new
nuclear power plants by 2010 as one option to increase domestic
electricity supply. Already, three companies have identified plant
sites for potential new plants and are seeking to validate the NRC's
early site permitting process.
The nuclear energy industry urges the committee to approve at least
$60 million for the NET program. Within the NET program, $35 million
should be earmarked for the Nuclear Power 2010 effort and $20 million
for R&D needed to bring innovative reactor concepts, known as
Generation IV reactors, to the marketplace. NEI urges your support for
a demonstration project for using new reactor designs at a national
laboratory within the scope of the Generation IV reactor program. The
industry also supports the National Climate Change Technology
Initiative at $5 million.
The Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI)--which seeks to
expand America's nuclear energy program for the 21st century--fills a
vital need identified in a 1997 report by the President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). PCAST recommended a
competitive peer-reviewed R&D program to address potential barriers to
increased nuclear energy use and to maintain America's nuclear science
and technology leadership. PCAST also recommended an international
cooperative program within NERI.
The nuclear energy industry urges the committee to approve at least
$32 million in fiscal year 2004 for the NERI program. Within that
amount, NEI recommends $5 million for International NERI. Although
current funding has been sufficient to continue projects initiated in
previous fiscal years, DOE's fiscal year 2004 request reduces funding
by half, thus restricting any new R&D projects.
PCAST also recommended another R&D initiative--the Nuclear Energy
Plant Optimization (NEPO) program--to generate more low-cost energy
from America's existing nuclear power plants.
The nuclear energy industry encourages the committee to allocate
$10 million for the NEPO program, which seeks to improve already high
efficiency and reliability at U.S. nuclear power plants. This public-
private partnership is helping to facilitate America's economic growth
and improving our Nation's air quality. NEPO received $5 million in
fiscal year 2003--$5 million less than the PCAST recommendation. DOE
has proposed no funding for the program in fiscal year 2004.
The industry also requests $26.5 million for DOE's University
Support Program, which supports vital research and educational programs
in nuclear science at the Nation's colleges and universities. With
nuclear plant relicensing and plans for new plants, demand for highly
educated and trained professionals will continue.
NEI encourages the committee to consider a new $2 million program
within the Office of Nuclear Energy to support universities that have
undergraduate and graduate programs in health physics. The industry's
most recent survey of human resources revealed that health physics
professionals are declining in numbers and the need will become acute
in the next few years when many will retire. This critical resource
will be necessary to support the industry, government programs at DOE
sites and national laboratories, NRC activities and homeland security
programs to respond to potential dirty bomb threats.
The administration has proposed including nuclear energy in the
hydrogen fuel initiative. We believe hydrogen offers significant
promise as a future energy technology. Nuclear energy is the best
available technology for the large-scale production of hydrogen using
electrolysis. A DOE program supporting both concepts should be
supported in fiscal year 2004 at $12 million.
nrc's budget and staffing should be reassessed in light of current
trends
Our Nation's focus on security has led to significant security
enhancements at nuclear power plants. It is appropriate at this time
for the NRC to review its budget and resource allocations in light of
current demands and other resources available. For example, the NRC
currently is budgeted for about 200 staff in its Nuclear Security and
Incident Response organization. A significant portion of their work
overlaps with responsibilities of the new Department of Homeland
Security (DHS)--particularly in the areas of threat and vulnerability
assessment. The NRC should carefully review its organizational
structure as the DHS assumes a greater role in securing the Nation's
energy infrastructure. This review should be completed before
additional funding is authorized for NRC security-related activities.
Since September 11, 2001, the nuclear energy industry has remained
at a heightened level of alert. The defense-in-depth inherent in the
robust design of our plants has been reassessed and augmented. During
the past 18 months, our industry has invested an additional $370
million in security-related improvements, including fortified perimeter
security; improved background checks; and tighter access control at our
plants. As part of this effort, the nuclear energy industry has added
about one-third more security officers, for a total of 7,000 well-
trained, armed security officers at our 67 nuclear power plant sites.
The industry will continue to make these investments and improvements
to enhance private industry's best security program.
Our Nation's 103 nuclear power reactors are operating at very high
levels of safety and reliability. In fact, nearly 75 percent of the
reactors have the NRC's highest safety performance indicator in all
categories, and most of the others have only a single indicator in the
next lower level. The excellent safety record of U.S. nuclear power
plants lays the groundwork for refining regulatory oversight based on
performance and safety insights. Additionally, insights from the
reactor oversight process indicate that several major regulations for
power reactors are not providing a significant safety value. A
disciplined review of the regulations should be undertaken to eliminate
or modify outdated requirements.
The industry commends the Appropriations Committee for reducing the
nuclear industry user fee assessments for NRC activities that are
unrelated to regulation of the industry. The proportion of the NRC's
budget derived from user fees will continue to decrease by 2 percent
each year through 2005. In that year, licensees will support 90 percent
of the NRC's budget, which will not include activities that are not
directly related to regulating the industry.
In addition, the industry supports an evaluation reviewing the
scope and content of inspection programs; eliminating research efforts
of questionable value, such as studies of human performance and
organizational effectiveness; and streamlining the differing
professional opinion process to improve its effectiveness, while
minimizing its impact on issue resolution and the use of management
resources.
industry support for additional activities
Nuclear Nonproliferation.--The industry supports the disposal of
excess weapons grade nuclear materials through the use of mixed-oxide
fuel in reactors in the United States and Russia.
Low-Dose Radiation Health Effects Research.--The industry strongly
supports continued funding for the DOE's low-dose radiation research
program. This program will provide a better understanding of low-dose
radiation effects to ensure that public and private resources are
applied in a manner that protects public health and safety without
imposing unacceptable risks or unreasonable costs on society.
Nuclear Research Facilities.--The industry is concerned with the
declining number of nuclear research facilities. We urge the committee
to request that DOE provide it with a long-term plan for using existing
nuclear research facilities as well as for the development of new
research facilities.
Uranium Facility Decontamination and Decommissioning.--The industry
fully supports cleanup of the gaseous diffusion plants at Paducah, KY;
Portsmouth, OH; and Oak Ridge, TN. Each year, commercial nuclear power
plants contribute more than $150 million to the government-managed
uranium enrichment plant Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund. NEI
urges the committee to ensure that these monies are spent on
decontamination and decommissioning activities at these facilities.
Other important environmental, safety and/or health activities at these
facilities should be paid for out of general revenues.
International Nuclear Safety Program and Nuclear Energy Agency.--
NEI supports the funding requested for the international nuclear safety
programs of both the DOE and NRC. They are programs aimed at improving
the safe commercial use of nuclear energy worldwide.
Medical Isotopes Infrastructure.--The nuclear industry supports the
administration's program for the production of medical and research
isotopes.
______
Prepared Statement of The American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society (ACS) would like to thank Chairman
Pete Domenici and Ranking Member Harry Reid for the opportunity to
submit testimony for the record on the Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2004.
ACS is a non-profit scientific and educational organization,
chartered by Congress, representing more than 160,000 individual
chemical scientists and engineers. The world's largest scientific
society, ACS advances the chemical enterprise, increases public
understanding of chemistry, and brings its expertise to bear on State
and national matters.
As Congress and the administration seek to bolster the economy,
economists agree that investments in basic research boost long-term
economic growth more than other areas of Federal spending. These
investments foster the new technologies and trained scientific
workforce that drive the Nation's public health, defense, energy
security, and environmental progress. Although industry funds the bulk
of national R&D, the Federal Government provides 60 percent of basic
research funding and, remarkably, 40 percent of patents cite Federal
research as their source. Yet Federal research in the physical sciences
and engineering has been cut in half since 1970 as a percentage of GDP.
Fortunately, the President's top science and technology advisory
council, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the Hart-
Rudman Commission on National Security have all recognized the need to
boost investment in physical sciences and engineering research. This
investment has never been more important given its central role in
advancing the Nation's economic, energy, and homeland security.
acs budget recommendations
Current Federal efforts to advance energy efficiency, production,
and new energy sources while reducing air pollution and other
environmental impacts will demand increased investment in long-term
energy research. By supporting people, research, and world-class
science and engineering facilities, the Department of Energy's Office
of Science expands the frontiers of science in areas critical to DOE's
energy, environment, and national security missions. Unfortunately, the
administration's budget request would continue the shrinking investment
in basic energy research at DOE in recent years, which must be reversed
to meet these national goals. ACS recommends a budget of $3.6 billion
for DOE's Office of Science in fiscal year 2004, a 10 percent increase
over fiscal year 2003.
Increases will help reverse the declining Federal support for the
physical sciences and to encourage more students to pursue degrees in
these fields. The Office of Science is the largest Federal supporter of
research in the physical sciences, funding almost 40 percent of
research in these fields. In view of the emphasis placed on the
physical sciences in the fiscal year 2004 budget, ACS is disappointed
that this vital office did not receive adequate support.
The Office of Science fosters the new discoveries and technical
talent that will continue to be essential to advances in coal,
hydrogen, biomass, genomics, and many other technology areas.
Additional funds should be directed to increase the number of grants,
especially in core energy programs, and to improve research facilities.
The Office is the primary source of Federal support in many research
areas essential to our energy security and economy, such as catalysis,
carbon cycle research, photovoltaics, combustion, and advanced
computing. Increased investment is also important given the declining
private support for long-term energy research.
increase grants in core programs
ACS recommends that increases for the Office of Science be directed
to advancing core energy research across disciplines, which enables DOE
to respond rapidly to new challenges. For example, DOE capitalized on
long-term atmospheric chemistry research, particularly in aerosols, and
quickly developed a single anthrax-bacterium detector. DOE must
strengthen its ability to attract scientists and train the next
generation of scientists and engineers by increasing the number of
grants in its core programs without reducing their size and duration.
Current appropriations allow the DOE Office of Science to fund only 10
percent of the unsolicited, peer-reviewed proposals it receives
annually. This rate is considerably lower than those of other agencies
and amounts to lost opportunities for both significant discoveries and
the education of the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Within the Office of Science, ACS particularly supports the Basic
Energy Sciences and Biological and Environmental Research programs. As
the cornerstone of the Office, the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program
supports an array of long-term basic research to improve energy
production and use and reduce the environmental impact of those
activities. The BES program manages almost all of DOE's scientific
user-facilities, and provides leading support for nanotechnology and
advanced computing research--two priority research areas that will have
important implications for energy efficiency and security. The
Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program advances
fundamental understanding in fields such as waste processing,
bioremediation, and atmospheric chemistry to better understand
potential long-term health and environmental effects of energy
production and use and identify opportunities to prevent pollution.
Progress in these fields is also needed to develop and advance new,
effective, and efficient processes for the remediation and restoration
of DOE weapons production sites. ACS supports a strong role for DOE in
Federal efforts to advance pollution prevention and climate change
research.
doe and the scientific workforce
As the largest supporter of research in the physical sciences, DOE
can greatly affect the training and number of scientists in industry,
government and academia. Inadequate investment in any research field
constricts the supply of trained scientists and engineers who apply
research and develop new technology. For instance, declining support
for nuclear science and engineering will greatly affect the nuclear
sector as a majority of today's nuclear scientists and engineers near
retirement. Another example is the synergistic relationship between the
need for radiochemists and NIH's ability to conduct clinical trials.
Advances in diagnosis and treatment in nuclear medicine are dependent
on the synthesis of highly specific radiopharmaceuticals that target
biological processes in normal and diseased tissues. The Office of
Science, through BER supported research, occupies a critical place in
the field of radiopharmaceutical research. The NIH relies on the Office
of Science's basic research to enable clinical trials.
Another way for DOE to help attract students and retain talented
scientists and engineers is to renew its investment in scientific
infrastructure. The Office of Science effectively operates one of the
most extensive and remarkable collection of scientific user facilities
in the world, which provide tools for the research of more than 15,000
scientists funded by DOE, other Federal agencies, and industry. Many
facilities are in poor condition or have outmoded instrumentation.
Additional funding would allow for increased operating time, upgrades,
instrumentation, and technical support. More complete utilization of
DOE's facilities would increase the return on investment and maximize
their scientific contributions and educational value.
National laboratories also play an important role in providing
research and training opportunities to enhance the university
curriculum. ACS supports the initial plan by DOE to utilize its
national laboratories to help mentor and train science teachers.
Students at all levels clearly learn better when their teachers have a
deep understanding of the subject, and the first-rate multidisciplinary
research and scientific professionals at the national laboratories
certainly could be a rich resource for science and math teachers. We
are concerned, however, that increases for this new initiative will
come at the expense of more fundamental programs and thus urge that new
funding be provided. ACS also urges stronger coordination among
agencies with significant K-12 math and science programs in order to
maximize the Federal investment in this area.
______
Prepared Statement of Southeastern Federal Power Customers, Inc.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the subcommittee, on behalf of the
Southeastern Federal Power Customers' (``SeFPC''), I am pleased to
provide testimony in reference to the administration's fiscal year 2004
budget request for the Department of Energy and related Federal Power
Marketing Administrations (``PMAs''). My testimony will focus primarily
on the budget request for the Southeastern Power Administration
(``SEPA''). Among other issues, we wish to emphasize that the proposed
changes in SEPA's Puchased Power and Wheeling (``PP&W'') budget would
have a negative impact on Federal preference power customers throughout
the Southeast.
SEPA purchases, transmits, and markets the power generated at
Federal reservoirs to municipal systems, rural electric cooperatives,
and other wholesale customers throughout the Southeast. The SeFPC has
enjoyed a long and successful relationship with SEPA that has greatly
benefited the approximately 5.8 million customers that are SeFPC
members. As the subcommittee is aware SEPA markets the energy and
capacity that is generated from the Federal reservoir projects in the
Southeast. The SeFPC represents some 238 rural cooperatives and
municipally owned electric systems in the States of Alabama, Georgia,
Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida,
Virginia, and West Virginia, which purchase power from SEPA. In some
cases, SEPA supplies as much as 25 percent of the power and 10 percent
of the energy needs of SeFPC customers.
administration's proposal to phase out purchased power and wheeling
The administration has proposed significant reductions in PP&W
funding for SEPA and the other PMAs in fiscal year 2004 and has
recommended the elimination of all Federal funding for PP&W by the end
of 2004. The President's proposal would reduce PP&W funding for SEPA by
over 55 percent in the upcoming fiscal year, from the current level of
$34.5 million to the proposed level of $15 million. This proposal is
very troubling to the SeFPC. The failure to fund these important
programs under SEPA's jurisdiction could have dire consequences for the
Federal power program in the Southeast and Federal preference power
generally.
If the President's proposal becomes law, the power supply for the
not-for-profit distributors and their customers throughout the
Southeast will be severely disrupted. SEPA's customers also will likely
lose the benefits of long-term contractual arrangements for
transmission and purchased power. Because SEPA does not own its own
transmission lines, the loss of PP&W appropriations will force us to
arrange our own transmission services, including delivery services from
SEPA projects. Also, elimination of SEPA's purchased power funds will
force us to buy our power from sources other than SEPA at higher
prices, which will be passed directly to our customers.
It is important to note that the President's proposal would yield
no cost savings for the Federal Government. The use of PP&W revenues is
a discretionary function with no budgetary impact. PP&W funds are
repaid annually by preference customers.
Thank you in advance for considering our comments on the
President's proposed fiscal year 2004 budget for SEPA.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Museum of Natural History
about the american museum of natural history
The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) is one of the
Nation's preeminent institutions for scientific research and public
education. Since its founding in 1869, the Museum has pursued its
mission to ``discover, interpret, and disseminate--through scientific
research and education--knowledge about human cultures, the natural
world, and the universe.'' It is renowned for its exhibitions and
collections of more than 32 million specimens and cultural artifacts.
With nearly 4 million annual visitors--approximately half of them
children--its audience is one of the largest and most diverse of any
museum in the country. Museum scientists conduct groundbreaking
research in fields ranging from all branches of zoology, comparative
genomics, and bioinformatics to earth, space, and environmental
sciences and biodiversity conservation. Their work forms the basis for
all the Museum's activities that seek to explain complex issues and
help people to understand the events and processes that created and
continue to shape the Earth, life and civilization on this planet, and
the universe beyond.
Today more than 200 Museum scientists with internationally
recognized expertise, led by 46 curators, conduct laboratory and
collections-based research programs as well as fieldwork and training.
Scientists in five divisions (Anthropology; Earth, Planetary, and Space
Sciences; Invertebrate Zoology; Paleontology; and Vertebrate Zoology)
are sequencing DNA and creating new computational tools to retrace the
evolutionary tree, documenting changes in the environment, making new
discoveries in the fossil record, and describing human culture in all
its variety. The Museum also conducts graduate training programs in
conjunction with a host of distinguished universities, supports
doctoral and postdoctoral scientists with highly competitive research
fellowships, and offers talented undergraduates an opportunity to work
with Museum scientists.
The AMNH collections of some 32 million natural specimens and
cultural artifacts are a major scientific resource for Museum
scientists as well as for more than 250 national and international
visiting scientists each year. They often include endangered and
extinct species as well as many of the only known ``type specimens,''
or examples of species by which all other finds are compared. Within
the collections are many spectacular individual collections, including
the world's most comprehensive collections of dinosaurs, fossil
mammals, Northwest Coast and Siberian cultural artifacts, North
American butterflies, spiders, Australian and Chinese amphibians,
reptiles, fishes, and one of the world's most important bird
collections. The Museum has also established a super-cold storage
facility, described below, for collection of tissue samples with
preserved DNA for genomics research. Collections such as these are
historical libraries of expertly identified and documented examples of
species and artifacts, providing an irreplaceable record of life on
earth.
Permanent and temporary exhibits--from the Rose Center for Earth
and Space to The Genomic Revolution, discussed below--are among the
Museum's most potent educational tools, interpreting the work of Museum
scientists, highlighting its collections, addressing relevant
scientific and cultural issues, and presenting cutting edge content in
a way that is accessible to all ages, learning levels, and backgrounds.
The Education Department builds these exhibitions, as well as the
Museum's unique resources, to offer rich programming dedicated to
increasing scientific literacy, to encouraging students to pursue
science and museum careers, and to providing a forum for exploring the
world's cultures. These programs attract more than 400,000 students and
teachers on school visits and more than 5,000 teachers for special
professional development opportunities. The Museum is also reaching
beyond its walls: through its National Center for Science Literacy,
Education, and Technology, launched in 1997 in partnership with NASA,
it is exploiting new technologies to bring materials, and programs into
homes, schools, museums, and community organizations around the Nation.
support for department of energy science mission and goals
As one of the world's preeminent science organizations, DOE's
primary strategic goals include maintaining a world class scientific
research capability and enhancing homeland defense. Its leading science
program supports fundamental research in energy, matter, and the basic
forces of nature and the advanced computational and networking tools
critical to research. The American Museum shares DOE's fundamental
commitments to cutting-edge research and technology in support of
science and education, and it seeks, in concert with DOE, to leverage
complementary resources and to advance our many shared science goals.
Genomic Science
DOE is a leader in genomics research, advanced sequencing
technologies, and instrumentation. With the historic completion of the
first draft of the human genome, its work on the frontiers of genome
science continues, including research in energy-related biology,
comparative genomics, organisms' responses to biological and
environmental cues, and experimental and computational approaches to
predictive understanding of microbes and microbial communities.
Genomics research remains critically important to the DOE mission, not
only by helping to protect against bio-terrorism but also by
contributing to the broad goal of developing ``a fundamental,
comprehensive, and systematic understanding of life.''
The American Museum is deeply engaged in genome research closely
tied to DOE's mission areas and research priorities. It is home of one
of the world's largest natural history collections, a preeminent
molecular research program, and singular research resources in frozen
tissue samples and cluster computing. In the era of genomics, museum
collections have become critical baseline resources for the assessment
of genetic diversity of natural populations; studying genomic data in a
natural history context makes it possible to more fully understand the
impacts of new discoveries in genomics and molecular biology. Genomes
of the simplest organisms provide a window into the fundamental
mechanics of life, and understanding their natural capabilities can
help solve challenges in biodefense, medicine and health care, energy
supply, and environmental cleanup.
Frozen Tissue Collection
In support of its molecular program, the Museum has launched an
expansion of its collections to include biological tissues and isolated
DNA preserved in a super-cold storage facility. Because this collection
preserves genetic material and gene products from rare and endangered
organisms that may become extinct before science fully exploits their
potential, it is an invaluable resource for research in many fields
including genetics, comparative genomics, and biodefense. Capable of
housing 1 million specimens, it will be the largest super-cold tissue
collection of its kind. In the past 2 years, 15,000 specimens not
available at any other institute or facility have already accessioned.
At the same time, the Museum is pioneering the development of
collection and storage protocols for such collections. To maximize use
and utility of the facility for researchers worldwide, the Museum is
also developing a sophisticated website and online database that
includes collection information and digitized images.
Cluster Computing
DOE science programs are committed to ``providing extraordinary
tools for extraordinary science.'' The Museum, too, is a leader in
developing computational tools, as parallel computing is an essential
enabling technology for phylogenetic (evolutionary) analysis and
intensive, efficient sampling of a wide array of study organisms.
Museum scientists have constructed an in-house 560-processor computing
cluster, and are in the process of upgrading it to 128 dual CPU nodes
with 2 Gb/sec Myrinet interconnections. It is the fastest parallel
computing cluster in an evolutionary biology laboratory and one of the
fastest installed in a non-defense environment.
Over the past 9 years, Museum scientists have taken a leadership
role in developing and applying new computational approaches to
deciphering evolutionary relationships through time and across species;
their pioneering efforts in cluster computing, algorithm development,
and evolutionary theory have been widely recognized and commended for
their broad applicability for biology as a whole. The bioinformatics
tools Museum scientists are creating will not only help to generate
evolutionary scenarios, but also will inform and make more efficient
large genome sequencing efforts. Many of the parallel algorithms and
implementations (especially cluster-based) will be applicable in other
informatics contexts such as annotation and assembly, breakpoint
analysis, and non-genomic areas of evolutionary biology as well as in
other disciplines.
Institute of Comparative Genomics
Building on its strengths in comparative genomics, and in concert
with the scientific goals of DOE, the Museum has established an
Institute for Comparative Genomics so as to contribute its unique
resources and expertise to the Nation's genomic research enterprise.
Equipped with its molecular labs with DNA sequencers, vast biological
collections, researchers with expertise in the methods of comparative
biology, and the parallel computing facility and frozen tissue
collection described above, the Institute is positioned to be one of
the world's premier research facilities for mapping the genome across a
comprehensive spectrum of life forms.
The Institute has already established a record of significant
research achievements, which include obtaining a patent for innovative
approach to analyzing microarray data that will facilitate improved
diagnoses of diseases such as cancer and development of drugs to treat
such diseases, developing computational techniques to analyze
chromosomal sequence data, and winning grants to lead international
research teams in assembling the ``tree of life.'' In partnership with
the Department of Energy, with the support of a fiscal year 2002
appropriation, Dr. Rob DeSalle is conducting research that is making
notable progress in advancing understanding of bacterial genomics and
the evolution of pathogenicity.
These accomplishments are complemented by the Museum's ambitious
agenda of genomics-related exhibitions, conferences, and public
education programming, including the landmark exhibition, The Genomic
Revolution in 2001. The exhibition, attended by approximately 500,000
visitors and now touring nationally, examines the revolution taking
place in molecular biology and its impact on modern science and
technology, natural history, biodiversity, and our everyday lives. We
have also hosted several international conferences on important
genomics topics: Sequencing the Human Genome: New Frontiers in Science
and Technology, in Fall 2000; Conservation Genetics in the Age of
Genomics in Spring 2001; New Directions in Cluster Computing in June
2001; and in 2002, an international meeting to examine current
knowledge of life's history, Assembling the Tree of Life: Science,
Relevance, and Challenges.
As it moves forward, the Institute, working in cooperation with New
York's outstanding biomedical research and educational institutions, is
focusing on molecular and microbial systematics, on expanding our
understanding of the evolution of life on earth and the evolution of
critical organismal form and function through analysis of the genomes
of selected microbes and other non-human organisms, and on constructing
large genomic databases. Development of Institute activities will
entail expanding expertise in microbial systematics and the molecular
laboratory program that now trains dozens of graduate students every
year; utilizing the latest sequencing technologies; employing parallel
computing applications that allow scientists to solve combinatorially
complex problems involving large real world datasets; and developing of
K-12 curriculum materials, scientific conferences, and public exhibits.
The interests and expertise of DOE and the Museum intersect in
particular in these areas of comparative and microbial genomics. One of
the goals of DOE's Human Genome Project is to learn about the relevance
to humans of nonhuman organisms' DNA sequences. DOE science also
targets an area in which the Museum is expanding its expertise--
microbial genomics, the study of organisms that have survived and
thrived in extreme and inhospitable environments. DOE's Genomes to Life
and microbial genome programs are based on the understanding that
genomes, especially those of the simplest organisms, provide a window
into the fundamental mechanics of life. The Genomes to Life program is
also committed to developing the computational tools to integrate data,
to understand data, and to model complex biological systems. The
Institute's programs in comparative and microbial genomics and
computation could provide vital advances in these endeavors and support
DOE's biological and environmental research function (the BER account).
We seek $5 million for support of the Institute of Comparative
Genomics to partner with DOE and to contribute its unique capacities to
advancing shared priority areas of genomic science. The Institute
supports DOE's biological and environmental research function (the BER
account); and its diverse strengths and unique resources in comparative
genomics will help to further DOE's goals for building a scientific
research capacity to enable advances and discoveries in DOE science
through world-class research. In addition, further development of the
Museum's super-cold tissue collection will increase enormously the
possibilities for DNA research and provide an invaluable international
scientific resource. Our online collection database will ensure public
access to genomics information, furthering DOE's own goals for
fostering public understanding of human genomics and the fundamental
building blocks of life. The Museum intends to support the Institute
with funds from non-Federal as well as Federal sources and proposes to
use the requested $5 million towards overall costs for the Institute's
microbial genomics research program, including expansion and renovation
of the molecular laboratories to accommodate additional investigators
and students, research instrumentation, and scientific outreach and
dissemination (website, online databases).
______
Prepared Statement of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey
The following is the testimony of the University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), the largest freestanding public
university of the health sciences in the Nation. The University is
located on five statewide campuses and contains three medical schools,
and schools of dentistry, nursing, health related professions, public
health and graduate biomedical sciences. UMDNJ also comprises a
University-owned acute care hospital, three core teaching hospitals, an
integrated behavioral health care delivery system, a statewide system
for managed care and affiliations with more than 200 health care and
educational institutions statewide.
We appreciate the opportunity to bring to your attention our
priority projects that are consistent with the biomedical research
mission of the Department of Energy. These projects are statewide in
scope and include collaborations both within the University system and
with our affiliates.
Our first priority is the development of the Child Health Institute
of New Jersey at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS)
in New Brunswick. As part of the State's public higher education
system, the medical school encompasses 21 basic science and clinical
departments and integrates diverse clinical programs conducted at 34
hospital affiliates and numerous ambulatory care sites in the region.
RWJMS ranks among the top one-third of medical schools in the Nation in
terms of grant support per faculty member. It is home to The Cancer
Institute of New Jersey, the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer
center in New Jersey; The Center for Advanced Biotechnology and
Medicine; the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute,
one of the leading environmental health programs in the country; and
the Child Health Institute of New Jersey.
The mission of the Child Health Institute is to build a
comprehensive biomedical research center focused on the health and
wellness of children. In this program, medical researchers direct
efforts towards the prevention and cure of environmental and genetic
diseases of infants and children at molecular and cellular levels.
The Child Health Institute is integral to the long-term plan for
the enhancement of research at UMDNJ-RWJMS in developmental genetics,
particularly as it relates to disorders that affect a child's
development and growth, physically and cognitively. The program will
enable the medical school to expand and strengthen basic research
efforts with clinical departments at the Robert Wood Johnson University
Hospital (RWJUH) and, in particular, those involved with the new
Children's Hospital at RWJUH especially Obstetrics, Pediatrics,
Neurology, Surgery and Psychiatry. The construction of the Child Health
Institute at RWJMS will fill a critical gap through the expansion, by
new recruitment, of a intellectual base upon which basic molecular
programs in child development and health will build.
At the Child Health Institute, research will serve as the basis for
new treatments, therapies and cures for such devastating and
debilitating childhood syndromes as asthma, autism, diabetes, muscular
dystrophy, birth defects and neuro-developmental disorders. Research
will focus on the molecular and genetic mechanisms which direct the
development of human form, subsequent growth, and acquisition of
function. Broadly, the faculty and students will investigate disorders
that occur during the process of development to discover and study the
genes contributing to developmental disabilities and childhood
diseases; to determine how genes and the environment interact to cause
childhood diseases; and to identify the causes and possible avenues of
treatment of cognitive disorders broadly found among conditions such as
mental retardation, autism and related neurological disorders.
Normal child development is a water dependent process, reflecting
water quality, quantity and its ``management'' by cells and tissues.
Access to uncontaminated water is at the base of the tree of life.
Pollution of aquatic ecosystems poses a serious threat to the entire
ecosystem and studying how a toxin affects embryonic development is
central to understanding the risks pollutants represent, whether
derived from pesticides, industrial run-off, acid rain or landfills. In
multiple ways, the embryo is a sentinel for environmental toxins.
Research at the Child Health Institute will focus on molecular
mechanisms of early embryonic development, a natural, but vulnerable
water-based environment.
The Child Health Institute of New Jersey builds on existing
significant strengths in genetic, environmental, and neurosciences
research within the UMDNJ-RWJMS and associated joint programs with
Rutgers University and other research institutes. For example, the
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI) is a
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) recognized
center of excellence which investigates environmental influences on
normal and disordered functions; the Cancer Institute of New Jersey
(CINJ), a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer
Center, studies disordered cell growth; and the Center for Advanced
Biotechnology and Medicine (CABM) characterizes gene structure and
function.
The CHI will act as a magnet for additional growth in research and
healthcare program development in New Jersey. The Institute will
encompass 150,000 gross square feet and will house more than 40
research laboratories and associated support facilities. Fourteen
senior faculty will direct teams of M.D. and Ph.D. researchers,
visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and
technicians for a full complement of some 130 employees.
Construction costs for the Institute are estimated to be
approximately $72 million; approximately half of this figure is
generally associated with local employment. At maturity, the Institute
is expected to attract $7 to $9 million dollars of new research funding
annually. The Institute's total annual operating budget is projected to
be $10 to $12 million, with total economic impact on the New Brunswick
area projected to be many times this amount.
The Child Health Institute has assembled over $40 million to fund
its building and programs through a strong partnership among private,
corporate and government entitities. The support of the Congress has
resulted in more than $6 million in directed appropriations for the CHI
over the past 4 years, including appropriations from this committee in
fiscal years 2001 and 2002. We respectfully seek $2 million to
complement support already received in Federal participation to further
advance the development of the Child Health Institute of New Jersey.
Requested funding will be utilized for the purchase of analytical
equipment, including laser scanning and photon microscopes, mass
spectometer, and ventilated rack systems.
Our second priority is the Dean and Betty Gallo Prostate Cancer
Center (GPCC), established at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ)
with the goal of eradicating prostate cancer and improving the lives of
men at risk for the disease through research, treatment, education and
prevention. The Center was founded in memory of Rep. Dean Gallo, a New
Jersey Congressman who died of prostate cancer diagnosed at an advanced
stage.
Prostate cancer is a devastating health problem in the Nation and
in the State of New Jersey, which continues to experience one of the
highest rate of cancer incidence and mortality. Prostate cancer is the
most common form of cancer, other than skin cancer, among men in the
United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer-
related death among men. The American Cancer Society estimates that
189,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and
approximately 30,200 men will die of the disease in 2002. Statistics
released by the Centers for Disease Control in 2002 placed New Jersey
fourth in the Nation for the rate or prostate cancer incidence.
The GPCC unites a team of outstanding researchers and clinicians
who are committed to high quality basic research, translation of
innovative research to the clinic, exceptional patient care, and
improving public education and awareness of prostate cancer. GPCC is a
center of excellence of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, which is
the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in the State. GPCC
efforts are focused in four major areas: (1) Basic, Clinical and
Translational Research; (2) Epidemiology and Cancer Control; (3)
Comprehensive Patient Care; and (4) Education and Outreach.
Basic, Clinical and Translational Research.--GPCC scientists are
investigating the molecular, genetic and environmental factors that are
responsible for prostate cancer initiation and progression. Appropriate
model systems developed by Dr. Abate-Shen at the GPCC are being
utilized to facilitate the design and implementation of novel
strategies for prevention and treatment. GPCC is fostering multi-
disciplinary efforts that will lead to the effective translation of
basic research to improved patient care and novel clinical trials. The
translational research program developed at the Gallo Prostate Cancer
Center has been recognized at national scientific meetings such as
those organized by the American Association for Clinical Research.
Epidemiology and Cancer Control.--Additional research activities of
the GPCC seek to understand the etiology of prostate cancer
susceptibility and to find effective modalities for prevention of
prostate cancer.
Comprehensive Patient Care.--Exceptional patient care is provided
through a multi-disciplinary patient care team in the areas of
urological oncology, radiation oncology and medical oncology for each
patient during all stages of the disease. Currently the Center has
fourteen active clinical trials that provide our patients with novel
clinical approaches for treating all stages of prostate cancer. Seventy
patients were enrolled in clinical trials in 2002.
Education and Outreach.--GPCC is continuing to educate the public
throughout the State of New Jersey about the importance of early
detection of prostate cancer, particularly in underserved communities
where there is a population at high risk for the disease. The Gallo
Center has developed an extensive network of partnerships with
organizations such as the 100 Black Men of New Jersey, the Men's Health
Network, the National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer, and the
Jewish Renaissance Foundation to offer prostate cancer screenings in
minority and other underserved communities. The goal is to extend
prostate cancer screening services to all 21 New Jersey counties by
2004.
To date, the Gallo Center has raised over $12.2 million in external
public and private funding sources (including $3 million in support
from this committee) to expand its research, cancer control and public
outreach initiatives. The UMDNJ commitment to the overall development
of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and of the Gallo Center total
over $83 million. This important funding has enabled us to establish a
world-class program in prostate cancer research that includes
publications in prestigious journals such as the New England Journal of
Medicine, Genes and Development, Cancer, Cancer Research, and Clinical
Cancer Research.
Our fiscal year 2004 initiative is designed to support the further
expansion of the Center's basic and clinical research initiatives,
public outreach and cancer control efforts in both the Newark and north
Jersey region, and the Camden/southern New Jersey region where we can
increase the availability of cancer programs to the state's major
population regions. Support of $3 million is sought to strengthen the
Center's basic and clinical research programs. This additional funding
will also allow us to enhance our treatment of patients with prostate
cancer through several new clinical trials for patients at all stages
of the disease. An additional level of funding support of $3 million is
requested to expand the Center's public outreach and screening
activities to reach vulnerable populations in the greater Newark and
Camden communities and in other locations across the State.
We thank this committee for its strong support of biomedical
research and for the University's programs.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Public Power Association
The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the national
service organization representing the interests of over 2,000 municipal
and other State and locally owned utilities throughout the United
States (all but Hawaii). Collectively, public power utilities deliver
electricity to one of every seven electric consumers (about 40 million
people), serving some of the Nation's largest cities. However, the vast
majority of APPA's members serve communities with populations of 10,000
people or less.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit this statement outlining
our fiscal year 2004 funding priorities within the Energy and Water
Development Subcommittee's jurisdiction.
renewable energy production incentive program (repi)
The Department of Energy's REPI program was created in 1992's
Energy Policy Act (EPAct) as a counterpart to the renewable energy
production tax credits made available to for-profit utilities. EPAct
authorizes the Department of Energy (DOE) to make direct payments to
not-for-profit public power systems and rural electric cooperatives at
the rate of 1.5 cents per kWh (now closer to 1.7 cents when adjusted
for inflation) from electricity generated from solar, wind, geothermal
and biomass projects. According to DOE sources, there is a backlog of
close to $40 million in requests for REPI funding for 2003. Taking a
step in the right direction, Congress appropriated $5 million for REPI
for fiscal year 2003, a 25 percent increase over DOE's request of $4
million for fiscal year 2003. Despite Congress' allocation and the
demonstrated need, however, DOE has again asked for only $4 million for
fiscal year 2004, citing budgetary constraints.
Fully funding REPI is an issue of comparability for 25 percent of
the utility sector and the communities these systems serve. For
example, in 2000, for-profit utilities and private developers received
about $58 million in renewable energy tax credits for wind power alone.
The same year, REPI subscribers received only $3.99 million for
renewable energy projects of all types. While APPA supports increasing
renewable energy use throughout the utility sector, our member
utilities simply must receive comparable federally sanctioned
incentives to help in that effort.
We believe Congress was committed 10 years ago to removing economic
barriers to enable all communities to benefit from the production of
more renewable and clean energy. We also believe that Congress is
equally committed today--not only to producing more renewable energy,
but also to diversifying America's portfolio of fuels, decreasing our
reliance on foreign sources of energy, and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. In fact, under a fully funded REPI program, close to 60
million metric tons of carbon equivalent could be reduced through the
development existing landfills into landfill-gas-to-energy projects. In
order to ensure that these efforts and other renewable energy goals are
achievable throughout the electric utility industry, Congress must
provide an increase for REPI.
renewable energy programs
As is demonstrated by our strong support for REPI, APPA believes
that investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs is
critical. We urge the subcommittee to support adequate funding to
ensure that renewable energy usage continues to increase as part of the
portfolio of fuel options available to our Nation's electric utilities.
We appreciate the subcommittee's recognition of the merits of these
programs as demonstrated by its passage of a substantial increase over
the President's fiscal year 2003 budget request. We encourage your
continued support of these vital renewable energy programs.
federal power marketing administrations (pmas)
APPA urges the subcommittee to increase the use of receipts for the
Purchase Power and Wheeling (PP&W) programs of the Western Area Power
Administration (WAPA), the Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA) and
the Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA) in fiscal year 2004.
The fiscal year 2004 budget proposes to drastically curtail the
abilities of WAPA, SEPA, and SWPA to use receipts--which do not score--
to provide these services to customers who cover these costs in their
electric bills. Appropriations are no longer needed to initiate PP&W
process, however, the subcommittee does establish ceilings on the use
of receipts for this important function.
The PP&W program is important because hydroelectric generation and
customer use are rarely in exact balance--both vary from hour-to-hour
and day-to-day. The PMAs often make purchases in the spot market to
``firm'' the resource when generation is less than the amount
contracted for delivery. And, in low-water years, which have been all
too frequent recently, the PMAs often purchase additional power to
fulfill their contracts with customers. Wheeling is the charge that the
PMAs pay to move electricity over a non-Federal transmission line. It
also reduces the need to build additional Federal transmission
facilities.
Therefore, we request that the subcommittee authorize the use of
receipts in fiscal year 2004 as follows:
--Western Area Power Administration (WAPA): $186.1 million needed--
includes $20 million recommended by OMB in the budget plus a
$166.1 million authorization in the fiscal year 2004 bill.
--Southeastern Power Administration (SEPA): $34.4 million needed--
includes $15 million recommended by OMB plus $19.4 million
authorization in the fiscal year 2004 bill.
--Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA): $2.8 million needed--
includes $288,000 recommended by OMB plus $2.6 million
authorization in the fiscal year 2004 bill.
storage for high-level nuclear waste
Since 1982, the Nation's electricity customers have committed $16.5
billion to the Nuclear Waste Fund in order to finance centralized
Federal management of spent nuclear fuel used for commercial purposes.
We therefore support the administration's efforts to finalize the
location of a permanent storage site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and we
support its request of $591 million for Civilian Radioactive Waste
Management in fiscal year 2004 to further this undertaking.
advanced hydropower turbine program
APPA supports the administration's budget request of $7.5 million
for the Advanced Hydropower Turbine Program for fiscal year 2004. This
program is a joint industry-government cost-share effort to develop a
hydroelectric turbine that will protect fish and other aquatic habitats
while continuing to allow for the production of emissions free
hydroelectric power.
During the next 15 years, 220 hydroelectric projects will seek new
licenses from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Publicly
owned projects constitute 50 percent of the total capacity that will be
up for renewal. Many of these projects were originally licensed over 50
years ago. Newly imposed licensing conditions can cost hydro project
owners 10 to 15 percent of power generation. A new, improved turbine
could help assure that any environmental conditions imposed at
relicensing in the form of new conditioning, fish passages or reduced
flows are not accomplished at the expense of emissions-free, renewable
energy production. This is particularly important given the
increasingly competitive market in which electric utilities operate
today. Flow levels will affect the economics of each of these projects
and many will be unable to compete if the current trend toward flow
reduction continues.
federal energy regulatory commission (ferc)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has requested
$199.4 million for fiscal year 2004 for its overall operations. APPA
supports this request. The FERC is charged with regulating certain
interstate aspects of the natural gas, oil pipeline, hydropower, and
electric utility industries. Such regulation includes issuing licenses
and certificates for construction of facilities, approving rates,
inspecting dams, implementing compliance and enforcement activities,
and providing other services to regulated businesses. These businesses
pay fees and charges that cover most of the cost of the government's
operations.
navajo electrification demonstration program
APPA supports full funding for the Navajo Electrification
Demonstration Program at its $15 million authorized funding level for
fiscal year 2004 and for each succeeding year of its authorization
(through 2006). The purpose of the program is to provide electric power
to the estimated 18,000 occupied structures in the Navajo Nation that
lack electric power.
The Navajo Nation is served by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
(NTUA), an APPA member. NTUA provides electric, natural gas, water,
wastewater treatment, and photovoltaic services throughout the Navajo
Indian Reservations in the States of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Fully funding the Navajo Electrification Demonstration Program will
significantly improve the quality of life for the people of the Navajo
Nation.
national climate change technology initiative
APPA supports the administration's efforts to promote greenhouse
gas reductions through voluntary programs and investments in new
technologies. We therefore support DOE's request of $15 million for
fiscal year 2004 to spur innovation of technologies that will reduce,
avoid, or capture greenhouse gas emissions.
______
Prepared Statement of the University of Michigan, University of
Tennessee, University of Texas, University of Florida, and University
of New Mexico
research, education, and doe mission support
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has provided support to the DOE
University Research Program in Robotics to pursue long range research
leading to the ``development and deployment of advanced robotic systems
capable of reducing human exposure to hazardous environments, and of
performing a broad spectrum of tasks more safely and effectively than
utilizing humans.''
The DOE University Research Program in Robotics (URPR) has proven
highly effective in technology innovation, education, and DOE mission
support. The URPR has incorporated mission-oriented university research
into DOE, and, through close collaboration with the DOE sites, provides
an avenue for developing creative solutions to problems of vital
importance to DOE.
The URPR would like to thank the Committee members for their
historically strong support of this successful program. Recognizing the
shift in national priorities post-9/11/01, the URPR has begun to
include new applications as the target for its technology development.
Funding was equally split between EM and NNSA during fiscal year 2003.
This enabled the completion of dedicated research for specific EM
projects while integrating into the NNSA organization.
request for the committee
We request that the Committee include language for the University
Research Program in Robotics (URPR) research funds at its historic
level of $4.35 million to continue developing safer, less expensive,
and more capable robotic technology for NNSA applications.
developing advanced robotics for doe and the nation
Develop Robotic Solutions for Work in Potentially Hazardous
Environments
The goal of this program is to invent and utilize state-of-the-art
robotic technology in order to remove humans from potentially hazardous
environments and expedite remediation efforts considered essential.
Established by DOE in fiscal year 1987 to support advanced nuclear
reactor concepts, the project was moved to EM to support the higher
priority needs in environmental restoration. Reflecting the change in
national priorities post-9/11, the URPR began supporting NNSA
applications during fiscal year 2003. The project has produced an
impressive array of technological innovations, which have been
incorporated into robotic solutions being employed across Federal and
commercial sectors. This successful program demonstrates efficient
technology innovation while educating tomorrow's technologists,
inventing our country's intelligent machine systems technology of the
next century, and meeting today's applied research needs for DOE.
The URPR represents a DOE-sponsored consortium of five research
universities (Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas) of
long standing, working on the science of remote systems technologies to
advance their effectiveness in performing physical tasks in hazardous
environments associated with the DOE nuclear sites. The work of these
universities is now widely recognized as some of the best in the field
(the creation of spin-off companies, deployment requests from FEMA at
Ground Zero, wins in national technology competitions, archival journal
articles, etc.). Some of the focus technologies include innovative
mobile platforms and their semi-autonomous navigation, kinesthetic
input to teleoperation systems, simulation-based design and control,
manipulation of unwieldy objects, machine vision and scene assessment
for world modeling, improved radiation hardening of electronic
components, and integration technology to assist in the assessment and
deployment of complete solutions in the field. In addition to DOE
specific applications, the team is increasingly able to deploy their
technology for DOD applications (aircraft carrier weapon's elevator,
anti-terrorism systems, submarine operations, etc.), for Homeland
Security applications (surveillance and monitoring), for commercial
applications (manufacturing, building construction, space) and for
human augmentation and training (micro-surgery, rehabilitation of
humans, reduction of drudgery). We constantly seek to explore strategic
partnerships and utilize existing deployment resources to more rapidly
export this technology to the DOE sites that could most benefit from
this new technology.
Making the Nation Safer
In the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, our Nation has engaged in a
long-term war to counter terrorism. The National Research Council
recently [2002] published a thorough study of the role of science and
technology in countering terrorism entitled Making the Nation Safer.
This book represents the collective thoughts of 164 top scientists and
engineers focusing on homeland security of the United States. It
represents the combined output of the National Academy of Sciences, the
National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the
National Research Council. It identifies urgent research opportunities.
Of the seven cross-cutting technology challenges identified by the
committee, autonomous mobile robotic technologies were highlighted.
``Continued development and use of robotic platforms will enable the
deployment of mobile sensor networks for threat detection and
intelligence collection. Robotic technologies can also assist humans
and such activities as ordnance disposal, decontamination, debris
removal, and firefighting.'' Robotic technologies, cited as a
``critical long-term research need,'' are featured throughout the
individual chapters that address ways for mitigating our society's
vulnerabilities to terrorism and responding to an attack.
Our Nation's technology experts recommend: ``Agencies with
experience in robotics, such as DARPA, should support research on all
elements of robotic systems--including sensors, networks, and data
communication and analysis. The aim would be to develop robots to
assist in chemical (and biological or radiological) defense, thereby
reducing hazards to humans and increasing the capabilities of defensive
systems.'' [Rec. 4.8]
In addition, the report identifies the need to sustain the Nation's
scientific and engineering talent base and recommends [Rec. 13.4] a
human resource development program to increase training in those fields
consistent with the government's long-term priorities for homeland
security research. The report exhorts that ``expanding the number of
American scientists and engineers is particularly important.''
And directly related to our work in radiation sensing and imaging
is the recommendation [Rec. 2.6] ``A focused and coordinated near-term
effort should be made by the Department of Energy, through its National
Nuclear Security Administration, and by the Department of Defense,
through its Defense Threat Reduction Agency, to evaluate and improve
the efficacy of special nuclear material detection systems that could
be deployed at strategic choke points for homeland defense.'' And [Rec
2.7] ``Research and development support should be provided by the
Department of Energy and Department of Defense for improving the
technological capabilities of special nuclear material detection
systems, especially for detecting highly enriched uranium.'' Our
ongoing URPR research supports these tasks.
In summary, the University Research Program in Robotics is a key
player in executing the recommendations for making the Nation safer. We
commend the enlightened vision of those who have historically
recognized the importance of the URPR and supported this project.
innovation, education, and doe mission support
The URPR's strategic mission is to make significant advances in our
Nation's robotic and manufacturing technology base while emphasizing:
education, technology innovation through basic R&D, and DOE mission
support. The URPR has demonstrated that the advantages of operating as
a consortium are significant. The institutions of the URPR partition
the technical development into manageable sections which allow each
university to concentrate within their area of expertise (efficiently
maintaining world-class levels of excellence) while relying on their
partners to supply supporting concentrations. With full support of the
host universities, this effort naturally generated the in-depth human
and equipment capital required by the DOE community. Practically, the
long-term distributed interaction and planning among these universities
in concert with the DOE labs and associated industry allows for
effective technology development (with software and equipment
compatibility and portability), for a vigorous and full response to
application requirements (component technologies, system technologies,
deployment issues, etc.), and for the supported application of the
technology. Considering the remarkable achievements of URPR over its
history, the URPR is in the ideal position to execute its prominent
role in education, technology innovation, and DOE mission support.
DOE Mission Contribution--Robotic Technologies
Since its inception, DOE has promoted robotics as a necessary
enabling technology to accomplish its mission. The motives for
undertaking a comprehensive R&D effort in the application of advanced
robotics to tasks in hazardous environments reflect economic
considerations, efficiency, and health and safety concerns. The URPR is
DOE's only needs-driven research program to develop new remote systems
technologies to support the DOE thrust areas. In contrast, DOD, NIH,
and NASA continue to prove the benefits of much larger mission-oriented
robotics programs. During this difficult time of uncertainty, we need
Congressional support to continue this very successful national program
in technology innovation for advanced robotic systems.
Program Request for the Committee
During fiscal year 2003, the URPR provided vital contributions to
education and research while addressing DOE technology needs. The
motivation for this project remains steadfast--removing humans from
hazardous environments while enhancing safety, reducing costs, and
increasing response effectiveness. The URPR will begin supporting NNSA
missions during fiscal year 2004. Thus, the DOE fiscal year 2004 budget
submission could not include the URPR and Committee language is needed
to continue the technology missions of the URPR at the fiscal year 2002
and fiscal year 2003 level of $4.35 million.
______
Prepared Statement of the California Government and Private Sector
Coalition for Operation Clean Air's (OCA) Sustainable Incentive Program
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of the
California Government and Private Sector Coalition for Operation Clean
Air's (OCA) Sustainable Incentive Program, we are pleased to submit
this statement for the record in support of our fiscal year 2004
funding request of $7,000,000 for OCA as part of a Federal match for
the $180 million already contributed by California State and local
agencies and the private sector for incentive programs. This request
consists of $5,000,000 from the Department of Energy (DOE) for biomass
incentives, and $2,000,000 from DOE for alternative fuels
infrastructure funding.
California's great San Joaquin Valley is in crisis. Home to 3.3
million people, its 25,000 square miles may have the most unhealthy air
in the country. Even Los Angeles, long known as the smog capital of the
Nation, can boast better air quality by certain standards. While peak
concentrations of air pollutants are still greater in Los Angeles, for
the past 4 years, the San Joaquin Valley has exceeded Los Angeles in
violations of the 8-hour Federal health standard.
A combination of geography, topography, meteorology, extreme
population growth, urban sprawl and a NAFTA corridor with two major
highways that produce 5 million big-rig miles per day driven by diesel
powered trucks, have collided to produce an air basin which over
300,000 people, nearly 10 percent of the population, suffers from
chronic breathing disorders. In Fresno County, at the heart of the San
Joaquin Valley, more than 16 percent of all children suffer from
asthma, a rate substantially higher than any other place in California.
The extreme summertime heat works to create smog even though smog-
forming gases are less than half the amount in the Los Angeles basin.
There is no prevailing wind to flush the natural geologic bathtub and,
as a result, pollutants and particulates stagnate, accumulate and
create unhealthy air.
Degradation of human health is not the only consequence of poor
quality air. Because the 8-county air pollution control district is
designated as a ``severe'' non-attainment area, a significant number of
the Valley's businesses are required to obtain permits and comply with
increasingly burdensome regulations imposed by Federal and State law
and the Air Pollution Control District, resulting in added cost in
compliance, reporting and record keeping. At the same time, the area is
burdened by unemployment rates of nearly 20 percent. Encouraging
business expansion in or relocation to the San Joaquin Valley to combat
unemployment is extremely difficult in the face of such regulatory
burdens.
In the fall of 2003 the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control
District Board will decide whether to become the first District in the
Nation voluntarily to declare itself an ``extreme'' non-attainment
area. That designation, if made, will defer until 2010 the date for
attainment of Federal standards of air quality, but will come at a cost
of imposing permitting on thousands of more businesses and even further
discouraging business expansion or relocation. Unemployment will
certainly not be improved.
The San Joaquin Valley is home to the most productive agricultural
land in the world. Over 350 crops are produced commercially on 27,000
farms that encompass more than 5 million irrigated acres. While the
agricultural industry has made great strides at considerable expense to
replace old diesel engines and manage fugitive dust and other
emissions, farming cannot help but contribute to the problem. However,
it is a $14 billion industry that forms the backbone of the Valley's
economy.
Industry alone is not the source of the Valley's poor air.
Population growth faster than the rest of the State and nearly the rest
of the Nation, in an area without effective mass transit, where cheap
land has led to a landscape of suburbia and sprawl, results in
excessive over-reliance on the automobile. Trucking has increased
dramatically with the increase in population. Other factors such as
fireplace burning in the winter, open field agricultural burning
because of lack of adequate alternatives, and wild fires resulting from
lack of controlled burning in the nearby foothills and mountains all
contribute to the problem.
Despite the challenges listed above, much progress has been made.
The State has spent nearly $80 million on improvement and compliance
programs. Local government and private industry have spent over $100
million on technology and compliance. As specific examples, over one
half of the diesel operated irrigation pumps used by agriculture have
been replaced with cleaner engines. The City of Tulare has converted
its entire fleet of vehicles to natural gas as have several other
private fleet operators. A $45 million federally financed comprehensive
study of ozone and particulate matter is nearing completion. As a
result, the number of 1-hour EPA health standard exceedences has been
reduced by 40 percent since 1989.
But much more needs to be done. The District estimates that daily
emissions must be reduced by 300 tons to achieve attainment. There is
no single or short-term quick fix. The entire Valley is part of the
problem and the entire Valley will need to be part of the solution.
Operation Clean Air is a coalition of business, government, health
care and environmental groups throughout the 8-county San Joaquin
Valley Air Pollution Control District and Mariposa County. Its goal is
to clean the Valley's air and increase its economic prosperity. The
coalition seeks to catalogue efforts that have produced positive
effects and identify those strategies that could produce even greater
effects if supported by sufficient resources. At the heart of its
efforts will be an array of sustainable, voluntary practices and
activities that can and will be undertaken by all of the residents of
the San Joaquin Valley, both public and private, to improve air
quality.
This unique public-private partnership has invested considerable
resources in this project to date, and will continue to do so, but
Federal funding is both imperative and justified to help address what
is essentially an unfunded Federal mandate.
For fiscal year 2004, our Coalition is seeking funding of
$2,000,000 from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the installation and
operation of alternative fuels infrastructure throughout the San
Joaquin Valley Air Basin. The alternative fuels infrastructure will
allow for the accelerated introduction of alternatively fueled vehicles
in municipal fleets, public school fleets, and private fleets. The
widespread use of lower-emitting motor vehicles will provide
significant improvement to air quality in the San Joaquin Valley while
furthering the goals of the Department of Energy and the National
Energy Policy Act. Development of alternative fuel infrastructure will
augment the low-emission vehicle program by providing much needed
compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (CNG) fueling
facilities.
For fiscal year 2004, our Coalition is also seeking funding of
$5,000,000 to provide financial incentives to reduce open field burning
of residual agricultural materials by utilizing biomass-energy power
plants to burn this material in a controlled environment. This process
will result in multiple benefits to the San Joaquin Valley by reducing
air pollution and producing electrical power from a renewable source.
Thank you very much your consideration of our requests.
______
Letter From the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association (CREDA)
Tempe, Arizona, April 10, 2003.
The Honorable Pete Domenici,
Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development,
127 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510.
RE: Site Security/Anti-Terrorism Costs
Dear Chairman Domenici: Please include this letter in the hearing
record for the fiscal year 2004 Energy and Water Development
Appropriations bill.
As you are aware, following the events of September 11, 2001, the
Federal agencies responsible for providing site security and anti-
terrorism measures have taken additional steps to ensure the security
of Federal hydropower and transmission facilities and the security of
the general public. The facilities comprising the Colorado River
Storage Project provide a multitude of benefits to millions of
residents in the western United States. The security of these Federal
generation and delivery facilities is of national concern.
In the fiscal year 2003 Energy and Water Development Appropriations
bill, the House and Senate concurred in report language which says that
increased security costs in the aftermath of the events of September
11, 2001 are non-reimbursable expenses and should be funded through
appropriations. This recognition is consistent with the historic
treatment of such costs in crises such as Pearl Harbor.
We understand the President's fiscal year 2004 budget for the U.S.
Bureau of Reclamation and the Western Area Power Administration
includes additional funding for such anti-terrorism/site security
activities. In light of this, the Colorado River Energy Distributors
Association (CREDA) requests that the Energy and Water Development
Subcommittee including the following in its fiscal year 2004
appropriations bill:
For fiscal year 2004 and each fiscal year thereafter, the increased
costs of ensuring security of Reclamation generation and Western Area
Power Administration delivery system facilities in the aftermath of the
events of September 11, 2001 shall be appropriated, non-reimbursable
and nonreturnable.
CREDA is a purchaser of Federal hydropower and transmission
services produced and transmitted by the facilities of the Colorado
River Storage Project. Our members serve nearly 3 million consumers in
six western States. CREDA has passed a resolution advocating that the
costs of increased security of these facilities should be non-
reimbursable and provided by appropriated funds. In addition, the
American Public Power Association (APPA), the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association (NRECA) and National Water Resources
Association (NWRA) also have approved or have pending concurring
resolutions.
We appreciate your support of statutory language supporting this
position.
Sincerely,
Leslie James,
Executive Director.
______
Prepared Statement of the Southern States Energy Board
The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) is pleased to provide this
statement for the record to the House of Representatives Appropriations
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development as it considers fiscal
year 2004 funding for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and specifically related
to the biomass/biofuels fiscal year 2004 budget request.
The Board commends Congress for restoring $3,000,000 to the U.S.
DOE Regional Biomass Energy Program (RBEP) in the fiscal year 2003
Omnibus Bill. However, SSEB and other regional governors' organizations
with existing cooperative agreements to administer RBEP have yet to
receive this appropriated funding. SSEB urges the Congress to restore
funding for the U.S. DOE Regional Biomass Energy Program and its
valuable State-based regional network at $5,000,000 in fiscal year
2004.
This line item, which would continue an appropriation that has
appeared in every Federal budget since fiscal year 1983, is for the
purpose of promoting economic development by fostering the use of
biobased products and bioenergy, and takes advantage of and sustains
existing networks and infrastructure developed throughout the Nation by
the regional governors' organizations.
Energy independence is a critical element in the President's Energy
Policy and can be significantly enhanced by developing viable domestic
alternative energy sources. Just as the Federal energy policy seeks to
encourage diverse energy sources, eliminating funding for the RBEP
greatly diminishes the States' ability to participate in the
development of biomass energy markets.
The Regional Biomass Energy Program was created by Congress in 1983
under the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bills Public Law
97-88 and Public Law 98-50. The enabling legislation instructed DOE to
design its national program to work with States on a regional basis,
taking into account regional biomass resources and energy needs. The
five regional programs, working with representatives in all 50 States,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and hosted primarily by regional
governors' organizations (Southern States Energy Board, Coalition of
Northeastern Governors and the Council of Great Lakes Governors) are
recognized nationally for their combined experience related to biomass
technologies and policies.
SSEB and other regional governors' organizations hosting regional
biomass energy programs are critical partners of DOE for formulating
policies and facilitating private sector deployment of advanced energy
technologies and practices into target markets.
Beyond the potential economic development benefits, participating
States gain the opportunity to strengthen and integrate the work of
energy, agriculture, forestry, environmental and other State agencies.
Where issues are the same among several States, strategies can be
developed to address these issues across State borders. Examples
include the development of similar State legislative actions, working
with the private sector with multi-State locations, and multi-State
training and outreach to economize resources.
The southern States have participated in this strategy through the
Southeastern Regional Biomass Energy Program (SERBEP) which has
provided over $5.8 million in project funds since 1992 with a cost-
share of over $21 million by leveraging State and private funding for
technology development and deployment. In 1999, SSEB was selected as
the ``host organization'' for the SERBEP and received funding through a
5-year cooperative agreement.
SSEB is an interstate compact organization with enabling
legislation in each member State, covering the 16 States plus Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all members of the Southern Governors
Association. To assure broad based representation, SSEB is governed by
a board composed of the governor and a member of the House and Senate
from each member State. Over the years of administering the SERBEP,
SSEB has created awareness and support for bioenergy/biobased products
in the executive and legislative branches of State government, improved
the effectiveness of SERBEP activities, provided more formal
interaction between the States and improved policy development and
coordination in particular.
We urge Congress to restore this modest but vital appropriation to
protect the Federal Government's 20-year investment in RBEP, and to
continue the promotion of the strong Federal interest in viable and
growing biobased products and bioenergy. Restoration of the
appropriation for RBEP places the Federal focus where it belongs, with
the States.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Wind Energy Association
commitment to r&d a crucial factor in achieving wind energy market
potential
U.S. Wind Energy Industry Has Shown Significant Growth Over the Last 5
Years
Continued Emphasis Needed on Small Wind Systems Used to Power Homes,
Farms and Small Businesses
The American Wind Energy Association \1\ (AWEA) appreciates this
opportunity to provide testimony for the record on the Department of
Energy's Fiscal 2004 wind energy program budget before the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. AWEA's
testimony addresses the following:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The American Wind Energy Association, or AWEA, was formed in
1974. The organization represents virtually every facet of the wind
industry, including turbine and component manufacturers, project
developers, utilities, academicians, and interested individuals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
request for the department of energy wind program--$55 million
AWEA requests a funding level of $55 million for the wind energy
program at the Department of Energy (DOE) to support wind energy
development at the national, State, and local levels. Working in
conjunction with the U.S. wind industry, power producers, suppliers,
industrial consumers and residential users, DOE provides important
technical support, guidance, information, and limited cost-shared
funding for efforts to explore and develop wind energy resources.
Moreover, the research and development (R&D) program at DOE is helping
to support advanced wind energy research that is attracting support
from major industrial companies. AWEA would like to commend the DOE
wind program for its efforts over the past year to involve the industry
in its program planning process. The department has solicited input
from AWEA on the direction of its program and been responsive to
comments received from the industry. AWEA's fiscal year 2004 budget
testimony is focused on two areas within the wind program:
Utility-Scale Wind Development
This cost-shared DOE/industry partnership program has proven to be
successful and with modest annual appropriations has been helpful in
significantly lowering the cost of wind power. In fact, over the past
20 years, the cost has been reduced by over 80 percent. The program is
aimed at further driving down the cost of wind power to a level fully
competitive with traditional electric power technologies. An important
emphasis is on developing wind turbines capable of operating in areas
with lower wind speeds. This would expand wind development potential by
20 times as well as allow the placement of turbines closer to existing
transmission lines.
An additional important element of R&D is applied research in the
areas of atmospheric physics and aerodynamics. This research can
provide knowledge that is essential to achieve the industry's
objectives of reducing the cost of wind energy. In addition to help
lower the cost of wind power, R&D support is necessary for
understanding the integration of wind energy into the Nation's power
systems and better understanding the long-term wind resource and costs
of operating and maintaining wind power stations. These activities will
reduce the perceived risks associated with wind energy developments and
thus reduce the cost of capital for project development.
Another activity required to reduce risk is an enhancement of the
blade and gearbox testing capabilities at the National Wind Technology
Center. The capabilities of the current facilitates are no longer
sufficient to test the next generation of wind turbines currently being
developed and deployed. The existing facilities have been instrumental
in increasing the reliability of wind turbine blades and gearboxes, and
thus contributing to the reductions in the cost of energy.
Small Wind Systems
More emphasis on DOE's small wind turbine program (machines rated
at 100 kilowatts or below) will help achieve greater cost reductions
and increase the availability of this energy option for homes, farms,
schools, and businesses.
overview
The U.S. wind industry is poised for significant growth. However,
important challenges lay ahead. For its part, the wind industry
continues to work to drive down the cost of wind-generated electricity,
thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the product to electricity
providers.
AWEA appreciates the support the subcommittee has provided to the
DOE wind program. In fiscal year 2003, the wind program was funded at
the same level requested by the Administration, $44 million. The fiscal
year 2004 request by the Administration represents a slight drop from
the current year budget. We believe that the funding provided by the
committee should reflect the important work conducted by the wind
program and respectfully request the funding be increased above the
request level.
The wind energy program at the Department of Energy has a strong
history of success. Over the last 20 years, the cost of wind energy has
dropped by more than 80 percent, to a level that is close to
competitive with traditional energy technologies. Cost shared industry/
government research and development activities at DOE and the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have played an important role in
this achievement. Programs such as Wind Powering America have been
educating interested parties across the country on the benefits of wind
power.
Continued investment at DOE in domestic energy alternatives like
wind power will allow the industry to keep driving down costs and
improving the efficiency of new wind turbines. Wind energy holds the
greatest potential of all non-hydro renewables to contribute to our
energy needs over the next decade.
Wind energy is positioned to be an important part of the Nation's
energy mix. Wind can be an important component in protecting against
volatile electricity rates. The costs of a wind plant are primarily up-
front capital costs, thus the price for electricity is stable over the
life of the plant because the fuel, the wind, is free.
Investing in domestic, inexhaustible renewable energy technologies
strengthens our national security, provides rural economic development,
spurs new high-tech jobs, and helps protect the environment. There are
no downsides to investing in wind and other renewables.
Finally, we want to stress the importance of the wind energy
Production Tax Credit (PTC), which provides a 1.5-cent per kilowatt-
hour credit for electricity produced (the credit is currently 1.8 cents
adjusted for inflation). A 2-year extension of this tax credit was
approved with bipartisan support in March 2002 and signed into law by
the President. The credit is set to expire again on December 31, 2003.
The wind industry is seeking a full long-term extension of the credit,
in order to provide for more certainty and stability for the industry.
Bipartisan legislation to extend the credit has been introduced in both
the House and Senate.
utility-scale wind development
In 2002, the generating capacity from wind power grew by 10
percent, with 410 megawatts (MW) of new equipment going into service.
At year's end, the installed capacity nationwide totaled 4,685 MW
across 27 States, or enough power to serve about 1.3 million average
U.S. households.
By mid-2003, installed wind energy capacity in the U.S. is expected
to be over of 5,000 MW. Development is planned in a number of States,
including New Mexico, California, Iowa and Minnesota. This new
development will help spur rural economic development through new
construction and manufacturing jobs, lease income for landowners, and
local and county tax payments.
Cost shared research and development programs at DOE have played a
key role in the development of wind energy. There is important work to
be done, however, to continue the momentum the industry has built. For
instance, the current generation of wind turbines have successfully
lowered the cost at the best wind sites (Class 5 & 6). However, in
order for wind to reach its full potential, the industry must penetrate
areas with moderate wind speeds (Class 3 & 4). Tapping such areas,
which are often closer to necessary transmission lines, could increase
the amount of wind development by a factor of 20.
small wind systems (100 kw and below)
AWEA believes a greater emphasis on small wind turbine research and
development is needed as the demand for these turbines continues to
grow. Distributed generation with small customer sited power plants has
great potential for reducing energy costs, promoting competition in the
marketplace, and strengthening the Nation's electrical supply network.
AWEA recognizes that some progress has been made at DOE in the
small wind turbine program. However, it is vital that additional
resources be dedicated to programs that will help make small wind
turbines cost-competitive for homeowners. DOE has significant programs
for technology development and deployment of other distributed energy
technologies, but programs for small wind have received little
attention despite the fact that small wind systems arguably have a
greater market potential.
The high up-front costs of small wind systems make it very
difficult for this technology to gain wide acceptance in the domestic
market. This would change if DOE had the resources to work with
America's small wind manufacturers to achieve cost reductions similar
to those achieved by the large, utility-scale wind industry. In some
States like California, that provide a State rebate for purchasers,
small wind turbine manufacturers have experienced a surge in sales,
demonstrating the public support for cost-effective small wind
turbines.
Additional Funding Request: Renewable Energy Production Incentive
(REPI)--$8 million
AWEA also advocates for additional funding for the Renewable Energy
Production Incentive (REPI) program as a separate item within the
Renewable energy budget. Year-to-year uncertainty regarding funding
levels for the Renewable Energy Production Incentive (REPI) plays havoc
with the long-term planning needs of running a municipally owned
utility. Due to insufficient funds for the program, full payments for
eligible projects have not been made for a number of years. For this
reason, AWEA suggests the Congress work with the Department of Energy
to develop long-range alternatives to annual funding of this program.
The REPI program, authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 1992,
encourages municipally owned utilities to invest in renewable energy
technologies including wind energy systems. REPI permits Department of
Energy to make direct payments to publicly and cooperatively owned
utilities at the rate of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity
generated from wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass projects. Because
wind energy projects require a 2- to 3-year lead-time for permitting
and construction, it is very important that stable and predictable
funding be provided.
conclusion
Continued investments in wind energy R&D are delivering value for
taxpayers by developing another domestic energy source that strengthens
our national security, provides rural economic development, spurs new
high-tech jobs, and helps protect the environment.
While the wind industry continues to grow in terms of new
generation capacity installed, continued Department of Energy wind
energy R&D is vital to growing this domestic power source. The current
debates in Congress regarding energy policy have brought to light the
important role wind and other renewable energy technologies, both
utility-scale and small-scale, can play in our Nation's energy
strategy.
AWEA appreciates the opportunity to provide this testimony to the
Subcommittee. We would be pleased to answer any questions that may
arise. Thank you.
______
Prepared Statement of the American Society for Microbiology
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), the largest single
life science organization in the world, with more than 42,000 members,
appreciates the opportunity to provide written testimony on the fiscal
year 2004 budget for the Department of Energy (DOE) science programs.
The ASM represents scientists working in academic, medical,
governmental and industrial institutions worldwide. Microbiological
research is focused on human health and the environment and is directly
related to DOE programs involving microbial genomics, climate change,
bioremediation and basic biological processes important to energy
sciences.
The Office of Science supports unique and critical pieces of U.S.
research in scientific computation, climate change, geophysics,
genomics, and the life sciences. This research is conducted at both the
DOE national laboratories and at approximately 250 universities
nationwide through peer-reviewed, competitive research. The Office of
Science is also an invaluable contributor to the scientific programs of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science
Foundation (NSF). These partnerships bridge the gap between the
physical sciences, the life sciences and computational sciences,
allowing science to refine and advance our efforts in deciphering
genomes and their critical functions. The Office of Science is a leader
in these efforts and promoting multidisciplinary research that seeks to
harness the capabilities of microbes and microbial communities to help
us to produce energy, clean up waste, and sequester carbon from the
atmosphere. Furthermore, these cross-disciplinary programs contribute
enormously to the knowledge base and training of the next generation of
scientists while providing worldwide scientific cooperation in physics,
chemistry, biology, environmental science, mathematics, and advanced
computational sciences.
The Office of Science will play an increasingly important role in
the Administration's goal of U.S. energy independence in this decade.
Many DOE scientific research programs share the common goal of
producing and conserving energy in environmentally responsible ways.
Programs include basic research projects in microbiology, as well as,
extensive development of biotechnological systems to produce
alternative fuels and chemicals, to remediate environmental problems,
and to reduce wastes and pollution.
The Administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2004 requests
$3.3 billion for the Office of Science, an increase of $5 million over
fiscal year 2003. The ASM would like to submit the following comments
and recommendations for funding levels for research in the Biological
and Environmental Research (BER) and Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
programs for fiscal year 2004. Federal investment in these programs
today, will help to ensure fundamental research to find solutions to
future environmental and energy problems while maintaining U.S.
scientific leadership worldwide.
microbial genomics
The Administration has requested $10 million for fiscal year 2004,
which is the same level as in fiscal year 2003. In view of the
tremendous potential from microbial genomic sequencing, the ASM
recommends that Congress provide $15 million for fiscal year 2004. In
1994, the Office of Biological and Environmental Research developed the
Microbial Genomics Program as a compliment to the Human Genome Program.
This early leadership in microbial genomics has allowed the program to
decipher the genomic sequences of many of the non-pathogenic
microorganisms available today. This information provides clues into
how we can design biotechnological processes that advance research in a
number of disciplines and national priorities, such as biogeochemical
cycles, global warming, and alternative energy research. Fundamental
microbial research will continue to underpin DOE's research
capabilities in other BER and BES programs, including: Genomes to Life;
bioremediation research; and carbon sequestration. DOE has also
developed, at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), a highly efficient,
centralized sequencing facility that is a unique and valuable resource
for serving the Nation's non-medical microbiological researchers.
Knowing the complete DNA sequence of a microbe provides important
keys to the biological capabilities of the organism and is the first
step in developing strategies to more efficiently detect, counteract,
use, or reengineer that microbe to address an assortment of national
issues. The DOE has completed the DNA sequencing of more than 50
microbes with potential uses in energy, waste cleanup, and carbon
sequestration. For instance, the JGI has completed the genomic DNA of
several algae important in the ocean's photosynthesis process and in
soil bacteria that assimilate carbon dioxide, both important biological
processes for carbon dioxide capture from the atmosphere.
The ASM applauds DOE's leadership in recognizing this important
need in science and endorses expansion of its microbial genome
sequencing efforts, particularly in using DNA sequencing to learn more
about the functions and roles of the 99 percent of the microbial world
that cannot yet be grown in culture.
genomes to life program
The ASM strongly supports the Administration's funding of the
Genomes to Life (GTL) program at $59 million for fiscal year 2004. The
GTL program is ushering in a new biological era--the era of systems
biology, which will allow us to understand entire living organisms and
their interactions with the environment. This new level of exploration
(i.e., systems biology) will empower scientists to pursue completely
new approaches to discovery and spur the development of new products or
services from microbes and other organisms. With a deeper, genetically
based understanding of living organisms, the potential to utilize and
refine their functions will allow us to address many of today's
challenges in carbon sequestration, energy transformation, and
environmental clean up. The Genomes to Life program has just begun to
demonstrate the potential application of microorganisms for energy,
medicine, agriculture, environment, and national security needs. This
research will potentially offer new biotechnology solutions to these
challenges and those of tomorrow. Underlying the potential applications
of biotechnology for clean energy, mitigating climate change, and
environmental cleanup is the need for a solid understanding of the
functions, behaviors and interactions of every biological part (the
genes and proteins) of a microorganism. If we are to improve the
productivity of forests, bioremediation agents, biomass crops and
agricultural systems, it is imperative to understand how these
biological machines work. This will require a staggering amount of
expertise across the sciences (e.g., physical and computational), new
computational capabilities, new tools, and new interdisciplinary
approaches to genomics research.
In fiscal year 2004, the GTL program will increase its emphasis on
DNA sequencing of microbes and microbial communities. This sequencing
will serve as the core biological data needed to further understand the
control and function of molecular machines and microbial communities.
The ASM applauds the programs continued focus on microbial communities
and notes that this represents the kind of interdisciplinary science
that DOE has done successfully in the past, making use of advanced
technologies, specialized facilities, teams of scientists, and
computational power. The ASM also sees this program as the basis for an
expanded effort to understand more broadly how genomic information can
be used to understand life at the cellular level and urges Congress to
fully support this exciting program.
climate change research
The ASM is pleased to see the Administration's support of Climate
Change Research continue in its fiscal year 2004 budget. The ASM
endorses the President's proposed $143 million budget, an increase of
$6 million over fiscal year 2003. The Society is also supportive of the
proposed $19 million budget for the Ecological Processes section for
fiscal year 2004, a $5 million increase over fiscal year 2003.
In fiscal year 2003, the Administration launched the Climate Change
Research Initiative (CCRI), to study the potential effects of
greenhouse gases and aerosol emissions on the climate and the
environment. The Climate Change Research Subprogram is DOE's
contribution to the cross-agency CCRI and applies DOE's expertise in
genomics and computational climate modeling to determine the effects of
greenhouse emissions on the global climate. The Climate Change Research
subprogram supports four areas of research: Climate and Hydrology,
Atmospheric Chemistry and Carbon Cycle, Ecological Processes, and Human
Interactions. This research is focused on understanding the physical,
chemical, and biological processes affecting the Earth's atmosphere,
land, and oceans and how these processes may be changing because of
greenhouse emissions.
The Ecological Processes portion of the subprogram is focused on
understanding and simulating the effects of climate and atmospheric
changes on the biological structure and functioning of planetary
ecosystems. Research in 2004, will focus on understanding the responses
of a simplified terrestrial ecosystem (e.g., higher plants, consumers
of plant production, and soil microorganisms) to changes in a key
environmental factor, such as, temperature. This research is critical
if we are to better understand the changes occurring in our ecosystems
from increasing levels of atmospheric radiation absorptive gases.
The ASM urges Congress to support this important research within
the Office of Science budget. The Climate Change Research subprogram is
a key component in developing more accurate climate modeling and
ecosystem data, and promises to yield new technologies to address
future climate changes.
basic energy science
The Administration's requested funding for the Office of Basic
Energy Sciences (BES) is $1 billion for fiscal year 2004. This program
is a principal sponsor of fundamental research for the nation in the
areas of materials sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and biosciences as
it relates to energy. Biosciences funds an array of microbiological and
plant research focused on harvesting and converting energy from
cellulose and other products of photosynthesis into renewable
resources.
The ASM is supportive of DOE's continued emphasis upon biobased
energy research as a key component of the Nation's energy portfolio. In
2004, biosciences will continue to focus on recent successes in its
cellulose biosynthesis program, which is funding research into the
synthesis of cellulose, the most abundant biomolecule, as a potential
biofuel. Other microbiological research (e.g., Molecular Mechanisms of
Natural Solar Energy Conversion, $12 million in fiscal year 2004)
supported by the program includes fundamental research into the
characterization of molecular mechanisms involved in the conversion of
solar energy into biomass, biofuels, bioproducts, and other renewable
energy resources. Furthermore, the ASM believes continued research into
energy-rich plants and microbes be a DOE priority as genomic
technologies have given this research area a tremendous new resource
for advancing the Agency's bioenergy goals.
The ASM is also supportive of new activities, such as, the
Metabolic Regulation of Energy Production program ($19 million for
fiscal year 2004), which supports the biological advances needed to
complement the chemical nanoscale program within the Office of Science.
bioremediation
DOE's bioremediation research is contained in the Natural and
Accelerated Bioremediation Program (NABIR). The Administration's
proposed budget for the NABIR program is $24.1 million. The ASM
supports the Administration's request for bioremediation research.
However, the ASM believes that greater benefits will be achieved if the
NABIR program is increased to $30 million.
In fiscal year 2004, the NABIR program will focus on a number of
efforts: Biotransformation (microbiology to elucidate the mechanisms of
biotransformation of metals and radionuclides), Community Dynamics and
Microbial Ecology (structure and activity of subsurface microbial
communities), and Biogeochemical Dynamics (the dynamic relationships
among geochemical, geological, hydrological, and microbial processes).
Bioremediation scientists are searching for cost-effective technologies
to improve current remediation methods to clean up DOE's contaminated
sites. This research has the potential to lead to new discoveries into
reliable methods of bioremediation of metals and radionuclides in soils
and groundwater. The NABIR program supports the basic research that is
needed to understand this technology to more reliably develop the
practical applications for cost-effective cleanup of pollutants at DOE
sites. The ASM strongly recommends that additional funding be allocated
to balance the program elements and pollutants studied as originally
envisioned when the NABIR Program was designed.
new technologies and unique facilities
New technologies and advanced instrumentation derived from DOE's
expertise in the physical sciences and engineering have become
increasingly valuable to biologists. The beam lines and other advanced
technologies for determining molecular structures of cell components
are at the heart of current advances to understand cell function and
have practical applications for new drug design. DOE's advances in high
throughput, low cost DNA sequencing; protein mass spectrometry, cell
imaging and computational analyses of biological molecules and
processes are other unique contributions of DOE to the nation's
biological research enterprise. Furthermore, DOE has unique field
research facilities for environmental research important to
understanding biogeochemical cycles, global change and cost-effective
environmental restoration. In short, DOE's ability to conduct large-
scale science projects and draw on its unique capabilities in physics,
computation and engineering is critical for future biological research.
The ASM strongly supports the basic science agenda across the
scientific disciplines and encourages Congress to maintain its
commitment to the Department of Energy research programs to maintain
U.S. leadership in science and technology.
______
Prepared Statement of the Sun Grant Initiative
the national need for bioenergy and bioproducts
Energy Security.--As readily accessible domestic sources of
petroleum have waned, the United States has steadily increased its
reliance on imported oil from other nations. The proportion of imported
oil increased from about 30 percent of domestic consumption in 1970 to
about 56 percent in 2000. Evidence that world oil supplies will become
even more limited in the coming decades suggests that alternative
sources of energy and industrial chemicals must be developed as soon as
possible. Bioenergy resources can be further developed in ways that
complement and augment petroleum energy resources, helping to reduce
our dependence on imported oils while helping constrain the costs of
energy for American industries and consumers.
Farm Security.--Farmers have been experiencing economic hardships
throughout the 1990's and continue today, primarily because of
excessive production of core commodity crops. The hardships have flowed
throughout rural America and a devastating exodus to urban centers has
resulted. Viable alternatives and diversity are needed in agriculture
to bolster the Nation's independent farm families. Bioenergy and
bioproducts produced on American farms represent an opportunity to both
reduce dependence on imported oil while providing a significant source
of income to American farmers.
New Industries.--Imported oil is an important feedstock for
numerous uses other than energy and transportation fuels. Contemporary
plastics, synthetic fibers, lubricants, solvents, paints and numerous
other common products depend on petroleum as a feedstock. In the
future, agriculture will produce biobased feedstocks for production of
these products as well as many other non-food uses. Agriculture will
also be integral to manufacturing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, building
materials, biocatalysts, and numerous other biobased products. The
development of biobased products will complement, augment, and be
integrated with the petroleum industry.
Rural Economic Development.--New biobased industries will benefit
not only agricultural producers but will also stimulate economic
development in the surrounding rural communities. In many cases,
transportation logistics and infrastructure requirements will require
that new biobased industries be physically located in rural
communities--new capital investments and economic stimulation will stay
in the rural community! A biobased economy will revitalize rural
America.
Environmental Protection.--The use of renewable bioenergy and the
production of many biobased products will have numerous benefits for
the environment. The increased use of renewable bioenergy will help
reduce greenhouse gases and will help U.S. communities and industries
improve air quality while remaining economically viable and
competitive. Products that were once ``wastes'' can now become
resources and ingredients in the development of new bioproducts. In
turn, bioproducts can be designed to be biodegradable, further reducing
the ``waste stream'' and reducing the demand for trash disposal land
fills.
New Science and Engineering Technologies.--The latest scientific
and engineering breakthroughs will be brought to bear on the challenge
of moving to a bio-based economy. For example, genomics,
nanobiotechology, and new computer modeling technologies will be
utilized to improve our technical understanding of plant biochemistry,
to develop new enzymatic processes and new materials for bioenergy
production and the development of new bioproducts.
the sun grant initiative
Land Grant Universities.--Today, land grant universities serve
agriculture by implementing research, extension, and educational
programs to benefit agricultural producers and consumers, to assist
rural families and communities, and to conserve the world's natural
resources. Clearly, agriculture will play an important role in
providing power, fuels, and biobased products for America. Because of
the unique position land grant universities have in science, service
and education, it is critical that they are proactively involved in
creating the biobased economy. Over the past several years, land grant
universities have been working to develop a new model for harnessing
the capacities of the distributed agricultural research and education
system into a national network that can work in ready partnership with
the Federal agencies to help reach national bioenergy goals, which has
led to the development of the Sun Grant Initiative.
The Sun Grant Mission.--The mission of the Sun Grant Initiative is
to (1) enhance national energy security through development,
distribution and implementation of biobased energy technologies, (2)
promote diversification and the economic viability of America's
agriculture through land grant based research, extension, and education
programs in renewable energy and biobased products, and (3) promote
opportunities for biobased economic diversification and the development
of new biobased industries in rural communities.
Centers of Excellence and a National Network.--A network of five
land grant universities are serving as regional Sun Grant Centers of
Excellence (Figure 1). The universities include South Dakota State
University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tennessee-
Knoxville, Cornell University, and Oregon State University. Federal
funds will be shared equally among each of the regions. As Federal
funds become available, up to 25 percent of the funds will be utilized
at each center to enhance their abilities to develop model research,
extension, and educational programs on agriculture-based renewable
energy technologies and biobased industries located in rural
communities. The balance of the funds in each region will be awarded
competitively among all land grant universities in the region, drawing
on the expertise of all land grant universities to address national
priorities at the regional level.
These regional programs will embrace the multi-state, multi-
function, multi-disciplinary integrated approach that is at the heart
of the land grant method of addressing problems. The centers will
interface their activities with DOE research laboratories at Oak Ridge,
TN (ORNL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory) and Golden, CO (NREL, National
Renewable Energy Laboratory).
National Priorities
The Sun Grant Initiative programs will revitalize rural
communities, enhance the Nation's energy security and improve our soil,
water, and air. The primary challenges that must be faced include:
--The emergence of agriculturally based bio-industries that can
coexist with and complement petroleum based industries.
--Developing biobased industries that improve the environment and
protect air, water, soil, and other natural resources.
--Developing biobased industries that diversify American agriculture
and complement food production.
--Developing industries that provide opportunities for the growth and
prosperity of rural America.
The transition to agriculturally-based bio-industries will create
economic opportunities for other sectors of the U.S. economy through
creation of high-tech companies and jobs. Through the Sun Grant
Initiative, the United States will continue to be a world leader in
technology and innovation for future high-tech commerce and trade. We
will not only produce biomass feedstocks, we will also lead the world
in the technologies and the intellectual property that makes this
transition to a biobased economy possible.
Regional Priorities
During the development of the Sun Grant Initiative a series of
regional workshops were held with agricultural, industry and community
leaders. Priority needs were identified for bioenergy and bioproducts
projects within each region. The unique structure of the Sun Grant
Initiative will enable the land grant universities to address national
issues of concern to the Federal agencies in the context of regional
and local needs and circumstances.
relation to the sun grant initiative to federal agency biomass programs
The Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 established an
Interagency Board to coordinate the biomass-related programs within and
among Federal departments and agencies. It is co-chaired by the
Departments of Energy and Agriculture. Other member agencies include:
the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, National
Science Foundation, Office of Science and Technology Policy and the
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. The Act also established
an Advisory Committee to advise the Secretaries of Energy and
Agriculture and the Interagency Board on the future direction of
biomass research and development investments. The Advisory Committee,
now in its third year of activity, consists of 31 members from
industry, academia, non-profit organizations, and the agricultural and
forestry sectors, who are experts in their respective fields. In
December of 2002, the Biomass Research and Development Technical
Advisory Committee released a science ``roadmap'' outlining recommended
priorities for the development of biomass technologies in the United
States. In addition, Section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural
Development Act of 2002 provided for a reauthorization of the funding
for the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 and provided
funding to support biomass production. Building on these several
legislative authorities, the Department of Energy and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture are
collaborating in the development and implementation of a Biomass
Research and Development Initiative to address the priorities
identified in the roadmap.
One of the remaining challenges in developing bioenergy and
bioproducts technologies is that they have to be developed as a
complete system to be cost effective and economically viable. Many new
biobased businesses have failed because they only addressed one part of
a new biobased economy. In order for farmers to increase production of
a needed biofuels feedstock materials they need to be assured of a
steady demand. In order for bio-industries to develop a new product,
they have to be assured of a steady supply of biobased feedstock
materials. The rate limiting cost in developing biobased feedstock is
often the cost of shipment; it may be most cost effective to process
feedstock within a 50-mile radius of the site where it was grown, which
in turn requires a distributed network of bioprocesses or generators.
The generators may not break even unless they are also used to co-
generate heat or unless they feed energy back into local energy grids.
The Sun Grant Initiative provides a means for the Department of Energy
and the Department of Agriculture to access the research and education
expertise of the land grant university system across the country to
develop new technologies and education programs. The structure of the
Sun Grant Initiative will enable the Departments to ``put all the
pieces'' together to create comprehensive regional scale projects that
can address multiple real world production needs simultaneously. The
Sun Grant Initiative complements and completes the mix of legislative
and funding tools that support biomass research and development.
legislative developments
Legislation to authorize the Sun Grant Initiative was developed in
2002. The proposed legislative language defines the regional Centers of
Excellence and the network of collaborating universities, as well as
the mechanism for apportioning and distributing funds described in this
testimony. The proposed legislative language will authorize funding for
the Sun Grant Initiative at the level of $100 million. There is bi-
partisan support for introducing and passing this language in 2003. It
is our understanding that there will be communications from leading
Senate offices to the Committee indicating support for moving this
initiative forward and initiating start-up funding in fiscal year 2004.
funding request
We request initial start-up funding of $20 million for the Sun
Grant Initiative in fiscal year 2004. We suggest that funding be
provided through the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs of
the Department of Energy, in order to augment and expand the
Department's biomass and bioenergy research and development programs.
In order to facilitate coordination and collaboration with the
Department of Agriculture, we are also recommending funding of $1
million be provided in fiscal year 2004 through the USDA's Cooperative
State Research, Extension and Education Service.
______
Prepared Statement of the Health Physics Society (HPS) and Health
Physics Program Directors Organization (HPPDO)
This written testimony for the record for fiscal year 2004 requests
add-on appropriations to the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear
Engineering, Science and Technology (DOE-NE) to address an issue of
extreme importance to the safety of our Nation's workers, members of
the public, and our environment.
The safety of our Nation's workers, members of the public, and our
environment is in jeopardy because of the projected near-term and long-
term shortage of sufficient educated radiation safety professionals to
protect them. Protection of workers, the public, and the environment is
necessary as we use radiation and nuclear technologies to support our
Nation's energy, health, and security needs. The national shortage of
radiation safety professionals is primarily due to the fact that the
Nation's academic research and education programs responsible for
radiation safety and health are being terminated. Resolving this
shortage in national educational infrastructure has become one of the
highest priorities of the professional organizations responsible for
the performance and education of radiation safety professionals, i.e.,
the Health Physics Society (HPS) and the Health Physics Program
Directors Organization (HPPDO).
The Committee has expressed strong support for the University
Reactor Fuel Assistance and Support program's efforts to provide
fellowships, scholarships, and grants to students enrolled in science
and engineering programs at U.S. universities, and has expressed
concern about the ability of the Nation to respond to the growing
demand for trained experts in nuclear science and technology.
Accordingly, the Committee has appropriated funds in fiscal year 2002
(Senate Report 107-039) and fiscal year 2003 (Senate Report 107-220) to
the DOE-NE for addressing this problem through the University Reactor
Fuel Assistance and Support line item. Senate authorization committees
have also recognized the seriousness of this problem and introduced
provisions to address it through authorization of funds to university
programs in bills in the 107th Congress such as S.242, S.472 and H.R.4.
Health Physics is the profession that specializes in radiation
safety, an integral and necessary distinct discipline within the
nuclear sciences. A recent workforce study by the Nuclear Energy
Institute (NEI) has shown that the projected demand for health
physicists for both the Government and Industry far surpasses the
current ability of the academic programs to meet these employment
demands. The fact that this serious problem can potentially impact our
national cleanup program, our defense needs, and our nuclear power
industry is documented in the NEI study. The NEI study does not address
the impact the lack of sufficient qualified radiation safety
professionals will have on our Nation's health and homeland security
programs.
In a recent letter to the HPS, the DOE stated, ``We share your view
that an anticipated shortfall in the Nation's supply of radiation
safety professionals could have a deleterious effect on the safety of
our Nations' workers, the public and the quality of health care.'' This
view has been reinforced in a recent meeting with DOE-NE Director
William D. Magwood, IV, in which Director Magwood expressed support for
our organizations' submittal of testimony to this Committee to
appropriate a $2 million add-on in fiscal year 2004 (fiscal year 2004)
to the DOE University Reactor Fuel Assistance and Support line item.
Following is the testimony prepared by the HPPDO and HPS providing
details of how an appropriation of approximately $2 million in fiscal
year 2004 would be used to start to stem the decline of health physics
university academic programs, and to assist in the public's
understanding of radiation safety as it is applied to the Nation's
energy, health, and security policies.
Requested Funding Levels--$2,067,000 Fiscal Year 2004
Distribution Categories.--Academic Program Support: HP Graduate
Fellowship Program, HP Undergraduate Scholarship Program, Health
Physics Education & Research (HPER) Grants, HP Minority-Majority
Partnerships. Health Physics Society Programs: HPS Grant to support
ABET-ASAC Accreditation, HPS Grant to support Science Teacher
Workshops.
HP Graduate Fellowships ($780,000 in Fiscal Year 2004).--This
program will greatly expand the existing NE/HP fellowship program in
DOE-NE and will replace programs lost from DOE-ES&H in 1999. The
program will specifically target and recruit students into MS and Ph.D.
programs at DOE-approved health physics academic programs. A total of
20 fellows will be targeted for initial 2004-2005 support. In addition
to tuition and fees, students will receive a stipend set at $20,000 per
year making the program competitive with the NSF Graduate Fellowship
Program. All students appointed to the program will be required to
participate in a practicum at a DOE site at least once during their
fellowship tenure. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or permanent
resident aliens. A proposed DOE-approval list of graduate programs in
health physics is given in Appendix A.
HP Undergraduate Scholarships ($64,000 in Fiscal Year 2004).--This
program will target the recruitment of 20 undergraduate students into
academic programs offering B.S. degrees in health physics or
radiological engineering. The award will consist of an annual stipend
of $3,000. The program is open to students who will become Sophomores,
Juniors, or Seniors by September 2005. The award is limited for the
duration of the undergraduate program, typically 36 months for
Sophomores, 24 months for Juniors and 12 months for Seniors. A
Scholarship appointment will not exceed 36 months. Applicants must be
either U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. A proposed DOE-
approved list of undergraduate programs is given in Appendix A.
Health Physics Education & Research (HPER) Grants ($895,000 in
Fiscal Year 2004).--These competitive awards will be provided to
universities to (1) support basic and applied research in health
physics and radiation protection, (2) assist in the recruitment and
retention of junior faculty at academic programs in health physics, and
(3) contribute to the strengthening of the academic community's health
physics infrastructure. A total of 7 research grants will be initially
funded in 2004-2005 at $120,000 per award. Applications must be from
DOE-approved graduate programs in health physics (see Appendix A).
Health Physics Minority-Majority University Partnerships ($213,000
in Fiscal Year 2004).--As an extension of the existing MMUP in Nuclear
Engineering, DOE-NE would sponsor a program that encourages existing
health physics academic programs to establish partnerships with
Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority
Educational Institutions. These partnerships will include new
articulation agreements between these universities, new agreements with
DOE facilities for internships and research participation programs, and
specialized instruction courses designed to introduce the non-
traditional student to the principles of health physics. This program
will encourage students from minority institutions to seek advanced
degrees in health physics through the offering of undergraduate
scholarships and graduate fellowships. At the proposed funding level it
is expected that as many as four partnerships would be established.
Each partnership would be funded at approximately $100,000 a year and
would be renewable up to 3 years.
HPS Grant to Support ABET-ASAC Accreditation ($65,000 in Fiscal
Year 2004)--In 2001, the Health Physics Society was granted status as
the Cognizant Technical Society for the Health Physics and Radiological
Sciences within the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
(ABET). Accreditation criteria are thus in place for health physics
academic programs to be accredited through ABET's Applied Science
Accreditation Commission (ASAC). A DOE-NE grant to the Health Physics
Society is proposed which would support this accreditation effort in
two areas:
--ABET-ASAC Matching Grant Program ($50,000 in Fiscal Year 2004).--
This program would permit academic programs in health physics
to apply for $5,000 matching grants from the Health Physics
Society to support their costs for preparation of an
accreditation self-study packet and for fees associated with
ABET-ASAC accreditation site visits. It is anticipated that
this matching grant program will be particularly important for
smaller programs that seek to be accredited, but have limited
resources for this effort. A total of 10 awards would be
available in the 2004-2005 academic year.
--ABET-ASAC Evaluator Training Program ($15,000 in fiscal year
2004).--This program would fund the HPS Academic Education
Committee's Subcommittee on Program Accreditation. A total of
ten $1,000 travel awards would be available for ABET Evaluators
to serve as observers during ABET-ASAC accreditation visits to
HP and other programs as part of their evaluator training. An
additional $5,000 would be made available to the Subcommittee
to sponsor workshops on Self-Study preparation and ABET-ASAC
Evaluator training at annual meetings of the Health Physics
Society.
HPS Grant to Support the Science-Teacher Workshop Committee
($50,000 in Fiscal Year 2004).--This program would provide a DOE-NE
grant to the Health Physics Society to support its efforts in material
development, instructor training, advertisement, and execution of
Science-Teacher Workshops across the country as organized by regional
chapters of the Health Physics Society. The HPS Science-Teacher
Workshop Committee would administer the grant through formal proposals
from individual HPS Chapters.
appendix a.--graduate and undergraduate programs in health physics \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These programs are currently considered by HPPDO to be
``strong'' programs as they are supported by more than a single faculty
member, have active research programs in radiation protection, have a
long history of producing graduates, and have been active in Health
Physics Society committees and academic program and accreditation
planning.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed DOE Approval List for HP Fellowships, HPER Grant Award, and HP
Scholarships--To Be Replaced with ABET-ASAC List of Programs by
2006
Clemson University.--Dept. of Environmental Eng. and Science,
Clemson, South Carolina. Director: Robert Fjeld, Ph.D.
Colorado State University.--Dept. of Environmental and Radiological
Health Sciences, Ft. Collins, Colorado. Director: Thomas Borak, Ph.D.
Georgia Institute of Technology.--School of Mechanical Engineering,
Atlanta, Georgia. Director: Nolan Hertel, Ph.D.
Idaho State University.--Department of Physics, Pocatello, Idaho.
Director: Richard Brey, Ph.D.
Oregon State University.--Department of Nuclear Engineering &
Radiation Health Physics, Corvallis, Oregon. Director: David Hamby,
Ph.D.
Texas A&M University.--Department of Nuclear Engineering, College
Station, Texas. Director: Ian Hamilton, Ph.D.
University of Florida.--Dept. of Nuclear & Radiological
Engineering, Gainesville, Florida. Director: Wesley Bolch, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts at Lowell.--Department of Physics,
Lowell, Massachusetts. Director: Clayton French, Ph.D.
University of Michigan.--Department of Nuclear Engineering &
Radiological Sciences, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Director: Kim Kearfott,
Ph.D.
University of Nevada Las Vegas.--Department of Health Physics, Las
Vegas, Nevada. Director: Mark Rudin, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee--Knoxville.--Department of Nuclear
Engineering, Knoxville, Tennessee. Director: Larry Miller, Ph.D.
undergraduate only programs in health physics
(Proposed DOE Approval List for HP Scholarships--To Be Replaced With
ABET-ASAC List of Programs by 2006)
Bloomsburg University.--Department of Physics, Bloomsburg,
Pennsylvania. Director: Jack Couch, Ph.D.
Francis Marion University.--Dept. of Physics and Astronomy,
Florence, South Carolina. Director: Derek Jokisch, Ph.D.
______
Prepared Statement of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
In December 2000, Congress enacted Public Law 106-511, 602, the
``Navajo Nation Electrification Demonstration Program'' (NNEDP). The
legislation was modeled on the historic Tennessee Valley Authority
legislation of the 1930's. Likewise, the goal of the NNEDP is to extend
electrical power to households on the Navajo Nation which currently
lack it. In fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003, Congress
appropriated $3 million and $2.8 million, respectively. For fiscal year
2004, we are requesting the full $15 million per year authorized in the
public law. On behalf of the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority (NTUA) and
the Navajo Nation, our Congressman Tom Udall (D-NM) and Congressman
Rick Renzi (R-AZ) have submitted the request.
Created in 1959, NTUA provides the vast Navajo Nation with the
modern conveniences of electricity, natural gas, water, wastewater
treatment services, and, recently, photovoltaic services. Currently,
NTUA serves approximately 31,314 electric customers, about 7,017
natural gas customers, 26,580 water customers, and 11,760 wastewater
customers throughout the 25,000-square-mile Navajo Nation. The Navajo
Nation spreads across northwestern New Mexico, northeastern Arizona,
and southeastern Utah. It is roughly the size of West Virginia.
Historically, the Navajo Nation suffers from the lack of access to
electricity and other basic infrastructure needs. On March 19, 2003,
during a hearing, the Department of Interior noted to the Senate
Committee on Indian Affairs that a ``huge portion of the Navajo people
lack access to any electricity at all.'' We conservatively estimate
that 18,000 homes throughout the Navajo Nation are still without modern
utility services.
To successfully implement the NNEDP, we have developed a 5-year
strategic plan. In the Construction Phase (Phase One), we focused on
Navajo households located near existing power lines so that the
greatest number of new customers possible could be connected to
electricity with the amount of funding available. In completing Phase
One, NTUA has connected 505 Navajo Nation households. NTUA did this by
targeting groups of homes and homes near existing power lines. This
moved us toward the ultimate goal of NNEDP to ensure that every
household on the vast Navajo Nation has access to a reliable and
affordable source of electricity by the year 2006. In completing Phase
Two (fiscal year 2003), we will spend approximately $2 million for
electrical line extensions and $1 million for photovoltaic services.
The impact that NNEDP has had on Navajo families who until now were
living without electrical power is tremendous. On June 13, 2002, the
home of Lee and Genevieve Horseson of Tonalea, Arizona--located in the
rugged, remote country of northeastern Arizona--was the first NNEDP
home to receive electricity. The moment was unforgettable for the
Horseson family, NTUA, and the Navajo Nation when the lights lit up.
What seemed like a distant dream had become an immediate reality for
the Horseson family. Since then, many families like the Horsesons,
living in different locations across the Navajo Nation, have celebrated
being connected with electrical service for the first time.
In another instance, Mrytle Curley, a single mother of six living
in Arizona, wrote a letter to NTUA thanking us for choosing her as one
of the first beneficiaries of the NNEDP. Navajo citizens like Ms.
Curley once thought that electrical service was an impossible dream
because they were unable to pay for member extension construction
costs. Today, each evening, Ms. Curley and her children sit down to eat
dinner and complete school homework together--in adequate light! Each
week, as the project unfolds, more and more Navajo families are
enjoying the quality of life that other Americans take for granted.
NTUA and the Navajo Nation are committed to successfully
implementing and completing the NNDEP. We envision that we will connect
a significant number of Navajo homes throughout New Mexico, Arizona,
and Utah when we complete the project. Moreover, the electricity
service will contribute to improving the economic and social well-being
of Navajo people. Again, we respectfully request the House of
Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water fully
fund the congressionally authorized appropriations of $15 million for
the Navajo Nation Electrification Demonstration Project. With the
funding, we will continue to build and upgrade power lines to provide
electrical service to Navajo Nation households which currently lack
basic electrical service. True to our motto of Building Together for
Progress, we are demonstrating that Progress has indeed reached
hundreds of homes throughout our beloved Navajo Nation.
Proposed Budget Fiscal Year 2004 Navajo Nation Electrification
Demonstration Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Member Extensions: NTUA estimates that 950-1000 new $10,155,202
customers are candidates for power line extensions
residing on the Navajo Nation and Eastern Navajo Agency
for fiscal year 2004. These customers have yet to be
serviced due to their inability to pay for member
extension construction costs...........................
Photovoltaic: NTUA estimates that 152 new customers are 2,291,211
candidates for PV systems for fiscal year 2004. These
customers live in areas too remote to economically
justify construction of an electrical distribution line
extension. The average cost to for each hybrid PV unit
and installation is $15,000............................
Distribution: To adequately meet current and new 1,624,587
customer electrical load needs, NTUA estimates 34 miles
of 1-phase to 3-phase line conversion will be needed
for fiscal year 2004...................................
Training: NTUA will administer training to staff 75,000
involving installation and maintenance of hybrid PV
units. NTUA will also educate new PV customers on
proper usage and management of their PV units..........
Project Administration & Support: To undertake the 854,000
NNEDP, NTUA needs additional staff: Project Manager,
Project Coordinator, Inspectors, Office staff,
Engineering technicians, Archeologist, and ROW agents.
All will be needed to manage the increased workload
impacting the organization.
The scope of work for extending power distribution
lines includes Project Management, Finance and
Accounting, Engineering, Construction, Material
Management, and Customer Service. Some of the specific
items include site surveys, secondary service wiring
including the pole, transformer, meters and meter
loops, engineering documentation, right-of-way
acquisition, archeologist, and procurement of material
to build electric distribution lines...................
---------------
TOTAL............................................. 15,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------