[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             LEGISLATION TO MODIFY THE LaFARGE DAM PROJECT

                                 ______


                          HON. STEVE GUNDERSON

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 1994

  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, today, I join the citizenry of Wisconsin 
in bringing to fruition its effort during the past 2 years to resolve 
an unhappy situation of the past 30 years.
  In western Wisconsin, there is the small village of LaFarge. Often 
inundated by spring floods, the village sought assistance to control 
this periodic devastation. The Federal Government promised to help buy 
authorizing $5.5 million to construct a reservoir and dam in 1962; 
thus, the LaFarge dam and lake project was born.
  In pursuit of this goal, by 1969, 144 families were up-rooted from 
their farms, and the local school system suffered major losses in 
attendance. Over 8,500 acres were acquired and plans were initiated for 
the construction of a dam and reservoir for flood control, general 
recreation, and fish and wildlife purposes. Plans included the 
reconstruction of State Highway 131 and the construction of an 
educational/visitors center.
  When the environmental impact statement was reviewed, concerns were 
raised over water quality impacts and the effects on rare species. 
Numerous archaeologic and historic sites were identified. For 
environmental reasons, work on the dam was suspended in July 1975, 
leaving 61 percent of the dam uncompleted, while 80 percent of the land 
had been acquired.
  By 1990, it was estimated that annual losses resulting from the 
removal of family farms and the unrealized tourism benefits anticipated 
with the completion of the reservoir and education center totaled over 
300 jobs and $8 million for the local economy.
  But to continue to look back at the losses only dimmed the potential 
for a vision for the future.
  Recognizing the tragic circumstances in which several generations of 
families in the area had found themselves, in 1991, Governor Thompson, 
State Senator Rude, State Representative Johnsrud, and I urged the 
residents in the Kickapoo Valley to form a citizens advisory committee 
to initiate a plan for a positive resolution. Governor Thompson 
appointed Alan Anderson of the University of Wisconsin-Extension as 
coordinator for the Kickapoo Valley Advisory Committee. The Wisconsin 
Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the 
State Historical Society provided professional assistance in the spirit 
of true cooperation. Over a span of 2 years the committee forged a 
consensus and recommended the establishment of a Kickapoo Valley 
Reserve. The State of Wisconsin concurred in their recommendation and 
passed legislation creating the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Governing 
Board.
  Today, I introduced federal legislation with Representative Thomas 
Petri to modify the LaFarge dam project and to bring this project to a 
proper conclusion. This legislation will transfer to the State of 
Wisconsin the lands associated with the project. The legislation also 
formally terminates, or deauthorizes the construction of the lake and 
dam portions of the original authorization. The modifications will 
authorize the $17 million necessary to require the corps to complete 
two central parts of the original project: finishing the relocation of 
State Highway 131 and county Highway routes ``P'' and ``F'', along with 
the construction of a visitor and education complex, recreational 
trails, and canon facilities.
  If the original project were to be completed today, the Corps of 
Engineers estimates the cost would be $102 million. Since the original 
authorization of the project in 1962, the corps has expended $18 
million. Under the legislation introduced today, the Federal 
responsibility to conclude the original activities would be for $17 
million, creating a savings of $66 million to Federal taxpayers.
  With the introduction of this legislation we bring renewed hope to 
the people that Government can right a wrong.

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