[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               LEGISLATION TO MODIFY THE LaFARGE PROJECT

                                 ______


                          HON. STEVE GUNDERSON

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. GUNDERSON. Mr. Speaker, today I am reintroducing with 
Representative Petri, a measure which would direct the Secretary of the 
Army to transfer to the State of Wisconsin lands and improvements 
associated with the LaFarge Dam and Lake project--a Corps of Engineers 
flood control project initiated in 1962. This legislation would 
deauthorize the construction of the reservoir and dam, while completing 
other features of the original project.
  On October 3, 1994, the House of Representatives passed the Water 
Resources and Development Act by a voice vote. This measure 
incorporated provisions in H.R. 4575 which modified the original 
LaFarge Dam project and provided the opportunity to lay to rest 
economic stagnation which has plagued this area for 30 years. 
Unfortunately, during the closing days of the congressional session the 
other body did not consider the legislation, thus the measure died when 
Congress adjourned.
  Prior to 1962, the LaFarge area, nestled in the Kickapoo Valley of 
Wisconsin, was a farm community which suffered from severe flooding 
each spring. Responding to residents' complaints, the Federal 
Government promised to correct the flooding problem by constructing a 
reservoir and dam. For environmental reasons, work was suspended in 
July
 1975, leaving 61 percent of the dam unfinished, while 80 percent of 
the land was 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 project totaled over 
300 jobs and $8 million for the local economy, further exacerbating 
poverty in the area.

  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 the Kickapoo Valley 
Reserve.
  In the spring of 1994, the State of Wisconsin concurred in its 
recommendation and the legislature created the Kickapoo Valley Reserve 
and Governing Board. Having established this entity, the State of 
Wisconsin is prepared to receive the transfer of land from the Federal 
Government, pending action by the Congress.
  This legislation, which transfers lands associated with the project 
to the State of Wisconsin, formally terminates, or ``de-authorizes'' 
the construction of the lake and dam portions of the original 
authorization. The modification 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 canoe 
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 reintroduction of this legislation we bring renewed hope to 
the people that Government can right a wrong. Thus, I urge my 
colleagues to pass this legislation. By doing so, we will have seized 
on a golden opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of 
those in the Kickapoo Valley, while sustaining the region's rich 
environmental surroundings for generations to come.


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