The CHAIRMAN. In other words, you are not undertaking to pass on the benefits to the lands along the Green River, into which this Barren River flows? Mr. JONES. No, sir; I am not. The CHAIRMAN. What other point do you want to make? Mr. JONES. It would require the relocation of 50 miles of county roads. That is according to the engineers who have made a survey. The CHAIRMAN. The Government will pay for that. Mr. JONES. Perhaps they would. The CHAIRMAN. That is the understanding. Mr. JONES. But they would require the abandonment of 60 miles of county roads. They would not pay anybody for that. It would require the relocation of US 31-E. That is the north and south highway companion to U S 31-W. I might say in that connection that that is one point that we are extremely interested in both from a matter of civic pride and a matter of civic convenience. It would require another bridge and fill for a State highway, and another bridge on a rural highway. It would require the rerouting of 2 star mail routes, the rerouting of 10 rural mail routes, and it would reduce very materially the production of milk for a milk plant in our town. Mr. Burks spoke of six churches for which he has petitions. There are also about five other churches, including two colored which we did not get petitions from because of the infrequency of their meetings. In other words, they met on the wrong time of the month for us to try to get them. There are approximately 20 stores in that area. There are three roller mills. There are 20 garages and blacksmith shops. There is one Masonic hall, one American Legion clubhouse, and there are so many cemeteries that it is impossible to estimate them. That is due to the fact that there are so many family graveyards. On the 36,000 acres involved The CHAIRMAN. Is that the total in your county? Mr. JONES. In our county, 21,000. The CHAIRMAN. Total of the reservoir? Mr. JONES. 36,000. The CHAIRMAN. How much of that is cultivatable at present? The CHAIRMAN. 18,000 of your 21,000 is in cultivation? Mr. JONES. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Your other point is what? Mr. JONES. The farmers produce tobacco, corn, hogs, dairy cattle, poultry in those 21,000 acres, and those products are estimated at $3,490,000 annually. The CHAIRMAN. What is the total population of your county? The CHAIRMAN. Your other point is what? Mr. JONES. Well, it concerns canning plants which the chamber of commerce started negotiating for about 18 months ago before this new stuff came up, that is, again, and we were anticipating it for the development of vegetables, for instance, for a buffer crop of tobacco which we feel would be declining from the war. We were trying to get a buffer crop for that decline. The CHAIRMAN. That is the plant you hope to get? Mr. JONES. It is being installed this summer, and there were 600 acres of vegetables already pledged in this valley. It is going to be very difficult to follow through with that. As a matter of fact, the main source of our vegetables for that plant would have to come from these valleys. In other words, they figure they would get more income from it than they would from corn. Allen County is the second largest producer of burley tobacco in the State of Kentucky. Year before last we had more than Fayette County. This year we were a little under Fayette County. We work right along together. Fayette County gets the credit for being the biggest county. Another point is that the waters have backed up into the oil fields in Clinton County, Ky., with the result that many of those very fine wells which were being developed over there are now pumping water. The CHAIRMAN. That would not affect your area. Mr. JONES. We have oil in our area, too. It is largely on the north side of the county. The CHAIRMAN. You do have some oil wells in this particular reservoir area? Mr. JONES. One of the original oil fields in Kentucky, Mr. Chairman, is right in the midst of this area. The CHAIRMAN. In the midst of the reservoir area? Mr. JONES. Yes, sir. I believe, sir, that I have covered in a hasty way the subject matter about as completely as I can. The CHAIRMAN. Any questions by any members of the committee? Mr. CHELF. I wish you would point out the present conditions in that area as to the chances of selling that land. Mr. JONES. That is deplorable. We have a very ready sale for all farm lands in Allen County except this basin here. A man in that basin now cannot sell a farm. Nobody is going to buy it. I am speaking frankly and honestly to you. The CHAIRMAN. It has injured the value of your lands? Mr. JONES. It has nullified the transactions for any of that real estate. Mr. CHELF. We really have good land. The CHAIRMAN. We are glad to have had your statement. You may transcribe that. Do you have any other witnesses? Mr. CHELF. No, sir. I would like to present a further statement at a later date. (The statement referred to is as follows:) STATEMENT OF FRANK L. CHELF, MEMBER OF CONGRESS, FOURTH DISTRICT, KENTUCKY, IN OPPOSITION TO PORT OLIVER AND PAGEVILLE DAM SITE Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, I appear here today in opposition to the proposed plan to erect a dam of any description on the Barren River whether same be known as the Jews Harp Dam project, Long Reach site, Pageville, or Port Oliver. On April 9, a delegation from Glasgow and Barren County, Ky., composed of George Akers, farmer and tobacco buyer; Wilson Burks, superintendent of Barren County schools; Will Jones, former Kentucky State senator; and E. R. Settle, circuit-court clerk, appeared in opposition to the construction of this dam and, in addition to their testimony, submitted for the record various facts, figures, statistics, and other evidence proving that a vast majority of the people of Barren County, Ky., are in opposition to the project. In addition to the statements made by witnesses, they left with the committee petitions containing over 2,000 names. Although many officials, professional men, and civic organizations were among those signatures, the greatest majority were signatures of farmers whose land will be inundated should the dam be built. According to the evidence contained in House Document No. 765, Seventyeighth Congress, second session, it would now appear that the report from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, has practically eliminated the feasibility or possibility of the Jews Harp Dam project and the Long Reach site in that: "Surface examination * * * disclosed that the underlying limestone strata might be difficult to seal which made the construction of a safe and effective dam questionable." However, the same report went on to say that: "From the geographical and surface features revealed thus far at Pageville and Port Oliver sites, it appears that a safe and effective dam can be constructed at either point." We are opposed to any dam construction on the Barren River chiefly because: (1) A dam is not needed. (2) It is not wanted. (3) Expense involved would not justify the construction. (4) It would destroy the most fertile and productive soil for the farmers of Barren County. (5) Loss of tax revenue to county and school system. (6) Rerouting of two principal highways and other smaller roads in the county at a tremendous cost. (7) There is no evidence contained in the report from the Army's Chief of Engineers that there is any need for flood control in this area. (8) There is no need for power, inasmuch as power lines from the Gilbertsville and other dam projects are within a radius of some 12 to 15 miles from Glasgow, Ky. Statistics show that the farm income of Barren County in the year 1944 averaged $33.50 per acre for the entire county. Using the time-honored 5-to-1 ratio, this amounts to $167.50 per acre and when it appears that in excess of 21,000 acres of the most fertile river-bottom land will be completely inundated, should the dam be constructed, the loss will be $3,507,000, annually. The above figures are well substantiated by climatic conditions which are reported in House Document 765, Seventy-eighth Congress, second session, on page 14, paragraph 23, wherein it states, among other things: "The crop-growing seasons are long and the winters are usually short and mild, with freezing temperatures lasting not more than a few days at a time." A review of page 17, House Document 765, paragraphs 29, 31, 32, and 33 bear out our contention that Barren County is an agricultural center and "The flood plain area of Barren River is devoted primarily to agriculture and in an average year about 80 percent of the total area of 18,340 acres is planted in crops. The soil is reasonably fertile, most of which belongs to the Untington series. Except for a few localities, it is well drained, and during favorable growing seasons (few are unfavorable) good crop yields are realized. The principal crop is corn which accounts for about 60 percent of the total crop area. Other crops are hay, soybeans, alfalfa, small grains, and tobacco some of the land lying along the river is more intensely cultivated than any other portion of the watershed." Fear and uncertainty of construction of dam has created havoc amongst the farmers. Confusion, turmoil, and strife have completely wrecked all land sales. The quotation taken from the Army engineers' report: "Except for a few localities, it is well drained" seems to me to bear out the contention of the delegation which appeared here before this committee of the people of Barren County that flood control is not needed. ** The further fact that much power is already available in the immediate vicinity of Glasgow, Ky., the county seat of Barren County, does, I believe, show that there is, likewise, no need for power at this point. Since there is, therefore, no need for either flood control or power, it seems to me that an appropriation of some $17,000,000 of the Federal Government funds would be extremely wasteful. Especially is this true when there is such a "crying need" for flood control at other points within Kentucky and throughout the Nation. In the Fourth Congressional District, which I have the honor to represent, for example, there is a far greater need for Federal aid on flood control at Taylorsville, in Spencer County, Shepherdsville, in Bullitt County, Hawesville, in Hancock County, and at Cloverport, in Breckinridge County. Taylorsville and Shepherdsville have suffered tremendously in recent years due to flash floods resulting from the backwaters of Salt River, while Cloverport has sustained frequent and terrible loss of property, as a result of the condition of the Ohio River at that point. The fact of the matter is, the communities of Taylorsville and Shepherdsville have suffered devastating property losses due to a complete lack of flood walls or other flood-control construction. Therefore, it is respectfully requested that the towns herein mentioned within my district which so badly need flood control and Government assistance be given such aid and that the contemplated construction of the Port Oliver Dam in Barren County, Ky., be finally and completely rejected. Attached hereto is a telegram which was received by me on April 10 from Mr. Leonard Preston, chairman of the Port Oliver Dam committee of the Glasgow Lions Club, which is self-explanatory and which I desire to have placed in the record. Congressman FRANK CHELF, House of Representatives, The Capitol, Washington, D. C. GLASGOW, KY., April 10, 1946. Please lend every assistance to Wilson Burk and the Barren County delegation in their fight against the building of a dam on Barren River at Port Oliver. The small amount of revenue that could be received from power production should this dam be built and operated at capacity would be considerably less than the average annual net income now received from the farmers who live in the affected area. Soil conservation, terrace farming, and reforestation in the Barren River area would do more to relieve the dangers of flood than would the dam. The cost of such a project would be less and the value of the land in the territory affected would be considerably more if the soil-conservation program were carried out. We ask your cooperation in fighting the Port Oliver Dam. LEONARD W. PRESTON, Chairman, Port Oliver Dam Committee, Glasgow Lions Club. Mr. CLEMENTS. I want to do that same thing. Allen County joins Barren County and is affected very similarly. (The matter referred to follows:) CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, Hon. WILLIAM M. WHITTINGTON, Chairman, Committee on Flood Control, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., April 16, 1946. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR CHAIRMAN WHITTINGTON: Under date of April 9, 1945, arguments were presented before the Flood Control Committee in opposition to the construction of a dam on the Barren River at the Port Oliver site in Allen County, Ky., as recommended by the War Department and set forth in House Document No. 765,, Seventy-eighth Congress. The people of Allen County feel that the construction of this proposed dam would be inimical to their best interests, in that it would inundate and thus eliminate the use of considerable acreage comprising the most valuable river bottom lands in Allen County, thus destroying splendid farm lands and forcing the people now occupying and earning a living from those lands to leave Allen County, which exodus would work a severe hardship on the entire county. The taxpayers of this area who would be adversely affected by the construction of this proposed dam are of the opinion that such a dam is not needed and that its construction would result not only in the destruction of the afore-mentioned valuable farm lands but also result in the loss of vitally needed tax revenues which would prove · detrimental to both the school and road systems of Allen County. You will find attached copy of a petition, the original of which I filed with the Chief of Engineers, War Department, on February 5, 1946, sent to me by a group of landowners in Allen County protesting against the construction of the proposed dam at Port Oliver. As Allen County is located in the Second Congressional District of Kentucky, which I represent, and as I naturally have a direct and immediate interest in the welfare of the residents of that county I desire to make of record with your com mittee their protest in this connection. There is seemingly a unanimity upon the part of Allen County citizens in opposition to the building of the dam at Port Oliver and I respectfully petition your consideration of their views on this matter. With best wishes, I am, DEAR MR. CLEMENTS: We, the undersigned owners of bottom lands in Allen County, Ky., which would be submerged by water if the proposed dam should be built across Barren River near Port Oliver in Allen County, Ky., do most respectfully protest against the building of said dam for the following reasons: That no dam is needed for flood control in Barren River, because there is not an average of one crop in 10 years being destroyed by floodwater in Barren County. If such a dam should be built, it would flood and submerge all of the river bottoms in Allen County and the creek bottoms on such creeks as flow into Barren River above said dam. We have thousands of acres of very productive river-bottom land and creekbottom land that would be submerged, thereby destroying the most valuable agricultural lands in this county. Allen County is not a wealthy county, and this dam would destroy a great deal of our most valuable property, not only for producing large crops, but for taxation as well, and we would not receive enough taxes, we believe, to properly carry on the functions of government and especially to support our schools. We are not collecting the maximum tax rate for the county and schools, and if this property should be destroyed it would be impossible to collect enough taxes to maintain our schools at the present standards, and we most respectfully request that there be no dam erected or constructed at said proposed site. Most respectfully submitted. Hon. EARLE C. CLEMENTS, SCOTTSVILLE, KY., January 1, 1946. Congressman, Second District of Kentucky, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. CLEMENTS: We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Allen County, Ky., do hereby request and petition you to oppose the construction of a dam across Barren River at Port Oliver in Allen County, Ky., because we think it would do great damage to this county. There is no flood problem here in reference to the water of Barren River. We understand that it is a rare thing that the crops in the bottoms are destroyed on account of floodwaters, and, while we have no lands that would be affected and are not directly interested from that standpoint, we are interested as taxpayers and citizens of Allen County, because if this dam should be constructed it would submerge and destroy the value of many thousand acres of our agricultural lands along the river and creeks that flow into said river above said proposed dam, and it would also destroy a great deal of valuable property for tax purposes, and we need all the taxes obtainable in order to carry on our county government and for our schools, and we certainly hope that this dam will not be constructed. Very respectfully submitted. The CHAIRMAN. Some of your land is taken for the reservoir?` Mr. CLEMENTS. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. The people for whom you speak oppose the reservoir? Mr. CLEMENTS. In Allen County. The CHAIRMAN. Do you have any counties below the reservoir in your district? Mr. CLEMENTS. I have them all the way to the Ohio River. 87116-46- -16 |