Study of this maximum possible extension of the system shows that there are no engineering problems which cannot be solved by the same types of structures previously discussed. Nineteen additional miles of levee would protect the Middle and West Bottoms. Two miles of the main supply canal would be relocated above the West Bottom, and 2 miles of new levee would protect a small irrigated area known as Zero Bottom.

Trenton Lake would be inside the extended levee, forming a large ponding area for Painted Wood Creek. A pumping plant with 83,000 gallons per minute capacity would be provided at Trenton Lake for use during high-water periods. Pumping plants with capacities of 11,000 gallons per minute and 800 gallons per minute would be built for the West Bottom and Zero Bottom. Flow from three minor tributaries will be diverted directly to the river.

The total additional cost of such an enlarged system of protective works, if it ever should become necessary, is estimated at:

Williston

Lewis and Clark__.
Buford-Trenton

COORDINATION WITH AFFECTED INTERESTS

$2,500,000 4, 200, 000 13, 800, 000

We have gone to considerable effort to be certain all the various local agencies and interests have been informed as to our plans for the protection works. This has been accomplished through a series of conferences, correspondence, and meetings the last 2 months. Just 2 weeks ago I made a special trip to Williston with Colonel Hille, the Garrison district engineer, for one of the meetings with local interests.

I believe you will be interested in a summary of the reactions we have obtained. For the State of North Dakota, the Governor, by letter of January 16, 1954, has expressed the State's satisfaction that the engineering designs are adequate to protect the present irrigation projects, and that the proposed protective works are sufficiently well designed to assure the citizens of the Williston vicinity full protection.

As you know, the Bureau of Reclamation has fully agreed to the proposed operation of Garrison Reservoir at the 1850 maximum normal pool level. After review of our proposed protection plans, the Chief Engineer of the Bureau of Reclamation has agreed that effective protection can be provided the BufordTrenton unit by our general plan of levee protection, within the estimated cost. He has suggested, however, the possibility of deferring construction of protection of this relatively high level unit until some aggradation actually develops. He also mentioned purchase and leasing of areas in the potential Garrison flood pool as a possible alternative.

No objections to our plan have been raised by the Great Northern Railway. Their engineers have gone over the plans thoroughly with our engineers, and I anticipate no serious difficulties at all with the railroad.

As you know, spokesmen for the city of Williston and the irrigation district landowners have taken a firm stand against the 1850 operating level for Garrison Reservoir for several years. They still display this attitude. However, our proposed plans have been explained to them in detail and they have expressed no engineering objection to any major detail of the proposed protection works. There seems to be some local fear about protection of the irrigated lands from seeping, and some individuals have even expressed informally a preference for a negotiated settlement rather than levee protection. I can assure you positively, with the concurrence of the State, the Bureau of Reclamation and eminent consultants, that adequate protecion is engineeringly feasible. I feel certain that if the directive of Congress is to go ahead with this protection, we can work out the details satisfactorily with all local interests involved.

PRESENT PLANS

The present 1955 budget for Garrison Reservoir includes these amounts for the Williston area:

Planning---

Land acquisition_

Construction_-_

$414, 300 1, 555, 000

Let me explain why it is essential that we proceed with planning the protective works, and with land acquisition in this area, in fiscal year 1955.

The Garrison Dam was closed and initial impoundment of storage started in 1953. Although under normal inflow conditions the plans do not call for filling Garrison Reservoir to the full operating level until the early 1960's, construction of the dam and filling of the reservoir will have progressed sufficiently that a great flood could cause the reservoir to be filled to the maximum normal operating level as early as 1957 or 1958. Therefore our present construction schedules call for provision of limited protection at Williston by 1957, and complete pro tection by 1958. Most of three construction seasons will be required, so we must be ready to start on actual construction by midsummer of 1955. Final detailed construction planning will have to get underway in fiscal 1955 to meet this schedule.

Also, for protection from possible filling of the reservoir by a major flood by 1957 or 1958, we must start acquiring the lands and rights-of-way for the protective works in fiscal 1955, before construction can be initiated. We should also be proceeding with other real-estate acquisition above elevation 1840, and the negotiations related to the protective plans, in fiscal 1955, in order that these can be completed in an orderly and satisfactory manner.

WILLISTON FACILITIES

General POTTER. Might I give a short résumé, because the problem has been before the Congress for several years and we are now prepared to give this outline of the facilities we propose for Williston to the committee. While my prepared statement is rather lengthy, I would like to present just a few facts. I might add, Senator Thye, that during the last year there has been a considerable growth in Minneapolis of interest in this whole project. The newspapers there have given us some marvelous stories on the whole project.

Senator THYE. I think it is an excellent development. It will eventually afford great opportunities for that entire western region, both in power and the possibility of irrigation out there. Of course, anything that benefits North and South Dakota naturally benefits the Twin Cities.

General POTTER. With respect to the Williston problem, Mr. Chairman, the Garrison Reservoir-in fact, the whole basin program-as presented in Senate Document 247 was authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1944. The map which accompanied the project document under the authorization showed the reservoir extending up and beyond the town of Williston. It could not have done so if it were not at elevation 1850 or higher.

The authorizing documents required that the Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers, as the design progressed, come to an agreement on the heights and capacities of all the main-stem.

reservoirs.

In August 1945 a meeting of the Missouri Basin Inter-Agency Committee was held to review this problem and the 3 representative governors and the 3 Federal agencies were represented. After listening to discussions of all phases of the problems by Governor Aandahl of North Dakota, by objectors from the town of Williston and by the Corps of Engineers, the committee voted unanimously to approve the 1850 operational level with Governor Aandahl concurring.

Further, on June 1, 1953, the problem was put officially to the Bureau of Reclamation which answered in an official letter from the Department of the Interior signed by Ralph A. Tudor, Acting Secretary of the Interior. I would like to read one pertinent paragraph:

The Bureau of Reclamation feels that the Garrison Reservoir should be operated at a maximum normal pool elevation of 1850 feet above sea level as proposed by the Corps of Engineers.

LETTER OF GOVERNOR

On January 16, 1954, after a meeting in Williston at which Governor Brunsdale presided and I presented this plan, the Governor wrote a letter to the district engineer, one paragraph of which says:

It is the opinion of the chief engineer of the State water conservation commission, who has had an opportunity to review these plans with your engineering and consultant staff at Riverdale, that the engineering design for proposed levees, dikes, and other appurtenant works are adequate to protect the present irrigation projects now being operated.

Further, on January 13, 1954, a letter signed by L. N. McClellan, Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and also Chief Engineer, approved the plans in general for their agency with some