POWER UNITS SCHEDULED We have a schedule for operation on this project of 3 power units, 2 of them of 40,000 kilowatt capacity, and one of them 6,000. While I am not an expert in any terms in calculating these items, it is my understanding that the gross returns from electric current generated at this dam will be in the neighborhood of $2 million a year. I think that is a reasonable estimate. It is certainly not economical and no saving will be effected by withholding $5,200,000 from the appropriation this year if, as a result of that action, it would mean putting the power units into operation 1 year later. General Chorpening has just testified that if this schedule is delayed now from the schedule originally planned, that the first power unit will be placed into operation in December of 1957 instead of December of 1956. I think it is reasonable to assume also that if the first power unit should be dalayed 1 year, then the other 2 also would be delayed 1 year from their first schedule. That would mean 1 year's full loss of the power generated by these 3 units. This is a multiple-purpose dam. It is in the rainfall section of our State. It has the reservoir there to catch this water, and it is the key dam of the entire Chattahoochee-Flint-Apalachicola Rivers project, which consists of four dams. Its construction is essential in order that water may be released in the dry seasons of the year to firm up power all the way down the river; not only the power-generating projects that are part of this 4dam project but also the 8 or 9 private powerplants which are located down the river below the Buford Dam, steam generating plants. These steam plants require a good deal of water to cool them as they generate electricity, and this Buford Dam, with its great reservoir, will furnish water to be released during these dry seasons of the year to keep these steam plants operating at full capacity. NAVIGATION CHANNEL In addition to that, it is a part of the plan from this four-dam project to have a navigation channel of 9 feet from Columbus, Ga., where Fort Benning is located, down to the Gulf of Mexico. And this water is needed, of course, to be released from the Buford Dam Reservoir in these dry seasons to keep that navigation channel operating the year round. Gentlemen, in conclusion-and I think that you have the facts about this project-I would like to say again that we hope that you will see fit to put in the appropriation bill this year the full amount of $11 million because it seems to me-and I think it is a reasonable assumption that it is not economy to withhold $5,200,000 from this appropriation this year and by that action delay for 1 year the time when returns from the sale of electric power will begin to come in. I appreciate very much this opportunity of talking with you about the Buford Dam, and I would like to, if it is permissible, have Congressman Phil Landrum also make some remarks. Senator RUSSELL. Yes. I certainly intended to call on Congressman Landrum. Senator ELLENDER. Congressman Davis, what are the prospects for the House to vote $11 million? Congressman DAVIS. I wish I could say with certainty what those prospects are, Senator. We have appeared before that subcommittee in behalf of that same item, and while I cannot speak for them, as you know, I will say they were receptive. Senator ELLENDER. That is the trouble. If we have any trouble at all to get the $11 million, that is where it is going to be, in my humble opinion. Representative DAVIS. If you gentlemen will stand with us on it we will certainly try to hold it in over there. Senator RUSSELL. Congressman Landrum, of the Ninth Georgia District. STATEMENT OF HON. PHIL M. LANDRUM, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA GENERAL STATEMENT Representative LANDRUM. Thank you. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, without taking up the time of the committee with repetition, I will say that I want to emphasize what Judge Davis has stated to you, but not emphasize that I can predict, as a freshman Member of the House, what it is likely to do, or not to do. I will say that we did have a very receptive hearing before our subcommittee, and, of course, I shall stand with you gentlemen in any effort as much as I can. I want to touch on two things which I believe are important in considering this additional $5,200,000. I will take them in reverse order of their importance, as I feel they are important. First, a delay of 1 year in the completion of the project at Buford will lessen the full capacity and benefits of the Jim Woodruff Dam now nearing completion at the lower end of the chain of development. The Corps of Engineers has told me that in a dry year, Jim Woodruff would be short in capacity an amount in dollars of $36,500; on kilowatt-hours produced, 12,600,000. KILOWATT CAPACITY In kilowatt capacity, it would be 4,500 kilowatts, $91,800, making in round figures $128,300 that we would lose from benefits of Jim Woodruff if Buford is not completed within that year. In a median year, now, we would lose, in round figures, $40,000, or 1,000 kilowatts of capacity, and 6,700,000 kilowatt-hours; which figures up to make that total of $40,000. We would realize those additional benefits from Jim Woodruff alone, not taking into consideration the benefits that would flow from the other eight installations in between Buford and Jim Woodruff. Now, the next factor which I want to mention is a factor which I believe is of overriding importance in all of this. That is that in this mountain country where this impoundment is being created, the dam constructed over in Gwinnett County is going to uproot a few families who have been there for years and years. They now, with the appropriation that is being recommended by the budget this year and that has previously been appropriated, know something about their relocation problems; that is, down in the 900foot level. The farmers can know when they are going to have to vacate, and they are probably already now negotiating for additional land and know where roads in that general vicinity may be relocated. But back behind Gwinnett County, and into Forsyth, Dawson, Hall to a great degree, and White and Habersham Counties to a lesser degree on up the river, we have literally thousands of families who have lived their entire lifetime in the valley of this river. LAND ACQUISITION It is inundating the most fertile farmlands of that section. They are going to have to move. They know that today. And we think that it is extremely important to remove the suspense of these people who, after all, furnish us the taxes that we are trying to appropriate here. To remove that suspense, let them know now, as soon as we can, that some of this additional $5,200,000 will be used for acquisition. I am informed by the Corps of Engineers that it will be used for acquisition above the 900-foot level, which is the area that reaches the greatest group of these people that have to be relocated. Also, a factor in that is the relocation of the roads by the county government and the State governments, on which positive commitments cannot be made until we know exactly what the appropriation is and when. Now, these farmers, knowing now that they must relocate, are going to stay in a state of suspense as to "Well, am I going to get on a good road?" or "Am I going to have to buy my land or sell my land under pressure, or can I commence to negotiate now in 1954 and get myself relocated before the pressure calms down?" That, gentlemen, is, it seems to me, what makes it extremely important that you go ahead and appropriate the full $11 million. With that, I close my remarks. I just want to say we have Mayor Hartsfield and the county commissioner of Buford and Mr. Edward Rath, of the chamber of commerce, who will have other statements to make in connection with this relocation problem. Senator CORDON. Thank you, sir. Senator RUSSELL. Congressman Pilcher was here a moment ago. I know of his great interest because it affects the Jim Woodruff Reservoir, which is located in his district. Representative DAVIS. He stated he had to leave, Senator. Senator RUSSELL. The Chair advises me he can allow us to have 10 more minutes. The Senate is already in session. I do not know just whom you would like to put on, with such a large and representative group you have here. Representative DAVIS. If you gentlemen will allow me, I would like for Mayor Hartsfield of the city of Atlanta to speak a few words with you. Senator CORDON. The Chair regrets we do not have enough time for oral statements from the other representatives here, but the Chair will be happy to have written statements filed, either now, or within a few days, and such statements can be made and will be made and printed in the record in connection with this showing. Representative DAVIS. We will furnish you statements, then, within a few days, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. (The statements referred to follow :) THE INDUSTRIAL BUREAU OF THE ATLANTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CIVIL FUNCTIONS SUBCOMMITTEE, SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: The chairman presiding at the Civil Functions Subcommittee hearing on the Buford Dam project on Tuesday, February 16, stated that members of the Georgia delegation in attendance had his permission to submit a statement in writing to be incorporated in the record. We are pleased to take advantage of this and attached is such a statement. Sincerely yours, FRANK K. SHAW, Manager-Industrial Engineer. STATEMENT OF FRANK K. SHAW, INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER OF THE ATLANTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ON THE BUFORD DAM PROJECT The need and justification for the Buford Dam are not static things. Its justification is much greater today than 1 or 5 years ago. As proof of this 78 new manufacturing plants were established in the Atlanta area in 1953. Since World War II, 11,138,000 square feet of new manufacturing and distribution warehouse space has been constructed. This represents a capital investment of $100 million in facilities for the manufacture and distribution of goods of all kinds. All of this took place since the potential tonnage survey was made in 1945. In addition, 57 other firms have committed themselves to construct an additional 4,445,000 square feet of buildings within the next 2 years, which represents an added investment of $40 million. A list of the new construction since the war is submitted herewith. New manufacturing plants and distribution warehouses constructed in Atlanta, Ga., 1946-53 inclusive Boyle-Midway division, American Home Products.. Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac division, General Motors Corp. Burroughs Adding Machine_ Carborundum Corp. (The) 65,000 1,270,000 11,000 18,000 |