63D CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (DOCUMENT 2d Session. } No. 878. MALDEN RIVER, MASS. LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR, TRANSMITTING, WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORTS ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION AND SURVEY OF MALDEN RIVER, MASS., WITH A VIEW TO A MODIFICATION OF THE PROJECT. APRIL 2, 1914.—Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed, with illustration. WAR DEPARTMENT, The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, dated 31st ultimo, together with copies of reports from Col. John Millis and Lieut. Col. W. E. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, dated February 9, 1914, and March 10, 1914, with map, on preliminary examination and survey, respectively, of Malden River, Mass., made in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved March 4, 1913. Very respectfully, LINDLEY M. GARRISON, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Washington, March 31, 1914. From: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army. Subject: Preliminary examination and survey of Malden River, Mass. 1. There are submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated February 9, 1914, with map, by Col. John Millis, Corps of Engineers, and report dated March 10, 1914, by Lieut. Col. W. E. Craighill, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination and survey, respectively, of Malden River, Mass., with a view to a modification of the project authorized by the river and harbor act approved March 4, 1913. 2. The river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912, appropriated $80,000 for improving Malden River, Mass., by dredging a channel 6 feet deep at mean low water, 100 to 150 feet wide, from the mouth of the river to Medford Street Bridge, subject to certain conditions which have not yet been complied with, and no expenditures have been. made. It now appears that persons interested in the improvement desire that the channel line be modified so as to eliminate the more difficult bends. The district officer estimates the cost of the straightened channel at $95,000, but states that it is probable that the entire project with the modification now proposed may be completed with the appropriation of $80,000 already made. He recommends that the project be modified to permit the application of the $80,000 appropriated by the river and harbor act of July 25, 1912, to dredging the channel 6 feet deep at mean low water, in substantial accordance with the lines shown on the accompanying map, subject to the conditions originally prescribed and to the further condition that any excess of cost over $80,000 be provided by local or private interests before dredging is commenced. The division engineer concurs in the views and recommendations of the district officer. 3. These reports have been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its report herewith, dated March 24, 1914, concurring with the district officer and division engineer. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur with the views of the district officer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and therefore report that it is deemed advisable to modify the project for improvement of Malden River, Mass., adopted by the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912, with a view to straightening the channel, and it is recommended that the sum of $80,000, appropriated by said act, be made available for the modified project, as shown on accompanying map, subject to the provision that the dredging shall not be commenced until the following conditions have been fulfilled: That the riparian owners shall give proper permits to dump spoil on their lands and shall release the United States from all claims for damages by settling or caving of banks into the dredged channel; that the State shall lower the obstructing sewer and pledge itself to maintain the new channel depth; and that local interests shall supply any amount in excess of the $80,000 that will be required to complete the work. DAN C. KINGMAN, Chief of Engineers, United States Ármy. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS ON SURVEY. Third indorsement.] BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY. 2. Parties in interest desire a modification of the project so as to eliminate the worst bends, as shown on accompanying map. The estimated cost of the proposed modified project is $95,000, but the district officer states that recent prices of dredging indicate that it is probable the cost may not exceed that of the adopted project. He recommends the adoption of the modified project and the application of the $80,000 already appropriated to its execution, subject, however, to the conditions governing the present project and with the further proviso that if it is found that the work can not be completed within the limit of the amount already appropriated by the United States any excess of cost be provided by local or private interests before dredging is commenced. In this recommendation the division engineer concurs. 3. As the straightening of the channel under the conditions proposed will be of benefit to navigation at no increase of cost to the United States, the board concurs in the views of the district officer and the division engineer, and recommends that the sum of $80,000 already appropriated be made available for the modified project as shown on the accompanying map, subject to the provision that the dredging shall not be commenced until the following conditions have been fulfilled: That the riparian owners shall give proper permits to dump spoil on their lands and shall release the United States from all claims for damages by settling or caving of banks into the dredged channel; that the State shall lower the obstructing sewer and pledge itself to maintain the new channel depth; and that local interests shall supply any amount in excess of the $80,000 that will be required to complete the work. 4. In compliance with law, the board reports that except as contemplated by the above recommendations there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other subjects so related to the project proposed that they may be coordinated therewith to lessen the cost and compensate the Government for expenditures made in the interests of navigation. For the board: W. M. BLACK, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, |
