CONTENTS Cordova, Alaska, September 23, 1955: Statement of- Allen, United States commissioner and city attorney__. Harold Z. Hansen, executive secretary, Cordova District Fisheries Hollis Henrichs. John S. LeFevre__ !! Page 37 41 24 44 47 50 32 18 52 12 Marvin P. Roark. John H. Rosswog- Palmer, Alaska, September 24, 1955: Statement of I. M. C. Anderson, Soil Conservation Service, Department of R. A. Bauer, consulting engineer, Matanuska Telephone Associa- Harold C. Dinkel, Matanuska Valley. 66 80 82 Stuart Durant, manager, Matanuska Valley Farmers Cooperative 74 Don L. Irwin, director, Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station_ 62 58 81 N. B. Snodgrass... 76 James Wilson, commissioner of agriculture for the Territory of 69 Seward, Alaska, September 24, 1955: Statement of Raymond K. Billens (statement read by Dr. Deisher) 105 Dr. Deisher, chairman of the board of directors, chamber of commerce. 88 Phil Durant, chairman, utilities board, chamber of commerce_ 108 102 Harry Hardinge, city manager, city of Seward_ 89 Rev. Charles Malin, president, chamber of commerce. 86 95 Edward M. Clark, Egegik, Alaska King Salmon, Alaska, September 25, 1955: Statement of— Gunnar Berggren, representing the independent fishermen in the 150 145 Jim Downey, representing the Bering Sea Fishermen's Union 112 Truman Emberg, business agent, Bristol Bay Fish Producers 118 James E. Hawkins, superintendent of the Territorial School, 140 Isak J. Jensen, Naknek, Alaska_ 157 Robert Kallenberg, representing the Bristol Bay Fish Producers 138 Harold C. Ostrosky 145 Bert Reamey, Pilot Point, Alaska, representing the Bering Sea George H. Cornelius, president, Kodiak Exploration Co 211 Clarence Dizney, member, Kodiak Health and Welfare Council and deputy United States marshal__. 208 John Gibbons, chairman, Kodiak Chamber of Commerce, commit- 180 Ernest Harding_ 213 David W. Henley, Kalsin Bay. 186 Jack Hinckel.. 205 Leon H. Johnson, mayor of the city of Kodiak, Alaska. 201 Robert Logan, correspondent for the New York Board of Marine Underwriters for the Alaska Seafront_. 166 Joe Zentzer, Pasacshak Bay, Kodiak Island_ [NOTE.-See subject index following last page of hearing.] 180 ALASKA, 1955 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1956 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRITORIAL AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, The Subcommittee on Territorial and Insular Affairs scheduled hearings at Valdez for September 23, 1955, but due to inclement weather was unable to keep its appointment. Subsequently, several persons submitted in writing the statements they had planned to present orally at Valdez. The written statements follow: STATEMENT OF MAYOR HELEN L. LONG FOR THE TOWN OF VALDEZ RELATIVE TO FLOOD CONTROL OF THE VALDEZ GLACIER STREAM The most serious threat to the physical existence of the town of Valdez exists because of the relatively uncontrolled activities of the Valdez Glacier Stream and its tributaries. Valdez is located on the northeast shore of Port Valdez, on the terminal moraine of the Valdez Glacier. A large alluvial fan extends approximately 3 miles back of Valdez, terminating at the glacier. The glacial streams, fed by Valdez Glacier, periodically have done considerable damage to the area. In 1912, floods caused major damage to the town of Valdez, and a flood wall or dike was built around the town by the Army engineers. In 1933 this dike was raised and extended by the Alaska Road Commission. In the past few years, the Alaska Road Commission, in an attempt to stabilize a portion of these streams, has built a levee about a half-mile long, a mile southeast of town. This levee has helped channel the flow of glacier water into a wide plain to the southeast of Valdez. In the last 2 years it has become evident that the streams are swinging northward across the alluvial fan, "and it may be only a question of 4 or 5 years until these streams may again threaten the town of Valdez" (excerpt from letter from Brig. Gen. C. H. Chorpening, USC, Assistant Chief of Engineers for Civil Work, to Mayor George H. Gilson, February 24, 1953). The people of the town of Valdez have long been aware of the danger that is ever present, and through their town government and the chamber of commerce have endeavored to secure relief. Not only is the civilian population concerned; the Federal Government itself has a considerable financial stake in Valdez. The taxable assessed valuation of the community is well over $3 million. Federal investment in the form of buildings and installations of the Alaska communications system, the Alaska Road Commission, Richardson Highway, Route No. 1 leading to the interior, and the maintenance of services such as that of the post office, the United States Commissioner and a weather observation station would suffer drastically in the event of flood damage. The value of the Federal stake in Valdez is well over $3 million. In addition to the obvious results of flood damage, to both private and public property, as a result of the participation of the town of Valdez in the program of the Alaska Public Works Administration, several utilities and public buildings have been or are being constructed. Already installed and in service is a sewer system; under construction and due for use about October 1 is a water system; under construction and probably in use by the first of the year is a 15-bed hos pital; and ready for contract letting is a high school construction project which should be built in 1956. Projected for the future is a street improvement and storm sewer program. The total value of these projects is approximately $2 million, half of which the Federal Government provides. The town in 1951 voted the approval of bonding the town for $1 million to finance the town's share of the costs, and we are meeting our obligations promptly and completely. The control of the Valdez Glacier streams is a matter in which all aware of the problem have expressed concern and recommended action. The Alaska Road Commission is vitally interested, among others, for annual and costly washouts of the Richardson highway represent a loss of time and money. Their Commissioner of Roads for Alaska, Mr. A. F. Ghiglione, has written that "a permanent solution to the flood problem would be very welcome to the Alaska Road Commission." Both the Alaska Road Commission and the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, have been suggesting the desirability and justification and feasibility of flood control for the area. One study in 1954-55 by the Alaska Road Commission resulted in the recommendation that a levee can be constructed within the next 2 years at an anticipated cost of about one to two thousand dollars. At present the situation will allow for construction of 31⁄2 miles of dike at this figure, but as the streams work their way northward, they will cover the area where the dike would be located, and construction costs would increase rapidly as such conditions deteriorated. What we would particularly like to stress is that we have been making every effort to secure action leading to the early construction of flood protection for the town of Valdez, since 1952; that studies have been made and are being made by the Corps of Engineers relative to this project; and that so far no action has resulted. We have received fine cooperation in all our efforts and believe there is an awareness of the danger, cost and loss inherent in the situation. It is obvious, however, that if action is not taken within the next 2 years, an extremely costly emergency will occur. From the standpoint of our citizens' safety, the Government's protection and the economic welfare of the community with its vital interest in the uninterrupted flow of private and commercial traffic over the Richardson highway to the golden heart of Alaska, we believe every effort should be made immediately to authorize and construct this flood control project. For your information attached are copies of correspondence: Letter from A. F. Ghiglione, Commissioner of Roads, to Mayor Gilson, November 26, 1952; letter from Brig. Gen. E. C. Itschner, to Delegate Bartlett, June 22, 1955; letter to Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Pick, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, from Mayor Long, May 5, 1955; and photograph of terminal moraine showing town, glacier and location of proposed dike. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ALASKA ROAD COMMISSION, Juneau, Alaska, November 26, 1952. Hon. G. H. GILSON, Valdez, Alaska. MY DEAR MAYOR GILSON: Reference is made to your letter of November 6, 1952, regarding the desirability of obtaining a federally sponsored flood-control project to protect the town of Valdez and the important installations in the Valdez area. A permanent solution to the flood problem would be very welcome to the Alaska Road Commission and you may rest assured that we will lend all support to obtaining approval of the project. In past years the Alaska Road Commission has suggested the desirability of this project to the Corps of Engineers, United States Army, under whose jurisdiction such work falls. It is my understanding that recently engineers from the Alaska district, Corps of Engineers, have been studying flood control possibilities in the Valdez area, and I presume that they have been in contact with you. I am pleased to see the town of Valdez taking the initiative toward securing this project and I am glad to offer any assistance that the Alaska Road Commission may be able to furnish in helping you achieve this necessary protection. Sincerely yours, A. F. GHIGLIONE, Commissioner of Roads for Alaska. |