WITH A LETTER FROM THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, REPORT ON EXAMINATION OF GLENCOVE CREEK, LONG ISLAND, N. Y. SEPTEMBER 16, 1913.-Referred to the Committee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered to be printed. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 13, 1913 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 September 12, instant, together with copy of a report from Col. S. W. Roessler, Corps of Engineers, dated February 27, 1913, on a preliminary examination of Glencove Creek, Long Island, N. Y., made by him in compliance with the provisions of the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912. Very respectfully, HENRY BRECKINRIDGE, WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, From: The Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. 1. There is submitted herewith, for transmission to Congress, report dated February 27, 1913, by Col. S. W. Roessler, Corps of Engineers, on preliminary examination of Glencove Creek, Long Island, N. Y., called for by the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912. H D-63-1-vol 10- -22 2. Glencove Creek is a tidal slough about three-fourths of a mile long, extending from Hempstead Bay to within a short distance of the village of Glencove. It has from one to 2 feet of water at average low tide and none at extreme low tide. The average range of tide is 7.7 feet. The district officer states that the improvement desired is a deepening of the creek to a depth of 4 to 5 feet at mean low water, widening the channel to about 60 feet, and the construction of a breakwater so as to prevent the formation of the bar at the mouth. It appears, however, that the commerce of the locality could be adequately handled at a landing on Hempstead Bay near the mouth of the creek, and the district officer, therefore, believes that the improvement of the creek is a local rather than a national question. He expresses the opinion that the locality is not worthy of improvement by the General Government at the present time. In this opinion the division engineer concurs. 3. This report has been referred, as required by law, to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors, and attention is invited to its accompanying report of August 26, 1913, concurring in the views expressed by the district officer and the division engineer. 4. After due consideration of the above-mentioned reports, I concur with the view of the district officer, the division engineer, and the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors that the improvement by the United States of Glencove Creek, Long Island, N. Y., in the manner apparently desired by the interests concerned as described in the reports herewith is not deemed advisable at the present time. WM. T. ROSSELL, Chief of Engineers, U. S. Ármy. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS. Third indorsement. BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, August 26, 1913. To the CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, UNITED STATES ARMY: 1. Glencove Creek is a tidal stream about three-fourths of a mile long extending from Hempstead Bay to near the village of Glencove. It has from 1 to 2 feet of water at average low tide, the range of tide being about 7.7 feet. 2. Under appropriations aggregating $72,000, a breakwater 1,564 feet long was built out into Hempstead Bay during the period 18881906, from a point about three-fourths of a mile north of Glencove Creek for the protection of vessels bound for the creek while awaiting the tide. The improvement now desired is a deepening of the creek to a depth of 4 to 5 feet at mean low water and the construction of a breakwater to prevent the formation of the bar at the mouth of the creek, so that vessels may enter without regard to the tides. Under existing conditions they are obliged at times of adverse winds to wait several days for a favorable tide. 3. The present commerce of the locality is estimated at about 125,000 tons annually, consisting largely of building materials brought in. The character of the commerce has changed and its extent and value diminished in recent years. It is estimated that from 8,000 to 15,000 persons would be benefited by the desired improvement. 4. The district officer states that there is a road leading from the village of Glencove to Hempstead Harbor, which, if properly improved and used in connection with a suitable wharf, would provide ample facilities for the business of this locality and without undue hardship to the community. He believes the improvement of the creek is a local rather than a national matter, and he expresses the opinion, in which the division engineer concurs, that Glencove Creek is not worthy of improvement by the General Government. 5. Interested parties were informed of the unfavorable report of the district officer and given an opportunity of presenting their views to the board. Several communications have been received and given consideration. At the request of the Glencove Board of Trade, a hearing was arranged for April 28, 1913. Upon further request the date was subsequently changed twice, but no one from the locality appeared. Hon. Lathrop Brown, M. C., was twice before the board in this connection. 6. From a study of conditions here, it appears to the board that the United States has fairly met the reasonable demands of commerce and navigation by the expenditure of $72,000 for the construction of the breakwater, and that any further improvement that may be required in the nature of supplementary or terminal facilities so as to fully utilize the protection given should be left to the locality, as suggested within. The board therefore agrees with the district officer and the division engineer and reports that in its opinion it is not advisable at this time for the United States to undertake the improvement of Glencove Creek, Long Island, N. Y. 7. In compliance with law, the board reports that there are no questions of terminal facilities, water power, or other related subjects which could be coordinated with the suggested improvement in such manner as to render the work advisable in the interests of commerce and navigation. For the board: W. M. BLACK, Colonel, Corps of Engineers, PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF GLENCOVE CREEK, N. Y. WAR DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE, NEW YORK DISTRICT No. 2, From: The district engineer officer. To: The Chief of Engineers, United States Army, (Through the division engineer). Subject: Preliminary examination of Glencove Creek, N. Y. 1. The following report of a preliminary examination of Glencove Creek, Long Island, N. Y., is submitted in conformity with the river and harbor act approved July 25, 1912. |