CONTENTS LIST OF WITNESSES Page Cunningham, Fred J., attorney at law, Spokane, Wash., representative of a number of irrigation districts in vicinity of Spokane - Banks, F. A., supervising engineer, United States Bureau of Reclamation, Appendix No. 1, Rathdrum Prairie project, by H. W. Bashore.. 735 786 778 699 Face Page V COLUMBIA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1943 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON IRRIGATION AND RECLAMATION, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The subcommittee held a public hearing at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Present as committee members: The Honorable Compton I. White, Idaho, chairman; the Honorable Lowell Stockman, Oregon; (later in the proceedings, the Honorable Chester H. Gross, of Pennsylvania, joined the session). At 10:20 a. m., the meeting was called to order by Chairman White, and the following proceedings were had: Mr. White read House Resolution 262, beginning as follows: In the House of Representatives, June 15, 1943. RESOLUTION Resolved, That the Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation, acting as a whole or by subcommittee, is authorized to make an investigation of the plans for the improvement of the Columbia River and its tributaries for utilization of its waters for reclamation, flood control, navigation, and hydroelectric power generation, * * After the reading of the resolution in its entirety, the following examinations were conducted by the committee, of which the following is a verbatim transcript: Mr. WHITE. The principal purpose today is to obtain and consider the facts concerning the situation affecting the development of the Rathdrum Prairie irrigation project, and also the plans that may be undertaken to best bring that about. This committee isn't here to build any dams or to oppose any projects. It is here to obtain facts and to consult with local people and Government representatives and prepare a record to be taken back to Congress in the nature of a report, that we may have definite and authentic information concerning a program for the development of the utilization of the waters of the entire Columbia River system and its tributaries. I might say for the purpose of the record that Congressman Chester H. Gross is now en route from the city of Spokane, and is expected to reach here momentarily. And Congressman Worley, of Texas, is also en route, but seems to be having some transportation difficulties between here and Texas, and his arrival is somewhat uncertain. We have Congressman Stockman of the State of Oregon, who has joined in the proceedings this morning. Now, that we may have an over-all picture of the Rathdrum situation, we have with us Mr. Debler, of the Bureau of Reclamation, who is familiar with this project. And, Mr. Debler, I might state, in asking you to testify at this time, that we have two objectives. The first is to 585 place in the record an over-all statement concerning what we have on Rathdrum Prairie, and, subsequently, after other matters have been taken up, we would like to have you tell us something of the plan that the Government has in mind to put water on these lands. For the purpose of the record, Mr. Debler, state your name and occupation. STATEMENT OF E. B. DEBLER Mr. DEBLER. For the purpose of the record, E. B. Debler, hydraulic engineer, Bureau of Reclamation, located at Denver, Colo. Mr. WHITE. In your present assignment, Mr. Debler, you did study these several projects and work out plans-the preliminary plansto initiate the project and get it under way. You might tell us something of your duties. Mr. DEBLER. My duty is having charge of the section of the Bureau of Reclamation that makes the surveys and studies and reports on projects leading to construction. The construction work is handled by another section of the Bureau, as is the designing work. Mr. WHITE. The supervision of the plans and the applications and negotiating contracts that are part of the preliminary plans in setting up new irrigation projects that is under your direction? Mr. DEBLER. All of the negotiations leading up to repayment contracts, and negotiations with other interests whose interests might be affected by projects, in order to secure a working arrangement for the projects, are handled by my division. Mr. WHITE. And by that you mean securing conflicting water rights and other vested interests? Mr. DEBLER. Conflicting utilities of any kinds, whether it be water rights, power developments, highways, telephone lines, telegraph lines any item where some modification or some agreement is necessary; those matters all are covered by preconstruction investigations and the work of my division leading up to construction. In other words, when we get through with the work, the job is ready for the contractor and the construction engineer. Mr. WHITE. In other words, in establishing new reclamation projects you prepare and present a concise plan to the Bureau and the Secretary of the Interior for his approval so that the work may start. Mr. DEBLER. It is a complete and comprehensive plan for the project, covering its construction and its operation and its contacts with other interests. Mr. WHITE. Mr. Debler, you might tell us something about the area commonly known as Rathdrum Prairie, starting up with the Corbin ranch near the town of Athol, and that area in that valley between Rathdrum on one side and Coeur d'Alene on the other, coming on down to the Spokane River, and even something of these irrigation districts that lie across Spokane River in the so-called Spokane Valley, and something of the irrigation districts that are now in operation in Idaho in this Rathdrum Prairie area. Mr. DEBLER. Mr. Congressman, on that kind of a discussion I would like to defer to Mr. Hazen when you call him, because he is much more familiar Mr. WHITE. Well, as head of the branch of the Bureau of Reclamation dealing with the plans and projects of this kind, you do know |