RIVERS AND HARBORS OMNIBUS BILL

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1953

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON RIVERS AND HARBORS
OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS,

Washington, D. C.

H. R. 3714-A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE IMPROVEMENT OF BLAINE HARBOR, WASH.

The subcommittee met at 10 a. m. in the committee room of the Committee on Public Works, Hon. Homer D. Angell (subcommittee chairman) presiding.

Mr. ANGELL. The committee will come to order.

This is a meeting of the Subcommittee on Rivers and Harbors of the Committee on Public Works on H. R. 3714, introduced by our colleague, Mr. Westland, of the State of Washington. The bill is for authorization to improve Blaine Harbor, in the State of Washington. Without objection, the bill will be introduced in the record at this point.

(H. R. 3714 is as follows:)

[H. R. 3714, 83d Cong., 1st sess.]

A BILL To authorize the improvement of Blaine Harbor, Washington

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the project for the improvement of Blaine Harbor in the State of Washington is hereby authorized substantially in accordance with the report and recommendations of the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.

SEC. 2. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be required for the completion and maintenance of such project.

Mr. ANGELL. Mr. Westland, the committee is very glad to have you here this morning and will be glad to hear from you, but first I suggest we hear from Colonel Milne, of the Army engineers, on this project. In view of the fact the House is in session, we may be called at any minute.

You may proceed, Colonel.

STATEMENT OF COL. WILLIAM D. MILNE, DEPUTY CHIEF OF CIVIL WORKS FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY-Resumed

Colonel MILNE. Mr. Chairman, this bill, H. R. 3714, would authorize certain improvements at Blaine Harbor, in the State of Washington, which have been recommended by the Corps of Engineers

in a survey report which is now in the process of being transmitted from the Secretary of the Army to the Congress.

The Department of the Army has not commented on this bill. We have, however, commented on a similar bill in the Senate, and the comments of the Department of the Army were in favor of the authorization.

Mr. ANGELL. Those comments would be applicable to this bill? Colonel MILNE. That is correct. I would like to go to the map and point out to the committee the project.

Blaine Harbor is approximately 100 miles north of Seattle. It is a very active harbor for fishing craft. There is at the present time no Federal harbor there. However, local interests a number of years ago did dredge a small harbor several acres in area and approximately 12 feet deep. That was dredged at local expense.

Local interests now desire that this small harbor be increased, as outlined in green, which approximates 14 acres, and that a breakwater be constructed 1,500 feet long in order to make this harbor usable. Under present conditions the relatively small harbor that local interests have been able to provide is entirely inadequate for the sizable salmon fishing industry now utilizing the harbor.

As I recall, this harbor is very close to the salmon fishing grounds, and a sizable quantity of salmon comes into the harbor and is processed and packed in Blaine. I believe the catch in the Blaine Harbor area was over $500,000 of salmon last year, and in addition a sizable quantity of timber comes into the harbor. Over 7,000 vessel trips utilized the harbor last year.

Our plan is to increase the present harbor area by 14 acres at a total depth of 12 feet and the construction of this breakwater to provide a larger harbor. The present harbor is really inadequate for the fishing craft and other craft utilizing the harbor.

The total cost to the Government of these improvements is estimated at $354,800, with an annual maintenance cost of $8,000 for the breakwater.

Mr. BECKER. $354,800?

Colonel MILNE. Yes, sir.

Mr. BECKER. And an annual maintenance cost of how much?

Colonel MILNE. $8,000.

Mr. ANGELL. Is there any objection to the project?

Colonel MILNE. No, sir.

Mr. ANGELL. It is approved by the Army engineers?
Colonel MILNE. It has been approved by the Army.

Mr. ANGELL. Will you point out on the small map where that harbor is?

Colonel MILNE. Blain Harbor is right here, sir [indicating]. It is on Puget Sound. Drayton Harbor is the name of the larger harbor. Mr. ANGELL. What is the main cargo into that harbor?

Colonel MILNE. Fish and timber.

Mr. BECKER. Is the $8,000 maintenance charge the usual charge the Government pays where we build breakwaters?

Colonel MILNE. Under the navigation laws as laid down by the Congress, the Federal Government does assume the responsibility for maintenance where it is maintenance of the breakwater or actual maintenance of the dredging. It is a normal charge.

Mr. MACK. This harbor being near the Canadian border, the improvement would make it posible for American fishermen to better compete with fishermen of the Canadian fishing industry?

Colonel MILNE. I think that is right. One of the difficulties the fishermen are having is that the harbor is so crowded, many times when they come in with a full load they cannot get into the harbor and must go many miles away, increasing their costs.

Mr. MACK. I understand the local interests already have spent $100,000 of their own money on this improvement, and anticipate spending $250,000 more if this project is authorized?

Colonel MILNE. I believe that is right.

Mr. MACK. In other words, Blaine will match dollar for dollar with the Federal Government.

Mr. ANGELL. Any questions?

Mr. DAVIS. I would like to have the privilege of making a motion to approve this project.

Mr. ANGELL. We have not heard from our colleague, Mr. Westland, yet.

Mr. DAVIS. I think he could file his statement for the record.

Mr. ANGELL. If there are no further questions, the committee will be glad to hear from you, Mr. Westland.

STATEMENT OF HON. JACK WESTLAND, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

Mr. WESTLAND. Mr. Chairman, I had a very nice speech prepared, but after the dissertation that was given on this project by Colonel Milne and the offer to make a motion approving the project by the gentleman from Tennessee I think I should perhaps file my statement and let it go at that.

Mr. ANGELL. You may file your statement if you wish and then make such comments as you desire.

(The statement referred to is as follows:)

STATEMENT OF JACK WEstland, MEMBER OF CONGRESS, SECOND DISTRICT,

WASHINGTON STATE

I am here this morning to urge the favorable consideration by your committee of H. R. 3714, a bill to authorize the improvement of Blaine Harbor, Wash. On June 23, 1943, the House Committee on Rivers and Harbors adopted a resolution requesting the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors to review the reports on Blaine Harbor, Wash., which had been submitted on November 9, 1936, and at previous dates, with a view to determining if improvement in the interest of navigation was advisable at that time. After full consideration of the reports secured from the district and division engineers, the Board has recommended the improvement of Blaine Harbor, Wash., to provide for enlargement of the existing mooring basin by dredging an area of 14.7 acres to a depth 12 feet below mean lower low water with suitable breakwater protection, at an estimated cost to the United States of $354,800 for construction and $8,000 annually for maintenance of the breakwater only, subject to certain conditions that local interests have agreed to.

Blaine Harbor, Wash., is located in the extreme northwest corner of the United States. In its contiguous waters approximately a third of the total salmon catch of Puget Sound is taken by fishing boats that come there during the season from every port on the west coast of the United States as far south as San Francisco. Blaine Harbor provides the only safe refuge for these boats in time of rough water and it is their normal port for loading supplies and unloading fish. During the last few years, because of the activities of the International Pacific Salmon Fisheries Commission, the salmon run in the area served

by Blaine Harbor has been increasing steadily. This salmon catch is a very important part of the economic life of the Puget Sound area and is participated in by as many as seven or eight hundred boats in a season. Because of the importance of this fishing industry to the economy of Blaine, a town of 1,700, the citizens of that town have gone far beyond normal expectations in providing from their own funds for the welfare of the fishermen. As a matter of fact, within just the last few years the amount spent by the people of Blaine and the port of Bellingham, which is the governing body for this port, has about equaled the amount which the Board of Engineers estimated will be required to complete the project. While the Blaine Boat Haven is primarily used by the fishing fleet of Puget Sound, it is also the home of the Berg Shipbuilding Co., which has built many vessels for the Navy and is currently engaged in the construction of 3 minesweepers and 6 smaller vessels for that Department.

The original Blaine boat haven was built to accommodate approximately 60 fishing boats. Last year, on an average weekend, approximately 350 transient craft used this harbor. This overcrowding has, of course, created a tremendous fire hazard since it would be impossible for these boats to escape in the event that a fire should start, because of the extremely crowded conditions of the haven. These same conditions, of course, bring the Navy ships which are being outfitted in the haven under the same hazards of fire as are the fishing boats and it is of paramount importance that the harbor be enlarged so that the fire hazard can be minimized. The harbor at Blaine is the nearest American port to Alaskan waters and is used extensively by the fishing fleet for repair facilities during the winter. I am advised that it would be used much more extensively if and when it is enlarged so that more boats can be accommodated.

I have here some photographs that were taken this year at the Blaine boat haven. These pictures show conclusively much better than words can tell the crowded conditions that pertain there. The boats pictured here have an average cost to the owner from $30,000 to $45,000 each and it has been conservatively estimated that if a fire ever got started under the conditions pictured that a $5 million loss would be not only possible but highly probable. Practically all of these boats are operated by the owners. These men are small businessmen who have invested everything they own in the boat and gear which they use to pursue their trade of fishing. The hazards of the work are great but are faced without fear by the fishermen. However, they do feel that it is important that they have a safe port in which to tie up during storms and a safe place to moor their boats when they are not actively fishing.

Due to the emergent nature of the present situation at Blaine Harbor, I urge this committee to favorably report H. R. 3714 in the hope that it can be considered and passed by the Congress during the present session. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to appear before you on this most important matter.

Mr. WESTLAND. I would like you gentlemen to take a look at these pictures which will give you a good idea of the crowded condition of the harbor. They really have to maneuver to get in or out of there. There is probably $5 million of vessels in there, the average cost of each vessel being $30,000 to $50,000, and if a fire ever occurred you can see what a catastrophe it could be.

Mr. ANGELL. Are these boats owned by local residents?

Mr. WESTLAND. No. They come all the way from San Francisco. Right here is Point Roberts, which is part of my district, and in order to get to it I have to go through Canadian customs twice.

This is the best fishing ground, particularly for sockeye salmon, in the world. I believe the figure Colonel Milne mentioned was low. I believe the value was around $2 million last year in sockeye salmon, and this harbor is the one the boats have to use. Otherwise they have to go 30 or 40 miles to Bellingham.

Mr. ANGELL. Fishing is one of the major occupations of the people of that area?

Mr. WESTLAND. Yes, sir. I think those pictures largely speak for themselves. The fact this little town of 1,700 people have already spent $100,000 of their own money and are "on the cuff" for another $250,000 that is 1,700 people-and are asking the Federal Govern

ment practically for matching funds, it looks like there is real community participation.

Mr. ANGELL. Is this the first time a bill for this project has come before the Congress?

Mr. WESTLAND. It is the first time it has come before this committee, but this started in 1943.

Mr. ANGELL. Any questions?

Mr. OAKMAN. Is Blaine Harbor served by a railroad?

Mr. WESTLAND. Yes; the Great Northern runs through Blaine. Mr. MACK. Blaine citizens are mainly dependent on fishing for their livelihood?

Mr. WESTLAND. Yes.

Mr. MACK. And it is very important that the boats get to the fishing grounds and back with their catches speedily when the fish are running?

Mr. WESTLAND. That is right, and I believe they have the split system, they fish for 3 days and lay off for a day, or something like

that.

Mr. MACK. The fish only run at certain periods.

Mr. BECKER. Do the fish only run every third day?

Mr. DAVIS. From this picture, I do not see how they could get in and out.

Mr. ANGELL. Off the record.

(Discussion off the record.)

Mr. SCUDDER. This is typical of all the coastal harbors from San Francisco up; 800 to 1,000 boats will go into these little harbors in order to put up for maybe a month.

Mr. MACK. If the committee comes West, Mr. Westland and I will take you out to catch salmon.

Mr. ANGELL. We thank you for your appearance, and I will now entertain the motion.

Mr. BECKER. I would like the pleasure of making the motion to approve the bill authorizing the improvement, or of seconding the motion made by the gentleman from Tennessee.

Mr. DAVIS. No; I will pass my motion and would like the privilege of seconding your motion.

Mr. ANGELL. It has been moved and seconded that this subcommittee approve the bill.

Mr. FALLON. What will happen if we approve it and the full committee has adjourned sine die?

Mr. ANGELL. We will have to present it to the full committee at the next session.

You have heard the motion.

(The motion was unanimously adopted.)

(Statement of Hon. Warren G. Magnuson is as follows:)

STATEMENT ON IMPROVEMENT OF BLAINE HARBOR, WASH., BY WARREN G. MAGNUSON, UNITED STATES SENATOR, MARCH 5, 1954

Mr. Chairman, I introduced on February 27, 1953, Senate bill 1145 which proposes that the mooring basin at Blaine be enlarged. This improvement is urgently needed to expedite movement of shipping in the harbor and it is my hope it will receive your favorable consideration and that you will recommend it for authorization in the omnibus rivers and harbors bill for 1954.