UF00083597_00017.pdf

UF00083597_00017.txt

UF00083597_00017_pdf.txt

CORPSNENGINEERS. ".8. ARIN .

OFFOC! OF THE 03870167 MINIIR

mm. as) to. Jacxeouvm mm
enmsct (estates 575 MR8! MUS
KOO um Y
if}... ::m..,, momma: 4. names

' 0 "I 4.70
JACWVILLI I. 'LOIIM

sun '0 "LI .0

mama (Cklsraha) 1 4 MAY 1253

Colonel A. G. Patthews, '. S. Army (Ret.)
Chief Engineer

State Board of Conservation

Division or Water Survey and Research

Tallahassee, lorida
Dear W?

The 9ederal project for the Oklawaha River has become an
increasing problem to this deoartment in recent years. The project
dates back ovnr a period 0' many years and was originally authorised
on the basis of connercial naviretion. The project handled a con-
siderable amount of logging operations, some citrus and other cen-
modities, but the peak of this cmmnercial navigation was reached
approximately forty years ago and since that time the commercial
navigation has declined until in recent years it has become negli-
gible. In fact, except for charter hosts in SiIVer Springs Run
and infrequently in the b er river between Pount Dora and Leesburz,
commercial navigation is practically nonexistent.

Criteria for the expenditure of maintenance funds in recent
years havc lirited such cork to those projects of greatest importance
to national defense and essential civilian requirements. Pursuant
to these criteria it has not been possible to maintain the Oklaneha
.(ivm' duricr the :33? three fiscal years except for the operation
and core of the lock ant dam at Hoes Bluff. Present indications are
that the criteria rrr expenditure or maintenance funds will become
more, rather than less, restrictive. It has accordingly become
essential that Vereral operation and maintenance of waterways, such
as the Oklawaha dinr which handle infrequent and small amounts of
commercial traffic and the benefits of which are very largely of
purely local nature, be considered for drastic curtailment or indef-
inite suspennior. In view of this situation it is the feeling of the
Corps of Lngineers that if the Oklalaha RiVDr is to be maintained and
if the yes: Bluff Look'and Dan is to be operated indefinitely. the
cost of such services must be shifted from the Federal gownrnnent to
state or local agencies.

I have addressed a letter to Governor charty outlining the
entire problem ard suggesting that the state give proper consideration

SAWF. t-2§.2(Ok1mht)
Col. A. 5?. )fatthm, USA (Ret.)

to future operation and maintenance of the river includirr the loss Fluff
Lock an? Dam under I license agreement with this office.

As the mattr my be referred. to you, I felt dust it was aporo-
priate to inform you of my letter to Governor l'cCartv. I and the members
of say stuff will be planned to discuss the problem xi tn you at any time you
may so desire.

I'm sorry to can be thee your fevers md shakes have oppressed
you so long. I d." not having you to consult on my accumulated problems.

Sincerely yours,
H. . SCROLL, \R.

Colonel, Corps of Engineers
District Engineer




PAGE 1

-FS OF ENGIN U. S. OFFCE F HEDSTRCTNG1E 4 Colonel A. G. Peths.'s, Chief Err5 Ter State Me.rr el. 0,'sTve -. i Ovisin1; af :atrr air-...--a Tallalias.e erida EJear ~ -:. :::. -. ... .--, (f--he -deral ornj Mers ook n-r-r n :-eri-:d e

PAGE 2

0 k0waa