UF00083597_00020.pdf

UF00083597_00020.txt

UF00083597_00020_pdf.txt

18 February lJSS

TO: Mr. Bob Fakes. Office 0! the Governor

Rum: Colonel J. (5. Matthews. Chief Engineer. Division of Wster Survey &
Research

l. Returned herewith is your le of correspondence from the U. 5.
Engineer. Jacksonville. to the Governor. concerning the situation on the Oklswshs

River. The possibilltlca have been studled end the following psrsgraphs of this
covering memorandum brief the key facts, outline a recommended course 0!
sctioa. end suggest a form of reply from the Governor bssed on that recommends-

tion.

A. Key Facts.

2. The Oklswshs River. from the St. Johns to Leesburg. ts e Federsl
project vhlch requires s loch st Moss Bluff {or pssssge of traffic. This lock
with its dun st Moss Blot! ere slso necesssry to control wster levels. preventing
overdrslnsge oi Lske Griffin sad flooding communities below Moss Bluff.

3. Annnsl costs of open-sting this lock ($14,000) and of maintaining the
chsnnel ($6.500) totsl 820.500.

4. Trstilc on this wetsrwsy hes sversged but 12.935 too-miles per yes:
(or the elght cslendsr yesrs HMS-1952 both inclusive. Substantlsl smounts 01
this ton-mile (more is (or legs In nits.

5. Thus sumssl costs sversge $1.50 per ton-mile.

6. Thls ton-tulle cost ls so huh thst the U. S. Enalneers sre under con-
sidershle pressure from the Buresn o! the Budget to cssse operstton c! this
project. Col. Schnll st Jscksonville ls reluctsnt to do this wlthottt seeking our

help to mid workln. hsrdshtp on the locsl communities. His sctlon msy be
tot-cod however. by the Budget merely refusing to relssse (mile (or this operstlon.

Memorandum To: Mr. Bob rakes Page: 2

7. opinion. i am of the opinion that such stoppage oi funds on 1 July
195! is to be expected.

8. Recommendation. in View of the many factors, other than economics.
it is recommended that appropriate steps be taken to keep this look and darn in
operation. To that std tho lollowing actions are desirable.



3. Recommended Course of Action.



9. Six diiferent alternatives have been considered and the two following
appear the least undesirable. and the most feasible financially and operationally:

10. New Protect Studz. Congress should be asked to authorize the Chief
of Engineers to study and report on s 9 foot barge channel from the St. Johns
River to Winter Garden. via the Oklawahn River and intervening lakes for the
transport of petroleum and citrus products, construction materials. machinery
and fertilizers. etc. Pending completed action by Congress on such a report. the
existing facilities are to be continued in operation.



Comment; This is at best a delaying action which may not be
successful even in that. i doubt that this report will be favorable. and i doubt that
Congress will include the 'continuation of existing iacilities clause in the study
authorisation. it seems worth trying however.

ii. District State ration. Under the Flood Control Act (Chap. 378.
Fla. Stats. l953$ it appears possible that. under certain conditions. a local district
can be organised so as to qualify tor some financial assistance (tom the Flood
Control Account.

The first condition would be met by a Cmgressionsl authorization to
the Chlei of Engineers to operate and maintain the Oklawaha project provided
local cooperation made cash contributions annually of twothirds of the cost of
operation.

The second condition would be met by organising a local district. pro-
ceeding either under Section 378.08. Fla. Stats. 1953 or under a Special Act oi the
Legislature.

The third condition would be met by favorable action of the State Board
oi Conservation on a request tram the local district for an annual cash contribution
of say $5,000. to the U. S. Engineers. it is assumed here that local taxation would
contribute an equal sum. in addition to paying for collection. and other administra-
tive expenses.

Memorendum To: Mr. Bob toke- Page: 3

C. Suggested R0211.

lit. The tom lo ingested u no eppropriete reply from the Governor
to the Dietrict Engineer. Jeckeonville:

Deer Colonel Schull:

Your letter of it Februery l955 (SAKVK 800.12 Oklewehe R.)
brings to my ettention the most dietreeein. eituetion on the Oklevehe River. 1
mm deeply concerned with you thet you find it difficult on the heels of Federel
navigation :concmice. to justify further operetion oi the lock et More Bluff.

It occurs to me thet thie rney be another use where the ineuaicient
commerce on the waterway in due in pert at lent to inedqu chennel depthe
end alignments (or economical use. it your office he. explored the poeeihllity oi
treiiic on, end the costs of providing. e nine toot barge channel from the St. Johne
River to v. inter Garden via the Oklewehe end Lekee. thin queetion may heve been
answered already. if so, i would eppreclete your advice thereon.

r ending your reply. i am heving etndied e number oi weye in which it
might be possible [or some local agency to take over e11 or et lent e contributing
ehnre. oi the responsibility for operation of thin weterwey. There ere e number

of questions upon which we will need to confer with you before tine! determinetion
of the proper course of action. 1 will keep you informed on than er the neceeei

tiee arise.

Your kindness end thoughtful courtesy in than giving the Stete en
opportunity to eeeiet in working out e ieeeihle eolntion to this problem ere much
appreciated. I am confident that we can find e method mutually eetloiectory end
to the benefit of our peOple.

(Sumo)

D. Submueet Actione.

13. if the (ongoing meet genes-oily with your vine. there ere e number
0! detelled ectione whicpehould be put into eiiect us only M pouible. Let me
know your wiehee.

A. G. Mettheve

CoL. U. 8. 1L. Rid.
' Chief Engineer




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