provide a route free from wave action; and extension of the project to the 12foot contour in the gulf, plus dredging of 3.2 miles of Bayou Rigaud at its eastern end. That the project is economically feasible is apparent from the very favorable benefit-to-cost ratio of 4.1 to 1. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $1,939,000 with local interests to provide $242,000, leaving $1,697,000 as Federal costs. In view of the pressing need for this project and the attendant great economic benefits that will obtain with its completion, we respectfully request your favorable consideration and authorization of this Barataria Bay Waterway. Thanking you for your consideration and with every good wish, we remain Sincerely yours, ROBERT L. SHORTLE, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE NEW ORLEANS AREA, New Orleans, La., July 6, 1956. Hon. ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, and Members of the Subcommittee on Flood Control-Rivers and Harbors, Senate Public Works Committee, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: The board of directors of our organization at its meeting on July 3 unanimously endorsed S. 3867, introduced by Senators Ellender and Long, to provide for the improvement of the Barataria Bay Waterway, La., from the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana to the Gulf of Mexico at Grand Isle. The United States Army Corps of Engineers survey of this proposed project indicates that it is warranted and necessary. The benefit-cost ratio, as determined by the Corps of Engineers, of 4 to 1 clearly reveals the economic justification for the project. The existing narrow channel, with a controlling depth of only 4% feet, presents a hazard to navigation and a constant threat to the safety of personnel aboard floating equipment using the waterway due to the fact that strong north winds frequently depress the water in this shallow bay as much as 3 feet, stopping traffic. The improvement of the waterway is urgently needed, particularly by industries involved with the development, servicing and production of offshore oil along the coast of Louisiana. Tonnage now moving over the waterway is considerable and will continue to grow as operations increase. This route provides a substantially shorter distance to the offshore developments than the Mississippi River, and is equally essential to the important oyster and shrimp industry. The development of this waterway to a depth of 12 feet and a width of 125 feet will provide a valuable commercial artery to the gulf which will be vitally essential in time of national emergency. The importance of the development of this waterway, which joins the Intracoastal Waterway in the vicinity of Lafitte, La., with arteries entering the Mississippi River at New Orleans at the Harvey and Algiers locks, is further emphasized by the fact that it will also tie in with the Bayou Segnette Waterway development project, which extends from the Lafitte area to Westwego, and for which funds have already been made available by the Congress. May we respectfully urge that your committee favorably report S. 3867 proposing thei mprovement of the Barataria Bay Waterway as an important and valuable link in the gulf intracoastal waterway system of our Nation. Sincerely yours, W. F. RIGGS, JR., Executive Vice President. NEW ORLEANS, June 29, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Flood Control-Rivers and Harbors, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: Please refer to bill S. 3867, 2d session, 84th Congress, covering proposed improvements in the Barataria Bay Waterways, La. It is our opinion that, because of the recent extensive developments of offshore oil operations in the Gulf of Mexico, and the tremendous increase in the use of this waterway up to date and the anticipated even greater use in the future, it is very important to New Orleans and south Louisiana that this bill be passed and the money approved for this work. We are a large user of these waterways and shall appreciate your every consideration. Very truly yours, W. HORACE WILLIAMS CO., HARVEY, LA., June 28, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Flood Control and Rivers and Harbors, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We respectfully petition you and your colleagues to vote favorably on S. 3867, a bill by Senators Allen J. Ellender and Russell B. Long to provide for the improvement of the waterway between Barataria Bay, La., and the Gulf of Mexico. Oil companies, oil-supply houses, fishermen, and movers of heavy equipment are in great need of this waterway. The existing channel is shallow with many obstacles to navigation. In spite of this, annual tonnage over the present waterway, which has a controlling depth of 42 feet, has grown tremendously in recent years. In 1944 there was 127,280 tons moved over this shallow waterway. Two years ago 694,695 tons of material were moved. The proposed channel would make it possible for barge traffic operating out of the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Grande Isle to enter the Inland Waterway System near Barataria which is about 141⁄2 miles from the Mississippi River via the Harvey lock and about 171⁄2 miles via the recently dedicated Algiers lock. At the present time equipment which draws over 4 feet of water must make a circuitous route. As a matter of fact, there is no way by which deeper draft barges operating into and out of the Gulf of Mexico along the southern border of Louisiana can enter the Inland Waterway System except through the long route of the Mississippi River or through the deep water Calcasieu Channel near Lake Charles. The Corps of Engineers' survey clearly indicates the advantages of the Barataria Bay Waterway and we support the corps and its recommendations. Enlargement of the navigation channel between the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, as proposed in S. 3867 will give a safe, short route to deep water and break a very serious bottleneck. The benefit-cost ratio of 4.1 to 1 clearly shows the economic merit of the proposed project. The needs for this enlarged channel are increasing day by day, and we respectfully urge the favorable action of your committee so that the project can be included in the omnibus bill and construction can be started in 1957. We should like to call to the attention of the Senators that S. 3867 has the support of seafood industries, dredging companies, oil companies, barge companies, shell companies, oil-material companies, as well as individuals and agencies interested in the improvement of waterway traffic and the proper development of this important segment of our economy. Sincerely, HARVEY CANAL INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION, INC., HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Hon. ROBERT S. KERR, Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: We understand that a bill has been introduced by our Senators Ellender and Long to improve the water access between the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico by way of Barataria Bay. We have been informed that this is bill S. 3867. As operators of small boats (50 to 70 feet) and a number of small barges, we have found it necessary to use the present waterway which approximately follows that, as outlined in S. 3867, because this is the only practical route between Harvey and Grand Isle. Even with the small equipment which we operate, we have had innumerable cases of underwater damage as a result of the shallow water in the present route, and because of many bends and hidden obstructions. We believe that there is little question that opening up the route, as mentioned, would be one of the most valuable waterways improvements in this area and it would unquestionably support a very heavy flow of traffic. We will certainly appreciate your thorough consideration of this measure. Yours very truly, GENERAL MARINE CORP., HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Flood Control and Rivers and Harbors, DEAR SENATOR KERR: We would appreciate your support to promote passage of bill S. 3867, for improvement to the waterway from Barataria Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The existing channel is too shallow, with many obstacles to navigation, all of which can be corrected by a favorable vote on bill S. 3867. Sincerely, Senator ROBERT S. KERR, ORLEANS BARGE CO., J. HAROLD LEVY. HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee DEAR SENATOR KERR: We endorse and give our support to bill S. 3867. Enlargement of the navigation channel between the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway, as proposed in S. 3867, will give a safe, short route to deep water and break a serious bottleneck in the movement of this much-used water route. We urge and would appreciate your support to promote passage of bill S. 3867. Sincerely, Senator ROBERT S. KERR, FIFTY MARINE SERVICE, NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 29, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Flood Control and Rivers and Harbors, DEAR SENATOR KERR: We extend our full support and earnest endorsement to the proposal submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc., of which this firm is a member. We shall also do all we possibly can to promote passage of bill S. 3867, as this improvement to the waterway is urgently needed. Sincerely, Senator ROBERT S. KERR, ROSS-WADICK SUPPLY Co., HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: Please be advised that we wish to extend our full support and endorsement to the proposal submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc., of which this firm is a member. We would further like to stress that we shall do all we can, as an individual, to promote passage of bill S. 3867, as this improvement to the waterway is urgently needed. Very truly yours, HARVEY CANAL SHIPYARD AND MACHINE SHOP, HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We wish to express our support and backing for the Harvey Canal Industrial Association in promoting the passage of bill S. 3867 for the waterway improvement from Barataria Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. This waterway will be a great asset to the industry of the area, and a substantial benefit to the community and the State. Yours very truly, Senator ROBERT S. KERR, GEORGE ENGINE CO., INC., Vice President. HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We wholeheartedly endorse and give our full support to the statement submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc., of which this firm is a member. We shall do all we possibly can, individually, to urge passage of bill S. 3867 because improvement of the waterway is urgently needed now. Sincerely, AYERS MARINE SERVICE, INC., R. J. MCGINITY, Vice President. HARVEY, LA., June 28, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We wholeheartedly endorse and give our full support to the statement submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Club, of which this firm is a member. Moreover, we shall do all we possibly can individually to urge passage of bill S. 3867 because improvement of the waterway is urgently needed now. Sincerely, AYERS MATERIALS CO., INC., NEW ORLEANS, LA., June 29, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We wholeheartedly endorse and give our full support to the statement submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Club, of which this firm is a member. We are a shipbuilder on the Mississippi River a short distance above Westwego. The proposed seaway will serve many of the oil companies, the barge and towboat people, and many other segments of industry in this vicinity. We strongly urge its favorable consideration. Sincerely, AVONDALE MARINE WAYS, INC., Executive Vice President. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, HARVEY, LA., June 28, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We extend our full support and earnest endorsement to the proposal submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc., of which this firm is a member. We shall also do all we possibly can, as an individual, to promote passage of bill S. 3867, as this improvement to the waterway is urgently needed. Sincerely, J. RAY MCDERMOTT & Co., INC., Executive Vice President. HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We wish to extend our support as an individual business concern for the waterway between Barataria Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, as proposed by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc. We urge you to give your full support to bill S. 3869 for the benefit of Louisiana, its oil and fish industries and the citizens of the State. Sincerely yours, Senator ROBERT S. KERR, H. B. "BUSTER" HUGHES. HARVEY, LA., June 29, 1956. Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: We would appreciate your support to promote passage of bill S. 3867, covering the proposal submitted by the Harvey Canal Industrial Association, Inc., for improvement to waterway from Barataria Bay to Gulf of Mexico. This improved waterway is greatly needed and necessary to the various industries. It is sincerely hoped that you will lend your needed support. Sincerely, MAYRONNE MUD & CHEMICAL CORP., GRAND ISLE, LA., June 30, 1956. Senator ROBERT S. KERR, Chairman, Senate Public Works Subcommittee on Rivers and Harbors and Flood Control, Washington, D. C. DEAR SENATOR KERR: I am writing you in behalf of the people of the 11th ward of Jefferson Parish, La., which comprises the communities of Grand Isle and Cheniere Caminada. We are vitally interested in Senate bill 3867 which will greatly improve navigation for all the people of this area. This bill was introduced by Senator Russell Long for himself and Senator Ellender, and both men know the country very well. The fishing interests as well as the oil and sulfur interests need this channel improvement very, very much. We will greatly appreciate it if you will lend your support to appropriating the necessary funds for this development. My position is that of police juror for this ward. In Louisiana, our parish system of government is administered by the police jury system, which is similar to the county council system or county representative system of other States. Your very truly, N. L. LUDWIG, Juror, 11th Ward, Jefferson Parish. |