The Alaska daily empire., 1922-05-18
EXPENDITURES ON
ALASKA RIVERS
UNDER MILLION
Total Expenditure by Rivers
and Harbors Board in 70
Years, $780,62l.7l.


projects in Alaska a total of $780,
62171, according to figures issued
yesterday by Col. James G. Steese,
District Engineer for the Alaska dis
trict. All of the expenditures were
made in the Nome and Yukon dis
tricts of the Territory on three
projects.
There are at present but two
projects on which reports have been
made by the Board and for which
estimates have been submitted to
Congress after having received de-
partmental approval. One of these is
for a breakwater at Wrangell and
the other Improvement of Wrangell
Narrows.
10 Years Record
The statement covers the activi-
ties of the Board in Alaska for a
period of 10 years, beginning with
1903. A peculiar coincidence shown
by the statement is that the first
project suggested is Identical with
the last one approved by the Board
and the War Department and for
to Congress. In 1903, following
preliminary examination and survey
OF Wrangell Narrows with a view of
providing safe and adequate chan
mel. a favorable report was made to
the Board. calling for an appropria
ton of $1,600000 This was not
adopted. Last year another examin
ation and preliminary survey was
made and a favorable report sub
mitted by Colonel Steese to the
Board which was adopted and Con
Press has been asked to appropriate
100000 to launch the work. which
it is estimated will cost 100000 to
complete.
First Appropriation Made
The first appropriation made by
Congress was during the 59th Con
gress for $248,000 for Strengthening
and otherwise improving ST. Michael
Canal. Virtually all of this sum was
expended in 1908 and 1909 In the
6lst Congress the project was modi-
fled and an additional appropriation
OF $4,000 allowed, OF which $4,000 |
was later Withdrawn. The total ex-
penditure on the project was
$377,621.71
Other Activities Shown
The first session of the Goth Con
gress, 1905-1907, provided for the pre-
ltminary examination and survey of
Dry Straits, which was reported I'M
favOrably Twelve years later this
project was revived and following
second examination and survey was
favorably reported, carrying est {
mates OF 100000 for initial ex
penditures, 100000 maintenance fer +
he first year after completion, $50
poo for the second year and 100000
annually thereafter. This report was
not adopted. The first session of the
P0th Congress also authorized exam
lnation and survey of Katalla Bay
And adjacent bays on which unfa-
forable reports were submitted The
Removal of the wreck of the steamer
Rock Island was also approved and
1.450.37 expended
Preliminary examination and sur
Eey of the Apoon mouth of the Yu-
kon River and Bristol Bay to the
mouth OF Kotlik River were author
6zed by the 62nd Congress, 1909, 1911,
during its second session. On this
p favorable report was made calling
FOR an appropriation of $4,000
(which was adopted OF this sum
$l29, 030.04 was expended between
1912 and 1916. The project was mod
flied and in the second session of
THE 63rd Congress, 1876, an addi-
alonal $4,000 was appropriated of
which $43.950.13 was later withdrawn.
the total expenditures on the project
being $13f 049S7.
kuskokwlm Survey Made
In the third session of the 62nd
Congress, authorization for survey
ing two projects was given These
were Kuskokwim River through the
bay of the same name and Sergius
Narrows. Both were reported on IA
vorably by the examining officers.
Snake River Project
The Gath Congress authorized the
preliminary examination and survey
of the mouth of Snake River and
Nome Harbor. "A favorable report
was made on this, carrying estimates
for $4,000 for first construction.
$l2500 for the first years mainten-
ance and $500 annually thereafter.
This was adopted. In 1921 a revised
estimate was adopted of 1878, 900. OF
this sum there had been appropriat
ed or allotted up to June 80. 1921, !
$271 .950.13, OF which had been ex-
pended up to that date s220.79475. |
The final dredging work on the |