The Nome nugget., 1948-04-28
Wednesday. April 28. l948.


George A. Dondero. of the House Committee on Public Works, submitted the following report:
 The Committee on Public Works. to whom re- ferred the bill CHR. 6228) 10 provide for the struction of shore protection works at the town of Nome. Alaska. having considered the same report fuvorublY there without amendment and recom- mend thut the bill do pass
 MT. Dondero further explains the situation dt Nome stuting-i is on the northern shore of Norton Sound. on arm of the Bering Sea which lies between this United States Territory and lands of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. It is situuted 2288 nduticdl miles from Seattle and 58l miles north of Dutch Hdrbor. Alosko It is the only settlement of any size in northwest Aldsku and it is the commer- cdl. communication. transportation. and govern mental center of the coastal of about l47 900 square miles comprising the second judicial divi- sion of Alusku. The tributary had population of Il .877 in l940. of which 1859 resided in Nome the only incorporated city in the ured and the only place in the entire northwest coastal region of AL uskd having facilities for civilized life.
 MT. Dondero's report contained pdssdge about the storms which strike Nome frequently in the lute summer and foll months. He stotes-The re- sulting storm waves attack and erode the sandy beach. and cause extensive damage to buildings and facilities in the immediate vicinity of the shore Ddmdges estmdted at Sl,750,000 were caused by five storms occurring since 1885. Two lives lost in the storms of l946. Dumuge has been consider dble for the reason many buildings at Nome have been built immediately adjacent to the beach in order to obtdn bosemens and sanitary facilities
 The district engineer reports thut rock wall about 3.350 feet long would be the most practical plan for protection of the area east of the existing etties and thd the estimoted cost for construction would be $l l.875000. and $25000 onnuollY for muin tenunce Annuul churges are estlndted ds $l30.400 and onnuol benefits os $l45800. which give q bene- fit-cost ratio of l.l2.
 The Bourd of Engineers for Rivers and Horbors recognizes the strategic nuture of the Territory tho there is undoubtedly considerable Federal inter est in its preservation. growth. and welfdre: and thdt the evouotion of this feature may well justify the project.
 The Chief Engineer reports that
 Based upon considerations normally given to projects within the United States find and report thot the proposed shore-protection improvements do not meet the criterd of economic Justification. Nome. however. is one of the most northerlY out posts of the United States and the sole supply center for on area embracing northwest Aldskd The i'm portonce of Nome such justifies careful consid- erdtion of Federdl participation in the cost of works for the protection of this locality from recurring storm damages.
 He recommends thot the Congres give full con- sderdtion to the fact thut Nome is for northerly outpost and os such may wurrunt special treat ment
 The Secretary of the Army reports thut the bene- fits from providing protective works ut Nome. would accrue to the Federdl Government. the town of Nome and prv0te interests Tn rrddon to the direct