The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-04-02
extend PUBLIC POWER
BY JEROME G. LOCKE. Helena
part TX of a Series)

0 a
Hell's Canyon Most of you heard of it-per
times Before attempting review add yo
knowledge of this little confession should be made by the
just half day trying determine
this most important project simply and effectively
My handicap not lack of knowledge of the region what
proposed but strangely in having acquired what be
much familiarity with it.
had visited portions of
before heard of multi DAMS then
portion of Helrs Canyon HePs Canyon Dam first
to general public attention when was attacked in Elk
Hoovers reorganization
the Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation had
each considerable developing plans for the
site. reviewed such engineering data publicly
available then Twice the last time for the Missouri Ba
Survey Commission have had review all the basic
data that bears the project and write reports
thereon
nficent project that being seriously threatened
shadow of why this should be so.
bring myself a realization that Idaho Power Co. is
of the welfare of its home region that willing
the finest and most effective remaining dam site into
half developed waefu substitute for what all nature cries
should be somehow make myself think that
trained and competent public servants be at with
themselves while aiding such operations Despite coming
water shortage only few ahead of us IN the est de-
spite power shortage that is already here the great
tunity Hes Canyon may be cast aside do
not have the kind of mentality that understand It, but
still know it is
In wilderness area where no towns, railways highways
industrial will be flooded and only small OF
agricultural land need be submerged Hes Canyon Dam Will
provide:
Prime Power ------------------ $4,000 XIV
Increase prime power at 100000 XIV
prime power OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1122OOO XIV
of power o $500
addition the power output will help substitute the
irrigation of nearly 100000 furnish flood protection
annual average of 000 navigation benefits $780,
900 recreationa facilities of $1OOQOOO an
nually.
If Idaho Power Co., Maine corporation prevail IN the
present struggle kill Hells Canyon Dam it will install three
small of river dams in the reservoir site These will
provide:
Prime power damsit
prime power dam-tes 100000 XIV
Total prime 60O,OOO XIV
Cost power consumer XIV $3942
The Idaho Power Co. proposed project will produce only
so per much prime power Hes Canyon Dam This
unit than twice high It's of the river dams
will provide water storage consequently help to rriga
flood protection and navigation benefits 1t does
not contemplate recreational facilities
Western states get only half enough phosphate fer
zer to replace depeons by cropping and erosion Billions
of tons of good phosphate rock lies HeS Canyon The
need electric furnace abundant cheap
Here the production cost of approximately two
mills per kowatt hour Necessary reduction plants to total
value of $25 million have already been planned Estimates
show saving farmers $40 million annually for sufficient
phosphate supply to catch and keep with de-
petons t
At estimated cost of $3.50 million and per cent inter-
Hes Canyon Dam will in so and thereafter
all its earnings back to the u S. Treasury If this be
Creeping socialism it looks like mighty good brand from
the general taxpayers stand point. p
Summons a
and your failure Fl