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Mr. PILBIN. Take up the next point.

Mr. SLATINSHEK (reading):

AGRICULTURE

The population explosion in California is fast depleting the agricultural lands in the State, until at this time our State planners are asking that land be zoned and saved exclusively for agriculture.

The future increase in population in the State of California and in the county of Monterey makes it imperative that land be set aside and retained for the exclusive use of agriculture in order to insure an adequate food supply for this increase in population.

All of the 18,240 acres of land in the proposed San Antonio Dam project is agricultural land, now actively used for farming or cattle grazing. We maintain that this parcel of land will better serve the coming generations in food production than as a recreational facility.

The land at the Milpitas B Reservoir site is not agricultural land.

Mr. BUNTE. Two points. I would like to point out our appraisal report shows there are 1,600 acres of dry farm within the area mentioned of the 18,000 mentioned in the letter.

This type of terrain for grazing takes about 30 acres for one cow and calf.

As a comparison, the appraised value is about $700 an acre, whereas the land to be benefited runs from a thousand to four thousand in value.

Mr. SLATINSHEK [reading]: All 8,330 acres of the private land will deprive the school districts of their school taxes. This is an area that has already been depleted school taxwise in the past by the development of Hunter Liggett Military Reservation and Camp Roberts.

Will you speak to that?

Mr. BUNTE., We affect two school districts. Out of one we would affect 2 percent of the total assessed value of the district. The other we affect about 5 percent. In addition, the proposed recreational developments at the reservoir would be subject to tax which would increase this assessed value considerably.

Mr. SLATINSHEK (reading):

CONCLUSIONS

We feel that the sole purpose of the district is to get full control of this Government-owned Army land in order to get and to keep this proposed dam and recreational lake out of the control of the Army.

The district is an agency of the county of Monterey and is governed by a board of supervisors. They are very much opposed to any Federal conservation plans or Federal control of any kind, and have publicly gone on record in this matter.

They propose to use the lake for recreation by leasing it out to private enterprise, for which a charge will be made to the public (including the military personnel).

The military should insist upon the Milpitas B Reservoir site for the dam in order that it may have control of the area for its own use for military recreation in connection with hospital convalescents and military personnel, and for other military uses.

This would give the district the needed water for conservation and flood control; since the district has 13,000 acres of their own land just 6 miles away which can be developed for recreation, the public would be provided for adequately; it would not further deplete the school districts; and it would take no land out of agricultural production, but would rather leave over 18,000 acres in food production.

Our association has been meeting for over 11⁄2 years. During this time we have been studying and are continuing to study the water problems of the whole county. We will be happy to furnish further information for your

committee upon request. We are attaching our "Resolution Against Building San Antonio Dam at Pleyto B Reservoir Site on San Antonio River" which was presented before the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in December 1961.

Because of the facts which we have herewith presented, we are asking that you not give this bill H.R. 12081, your approval-that you kill this bill in your Armed Services Committee.

Attached to this communication is the resolution which had been prepared before the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.

Hon. CARL VINSON,

SAN ANTONIO LAND OWNER'S ASSOCIATION,
Bradley, Calif., July 7, 1962.

Chairman, Armed Services Committee,

House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: We are writing you concerning H.R. 12081, introduced in the House of Representatives by Charles Teague of California and assigned to your committee. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Army to convey certain land and easement interests at Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation for construction of the San Antonio Dam and Reservoir project in exchange for other property.

The San Antonio Land Owners' Association is composed of a group of property owners who own over 8,300 acres of agricultural land which the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (hereinafter called the district) is planning to acquire when it builds a dam on the lower San Antonio River in southern Monterey County, Calif. This is in addition to the 9.910 acres they plan to acquire from the Army through H.R. 12081, which makes a total of 18,240 acres which the district anticipates securing. Of this total, only 800 acres of land will be under water at the minimum pool level. Of the 9,910 acres of land they want from the Army at Hunter-Liggett, only 90 acres of land will be under water at the minimum pool.

We, as an association, are opposed to the taking out of agriculture such a large amount of land for recreation, when the same river could be dammed at another approved location and take no agricultural land. Also, we oppose this move because the same district owns 13,000 acres of land just 6 miles away at the Nacimiento Dam, which acreage lies largely undeveloped and is available for recreation in the same area.

We feel that Charles Teague has introduced this bill at this time in Congress as a vote-getting device for his current campaign in California. Mr. Teague no longer represents nor speaks for our congressional district, due to the redistricting in this area. We feel that he is in favor of this bill because of his opposition to Government control. It is a Republican giveaway scheme. Monterey County has always voted Republican and this whole setup is being used to help Republicans get reelected. We are asking that this bill be killed in your committee. We present the following facts:

RECREATION

We are aware of and have studied President Kennedy's national resources program which was sent to Congress in 1961. We are in agreement with him that it is very important to plan for the future recreational needs of the Nation. But, we are not convinced that the proposed San Antonio Dam project is the answer to this problem here in Monterey County.

Monterey County already has approximately 390,000 acres of State and Federal parks and national forest which are used for public recreation, including both ocean and river frontage. This could be further developed as the need arises.

In addition, over 41⁄2 years ago the district built a dam on the Nacimiento River just 6 miles from the proposed San Antonio damsite. At that time they acquired 13,000 acres of land at that site for recreational purposes. In the 41⁄2 years it has been in operation, Nacimiento Dam has been a burden to the taxpayers, lies mostly undeveloped, and is posted with "no trespassing" signs which prevent even hikers in the area. The district has been subject to much public criticism because of the alleged mismanagement of the area. This Nacimiento Lake area should provide adequate recreational facilities for the anticipated increase in population if properly developed and administered. This would also be available

to the Army personnel at Camp Roberts, Hunter-Liggett, and Fort Ord, as readily as the land which they are asking to obtain at San Antonio Dam.

FLOOD CONTROL AND WATER CONSERVATION

We feel that a dam built at this present proposed Pleyto B site will not give the best return for the money spent. It has a physical as well as an economical limitation. According to the California plan, Bulletin No. 3, published by the Department of Water Resources of the State of California, there is a better damsite on the upper San Antonio River on the Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation. This is called the Milputas B Reservoir. It is our opinion that the Federal Government should build the dam on the Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation at this location. By so doing, the Army would have complete control, and could have its own airstrip and golf course close by, which would make the entire area easily accessible to the military from long distances. This is one of the best hunting and fishing areas in the State and would also furnish an available location to send injured and convalescent personnel.

If the Federal Government were to build a dam at that site, the county could have the adequate flood control and water conservation they need, the taxpayers would be saved a $15 million bond issue, and the military would have a recreational area of their own in a climate which is one of the most healthful in the State of California.

AGRICULTURE

The population explosion in California is fast depleting the agricultural lands in the State, until at this time our State planners are asking that land be zoned and saved exclusively for agriculture. The future increase in population in the State of California and in the county of Monterey makes it imperative that land be set aside and retained for the exclusive use of agriculture in order to insure an adequate food supply for this increase in population.

All of the 18,240 acres of land in the proposed San Antonio Dam project is agricultural land, now actively used for farming or cattle grazing. We maintain that this parcel of land will better serve the coming generations in food production than as a recreational facility. The land at the Milpitas B Reservoir site is not agricultural land.

SCHOOLS

All 8,330 acres of the private land will deprive the school districts of their school taxes. This is an area that has already been depleted school-tax-wise in the past by the development of Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation and Camp Roberts.

CONCLUSIONS

We feel that the sole purpose of the district is to get full control of this Government-owned Army land in order to get and to keep this proposed dam and recreational lake out of the control of the Army. The district is an agency of the county of Monterey and is governed by a board of supervisors. They are very much opposed to any Federal conservation plans or Federal control of any kind, and have publicly gone on record in this matter. They propose to use the lake for recreation by leasing it out to private enterprise, for which a charge will be made to the public (including the military personnel).

The military should insist upon the Milpitas B Reservoir site for the dam in order that it may have control of the area for its own use for military recreation in connection with hospital convalescents and military personnel, and for other military uses. This would give the district the needed water for conservation and flood control; since the district has 13,000 acres of their own land just 6 miles away which can be developed for recreation, the public would be provided for adequately; it would not further deplete the school districts; and it would take no land out of agricultural production, but would rather leave over 18,000 acres in food production.

Our association has been meeting for over 11⁄2 years. During this time we have been studying and are continuing to study the water problems of the whole county. We will be happy to furnish further information for your committee upon request. We are attaching our "Resolution Against Building San Antonio Dam at Pleyto B Reservoir Site on San Antonio River" which was presented before the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in December 1961.

Because of the facts which we have herewith presented, we are asking that you not give this bill, H.R. 12081, your approval: That you kill this bill in your Armed Services Committee.

Sincerely yours,

EUGENE D. BOTTS,

President, San Antonio Land Owners Association.

RESOLUTION AGAINST BUILDING SAN ANTONIO DAM AT PLEYTO B RESERVOIR SITE ON SAN ANTONIO RIVER

The San Antonio Land Owners Association, having its principal place of business at Bradley, Monterey County, Calif., did, at its meeting on the 24th day of October 1961, pass and adopt the following resolutions, to wit:

"Whereas the Monterey County Flood Control & Water Conservation District is now making plans to build and construct a dam to be known as the San Antonio Dam to be located at a place on the San Antonio River designated as the Pleyto B Reservoir site, comprising an area of approximately 20,830 acres of land inclusive of the lake necessarily created thereby and a recreation area to be provided therefor, all said county of Monterey; and

"Whereas the completion of the aforesaid plans for said dam and lake will remove a total of approximately 20,830 acres of land from agriculture; of this total approximately 6,000 acres is farmland, the balance of the land is used for cattle grazing; and

"Whereas the future increase in population in the State of California and the county of Monterey makes it imperative that land be set aside and retained for the exclusive use of agriculture in order to insure an adequate food supply for this increase in population, such land already in agricultural production should be retained as such wherever possible; and

"Whereas the acquiring of said area by said district will remove 8,330 acres of said land from the tax rolls, thereby depriving the public schools located in the region of vitally needed funds now exacted from the owners of said lands; and

"Whereas the San Antonio Pleyto B Reservoir site now contemplated by said district will make a poor recreational area insofar as the water is concerned because the water will be shallow on account of the great width and length of the area and by reason of the small amount of water carried by the river; and "Whereas the preservation of historical landmarks in the State of California is becoming increasingly important, and that the lake formed behind the San Antonio Dam will cover many historical landmarks, among which will be a portion of the Old Stage Coach Road and the El Camino Real; and

"Whereas the district is proposing to acquire a total of 20,830 acres of land, when only 800 acres of said land will be covered by water at the minimum pool level, and only 7,000 acres of said land will be covered by water at the high water level; and

"Whereas the cost of the aforesaid 20,830 acres of land will approximate the cost of the erection of the dam itself, and the taxpayers could be saved the expense of about one-half the cost of the proposed bonded indebtedness by locating the dam on Government property; and

"Whereas there is a site located higher up on said San Antonio River, known as the Milpitas B Reservoir site (as shown in California Bulletin No. 3, State Department of Water Resources), in said county and State, which if used by said district would eliminate all of the aforesaid objections, and at the same time would provide the needed water for the Salinas Valley; and

"Whereas no master plan for flood control and water conservation has ever been provided by said district showing, delineating, or sketching what its future project are; and

"Whereas said district has not formulated any plan to divert waters from the San Antonio River to lands located in the Hames Valley and Lockwood area in said county and State for irrigation purposes; and

"Whereas the owners of the lands now sought to be acquired by said district for the San Antonio Pleyto B Reservoir damsite and recreation area have no vote in said district even though they may reside upon the lands they own; and "Whereas the owners of said lands now sought to be acquired by said district for the San Antonio Pleyto B Reservoir damsite and recreation area will not even be allowed to retain concession rights on the lands that they shall be compelled to surrender to said district for the aforesaid purposes; and

"Whereas an airstrip and a golf course are being contemplated by said district at the said proposed San Antonio Pleyto B reservoir damsite and recreation area; and

"Whereas the said district now owns 13,000 acres of recreational land at the Nacimiento Dam site which could be developed to adequately provide for the anticipated increase in population in the State of California and the county of Monterey; and

"Whereas the Nacimiento Dam Recreational Area is now being used for cattle grazing with "no trespassing" signs posted, which forbid even hikers in the area; and

"Whereas the said district has not yet fully, adequately, and satisfactorily developed its recreational area at its Nacimiento Dam site on the Nacimiento River and the taxpayers of said district have been required to pay the deficit that has been created by the operation of the Nacimiento Recreational Area for each and every year of its existence; and

"Whereas it has been stated by the engineer of said district that it is his opinion that said Nacimiento Dam Site Recreational Area will never be selfsustaining; and

"Whereas there is a legal question as to whether or not it was intended by the State constitution and the Flood Control and Recreation District Acts passed by the legislature that matters not proximately and closely related to and connected with water, such as golf courses and airstrips, may be included in the recreational areas as planned by said district, or that said statutes are in fact constitutional; and

"Whereas the land to be acquired by the district for the proposed San Antonio Dam at the Pleyto B site does not follow the land acquisition policy as stated by the district engineer, that of acquiring every 40-acre parcel which is touched by water at the high water line, but includes land considerably in excess of this amount; and

"Whereas the San Antonio Milpitas B dam or reservoir site would accomplish as much in relieving the salty condition of the coast and Castroville wells in Monterey County, if any such condition exists, as would the San Antonio Pleyto B dam or reservoir site; and

"Whereas there is no valid reason why the Monterey County Flood Control & Water Conservation District should not cooperate with the military and the U.S. Government in the joint development of the San Antonio Milpitas B reservoir or damsite for purposes of flood control and water conservation, and also recreation if needed: Now, therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the proposed San Antonio Pleyto B reservoir damsite be abandoned and the dam on the San Antonio River be constructed and built at the San Antonio Milpitas B reservoir or damsite on said river; and

"That not being done and the dam on said river being erected and constructed at the San Antonio Pleyto B reservoir or damsite, that the proposed recreational area be entirely eliminated thereform; and be it further

"Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be mailed to the honorable Board of Supervisors, in and for the county of Monterey, State of California, and to any and all other interested persons, organizations, corporations, associations, and political entities, bureaus, agencies, and departments."

SAN ANTONIO LAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION,
By EUGENE D. BOTTS, President.
VIRGINIA CULBERT, Secretary.

I. Virginia Culbert, do hereby certify that I am the duly qualified and acting secretary of the San Antonio Land Owners Association, and that the foregoing resolutions are a full, true, and correct copy of the original resolutions duly made and entered in the minutes of said association on the said 24th day of October 1961, and now remaining on record with the said association. Witness my hand this 1st day of November 1961.

/s/ VIRGINIA CULBERT, Secretary.

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