Construction Progress During the calendar year 1961, the principal construction activity was the completion of the facilities. Included were landscaping and seeding of Corporation properties, improvements and modifications at Snell and Eisenhower locks, installing spare gates in their storage area, purchase of additional navigational aids, improvements to marine base and warehouse areas, installation of security fencing, improvements to training dike B, and sealcoating roads. Correction of deficiencies in the lock emptying and filling valves was continued, using Corporation forces in the off-navigation season. STATUS OF SEAWAY CONSTRUCTION The Seaway construction began in January 1955. The project status showing total estimated cost with actual construction as of December 31. 1961, was as follows: The work remaining to be done consists of cellular extension of channel approaches to Snell lock to complete the navigation channel in this area. construction of training dike A to eliminate crosscurrents in the channel, examination, survey, and removal of Hinkley Flats Shoal, completion of access road to mooring cells, procurement and installation of additional navigational aids, procurement of minor equipment, completion of landscaping, and correction of construction deficiency in the drainage facilities in the stoplog pit at Eisenhower lock. Other Activities COORDINATION OF SEAWAY WORK The coordination with our Canadian counterpart, the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, in connection with this important international venture has been an outstanding example of friendly cooperation. Ideas were exchanged and agreements reached on matters concerning Seaway engineering, tolls collection, operating rules and regulations, and other related subjects. These negotiations were conducted in an atmosphere of confidence and harmonious understanding. ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS Three meetings with the Corporation's Advisory Board were held in 1961. The first meeting in March was held in Washington, D.C. In September, the Advisory Board met in Massena, N.Y. The final meeting was held in Washington, D.C., in December. As in the past, the members of the Advisory Board have been invaluable with their constructive counsel relative to policy matters of the Corporation. PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES The transition of a public relations and information program from one which was geared to the construction era of the project to a program more closely in conformance with operations was greatly accelerated during the year. In cooperation with the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority of Canada, the Corporation participated in exhibiting a Seaway display at the Paris International Exhibition for Inland Navigation in October, and the exhibition of displays at various overseas trade fairs is under serious contemplation. Also during the year, the Corporation had constructed a portable exhibit suitable for display at conventions, meetings, fairs, etc. Completed in September, the portable exhibit has been on display at Long Beach, Calif., Milwaukee, Wis., and Massena, N.Y. Several showings for 1962 are already scheduled. The Corporation and the Authority jointly produced a new informational brochure printed in three language versions-English, French, and German. First introduced to the public in connection with the aforementioned Paris exhibition, the new brochure has had an exceedingly popular response and requests for copies are being received from many domestic and oversea sources. To effectuate a closer liaison with Seaway users and to conduct effective informational programs, it was determined that a field office should be established on a trial basis in a centrally located Great Lakes city. After due consideration, the city of Detroit was selected, space in Cobo Hall was obtained, and the office was established. In December, the Traffic Services and Information Officer was transferred to the new office, and the principal public relations and information activities are now conducted from that site. This is not a new function, but does recognize the fact that geographically the Seaway facilities are located a long distance from the principal markets being served. The informational activities of the Corporation are considered normal for an agency of its size and do not contemplate conducting such activities as advertising, traffic solicitation, or others which are carried on by the ports themselves. Continued public interest in all phases of the Seaway was evident throughout the year, both domestic and abroad, with schools and individual students leading the list for information requests. The number of articles and features prepared by Corporation personnel for publication at the request of various magazines, trade journals, textbooks, yearbooks, encyclopedias, and special newspaper editions increased sharply in 1961. The Information Office also assisted various governmental and private groups in the preparation of radio and television presentations concerning the Seaway for transmission both in the United States and abroad. Requests for Corporation officials to appear as guest speakers and panel participants before seminars, conventions, and meetings remained at a high level during the year, necessitating closer scrutiny of each invitation to determine the value to the Corporation. The Information Office arranged press conferences, scheduled film showings, prepared special informational kits, and assisted other Corporation officers in the briefing and escorting of 39 official distinguished-visitor groups, including American and foreign legislators, administrators, engineers, publishers, trade-union officials, military attachés, and shipping and industrial executives. Corporation officers intensified their cooperation with the several marine and port associations and commissions concerned with Seaway operations. Although the Corporation is not an official member of any of these organizations, it receives regular invitations to have officials present at most meetings for the purpose of rendering advice and disseminating information. LEGAL ACTIVITIES During the year 1961, the Corporation was concerned with the following significant legal activities: Regulations Minor amendments were made in the operating regulations in 1961. They imposed more stringent security requirements on Seaway users to insure the payment of tolls and minor changes in the equipment of vessels to permit transit, and provided that all commercial vessels using the Seaway after April 1, 1962, be equipped with very high frequency radiotelephone installations. These amendments were published in the Federal Register. Claims Three claims exist in favor of the Corporation which are presently outstanding, two of which arose in 1960 and another in 1961. They involve damages to the locks, to the guidewalls, and other facilities. The amount of one claim is yet to be determined since the repairs have not been completed. The other two are awaiting settlement. In each instance, the General Counsel's Office has obtained security to assure the collection of these claims. As to the major claims involving the construction of the Seaway and for which the Corporation is indirectly liable, one remains outstanding. Since the construction contracts were executed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, acting as agent for the Corporation, the claims involving construction have been processed by the Corps. During the past year the sum of $460,776 has been paid on the one claim outstanding, but final settlement has not been reached with the claimant involved. Litigation Two suits are pending in the Federal court in the Northern Judicial District of New York for the condemnation of Indian lands. It is anticipated that these suits will be settled or adjudicated in 1962. Under date of October 12, 1961, the Corporation petitioned to intervene, as its interest may appear, before the Federal Maritime Commission in the Japan-Atlantic and Gulf Freight Conference, docket No. 956, agreement No. 3103-16. This was a proceeding to extend the scope of operation of the conference to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and to secure approval of differentially higher rates for cargoes moving to ports in this area. The proceeding was dismissed on November 20, 1961. Land Titles The land needed for the construction of the Seaway was condemned either through proceedings in the Federal courts or by the Power Authority of the State of New York in State proceedings. The Legislature of the State of New York authorized the Authority, after condemnation, to transfer to the Corporation such lands as were needed for construction purposes. Titles to the specific parcels are now being conveyed to the Corporation with regularity. There remain for processing approximately 46 conveyances covering 70 individual parcels. Title to all lands thus acquired is cleared through the Attorney General of the United States. |