Columbia River Conservation League Records

Columbia River Conservation League Records, 1957-1986

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Columbia River Conservation League
Title: Columbia River Conservation League Records
Dates: 1957-1986 (inclusive)
19571986
Quantity: 4 containers., (2 linear feet of shelf space.)
Collection Number: Cage 550
Summary: Chiefly correspondence of John Sheppard and Lowell Johnson. Also correspondence, miscellaneous documents and reports. All chiefly relative to efforts to preserve and regulate the free-flowing section of the Columbia River near Priest Rapids, Wash.
Repository: Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research use.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The CRCL acts as a research and coordinating group consisting of eight different organizations. The motivation for these groups were two proposals by the Corps of Engineers; Construction of the Ben Franklin Dam and the dredging of a channel north of the Priest River Dam in order to increase the transportation from Wenatchee.

Construction of the dam would substantially destroy the natural and historical values of this area in addition to the harmful effects that it would have on the spawning and nesting areas. The portion of the river that the Corps of Engineers desired to dam was the last free-flowing portion of the Columbia River. The location of the Ben Franklin Dam would be located in the Atomic Energy Commissions Hanford Reservation. This area has been restricted since 1943, with no access or development of the shoreline.

The Ben Franklin Dam was estimated to cost $14 million dollars, in addition to a staggering 4.58% interest rate. The proposal died in the House of Representatives in 1971. The efforts of all the CRCL organizations were successful in defeating the Corps of Engineers.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

[Item Description]. Cage 550, Columbia River Conservation League Records . Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

These records are organized into four series: Correspondence, Miscellanea, Organizations, and Reports. All papers are arranged chronologically within each series. The bulk of materials center on the correspondence of John Sheppard and Lowell Johnson.

The Correspondence series contains the letters of John Shepard and Lowell Johnson along with letters from politicians, and miscellaneous letters.

The Miscellanea series contains a general description, National Wild and Scenic Area information sheet, newspaper clippings and a survey of the Columbia River and a tour guide of the Ben Franklin Dam.

The Organization series contains various groups ranging from the Atomic Energy Commission, Audubon Society, Department of Army, Game and Interior, Interland Association, National Wildlife Federation, U.S. Congress and Water Resource council.

The Reports series includes studies on the goose population, reports from the Corps of Engineers, finances, and information on salmon spawning.

Acquisition Information

The records of the Columbia River Conservation League (CRCL) of Richland, Washington were donated by the CRCL to the Washington State University Archives.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Series 1: CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1	Executive Office of the President	1969-1970
1	2	Legislative	1969-1972
1	3	Letters From Lowell Johnson	1968-1975
1	4	Letters To Lowell Johnson	1969-1972
1	5	Letters From John Sheppard	1968-1972
1	6	Letters To John Sheppard	1967-1972
1	7	Miscellanea	1957-1974

Series 2: MiscellaneaReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
2	8	General Description	undated
2	9	Miscellaneous Information	1963-1970
2	10	National Wild and Scenic Area	1970
2	11	Newspaper Clippings	1968-1980
2	12	Survey- Columbia River	1971
2	13	Tour- Ben Franklin Dam	1968

Series 3: OrganizationsReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
3	14	Atomic Energy Commission	1972-1974
3	15	Audubon Society	1968-1969
3	16	CRCL	1969-1974
3	17	Department of the Army	1967-1973
3	18	Department of Game	1958-1974
3	19	Department of the Interior	1966-1974
3	20	Inland Empire Waterways Assoc.	1969-1971
3	21	Interagency Committee for Outdoor Rec.	1972
3	22	National Wildlife Federation	1969-1970
3	23	NPSEN	1969-1972
3	24	U.S. Congress	1968-1973
3	25	U.S. Senate	1963-1972
3	26	Water Resource Council	1969

Series 4: ReportsReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
3	27	Alan Carlin	1967-1969
3	28	Analysis of Columbia River & Tributaries	1968
3	29	College Paper	1972
3	30	Columbia River Goose Pop.	1950-1970; 1971
4	31	Columbia River (Volume 2.)	1967
4	32	Columbia River (Volume 3.)	1967
4	33	Economic Evaluations of Game Ranges	1967
4	34	Environmental Statement on C.R.	1970
4	35	Finances	1966
4	36	Nitrogen Saturation Report	1972
4	37	Problem Areas of the Columbia	1972
4	38	Port of Chelan County	1968-1971
4	39	Reports-Miscellaneous	1957-1973
4	40	Salmon Spawning in Columbia River	1970
4	41	Upper Columbia Navigation Report	1971

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

Johnson, Lowell
Sheppard, John

Corporate Names

Columbia River Conservation League --Archives (creator)

Geographical Names

Columbia River--Regulation

Archives West Finding Aid

Table of Contents