Columbia River Conservation League.

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.

From the guide to the Columbia River Conservation League Records, 1957-1986, (Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections)