Coalition to hold June 3 meeting with Corps representative
Despite the efforts from members of the 1071 Coalition and others, the Georgia EPD did not request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the reduced releases from Buford Dam beyond April 30. In a letter to the 1071 Coalition, Dr. Carol Couch, EPD Director, responded that the department’s technical analysis which supported EPD’s October request regarding the withdrawals found that “increasing water temperatures in the River beyond April 30 could post threats to the fishery, particularly below Morgan Falls Dam.”
While this is disappointing news, members of the 1071 Coalition must remain focused on the larger picture of working with the Corps in its current update of the water control manual for the ACF basin, which sets guidelines for how much water should be released from Lanier and under what circumstances. The 1071 Coalition will hold a meeting on June 3 featuring a presentation and discussion with Jerry Barnes, Special Assistant and Director of the Southeast Water Manual Update for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1071 Coalition members and guests are encouraged to attend this very important meeting.
Federal funds to pay for ACF study
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District will get nearly $300 million in federal stimulus money, including about $8.3 million for Buford Dam and Lake Lanier, officials announced in April. The money is part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Included in the funds is a $3 million study to complete the update of the Corps’ water control manual for the ACF basin. The study is to cover "water supply, recreation, hydropower, flood damage reduction, navigation, and fish and wildlife," according to the Corps. See more information on the Corps web site.
1071 Coalition providing new resource page on web site
In an effort to keep coalition members informed of water issues concerning Lake Lanier and its role in the ACF river basin, 1071coalition.org now features a resource page including a background on the tri-state water wars, important documents regarding the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ACF Water Control Manual Update, upcoming events and useful links to other relevant web sites. Please give us your feedback and ideas for the page by emailing contact@1071coalition.org. |
