In The News

U.S. Rep. Rick Allen is vowing to fight the removal of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and wants to maintain the pool of water in the Savannah River upstream at its higher level, which he says is required by federal legislation.

After touring the lock and dam Friday, the Augusta Republican came away impressed.

“I believe it would cost more money to tear that thing down than it would to fix it,” he said.

Allen also said he believes that when the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act passed in December 2016, it deauthorized the lock and dam but also required the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the pool in the river at its current level.

The actual language of the bill says the pool should be maintained for water supply and recreation “as in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.” Allen says he has evidence that the pool was at 114.5 feet above sea level on that date. He said the Corps has maintained there is no exact number in the bill and that it relates to functionality.

“And I said, ‘No, that’s not how I read the law,’” Allen said. “And the only way they can maintain the pool (at that level) is the lock and dam. There is no other way to do it.”

Under the Corps’ preferred option, the pool level at the lock and dam would be around 111 feet above sea level, and slightly higher toward downtown Augusta, a condition the Corps is simulating with a drawdown through Wednesday. Allen said he has heard from homeowners on both sides of the river who are upset by grounded boats and docks lying in mud, and he believes some might sue over it. Allen said he is ready to work with Augusta and North Augusta, which have come out against a lower pool in the river.

“I don’t know the dollar amount on (loss of) economic development, but it’s got to be big,” he said. “I’m going to do everything within my congressional power to stop the Corps from doing this. We cannot allow this to happen.”

Legislation might be needed to reauthorize the lock and dam, particularly if millions are invested to repair it. One of the options the Corps has studied is fixing the lock and dam and modifying it to allow for fish passage, which is required to mitigate damage from the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project to spawning grounds for endangered sturgeon near the port. Allen said there is a need to act quickly to ensure that channel deepening can proceed without delay.

On an unrelated topic, Allen said he was encouraged by President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration to fund more walls on the border with Mexico.

“I am delighted we have a president that is serious about protecting the American people,” he said.

By Tom Corwin
The Augusta Chronicle