Lock and Dam a big part of the last year in North Augusta
The Star,
May 14, 2019
The future of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam was one of the repeat topics at last week’s State of Our Community event in North Augusta. “It’s one voice, everybody is speaking the same tune right now …” said North Augusta Mayor Bob Pettit during the event. The Lock and Dam has been a hot topic of discussion for the last year in the CSRA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been tasked with finding a solution for the deauthorized structure that would be cost-effective and allow fish to pass upstream. The Corps’ proposed alternative includes constructing a rock weir in the place of the Lock and Dam. Local governments have all supported a different alternative that would retain the Lock and Dam. The Corps’ preferred alternative would lower the river pool near Augusta and North Augusta’s downtown areas. Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker said, like North Augusta, Aiken County Council has supported Option 1-1, which would retain the dam. “We understand that significantly lowering the pool would create issues for industry and local governments, along with aesthetic and recreational issues, putting millions of dollars in the riverfront investment at risk,” Bunker said. Bunker also spoke about the effects to the Horse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said during a drawdown the Corps held in February, which simulated the conditions of their proposed alternative option 2-6d, there was foaming at the outfall. “It didn’t inhibit plant operations, but if 2-6d is implemented, the taxpayers of Aiken County will have to foot the bill for a new extended outfall structure.” Pettit mentioned a letter, written and signed by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and Rep. Joe Wilson from South Carolina, along with Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Rep. Rick Allen from Georgia. He said the letter was sent to the Undersecretary of the Army, saying the intent of the language in the legislation that guides the Corps was to maintain the current pool elevation. “With the letter that the four senators and two representatives signed, I think we’re on an ascending curve toward a viable solution that would benefit our communities,” Pettit said. By Lindsey Hodges |
