Opinion Pieces

This story originally appeared in the Augusta Press.
By: Reps. Rick W. Allen (GA-12) and Mike Collins (GA-10)

An issue well-known to the constituents of East Georgia and the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) is that of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, or in short, the Lock and Dam. Originally constructed in the 1930s, the Lock and Dam has played a vital role in maintaining navigable waters and supporting local ecosystems, and over the decades has provided flood control and a reliable water supply. Additionally, the Lock and Dam retains a pool of water that many of the CSRA’s largest job creators and municipalities continue to draw from for their operations. However, due to environmental mitigation from the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, or SHEP, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) was tasked with constructing a mitigation feature that would allow sturgeon and other endangered fish to access historic spawning grounds – sparking a years-long fight on the best path forward.

Unfortunately, the USACE’s plan to replace the Lock and Dam with a rock weir would result in a significant drop in water levels, which would lead to adverse impacts on the local communities that depend on the Savannah River.

In a disastrous simulation carried out by the USACE, residents saw firsthand the dreadful impacts of the lower water level that would result from the installation of a rock weir. We saw marooned boats and docks on the ground, excess debris, mudflats, the riverbanks caving in, and businesses and cities unable to draw the water they need to manufacture their products and to provide for their citizens.

And just two weeks ago, we saw the pool levels drop and business operations were again at risk of being severely impacted. We are thrilled to share that last week the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), a biannual bill to address water issues and projects in the United States. Included in this bill was a provision that safeguards the Lock and Dam by stopping the USACE’s disastrous rock weir plan dead in its tracks and clarifying Congressional intent to maintain our pool level at 114.5 feet. It also allows the USACE to go back to the original mitigation feature that was previously agreed to by the Port Authority, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Savannah River Keeper, and all parties involved.

Inserting this language to safeguard the Lock and Dam into WRDA was an uphill battle as Washington powerbrokers had blocked the language from being included in the base text of the bill. Despite the resistance, we pushed forward, offered an amendment to include the Lock and Dam language, and called for a recorded vote. That amendment was narrowly adopted by a one vote margin and the provision was included in the final bill advanced by committee and passed by the House of Representatives.

This critical infrastructure has long been a cornerstone for water management in the CSRA, and we could not allow the proposed reduction in water levels to undermine our region’s economic and recreational well-being. This bill represents more than just a legislative victory; it is a testament to our commitment to the people of East Georgia. By standing up against the USACE’s plans, we have demonstrated our dedication to protecting local interests and ensuring that the voices of our constituents are heard in Washington. The passage of this bill to protect the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam is a significant achievement and a crucial victory for the residents of the CSRA, East Georgia, and our entire state. This bill will help ensure the continued stability and prosperity of our region, demonstrating the power of dedicated representation and the importance of preserving our natural and economic resources.

More work remains, and we will continue to urge our colleagues in the Senate, including Senators Ossoff and Warnock, to push for inclusion of this language in the final WRDA bill so that we can send it to President Biden’s desk immediately.

Congressman Rick W. Allen represents Georgia’s 12th District, including Augusta, Georgia. Congressman Mike Collins represents Georgia’s 10th District and is a sitting member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which has jurisdiction over the Water Resources Development Act.