Senator Alexander's speech today 2/21/2013

[CreekWalker]

His message was short and sweet - legislation will be introduced to prohibit the closure until/if/so a reasonable compromise is made!

The turnout I though was good being 11:00 on a Tuesday - I'd guess there was 200 people though half of them are not shown in this picture as they were on the hillside.

I liked his reference to train tracks - do you keep the gate down 24/7 or just when a train is coming?!! Do the same with access - close it off when they're pulling too much waater!!

Ed Carter did a great job at well!

Also, Alexander mentioned something about being on a budget committee that just so happens to oversee the Corps of Engineers?!!

[fisher01]

Alexander To Introduce Legislation Against Corps Fishing Limit

Posted: Feb 21, 2013 6:31 AM CST Updated: Feb 21, 2013 12:51 PM CST



http://WTVF.images.worldnow.com/images/21294813_BG3.jpg (http://WTVF.images.worldnow.com/images/21294813_BG3.jpg)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander announced Thursday that he will introduce legislation next week to delay an Army Corps of Engineers plan to limit fishing along the Cumberland River in Nashville.
Alexander was joined by members of the community and representatives of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Wildlife Federation at Old Hickory Dam, near an area that the Corps wants to restrict fishing in.
"Water spills through the Cumberland River dams less than 20 percent of the time on average," the senator said Thursday. "To close off the tailwaters to fishing 100 percent of the time would be like keeping the gate down at the railroad crossing 100 percent of the time: The track isn't dangerous when the train isn't coming, and the tailwaters aren't dangerous when the water isn't spilling through the dam."

Alexander's legislation would require the Corps to conduct an environmental impact review before it could restrict public access to the fishing waters below ten dams on the Cumberland River.He believes the process will likely take more than a year, including public comment periods, as well as give Congress time to determine if the funding required for the safety barriers on the Cumberland River is in the best interest of public safety and the American taxpayer.
Two weeks ago, Alexander and U.S. Reps. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) and Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) met at the U.S. Capitol with Maj. General Michael Walsh of the Corps to press their concerns about the Corps plan. He had also earlier met with Lt. Col. James DeLapp, Commander of the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and has requested a meeting with the Assistant Secretary of the Army to express his concern.
The Corps' plan could stop fishing in tailwaters below dams along the river, even when water isn't spilling through the dams.

Alexander pointed out that the Tennessee Valley Authority uses warning signs, strobe lights and horns at 22 of its 31 dams to warn of times when water will spill through the dams.
The Army Corps of Engineers in Nashville will issue a statement later Thursday in response to Alexander's announcement.

(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)