I don't believe that anywhere did it mention about any bank fishing access. And if you read the article that Alpha posted about Yankton, SD. They closed the area off to boats and not bank fisherman. I am very certain that any closure will be only including boats. Which I still feel is ridiculous. I guess we will find out today.

If you are going to try to beat up the gub'ment know that they are restricting boats not bank fisherman.

I believe that agelsssone said "illegal fisherman" not "illegal immigrants". Not to speak for him but perhaps he was referring to illegal activities such as exceeding bag limits via cast nets (among other tactics, presumably).

Here it is!!!!
 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is finalizing plans to implement 24/7 restricted waterborne access to hazardous waters immediately upstream and downstream of all Corps-owned locks and dams, flood control dams and multipurpose dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries. This action moves the Nashville District into full compliance with Corps regulations.

Public information meetings are planned for Paducah, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., Cookeville, Tenn. and Somerset, Ky. in January 2013. These meetings will allow the public to respond to the proposed implementation plans. Detailed information for each meeting’s time and location will be provided to the public as soon as they are finalized.

The restricted areas will be the minimum area allowed per Corps regulations upstream and downstream of locks, dams, and power plant facilities. All forms of water access within the restricted areas will be prohibited including boating, swimming and wading. The Corps continues to allow bank fishing in all areas that were previously approved, including areas adjacent to some restricted areas. The restricted areas will be small areas compared to the entire tailwater below the dams on federal property. Fishing and boating will still be allowed in these non-restricted areas.

“We understand the tightened restricted areas in the Nashville District may be unpopular, but it is necessary for the district to enforce a more restrictive policy that complies more effectively with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ER 1130-2-520, Chapter 10,” said Freddie Bell, chief of the Natural Resource Management Branch. “The increased restriction will also provide the highest level of public safety and address physical security issues.”

Since 2009, three fatalities, one serious injury and 10 near misses/rescues have occurred in the hazardous waters immediately downstream of dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries. Life jacket wear has been ineffective in these areas, since all of the victims who drowned were wearing a life jacket.

The immediate hazardous water areas above and below dams in the Nashville District are best described as industrial areas that pose a high level of risk for the public because of the hydroelectric, spilling, sluicing and lock operations that are often present or begin with little or no notice. Such water releases can change a dry riverbed or calm waters into a life-threatening situation within seconds that can swamp, capsize and trap boats and people in turbulent waters.

“We want the public to understand safety is the Agency’s highest priority,” said Bell. “The tailwater directly below a dam is a high risk area and fishing in this area is a high risk activity. As we comply with Corps regulations by restricting these areas, we are also keeping the public safe.”

For more information, on the “Restricted Areas Around Dams” please go to http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/ne..._near_dams.htm.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.



Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/99240/n...#ixzz2Ewm2jmEZ

Best I remember from the last TWRC (the commission that approves the TWRA regs/laws) they voted to not enforce and stay out of the upcoming Corps changes leaving it up to them to police.

THey also posted this link:
http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/ne..._near_dams.htm

If you look at the picture close you might recognize that person. I wont say who it is I will let him identify himself if he wishes.

Roy

Some of these areas are wading friendly or not very deep on low water. If it was such a safety concer then why can't the "zone" be in effect when the facility is operating and when its not be open?

In reality none are dangerous if its not running.

All of the site restricted areas are on the website also.

Here is Old Hickory;

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/Bo...-CE999-009.jpg

And Center Hill (Caney Fork River)

http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/pao/Bo...-CE999-002.jpg

Really bummer at Old Hickory.

Jim

Many times those two terms are synonymous so I may have gotten ahead of myself due to what I personally have witnessed over the years but we won't go there...

As far as only restricting boaters, that makes their argument of our "safety" even more ridiculous. Are bank fishermen not at risk if they act foolishly during generation? Sure they are. You can't pass laws to eliminate stupid. They even said in the article Roy posted that since 2009 there have been 3 deaths, 1 serious injury, and 10 near misses. While each event is tragic and I hate to hear someone died or was injured, those numbers aren't that staggering. It's not like someone was dying every week from fishing below a dam. Those numbers are not even remotely serious enough to justify a measure like this.

Here is a strange fact. The policy that they are getting in line with was established on November 29, 1996. If it was so important, do you think it may have been dealt within the past 16 years?

Jim

From their Q&A portion on the link:

Q16. We have a number of petition signatures against these restrictions. Will the Corps change its decision based on public opposition?

Answer: No, regulatory guidance requires us to establish restricted areas for the hazardous waters around dams. The Corps understands this change in policy may be unpopular for some visitors but public safety is paramount regarding all project operations.

The restriction above Old Hickory really stinks. That was a great bank for catching smallmouth and spotted bass.

No more fishing the "pond" or the water fall at Center Hill.

It sucks all the way around. Strange how the two videos posted on their site about incidents are private videos...you can't view them...LOL. I can't imagine never fishing the pond again at Center Hill. Of course the Army has never used logic. The percentage of lake deaths is almost 100 times the deaths below dams. It is going to be incumbent on us to become activist and do as Americans have done for 200 years when things get outrageous...take it to the streets...in this case take it to the dams. I am sure we can get literally a thousand boaters...kayakers...to show up below Old Hickory.....in the Pond on the Caney. This will come down to a battle of will between us and the Army. I think in mass this is something we can cause a lot of discomfort for politicians if we stick together and have the will to see it through. All people need to understand that this is just not about us fishing where we want...this one step could lead to many stupid regs and rules that would impact everyones life....livelihood....in some fashion. It is time to say enough is enough.




Regards

From a very reliable source !! <'TK><
 

""Thanks for keeping me updated. This guy is not going away. Please tell your readers that TW RA is not going to enforce this law. Will be totally up to the Corps of Engineers. This commander has been told that By the director."

tk....how many guides wil be impacted at Cordell Hull that guide for Stripers...or other species...will be affected by this? I am assuming we are talking about a lot of lost revenue for them...not to mention local hotels...restaurants and so on.


Regards