[fisher01]

The Corp. of Engineers is planing on closing all boat and bank access below all the dams in the Cumberland River System. Here's are two letters recently sent to the Corp. One from Lamar Alexander and the other from TWRA. We need to get the word out and stop this action.

Dear Colonel DeLapp:

I am writing to express my concerns about your decision to restrict access to fishing areas in dam tailwaters on the Cumberland River system and recommend that you reconsider that decision.

The Cumberland River system is a significant source of enjoyment for Tennesseans and visitors from around the world. Those who enjoy fishing and the businesses that serve them benefit from the open access of the Cumberland River system, and the revenue that is generated by these activities is an important part of Tennessee’s economy.

It is my understanding that the current practice has not resulted in a significantly higher risk to public safety than is experienced at other dams across the country. The current practice is strongly supported by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and they share my view that restricting access to tailwater areas is unnecessary. At a minimum, I believe that any change of this magnitude should be subject to a public comment period so those who enjoy fishing can have an opportunity to express their concerns and propose alternatives to improve public safety. Changes should only be considered after a thorough review of all public comments and suggestions.

I look forward to talking with you directly on this issue to discuss any proposed changes prior to their enactment. Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Lamar Alexander

2nd letter

October 31, 2012
TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY
ELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL CENTER P. O. BOX 40747 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37204

Frederick B. Bell
Chief, Natural Resources Management Branch Nashville District
US Army Corps of Engineers

Mr. Bell,
As you requested during our conference call on October 22, 2012, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is sending this letter to convey the value of the fisheries located immediately below USAGE projects in the Cumberland Valley.

Our understanding is that the USAGE proposes to restrict boat access in tailwaters to include the areas with the most turbulent waters. This distance would vary by project but based on our discussion it is likely that it would at least restrict access downstream to the end of the lock wall. We strongly urge your staff to reconsider this decision. These tailwater areas are highly valued assets to the region as they offer the best fishing and ease of access for both bank and boating anglers.

Nowhere else in these run-of-river reservoirs are fish so abundant. Several species of fish are predictably caught at the dam during seasonal runs. These include striped bass, white bass, yellow bass, sauger, walleye, catfish, paddlefish, and skipjack herring. Catch rates for these species are orders of magnitude higher in this area, especially during peak seasons. While these species are present in the lower reservoir at other times of the year, their distribution is scattered resulting in less successful fishing trips. Many anglers would not fish at all if access at the dam were restricted. After decades of opportunity at dams,these areas are traditional fisheries for generations of middle Tennesseans.

There are several reasonswhy fish are abundant in the proposed restricted zones below Cordell Hull, Old Hickory, and Cheatham dams.

1)The dam is a barrier that concentrates migrating fish during spawning runs(November through May). TWRA relies on access to these spawning runs to collect broodf ish for hatcheries. These are also permanent survey sites used to monitor fish populations.
2) Fish are entrained through the dam creating a supply of easy food for many fish species year-round.
3) The high flows have created scour holes and complex hydraulic conditions that some species prefer as habitat.
4) Shad and other baitfish concentrate below dams which attract predatory gamefish.
5) Gate operations during the summer months improve water quality and fish are using
these areas as refuges.
6) TWRA annually stocks hundreds of thousands of striped bass, sauger and walleye which
ultimately run upstream to the dam for the reasons listed above.

Unlike the bass and crappie fishing that occurs throughout the reservoir, tailwater anglers have no alternative locations that provide similar quality. The tailwater provides eddies and other currents that provide fishing opportunities for boat anglers that are unique to tailwaters. As you travel downstream a short distance from the lock wall, the fishing success drops off abruptly.

Many bank anglers exclusively fish these areas close to the dam because of these high concentrations of fish. Any loss to boat access should be accompanied by improvements and increased maintenance to bank fishing amenities, such as parking areas, walkways, and fishing platforms adjacent to the turbines.

Regretfully, we do not have economic impact data specific to these areas. Frankly it has been so obvious to fisheries managers that these areas are economically important, that such studies had not seemed warranted. We are sure that USAGE project managers can confirm that visitation rates are high during the peak fishing times. A decision to restrict access will annually eliminate thousands of trips made by sport anglers and commercial fishing guides.

TWRA manages tailwaters at Center Hill, Dale Hollow and J. Percy Priest dams as trout fisheries. Boat fishing occurs below all these dams, but is much more common at Center Hill Dam. Unlike the fisheries at the run-of-river impoundments, the fisheries below Center Hill and Dale Hollow change relatively slowly as you go downstream for miles. Therefore, restricting access to the turbulent waters immediately below those dams would not completely limit opportunity. People will still be upset at a loss of public waters available for fishing, but there are alternatives immediately downstream of the restricted area.

Our experience with the winter trout fishery at J.Percy Priestis that most anglers fish the bank from the dam to the 1-40 Bridge. Because that is a fairly short distance, any significant restriction in bank access could jeopardize that fishery. TWRA and Metro Parks recently constructed a new boat ramp at Heartland Park in 2011 in an effort to increase boat fishing
opportunities.

The proposed restriction would be counter-productive to these efforts.A closure would also limit the only upstream access to the Stones River Blue way for non- motorized boats.

In closing, we strongly urge you to consider other alternatives and seek public comment as you move forward on this question. The state's 800,000 anglers and the local businesses they support will be affected by this loss of public waters.

Sincerely,
Bobby Wilson
Chief of Fisheries
TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY