Tennessean Dam Article Front Page 1/30/2013

Looks like the Tennessean did their part in helping the cause.....

Oppss.... Forgot the link.......

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....=2013301300152

[sbrison]

Got this email last night along with the attached letter...

Good evening,

Thank you for contacting our office to express your concerns regarding the Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal to close public fishing waters associated with dams on the Cumberland River. As you may know, Congressman Blackburn is a lifetime sportsman who has been an active member in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus since first arriving in Congress. Through the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Congressman Blackburn has supported legislative initiatives that have given a voice to the rights of anglers, boaters, hunters and other outdoor recreational enthusiasts.

We appreciate the time you have taken and your thoughtfulness in raising this issue with our office. We fully understand that Tennesseans and visitors from around the world enjoy recreational fishing in the tailwaters along the Cumberland River system and agree that your concerns should be heard and taken into consideration during the decision making process. To ensure that your voice is properly heard during this process, Congressman Blackburn signed onto a letter to Lt. Colonel DeLapp, encouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow stakeholders, boaters and local anglers to have the opportunity to express their valid concerns. The letter also requests that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers examine alternatives to the current proposal.

Please know that Congressman Blackburn is actively engaged in this issue and will continue to work to ensure that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers takes every opinion and alternative plan into account throughout this process. If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact our Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2811, or you are always welcome to email Congressman Blackburn at marsha.blackburn@mail.house.gov.

Best,

Sean


Sean McLean
Policy Director
Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)
217 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

[tkwalker]

Originally Posted by sbrison

Got this email last night along with the attached letter...

Good evening,

Thank you for contacting our office to express your concerns regarding the Nashville District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal to close public fishing waters associated with dams on the Cumberland River. As you may know, Congressman Blackburn is a lifetime sportsman who has been an active member in the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus since first arriving in Congress. Through the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Congressman Blackburn has supported legislative initiatives that have given a voice to the rights of anglers, boaters, hunters and other outdoor recreational enthusiasts.

We appreciate the time you have taken and your thoughtfulness in raising this issue with our office. We fully understand that Tennesseans and visitors from around the world enjoy recreational fishing in the tailwaters along the Cumberland River system and agree that your concerns should be heard and taken into consideration during the decision making process. To ensure that your voice is properly heard during this process, Congressman Blackburn signed onto a letter to Lt. Colonel DeLapp, encouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow stakeholders, boaters and local anglers to have the opportunity to express their valid concerns. The letter also requests that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers examine alternatives to the current proposal.

Please know that Congressman Blackburn is actively engaged in this issue and will continue to work to ensure that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers takes every opinion and alternative plan into account throughout this process. If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to contact our Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2811, or you are always welcome to email Congressman Blackburn at marsha.blackburn@mail.house.gov.

Best,

Sean


Sean McLean
Policy Director
Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)
217 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

This is what we are trying to make clear! Delapp is not going to change his mind after all the meetings ... His mind is made up. He has already spent Big $$$ for signs etc ... These are all cookie cutter responses ... Tennessee Reps are waiting for all the meetings to be over and then they would respond ... Not like KY ... There Reps are acting now !! Col. Delapp has already stated that the only way this can be stopped is by congressional intervention ... Sen. Alexander is the only Rep who has not been passive ...


I can’t help but get the feeling the congressional leaders still don’t get it. While bless their hearts for the support, there’s a couple of things they’re just not getting. The most important of which (that I believe), is the Corps is being deceptive; that the public meetings are courtesy ruse, and they plan on moving forward, regardless of what is said in a public forum. The other perception I think they’re holding on to, is that the Corps is bound to compliance with some rule of law. The move is purely a policy decision. Someone just needs to find the level at which that decision was made, and encourage a military retirement package.



I’ll be delivering to the electronic media again tomorrow. ... R


<'TK><

[j19bill]

I noticed Scott DesJarlais has not signed that letter (not that the letter will do anything) nor has he responded to any of the Emails I've sent him. Very disappointed in him as my representative.

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by j19bill

I noticed Scott DesJarlais has not signed that letter (not that the letter will do anything) nor has he responded to any of the Emails I've sent him. Very disappointed in him as my representative.

Sent from my Droid Bionic complete with typos and sarcasm.

The link with the letter/signatures from reps is a page 1. There is a page two with a couple more signatures on it but don't remember who it was.

[sbrison]

TK- I agree, the letter does not have a lot of meat. My reply to Congresswoman Blackburns staff in part was...


"The problem is that the Corps seems to have made up their mind. These Q and A are directly from the Nashville District website.

Q13. The statistics do not support your reasoning for restricting fishing at the dams. What can be done to reverse the Corps' decision to restrict fishing at the dams? Answer: Restricting access is a regulatory requirement and the right thing to do to protect lives, safeguard operations, and to enhance security. The Nashville District made the decision to fully implement Corps policy of restricting waterborne public access in the best interest of boater and visitor safety.

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. "



We all need to continue to ask the reps to be involved in the meeting with General Bostwick. Waiting for public meetings does not seem to be working or this would have changed already since everyone at the meetings held to date have been opposed to the restrictions.


Travis- attached are the page 2 signatures. Didn't realize I had missed them the first time.


Scott

One of the main question I would like to ask is about Handicap Access to these areas if they restrict access to these areas by boat?