FTF - What Next?
The two year ban on the Corps river restrictions, are a stop-gap measure. Senate Bill S.982 was quickly pressed into service under a rules suspension process, designed to streamline bills of little or no controversy within the halls of congress.
The steps toward a more permanent solution have already passed the Senate, within the text of the Water Resources Development Act. That vote took place on May 15. The House has yet to address its version of the Water Resources Development Act, but the provisions of FTF are in the House version as well. The permanent solution forbids the Corps from imposing restrictions that are 24-7 boating bans, but will leave open the possibility of conditions-based restrictions (significant release periods) only when true public debate and input has been factored in. In addition, sole responsibility for enforcement of any restrictions will be within the State's authority; not the Corps of Engineers.
To all who participated in the campaign to retain your rights to your waters- BRAVO! We need to be appreciative of the fact that we have a professional Army who follow orders (even bone-headed ones), but eternally grateful for the civilian legislators who uphold the fundamental processes that reel the military back in when they overreach their authority.
To Lieutenant Col. DeLapp, Lieutenant General Bostick, and Assistant Secretary of the Army - Civil Works Darcy, I leave you with this:
"That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind." [State of Tennessee Constitution, Article 1, Part 2]
Now get your crap out of our river...
Last edited by RADUTY; 06-03-2013 at 06:34 PM.
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