The buoys are coming down

[Catch & Release]

NR 13-023: Corps moves to implement Freedom to Fish Act
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Posted 6/19/2013
Release no. 13-023


Contact
Bill Peoples
615-736-7161
william.l.peoles@usace.army.mil or
Lee Roberts
615-736-7161
leon.a.roberts@usace.army.mil

NASHVILLE, TENN. (June 19, 2013)– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is complying with the Freedom to Fish Act (PL 113-13) by the reimplementation of conditions-based restrictions below dams on the Cumberland River and tributaries.
As directed by law, the conditions-based restrictions around dams on the Cumberland River and tributaries that were in place before August 2012 are once again in effect. The conditions-based restrictions were initially implemented in 1996.
The Nashville District will be removing the buoys recently placed below the following dams: Old Hickory, J. Percy Priest, Cordell Hull, Center Hill, and Dale Hollow. This work will begin immediately. The Corps will also convert recently placed “Restricted – Keep Out” buoys above its dams on the Cumberland River and tributaries back to “Danger Dam” buoys. The signs installed on upstream and downstream lock walls with the message “Restricted – Keep Out” will be replaced with signs that display the message “Danger – Dam.”
The enforcement of a restricted area below dams on the Cumberland River and tributaries is now the sole responsibility of the State of Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Nashville District is working with the Tennessee Water Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDF&W) to implement measures for alerting the public of hazardous water conditions and restricted areas.
Since June 1 2013, there have been three accidents immediately below dams in the State of Tennessee. The water areas above and below dams continue to be very hazardous. State laws for mandatory life jacket wear below dams remain in effect. All boaters are cautioned to stay clear of all turbulent waters released from these structures.

[tkwalker]

Alexander: Removal of Buoys Below Cumberland River Dams “the Right Way to End the Fishing Controversy”

Says U.S. Army Corps of Engineers now complying with new federal law

***

“This preserves the freedom to fish for generations of Americans who enjoy fishing below the dams on the Cumberland River, and does so in a way that gives the appropriate state agencies authority for boating safety.” – Lamar Alexander



WASHINGTON, June 19 – U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to remove buoys restricting access to fishing areas below dams on the Cumberland River – in compliance with legislation he sponsored that became law on June 3 – is “the right way to end the fishing controversy.”



“This preserves the freedom to fish for generations of Americans who enjoy fishing below the dams on the Cumberland River, and does so in a way that gives the appropriate state wildlife agencies authority for boating safety,” Alexander said.



The Corps announced today the decision to remove buoys it previously put in place as part of its plan to restrict access beneath 10 dams on the Cumberland River in Tennessee and Kentucky. The announcement follows the June 3 enactment of a law Alexander sponsored in the Senate that prohibits the Corps from implementing restrictions for two years, while also delegating enforcement below the dams to appropriate state agencies.



In addition to the two-year ban that became law June 3, the U.S. Senate also passed on May 15 Alexander’s permanent solution as part of the Water Resources Development Act. That permanent solution would prevent the Corps from establishing physical barriers, require that any further action be based on actual operating conditions – as opposed to 24 hours per day – and give sole responsibility for enforcement of restricted areas below dams to the states.



The U.S. House of Representatives has not yet taken up its version of the Water Resources Development Act, which Alexander said made it necessary to pass the two-year ban.



Alexander’s legislation, known as the “Freedom to Fish Act,” was cosponsored by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). A similar version was sponsored in the house by U.S. Reps. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Diane Black (R-Tenn.), Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.).

[Reel Tune]

Great news, thanks fellers.

Jeremy

[txnative]

Darn, I was starting to like them, too. It was a nice reminder that politicians CAN keep their word (hats off to Sen. Alexander), I felt a sense of pride in our Senator as I paddled past the buoys below Center Hill dam.


Chris

[jad2t]

It would be nice if each taxpayer in Tennessee got his/her share repaid to them that was knowingly wasted on these buoys.

[porman2006]

Like to buy one and put it in my yard

[nofish]

Originally Posted by catch & release

nr 13-023: Corps moves to implement freedom to fish act
email print
posted 6/19/2013
release no. 13-023




contact
bill peoples
615-736-7161
william.l.peoles@usace.army.mil or
lee roberts
615-736-7161
leon.a.roberts@usace.army.mil

nashville, tenn. (june 19, 2013)– the u.s. Army corps of engineers is complying with the freedom to fish act (pl 113-13) by the reimplementation of conditions-based restrictions below dams on the cumberland river and tributaries.
As directed by law, the conditions-based restrictions around dams on the cumberland river and tributaries that were in place before august 2012 are once again in effect. The conditions-based restrictions were initially implemented in 1996.
The nashville district will be removing the buoys recently placed below the following dams: Old hickory, j. Percy priest, cordell hull, center hill, and dale hollow. This work will begin immediately. The corps will also convert recently placed “restricted – keep out” buoys above its dams on the cumberland river and tributaries back to “danger dam” buoys. The signs installed on upstream and downstream lock walls with the message “restricted – keep out” will be replaced with signs that display the message “danger – dam.”
the enforcement of a restricted area below dams on the cumberland river and tributaries is now the sole responsibility of the state of tennessee and the commonwealth of kentucky. The nashville district is working with the tennessee water resources agency (twra) and the kentucky department of fish and wildlife resources (kdf&w) to implement measures for alerting the public of hazardous water conditions and restricted areas.
Since june 1 2013, there have been three accidents immediately below dams in the state of tennessee. The water areas above and below dams continue to be very hazardous. State laws for mandatory life jacket wear below dams remain in effect. All boaters are cautioned to stay clear of all turbulent waters released from these structures.

ha ha!!!

[jad2t]

Those signs that say "Danger - Dam" are very necessary to spend money on. How else are we supposed to know what those huge concrete things are in front of us that have gates and water coming out???

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by jad2t

Those signs that say "Danger - Dam" are very necessary to spend money on. How else are we supposed to know what those huge concrete things are in front of us that have gates and water coming out???

You'd be surprised... with the help of some local clubs they put the nice pretty colored signs in showing the difference in the three trout that reside in the river. There are still people who have trouble determining a brown from a rainbow.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

You'd be surprised... with the help of some local clubs they put the nice pretty colored signs in showing the difference in the three trout that reside in the river. There are still people who have trouble determining a brown from a rainbow.

That might just be an excuse to keep a 12" brown trout haha

"Oh... I thought this was a rainbow trout..."

[nomad60]

Originally Posted by Travis C.

You'd be surprised... with the help of some local clubs they put the nice pretty colored signs in showing the difference in the three trout that reside in the river. There are still people who have trouble determining a brown from a rainbow.

Hey I resemble that remark! If it ain't green, I have to break out the TN fishing guide

[txnative]

Those signs should be put up at the winter trout stocking sites, especially Nice Mill. I met a guy there one winter who was bragging to everyone how amazing the trout fishing was going for him, and when I asked how many he had caught, he showed me his stringer. It had almost 2 limits (he was with his son). I congratulated him and moved on...I didn't have the heart to tell him that he had a stringer full of creek chubs.


Chris

[MNfisher]

Originally Posted by txnative

Those signs should be put up at the winter trout stocking sites, especially Nice Mill. I met a guy there one winter who was bragging to everyone how amazing the trout fishing was going for him, and when I asked how many he had caught, he showed me his stringer. It had almost 2 limits (he was with his son). I congratulated him and moved on...I didn't have the heart to tell him that he had a stringer full of creek chubs.


Chris

Reminds me of one time back in MN, I worked at a marina that rented boats. I went out to catch and tie up a boat that was returning. I asked how the fishing was and they said, GREAT!! Look at the smallmouth we caught! First of all, there were no smallies in this lake, they proceeded to hold up a stringer of 4-6 lb drum! I just said, Wow, nice ones too! They were so proud, I didn't want to let them down!

[MNfisher]

By the way, I am sitting in the parking lot at Center Hill Dam, kayak unloaded, and it has been hailing, pouring, and lightning for a half hour! Grrrrrr!