Sen. Rand Paul Letter to Gen. Bostick <'TK><
This letter has been converted frp a PDF file to a Word document .. So the official Gov seal are missing etc ... Also may have to read doubled up words that I may have missed ... <'TK><
January25, 2013
General Thomas Bostick
Commanding General and Chief ofEngineers
US Army Corps ofEngineers 441G Street, Northwest Washington, D.C. 203 14
Dear General Bostick:
I am writing to your egarding the Army Corpsof Engineers' current plan to implement restricted access areas below the dams along the Cumberland River. I believe that completely restricting the tail water area below the dams would lead to serious safety concerns for search andrescue teams, deny constituentsan enjoyable recreational activity,and have a detrimentale conomic impact to the area.
Safety can be promoted in these areas without completely blockingallboating below the dams, and I look forward to working with you to find a solution that is acceptable to all interested parties. I believe that the local officials and general public should have their voices heard and ideas considered before policies are implemented. The safety and well-being of my constituents is of great concern to me, there fore I propose that you consider the following possible compromises:
• Closing the tail-water area to boats only during high-risk situations, such as during times of spillage, repair, or maintenance
• Closing access to the closest boat ramp during times of high-risk
• Adding buoy sand/or lights to clearly mark the edge of the tail-water area
• Updating signage to indicate that the area is closed during high-risk situations and stating the current requirement for flotation devices in the tail-waters
• Installing a siren system to warn boaters of an impending closure of the area below the dam
By placing a physical barrie racross the restricted access area, USACE would not only beblocking boats that hold fishermen,it wouldbe blocking search and rescue teams and other emergency vessels. The current plan to restrict access would still allow for fishing from the bank by the area in question, and if a person were to fall in the water, rescue personnelwould be unable to reach them quickly. I am also very concerned that if there were to be a maintenance or emergency situation with the dams that the barrier would hinder crews from reaching the area by boat.
After hearing from my constituents and speaking with local officials, it became apparent that there is a deep love for fishing in the tail-waters of the Cumberland River, and to deny the public this recreational activity would not only disappoint thousands of fishermen acrossthe country, but lead to detrimental impacts on the area'seconomy.
In the Barkley Dam area,for example,the local economy depends greatly on tourism and outdoor activities, including fishing. Commercial and recreational fishermen boast that the tail-water area of Barkley Dam harbors some of the finest fishing in the country. Bait shops, boat dealers, restaurants, and hotels all benefit from the influx of local residents and tourists who travel to the area to fish. It is estimated that the BarkleyDam tail-water fishery has an annual economic value of $3million, an income that the area cannot afford to lose.
I believe that by working together, itis possible to see that measures are taken to help insure the safety of all who enjoy the tail-water areas along the Cumberland River without completely restricting all access to boaters. It is my understanding that the Nashville District, under the command of Lt. Col. James DeLapp, is moving quickly to implement these new regulations, therefore I am requesting a response by Friday,February 1, 2013. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Rand Paul, M.D.
United States Senator
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