KENTUCKY PRESS NEWS SERVICE
The U.S. Senate has passed bill which contains Sen.
Mitch McConnell’s measure protecting access to critical Kentucky fishing
waters, according to a news release from the Kentucky senator's
Washington office.
McConnell’s legislation prevents a move by federal officials to
barricade portions of the Cumberland River near the Barkley and Wolf
Creek Dams. The federal barricades would negatively impact local
Kentucky communities that rely heavily on fishing and tourism business.
McConnell’s bill was included within the Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA), which passed the Senate a few minutes ago, the release said.
The measure stops the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from installing
physical barriers that would block fishing access to the tailwaters of
these dams, limits the Army Corps’ ability to designate “restricted
areas” to times when operation conditions create hazardous waters —
rather than 24 hours a day — and gives states the right to enforce
public access to these areas.
“Many Kentuckians are struggling in this economy and the last thing they
need is the nanny state shutting down a critical local resource. Many
in our state have depended on these waters for years and it’s outrageous
for the federal government to make such a decision with complete
disregard for the people affected most directly by the policy. Blocking
fishing access to the tailwaters of Lake Barkley and Wolf Creek will not
only rob fishermen of a beloved pastime, it will also impair tourism in
the area and negatively affect the Kentucky economy,” McConnell said in
the news release.
Last month, McConnell met with local elected officials, anglers and
local residents at Lake Barkley to hear firsthand their concerns
regarding the Army Corps’ plan and was told that the proposal to install
barricades and to block access to areas which are popular with anglers
in Kentucky would have a major impact on the communities near the
Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams.
McConnell took action because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, without
cooperation or explanation, continues its plan to block fishing access
to the tailwaters of these dams.
