Skip to main content
Image
Photo of the U.S. Capitol dome

Wilson, Allen Statement on U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers South Atlantic Division’s New Savannah Bluff Lock And Dam Decision

October 29, 2019

On October 29, U.S. Congressmen Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Rick Allen (GA-12) released the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division announced they will proceed with the removal of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and move forward with Alternative 2-6D, which was simulated in February 2019 with disastrous results:

"Since the day the Corps announced their disastrous plans to remove the Lock and Dam and replace it with a rock weir, we have fought their decision tooth and nail – and warned the Corps that they will not be able to maintain the pool, as required under federal law. In a bicameral, bi-state manner, the Senators and members of Congress representing the CSRA sent a letter to the Corps saying that the intent of Congress was to maintain the pool level at the date of enactment—not for functionality like the Corps claims. To lower the pool level in such an irreversible manner would negatively impact recreation, economic development, and the industries up and down the river, not to mention an increased chance of flooding.

"Today's announcement is not only an affront to the public who have raised concerns throughout this process, it also blatantly disregards the warnings put forth by the recent Independent External Peer Review Report and the jarring results of the February 2019 simulation. Despite the report validating the community's concerns, the Corps has decided to ignore the will of the American people and the intent of Congress, and move forward in a display of tyranny. We will not stop fighting this gross overreach and misuse of power, and we have warned the Corps that we will continue to hold them accountable. Georgians and South Carolinians deserve better."

The state of South Carolina is expected to file a lawsuit against the Corps as early as this week.