Lock and Dam Legislative Fix Signed Into Law
Washington, DC – On Saturday, President Biden signed into law S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. This bill includes language (Section 1315) which authorizes a full repair of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and requires the pool level to be maintained at 114.5 feet.
Upon the announcement, Congressmen Joe Wilson (SC-02) and Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statements:
"My colleagues and I have maintained for years that the Army Corps of Engineers misinterpreted the clear intent of the language in the 2016 Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, requiring that the pool be maintained at 114.5 feet. Their selected plan to tear down the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and replace it with a fixed rock weir would have been detrimental to the North Augusta community, irreversibly lowering the water levels in a manner that would negatively impact economic development, recreation, and industry, up and down the river.
"I am grateful to have worked with U.S. Congressmen Rick Allen and Mike Collins, U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, Governor Henry McMaster, Attorney General Alan Wilson, S.C. Senator Tom Young, S.C. Representative Bill Hixon, North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams, and many other state and local officials and industry stakeholders on this critical issue. I look forward to the continuing success and development of our beautiful riverfront communities for years to come," said Congressman Wilson.
"This is a historic day for the CSRA, residents of the 12th District, and all of East Georgia. For the better part of a decade, I have worked closely with local leaders, stakeholders, and members of our community to ensure the Lock and Dam is maintained and the pool level remains at 114.5 feet. That is now the law of the land!
"We faced many obstacles, tenuous legal battles, and what seemed to be insurmountable roadblocks. But one thing was clear from the beginning—any option that resulted in a significant drop in the water level was a non-starter for local businesses, homeowners, and families. This was no small feat, but I could not be prouder that we persevered.
"I’d like to thank all those who have worked tirelessly on this issue, my colleagues like Rep. Joe Wilson who helped push for these changes for so long, Rep. Mike Collins for introducing the amendment in Committee for this year’s bill, and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Subcommittee Chair David Rouzer for insisting this language stay in the final bill. It was my honor to take on this fight for the folks who call Georgia-12 and the CSRA home," said Congressman Allen.
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