Congressman Sanford Bishop Welcomes Halt Of U.S. Army Corps Minor Water Withdrawals Rule

Statement

Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) welcomed the U.S. Army Corps' South Atlantic Division (SAD) announcement of the suspension of the new policy change prohibiting minor water withdrawals from lakes across the division, including Lake Seminole and Walter F George Lake. Congressman Bishop inquired about the rule in response to shared concerns from his constituents in Southwest Georgia.

"Following a meeting with concerned adjacent landowners, we are suspending implementation of that portion of the new shoreline management policy that prohibits minor water withdrawals at lakes across the South Atlantic Division while we further review the policy and its implications for adjacent shoreline residents. The Districts will suspend the implementation of the policy effective immediately until the review is complete and further guidance is issued. The meeting was with landowners at Lake Hartwell on the Georgia side of the lake. However, as you can see the suspension applies to all lakes within South Atlantic Division which would include Lake Seminole and Walter F. George," said E. Patrick Robbins Chief of Legislative and Public Affairs for the Mobile District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"A win for lake-front residents in Southwest Georgia, allowing minor water withdrawals will provide a safer and more accessible resource for property-owners adjacent to Lake Seminole and Lake Walter F. George," said Congressman Bishop.

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