Rogers' Statement on Wolf Creek Dam

Rogers' Statement on Wolf Creek Dam

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' plans to repair Wolf Creek Dam:

"I am obviously concerned with the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to lower Lake Cumberland to 680 feet. Thousands of people in southern and eastern Kentucky depend on Lake Cumberland for their livelihood, and there are economic consequences affecting the entire region.

However, public safety has to be the top priority. I have been engaged at the top levels of the Corps of Engineers for several months to determine the best way to resolve this problem. The Corps utilized a panel of experts using sound engineering and science methodology to reach their conclusion. Reducing pressure on the dam now enables repairs to proceed and will ultimately lead to the lake returning to normal levels.

The task before us is to make the best of this situation. I will work closely with the Corps, federal, state and local officials to launch a mitigation plan to alleviate the economic impact. This potentially includes extending docks, launch ramps and roadways, improving parking and campsites, and installing lake navigational aides.

Also, I am pushing the Corps to move ahead with all possible speed on dam repairs. Specifically, this means identifying ways to move up the estimated 2012 completion date. In the meantime, a short-term repair is slated for completion in the early fall. There again, I am urging that project be completed by the summer and that Lake Cumberland levels can be raised sooner, rather than later."

http://halrogers.house.gov/Read.aspx?ID=98