For many years, replacing the Chickamauga Lock has been an important issue for the Tennessee Valley. Each year, Congressman Zach Wamp (R-TN) hosts a one-day forum that allows the stakeholders to hear updates from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Army Corps of Engineers and organizations throughout the Valley that rely on the Tennessee River.

The 2002 Chickamauga Lock Forum will be held in Knoxville both to highlight the lock users located upstream that would be dramatically affected if the lock had to be shut down, and to honor Knoxville Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), who is also the Chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources.

Congressman Duncan's Subcommittee is charged with making the recommendation to replace the lock through legislation. The Appropriations Committee, on which Wamp has served for the last six years, would fund the replacement.

"Without the lock, transportation up the Tennessee River would stop in Chattanooga and the entire region would be negatively impacted. Many businesses, small and large, depend on goods that travel through the Chickamauga Lock. We must move quickly to replace the lock because according to the Army Corps of Engineers, the "concrete growth" problem will make it inoperable by 2010," said Wamp.

"I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Wamp regarding the replacement of the Chickamauga Lock and look forward to meeting with regional community leaders and affected business people. Replacing the Chickamauga Lock is absolutely essential. As Chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, I will be working hard to get proper funds allocated in this year's Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to do just that," added Congressman Duncan.

Through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Wamp was able to secure $4 million for the Preconstruction, Engineering and Design of the new lock in the 2003 House Energy and Water spending measure. $1.025 million was also included for the annual maintenance and operational expenses of the current Chickamauga Lock.

The forum, hosted by both Reps. Wamp and Duncan, will be held at Calhoun's Restaurant on the River in Knoxville, located at 400 Neyland Drive on Wednesday, August 21, 2002.

To RSVP or get more information about the 2002 Chickamauga Lock Forum, email, forum@mail.house.gov. or call 1-800-883-2369.