Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, along with Senators Rand Paul, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, introduced and the Senate passed legislation (S. 982) that places a two-year moratorium on the Army Corps plan to implement barriers and restrict fishing accesses to the tailwaters of the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams along the Cumberland River. The House is expected to consider it next week. This measure, which McConnell secured by unanimous consent, is in addition to the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) that passed the Senate yesterday, which included many of the provisions outlined in the “Freedom to Fish Act” introduced by Senators McConnell, Paul, Alexander and Corker in February.
“The water resources bill includes a permanent ban on implementing barriers, but in order to deal with the immediate threat we have a two-year moratorium which should give time for the water resources bill to become law and then it will be a permanent moratorium,” Senator McConnell said. “Many Kentuckians are struggling in this economy and the last thing they need is the nanny state shutting down a critical local resource. Many in our state have depended on these waters for years and it’s outrageous for the federal government to make such a decision with complete disregard for the people affected most directly by the policy. Blocking fishing access to the tailwaters of Lake Barkley and Wolf Creek will not only rob fishermen of a beloved pastime, it will also impair tourism in the area and negatively affect the Kentucky economy.”
Info on the legislation the Senate passed yesterday is below:
For Immediate Release, Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Freedom to Fish Passes Senate
McConnell Measure protects local access along Cumberland River
McConnell: ‘Many Kentuckians are struggling in this economy and the last thing they need is the nanny state shutting down a critical local resource.’
Washington, DC - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s measure protecting access to critical Kentucky fishing waters advanced through the Senate today. His legislation prevents a move by federal officials to barricade portions of the Cumberland River near the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams. The federal barricades would negatively impact local Kentucky communities that rely heavily on fishing and tourism business.
McConnell’s bill was included within the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and stops the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from installing physical barriers that would block fishing access to the tailwaters of these dams, limits the Army Corps’ ability to designate “restricted areas” to times when operation conditions create hazardous waters—rather than 24 hours a day—and gives states the right to enforce public access to these areas.
Last month, Senator McConnell met with local elected officials, anglers and local residents at Lake Barkley to hear firsthand their concerns regarding the Army Corps’ plan and was told that the proposal to install barricades and to block access to areas which are popular with anglers in Kentucky would have a major impact on the communities near the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams. McConnell took action because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, without cooperation or explanation, continues its plan to block fishing access to the tailwaters of these dams.
“Many Kentuckians are struggling in this economy and the last thing they need is the nanny state shutting down a critical local resource. Many in our state have depended on these waters for years and it’s outrageous for the federal government to make such a decision with complete disregard for the people affected most directly by the policy. Blocking fishing access to the tailwaters of Lake Barkley and Wolf Creek will not only rob fishermen of a beloved pastime, it will also impair tourism in the area and negatively affect the Kentucky economy,” Senator McConnell said.
On March 19, 2013, McConnell met with Lt. Col. Jim DeLapp, Nashville Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to discuss the Corps’ barricade plan. In the meeting, McConnell reiterated his opposition to the Corps’ plan and said he will continue to work to prevent them from installing the barricades. On February 12, 2013, McConnell sent a letter to the head of the Corps, Jo-Ellen Darcy, voicing his opposition to the Corps’ barricade plan.
On Feb. 28, 2013, Senators McConnell, Rand Paul, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker introduced the Freedom to Fish Act that would prevent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from installing physical barriers along portions of the Cumberland River, which would block fishing access to the tailwaters of the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams. Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) introduced the House companion bill.
Many of the Freedom to Fish Act provisions passed in the Senate WRDA bill. While enactment of WRDA is contingent on House consideration—which may take several months or longer—Senator McConnell also introduced and the Senate passed separate legislation the House is scheduled to consider this week that will ensure the Army Corps does not move ahead with implementing barriers before WRDA’s final passage.