Work to Overhaul Corps Management Plan Continues, Collins Says

Lake Hartwell2Even though water levels are back up to full pool on Hartwell Lake due to recent rains, 9th District U.S. Representative Doug Collins says  work continues to improve how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the waters of the Upper Savannah River Basin.

In April, Collins announced the formation of the  “Corps of Engineers Reform Caucus” made up of U.S. Representatives from around the country.

Collins said the group, which he chairs, focuses on ways to overhaul the Corps of Engineers to better serve citizens and communities nationwide as a responsive and fiscally responsible agency.

He said at the time, his goal for Georgia is to get the Corps to develop a better water management plan for the upper Savannah River reservoirs.

Since then, Collins said they have had meetings with both the Corps Of Engineers and the different stakeholders around Lake Hartwell.

“I am pleased,” said Collins. “Is it everything that I want? I could say I want a full pool all the time. I think we all would, but I think there are issues that we have to deal with. We have got to get to the understanding first on the water management plans. We also have to do a better job of communicating with the public. I think we have a good start there.”

According to Collins, they are now following up on what came out of the meetings.   The Hall County Republican goes on to say that no policy recommendations are imminent because there’s still more work to do.

“Especially on the Savannah River basin side, there is no, I do not think, legislative fix at this point,” said Collins. “I think we are having to say ‘Here is where the problem is, why are these different factors affecting water levels and water flows?’ There are many factors that go into it all the way down to the port.”
“Especially on the Savannah River basin side, there is no, I do not think, legislative fix at this point,” said Collins. “I think we are having to say ‘Here is where the problem is, why are these different factors affecting water levels and water flows?’ There are many factors that go into it all the way down to the port.” – See more at: http://wnegradio.com/collins-says-work-continues-on-lake-concerns/#sthash.fBH8lbAO.dpuf

Collins added so far, the Corps of Engineers has been receptive to the those meetings and efforts by the Caucus.

Collins says his office also continues to work closely with South Carolina lawmakers on the issue, especially representative Jeff Duncan.