After years and months of attempted engagement between this grassroots organization (represented by influential Civic and Business leaders, City and State Governments and Congressmen any thousands of area citizens), it appears that the Corp has muscled on with their own plans and simply tolerated public input at the various private engagements and public meetings and moved on with their plan to demolish the dam and construct the most aggressive rock weir alternative. This final decision, announced October 29, reflects virtually zero consideration for any public comment (except to effectuate the goal of the Riverkeeper, which amazingly maintains the oddest of working relationships with the Corp’s despite the otherwise litigious relationship between the two entities).
There is plenty in the news these days reflecting the public’s bafflement of a decision that defies literally every single part of the Corp’s own, excruciatingly detailed, independent study warning that the solution they have chosen is too expensive; does not comply with the law (2016 WIIN Act); grossly increases the risk of upstream flooding and will not be adapted by migrating sturgeon. It even states that if a sturgeon does make it upstream that they are likely to die on their way back down, as their lethargic swimming ability, combined with strong downstream current, will cause traumatic brain injury for the fish as they crash into the rocks put in place to take them up (How about that… a solution that stands to negatively impact the population of protected fish greater than the alleged saltwater intrusion in Savannah that created the mitigation boondoggle to begin with!).
Where do we go from here? It appears that dialogue with the Corp is off the list given that they have clearly ignored every attempt at constructive dialogue and consensus. They even paid for input that was provided in the independent Battelle report and ignored that. So, so much for dialogue.
Below you will see that South Carolina is saddling up for litigation. On the meantime, we will keep getting signatures to the SMS Petition and try our best to encourage GPA to stand up and take a position that demands a solution that does not sabotage the needs of the Augusta and North Augusta communities. GPA has its harbor… they are dredging now. Why not stand up and support their sister community upstream? This is the only way that the Georgia Senators will get on board. As it stands now, they have been - and are - the missing link and the only potential leverage with the Corp.