The City of North Augusta, South Carolina has remained vigilant about saving the Savannah River pool level above the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam for years, both as an original member of the “Consortium,” which is represented also by the CIty of Augusta and the various industries which depend on this pool level for their livelihood.
As an original member of the Save the Middle Savannah grassroots initiative, they have been consistent in stating that, if the Savannah River Ports Authority and Corps of Engineers do not ultimately develop a plan that protects the City, and South Carolina Industries along the river, they they will help lead a concerted effort to intervene. Given the unyielding nature of the Corp to-date, and the inherent desire of our local Riverkeepers organization to restore the river to its natural state, this time has come, as evidenced by the The South Carolina House of Representatives recent budget proviso that would prohibit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control from using funds “to approve the licensing, permitting, authorization or certification related to the new Savannah River Bluff Lock & Dam so as to maintain the current water level.”
Time will tell how effective this will be; but the Savannah Ports Authority and the Corp seem to have forgotten that there are two states involved here, and that there are more cities than the CIty of Savannah, GA that depend on this river.