[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COLONEL J. DAVID NORWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2001

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to 
extend my utmost appreciation of Colonel J. David Norwood, District 
Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Colonel 
Norwood deserves special recognition for the hard work and dedication 
he demonstrated during the past three years; balancing a multitude of 
competing needs along federal waterways in the Southeast during one of 
the longest droughts on record.
  The drought conditions began in the Southeast just prior to Colonel 
Norwood assuming command of the Mobile District. One of the most 
critical waterways within the Mobile District is the Apalachicola-
Chattahoochee-Flint, which begins in north Georgia at Lake Sidney 
Lanier and terminates in Apalachicola Bay in Florida. Along this 
waterway are a multitude of competing interests. These interests 
include recreation, municipal and industrial water supply including the 
City of Atlanta, hydropower, environmental, flood control and 
navigation.
  As you can imagine, meeting these needs with a decreasing water 
supply due to the drought required a monumental effort. Colonel Norwood 
and his staff were very proactive in keeping all users informed through 
numerous public meetings and information sessions, the development of a 
special drought internet site, press releases and personal 
communication.
  Colonel Norwood worked with the Southeastern Power Administration 
(SEPA) to reduce the necessity of using waters from the four reservoirs 
with hydropower capability to reduce water usage. He personally 
participated in every decision involving supplying water for 
navigation, and kept the usage of water to a minimum in order to 
conserve as much as possible.
  In addition to operating the ACF system to meet these competing 
needs, Colonel Norwood also had to factor in the ongoing negotiations 
between the States of Alabama, Florida and Georgia in their Compact 
negotiations for future water usage.
  This particular attention to the Southeast drought and the managing 
of water, one of our nation's most precious resources, under these 
conditions was exceptional. It becomes even more so when you look at 
the full scope of the Mobile District mission, which includes civil 
works in four states and military programs in five states and Central 
and South America.
  I would like to personally thank Colonel Norwood and his staff for 
their dedication and commitment to all the various publics they serve 
in the Southeast and particularly in Georgia.
  I and everyone else affected by the Southeast drought extend our 
sincere appreciation for a difficult job well done.

                          ____________________