[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     H.R. 5055, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2017

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                       HON. LYNN A. WESTMORELAND

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2016

  Mr. WESTMORELAND. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my deep concerns 
about the proactive management practices displayed by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, in regard to their management of 
West Point Dam and Lake water levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
should use all appropriated funds to implement and carry out the best 
practices. For many years, my office and the stakeholders of West Point 
Lake have worked with the Mobile District to discuss proactive policies 
and what it will take to put adaptive management practices in place. 
Upon hearing the announcement that West Point Lake will not remain at 
full pool this summer as a direct result of the Mobile District's 
decision to draw down the lake, I once again am concerned that best 
practices are not being utilized. The construction of the West Point 
Dam was authorized by Congress through the Flood Control Act of 1962 
and completed later in 1975. Of the five intended purposes for the West 
Point Dam and Lake, general recreation is chief among them. West Point 
Lake has served this historical purpose for over 40 years, contributing 
anywhere from $153 million to $710 million in annual economic impact. 
However, the economic impact depends heavily on the lake's water 
levels. West Point Lake guests enjoy fishing, boating, and other water 
sports, as well as many other outdoor activities centrally located 
around the lake. There can be no doubt that recreational activities on 
West Point Lake are the life-blood of the area. The threat of low water 
levels will have substantial impacts on recreation. I urge the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District to use all appropriated funds 
to implement adaptive management practices according to the general 
recreation purpose of West Point Dam and Lake.

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