Recent Press Releases
Senator McConnell Meets with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regarding Proposal to Block Fishing Access
March 19, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell met with Lt. Col. Jim DeLapp, Nashville Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on Tuesday to discuss the Corps’ barricade plan for the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams that would block fishing access to these areas. In the meeting, Sen. McConnell reiterated his opposition to the Corps’ plan and said he will continue to work to prevent them from installing the barricades.
“The proposal by the Corps of Engineers to install barricades and to block access to areas which are popular with anglers in Kentucky would have a major impact on the communities near the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams,” Sen. McConnell said. “I continue to hear from many Kentuckians who are concerned with the Corps’ plan, and we must continue to make Kentucky’s concerns known so the Corps will work with these communities on alternative proposals that ensure safety, but allow anglers access to waters they have safely fished for years.”
On February 12, 2013, Sen. McConnell sent a letter to the head of the Corps, Jo-Ellen Darcy, voicing his opposition to the Corps’ barricade plan. Also, on Feb. 28, 2013, Senators McConnell, Paul, Alexander and Corker introduced the Freedom to Fish Act that would prevent the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from installing physical barriers along portions of the Cumberland River, which would block fishing access to the tailwaters of the Barkley and Wolf Creek Dams.