Friends of Lake Cumberland –
A letter from U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield appears at the end of this newsletter.
Commerce Cabinet Secretary George Ward, Hilda Legg, an engineer from the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife and others spent the day touring Lake Cumberland boat ramp sites yesterday. Pictures and an assessment will follow in the coming days.
Today is the first “official” day for Hilda Legg, although she has been working on the job for about two weeks now. She is the Executive Director of Interagency Services for the Lake Cumberland Region. This office was established by Governor Fletcher in response to the challenges in the region resulting from the Corps of Engineers’ repairs to the Wolf Creek Dam and the lowering of the water level at Lake Cumberland. Legg’s office will be located in Somerset and will serve to link affected citizens and communities of the Lake Cumberland region with state government offices that can provide assistance and information.
RAMP CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO THE CORPS:
Usable
The following Corps operated and Commercial Marina boat ramps are usable at or near the target elevation 680” (* these ramps are monitored closely; conditions are subject to change)
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General Burnside Island State Park |
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Cave Creek (approx. 15' of concrete left, then mud) |
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Conley Bottom Marina (campground ramp, boats less 20'approx.) |
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Halcomb's Landing (small boats less 20'approx.) |
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Jamestown Marina |
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Lee's Ford Marina |
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Waitsboro (small boats less 20'approx.) |
LAKE CUMBERLAND PHOTOS WANTED
We are looking for photos of Lake Cumberland at the 680’ level. We will use the photos to show people the lake has plenty of water. We only want photos that have been taken since the lake settled at 680’ on 2/12 or after.
When sending your photo please acknowledge that you are letting us use the photos free of charge and we have your permission to do so.
CONTACT INFO:
If you have any questions, please e-mail them to me at: chris.gilligan@ky.gov.
Past newsletters are available at www.commerce.ky.gov. Click on the “News” icon on the left side of the page to view them.
WEB SITES OF INTEREST
LIVE WEBCAMS OF LAKE CUMBERLAND –
http://lakecumberland.com/duocamz.html
Jamestown Resort Marina, from the motel island looking ESE out to the main lake.
http://lakecumberland.com/sdcamz.html
DEVELOPMENTS
Public Hearings SCHEDULE
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8 March, - Russell Springs, Ky.,
Russell County High School, gym,
2166 S Hwy 127, 6:30-8 p.m.,
maps available at 3 p.m.
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15 March,-Burkesville, Ky.,
Cumberland County High School, gym,
912 North Main, 6:30-8 p.m.,
maps available at 5:00 p.m. (School has open house until 6:00 p.m.)
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22 March,-Celina, TN.,
Clay County High School, gym,
1102 Clay County Highway, 6:30-8 p.m.,
maps available at 4:30(NOTE: Gym holds 800 people unless we provide additional chairs on the gym floor)
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27 March,-Gainesboro, TN.,
Jackson County High School High School Gym,
190 Blue Devil Lane, 6:30-8p.m.,
maps available at 3 p.m.
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2 April,-Carthage, TN., Smith County High School, Auditorium,
312 Fite Avenue, 6:30-8p.m.,
maps available at 3:30 p.m.
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12-April, - Hartsville, TN., Trousdale County High School, gym,
off HWY 25 on McMurray Blvd, 6:30-8p.m.,
maps available at 3:30 p.m.
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19-April, - Mt. Juliet, TN., Mt. Juliet High School, gym,
3565 N. Mount Juliet Road, 6:30-8p.m.,
maps available at 4 p.m. |
NEWS ARTICLES
Letter from U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield:
The seepage at Wolf Creek Dam is a major concern for all of us. I am pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving quickly to rehabilitate the Dam and I will continue to work closely with them to ensure they have the necessary funding to complete the project as soon as possible.
My primary concern has and continues to be the health and safety of residents living in the Dam's surrounding communities. Last year, I requested $1.75 million for the Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency to purchase early warning sirens to provide residents notice in the event of an unforeseen accident or sever weather situation. Unfortunately, the appropriation process was not completed last year and the Federal Government is operating in 2007 under 2006 spending levels. I have again requested money for an early waning system and have meetings planned with several agencies to find an alternative to funding this important project.
I am pleased that the Federal Government has accepted the responsibility of rehabilitating Wolf Creek Dam. Through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers budget, the Federal Government will provide $309 million to rehabilitate the Dam which is expected to be completed by 2014. I have been informed that once this project is completed, Wolf Creek Dam will no longer be labeled as a "high risk" for failure.
However, while Dam repairs are underway, we must do everything we can to support the many businesses that will be negatively impacted by the low water levels. The problems associated with the Dam warrant state and federal assistance to help our businesses survive during this very difficult time. Jobs and the economic vitality of the region must be maintained.
My staff and I have been working closely with local officials to determine how best to provide relief for the residents and communities living around the Dam. Working together we have decided funding for early warning sirens is a top priority. I will continue to push for funding to purchase these sirens as well as any other projects that provide safety, economic relief, and a plentiful supply of drinking water for the residents and businesses affected by this situation.
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield