United States Senate

WASHINGTON, DC 20510 4804

JOE MANCHIN III

WEST VIRGINIA
SUITE 303 HART BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC

ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING

July 18, 201

Ms. Jo Ellen Darcy
Assistant Secretary for Civil Works U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pentagon, Room 3b446
Washington, D.C. 20310

Dear Secretary Darcy,

I am writing you today to request additional information about a proposal to reduce lock operations on the Upper Monongahela River in West Virginia.
This week, officials from the Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District held a public meeting in Morgantown, WV to discuss reductions in service to the Opekiska. Hildebrand, and Morgantown locks. It is my understanding that operations and maintenance funds are allocated based on a mix of factors including commercial tonnage movements and recreational use; however, it is unclear how these factors are ranked with regards to the economic benefits of each factor.

As you well know, the Monongahela River and its tributaries exert a significant influence on local and regional economies. Industry, commerce, and recreation that depend on the river are impacted by the maintenance arid condition of the locks, dams, and channels and the free timely passage through them. Current and future investments and river related activities are heavily influenced by the above. Any significant reduction in lock operations or their maintenance or uncertainty surrounding them will have a serious, and preventable, long term impact on recreational activities, commerce, and investments in northern West Virginia.

In light of this, I am requesting a detailed report on the operations and maintenance budget; both currently and for any proposed reductions in service. t would be most helpful to include in your response details about how the local economic effect of recreational use is factored into the budget, and the metrics that you used to determine the lockage operations. It would also he helpful if you could detail staffing costs by lock, both for current and future projections. Please break out in the labor costs the amount each individual spends on maintenance duties and the amount spent on lockage duties.

I look Forward to working with you on a solution that is favorable to all parties. Your prompt reply to my request would be most appreciated.

Joe Manchin III United States Senator

Cc: Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers