July 19, 2004

Mr. Donald C. Strimbeck
P.O. Box 519
Granville, West Virginia 26534-0519

Dear Mr. Strimbeck:

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 2554, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2004. 1 appreciate your taking the time to share with me your views.

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, on which I do not serve, marked up S. 2554 on June 23, 2004. The bill now awaits action by the full Senate followed by conference committee deliberations where the differences between the House- and Senate-passed versions will be resolved.

Although, as I previously advised, I am not a member of the Senate EPW Committee and, thus, will not act as a conferee, you may be assured that I will keep your interest in remote operation and lockage hours at the three locks and dam on the upper Monongahela River in mind when the measure is considered by the full Senate.

With kind regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Robert C. Byrd

RCB:cw