Upper Mon Lock Service to be Cut; Informational Meeting
Scheduled
Boat Pittsburgh
13 July 2012
Due to budget cuts the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were forced to
close Locks 8 and 9 on the Allegheny River this year and they also
reduced service hours on the remaining 6 locks.
Unfortunately it looks like a similar fate is upon the Locks on
the Upper Monongahela River.
The USACE’s preliminary plan will close the Hildebrand and
Opekiska Locks to recreational traffic and reduce service at the
Morgantown Lock to weekends and holidays only for recreational
boaters. This will mean that boaters that like to travel to
the origin of the Monongahela River in Fairmont, WV will no longer
be able to make that trip.
Prior to finalizing any plans, the USACE, Upper Monongahela River
Association (UMRA), Mon River Recreation & Commerce Committee
(MRRCC) of Morgantown Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring an
informational meeting this Tuesday, July 17 from 6-8 pm in
Morgantown, WV. This will be the public’s opportunity to
hear and provide input and comments on the USACE Proposed Upper
Monongahela River Service Reduction Plan. The Plan may include
severe restrictions/reductions to recreational boat lockages at
the Hildebrand and Opekiska Locks, and reductions in Morgantown
Lock operations. Impacts on commercial passages will also be
outlined. Public input is important as the USACE reviews the
options available.
The meeting will take place at the WVU National Research Center
for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) Assembly Room 101 A/B, Evansdale
Campus, Morgantown WV. Boaters that can’t make the meeting
are urged to email their comments on the service reductions to the
UMRA, courtesy of their secretary Don Strimbeck. Please
provide contact information including phone number and give
permission for the UMRA to share your comments with the local
newspaper, the Dominion Post.
The USACE held similar meetings in 2010 and 2011 prior to the
service reductions on the Allegheny River. The meetings did
allow various stakeholders including boaters, marina owners,
commercial interests, and others to provide input on what service
plan will work the best for those parties involved.
For more information on the Monongahela Lock service reductions,
please got to UpperMon.org and MonRiverSummit.org.
GO TO UpperMon.org . Click on Lock Hours in menu. Read the
resolution we proposed back in 2003, which asks congress to add
boating recreation to Corps of Engineers job jar for navigable
rivers. Note support for this resolution from entities in
Monongahela and Allegheny river watersheds!
Check out http://www.BoatPittsburgh.com