FOR RELEASE: Immediately
December 19, 2007
POC: Frank Yelverton, 910-251-4640
Email: frank.yelverton@SAW02.usace.army.mil

Corps eyes changes to John H. Kerr operations, seeks comment

WILMINGTON, North Carolina--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District announced this week that they are working with all interested groups and individuals to decide on temporary changes in the operation of the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir project.

The changes in operation have not been completely decided yet, but the goal is to improve conditions for the bottomland hardwood forests on the lower Roanoke River downstream of the Kerr, Gaston and Roanoke Rapids system of dams. Improving the forest would be done by reducing the length of time they are flooded so that new and current trees will not die.

Reducing the flooding downstream may result in higher water levels in John H. Kerr Reservoir in the spring and summer. Such higher levels would only occur following large rainfall events.

Effects of any changes will be monitored to find out if the bottomland forest improves while not harming flood control, farm and forest land, boating, fishing, camping and hunting, hydropower, and spring release of water for spawning of striped bass, herring and shad.

The Corps will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) discussing the details of the proposed change once they are finalized. The EA will be mailed to all interest parties in the spring of 2008. Your comments on the EA will be requested then. The operations changes are scheduled to begin in mid-July 2008, but changes will not be noticed until the current drought conditions end.


Proposed Schedule:

• Initiate request for comments from all parties 17 December 2007
• Environmental assessment published for 30-day public review 15 April 2008
• Finding of No Significant Impact Signed (FONSI) (if appropriate) 1 July 2008
• Coordinated interim plan implemented 15 July 2008

The Corps would like comments from you on proposed changes described above. Your comments will be considered in the preparation of the EA and monitoring plan.

Please mail or email you comments by January 17, 2008. Comments should be addressed to the District Engineer, Attention: Mr. Frank Yelverton (CESAW-TS-PE), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, Post Office Box 1890, Wilmington, North Carolina 28402-1890. If you need additional information, please contact Mr. Yelverton at
(910) 251-4640 or by email at frank.yelverton@saw02.usace.army.mil.