Corps eyes changes to John H. Kerr operations (Long)

[kt]

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.

[Keith Redd]

Hmmm I dont know what to think..

[Big Johnson]

I think that when theres a high demand to run the generators, nobody will give a chit about the trees and the studies.....

[Deletenow]

Let it rain.....I like Kerr when it is high!!

[FireBassr]

It's really not going to have any different effect unless we have a very, very wet summer. I don't think any of us remember any of them lately.

[C-riggVA]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Basshunter2006 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Let it rain.....I like Kerr when it is high!! </TD></TR></TABLE>I don't like it Too High...

[Deletenow]

I have heard rumors of a person catching a bass off of a stop sign there....True story....

[C-riggVA]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Basshunter2006 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have heard rumors of a person catching a bass off of a stop sign there....True story....</TD></TR></TABLE> I don't doubt it....but, give me 301 and I'm in heaven

[Deletenow]

Last year in April it was like 303 to 305 and the buzzbait was king for a two day tournament. Got it from bobcats on a shopping trip the day before and it worked like a charm all day long.

[C-riggVA]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Basshunter2006 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Last year in April it was like 303 to 305 and the buzzbait was king for a two day tournament. Got it from bobcats on a shopping trip the day before and it worked like a charm all day long.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Kinda Crazy how that works sometimes,,,ain't it?

[Bass Commander]

Anyone can catch fish at Kerr when the water is up. Hmmm throw at the buck brush...

I agree with the above statement that power generation will probably dictate the water levels more so than tree growth.

[Deletenow]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RobShaw1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyone can catch fish at Kerr when the water is up. Hmmm throw at the buck brush....</TD></TR></TABLE>

Guess thats why I like the higher water levels.......

[Bass Commander]

I wasnt directing that comment at anyone specifically. I too enjoy the lake better when the water is up, but in a tournament, its much more challenging (in my opinion) when the water is not in the brush. Yeah I know...now everyone just hunkers down on a point...

[Big Johnson]

I don't mind it up a little....but last Feb and March there was way too much debris floating.

[C-riggVA]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RobShaw1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Yeah I know...now everyone just hunkers down on a point... </TD></TR></TABLE>
Whats challenging about that.....

[Deletenow]

Yes when the water is high it is a slugfest no doubt. Water was high in our club t last year....caught alot of fish....Went back a few weeks later for the 6 man and still got some good ones but totally different ballgame when the water had dropped 4 feet.

[FireBassr]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by emawyer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Whats challenging about that..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Finding the ones with fish on them.

[Big Johnson]

I found a point that is covered with fish everytime I go, no matter what time of year.

You turn left leaving the ramp and go up three points on your right. I usually pull about 10 to 12 just as I come up on it. You can't miss it, there are white oaks all the way to the waterline in an almost straight line.....

[Deletenow]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Johnson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I found a point that is covered with fish everytime I go, no matter what time of year.

You turn left leaving the ramp and go up three points on your right. I usually pull about 10 to 12 just as I come up on it. You can't miss it, there are white oaks all the way to the waterline in an almost straight line..... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Dont tell Jay of P&J fishing that........He will only fill his partners tank 1/4 full next year....

[C-riggVA]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Johnson &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I found a point that is covered with fish everytime I go, no matter what time of year.

You turn left leaving the ramp and go up three points on your right. I usually pull about 10 to 12 just as I come up on it. You can't miss it, there are white oaks all the way to the waterline in an almost straight line..... </TD></TR></TABLE>