We recently ran an article (the item below this one on our front page) stating what we believed to be widely known—that the US Army Corps of Engineers was closing the locks on most of the rivers of Alabama to recreational traffic. As of October 7th, if the schedule is followed, commercial traffic through locks on the Alabama and Chattahoochee will be by appointment only and
recreational lock traffic will cease altogether.
Turns out, it was not widely known. Almost nobody had heard about it.
Here's the memo.
The Alabama Scenic River Trail is assisting in a push-back against this decision.
The two things you can do are: 1) Sign the petition at the link below, and 2) Make a phone call or two in your own best interest on or before our call-in day of Monday, September 17. On that day, we want you to call two numbers to make your voice heard.
Here's the link to the online petition. We got 500 names in 48 hours. Let's keep going! This is getting heard!
Here are two phone numbers you need to call.
The Office of Senator Jeff Sessions, Washington DC. Ask for Environmental Affairs Counsel Jeff Wood 202 224 4124.
The US Army Corps of Engineers, who made the decision. On the memo sent to us announcing the decision, there are two names and numbers appear in a sentence to "direct questions about the implementation of this guidance." They are Dylan Davis 404 562 5130 and Brian Sapp 404 562 5131. Take your pick, call one of them on or before September 17th and tell them that this idea is bad for Alabama.
If you have any comments for me, I have listed my email address below. I particularly want to know if, when you call, you get an answer or an answering machine at any of the numbers listed above.
Jim Felder, Executive Director, Alabama Scenic River Trail. jim.felder@gmail.com.
