House Authorizes Study Of Chattahoochee River Fall Line Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Representative from Georgia’s Second Congressional District, announced that the U.S. House of Representatives approved by a vote of 394 to 25 the Water Resources Development Act (or WRDA). The legislation includes a provision authorizing the Secretary of the Army to conduct a study and carry out the restoration of the aquatic ecosystem of the Chattahoochee Fall Line near Columbus, Georgia. Congressman Bishop supported the inclusion of this project into the legislation.

"As Members of Congress, we must be held accountable to the environment as well as to our constituencies," said Bishop. "This provision is an important first step in ensuring that the beautiful and diverse ecosystem of the Chattahoochee Fall Line is preserved into the future. There is a tremendous potential of tapping this area for tourism and recreation as well, and I look forward to working with the Secretary of the Army on the next stage."

The project will explore how to restore fish habitats for the shoal bass and other species in a 2.3-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River through the removal of two low-head dams on the Middle Chattahoochee River at Columbus and Phenix City, Alabama. Continued restoration of the river also is expected to serve as a tremendous boost to economic development and tourism in Southwest Georgia.

The WRDA bill authorizes funds for the construction of water resource development projects and studies by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, navigation, and environmental restoration.

Following today’s vote, the Senate will consider its version of the WRDA bill in the near future.