Want More Lehigh Releases?
Help Needed from Lehigh River Runners!
In February, American Whitewater met with Pennsylvania State Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R.
Montgomery County) to discuss the possibility of improving whitewater recreation on the Lehigh
River in Eastern Pennsylvania, and to support the Senator's many accomplishments in this
ongoing process.
Senator Stewart Greenleaf has been spearheading efforts to move a road from the upstream
face of the Francis E. Walter Dam on the Lehigh River to the top of the structure. When
water backs up today, the road is flooded. This limits reservoir capacity. The new road will
allow more water to be stored by the dam, permitting more reliable and frequent water
releases through the popular Lehigh River Gorge. It will also improve fish
habitat maintenance and water conservation during droughts. Working
wit Pennsylvania's U.S. Senators and Congressmen, Senator Greenleaf was able
got $300,000 in funding for the initial design work on this project.
We need whitewater paddlers to write Senator Arlen Specter, Senator Rick Santorum, and
Congressman Paul Kanjorski to support full funding for this project. We need the
authorization (via the Water Resources Development Act) and an appropriation of $4.2 million
to get the job done.
Regular mail delivery to federal legislators has been delayed by several weeks due to
anthrax concerns. It was suggested that any correspondence supporting this project be faxed
to these numbers:
Sen. Specter's fax # is 202-228-1229.
Sen. Santorum's fax #is 202-228-0604.
Cong. Kanjorski's fax# is 202-225-0764.
We can do this! Your help is critical.
A sample letter is found below:
The Honorable Paul E. Kanjorski
2353 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Kanjorski:
The Honorable Arlen Specter
711 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Specter:
I am writing today to seek your help in obtaining authorization and appropriations in the
amount of $4.2 million to move a local road to the top of the Francis E. Walter Dam.
The road now runs along the upstream face of Francis Walter dam. When water backs up behind
the dam, the road floods. Relocating the road to the top of the dam will improve the safety
of the driving public on this roadway. In addition, the relocation gives the Corps greater
flexibility to store water to be released later. This will probably result in improved
recreational opportunities for fishermen and whitewater paddlers that will benefit
the local economy. It also allows for increased water storage during droughts, a real
issue during dry seasons like this one. Elected officials, local businesses and residents,
fire and rescue groups and area communities are supportive of moving this road on top of the
dam.
Thanks to your support and efforts, the 2002 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act
contained $300,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform the initial engineering
and design plan for relocating the public access road to the top of the dam. Bidding
specifications will be completed by September 30. Construction could begin in fiscal year
2003, at a cost of $4.2 million.
Again, I would appreciate your assistance and support in obtaining authorization and
appropriation ($4.2 million) for the construction of a road above the Francis E. Walter
Dam.
Please contact Kevin Colburn at American Whitewater (828-252-6482,
Kevin@amwhitewater.org) if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
Thanks
Your Contact Information