| Topic Review |
LCNN
|
![[*]](./images/xpsilver/default_icon.gif) posted on 10-19-2009 at 08:44 PM |
Commonwealth Journal, Somerset — The ailing Wolf Creek Dam needs all the sturdy support it can get — and found some Friday in the U.S. House of
Representatives.
Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers announced the passage of the Energy & Water Appropriations Conference Report for this fiscal year. In effect, the
House has approved $116 million dedicated to the U.S. Corps of Engineers’ dam rehabilitation efforts.
In early 2007, the Corps of Engineers began the massive construction project to strengthen the dam and prevent water seepage that was damaging the
limestone underneath. The Corps awarded a $341 million joint venture contract to firm Treviicos-Soletanche JV to build a 4,200-foot concrete barrier
wall at the dam — though the cost to the area was much greater, as the lowering of Lake Cumberland to ease pressure on the dam drove away tourists and
tourism dollars.
Rogers called Lake Cumberland “Kentucky’s crown jewel,” and suggested that this funding will go a long way toward restoring the lake to its original
level.
“I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing this important funding for Wolf Creek Dam,” said Rogers. “This process has not been without its
challenges as tourism has suffered and hurt the local economy throughout the dam’s construction, but I am hopeful these additional funds will keep the
overall project moving steadily and safely forward so that we can stay on track for a timely completion.”
Once President Obama signs this legislation into law, $297 million in federal funding will have been dedicated toward the Wolf Creek Dam repair
effort, considered the top dam safety project in the nation by the Corps.
Treviicos-Soletanche recently began installation a protective concrete embankment wall, the first stage of barrier wall construction, and will
increase dam safety during the remainder of construction.
Rogers continues to serve as a senior member of the House Appropriations Com-mittee, which handles federal spending.THIS STORY AND MORE CLICK HERE
|
|
