Government to release water report
When the public reviews the final draft of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Youghiogheny River water management and reallocation study there will be no unexpected findings, according to a corps official. “I would characterize it as containing no surprises since we’ve been quite open about the direction of the study,” said Richard V. Dowling, corps public affairs officer.
Although the report was scheduled for release by mid-July, Dowling said internal reviews are still under way.
“It will be released very soon, in a matter of days,” he said.
The most significant revision, since the study got under way two years ago, said Dowling, was the initial commitment by the corps to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC), to set aside storage space at the Youghiogheny Reservoir to be made available to any water customer who demonstrates the need for the space and receives a permit through the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Initially, MAWC, co-sponsor in the study, had requested authorization to draw an additional 17 million gallons of water daily from the waterway and reserve storage space for the allocation in the reservoir.
Instead, the corps has determined that any water reallocation to MAWC be delayed until April 2007.
“In our view, MAWC refined the timeline that they were working towards and made it clear that they were looking to the future, not this year or next (year),” said Dowling. “This (timeline revision) has met with general approval from the community.”
The final report will also include responses to written comments received by the corps since the release of its December draft study.
“A large number of the comments were the result of a letter-writing campaign, such as pre-printed postcards essentially saying ‘don’t do it,'” said Dowling. “There were also multi-page letters offering lengthy suggestions on alternates. They are all part of the public record.”
Additionally, the study has determined that the corps can revise its water-release schedule without seriously impacting the waterway.
According to the figures, water output from the dam would be cut by nearly one-third from July 1 to mid-October.
Because of the revised release schedule, local sportsmen organizations, along with Fayette County officials have requested a monitoring plan be implemented to track any adverse consequences to the river.
Roger Uhazie, South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club and Yough Area Fisherman’s Association official and member of the Fayette County coalition overseeing the future water needs of the county, said he has not received any word from the corps regarding plans to monitor the river.
“I haven’t heard anything,” he said on Friday. “We’re waiting on the report; we don’t know what is says.”
The organizations submitted their respective written concerns to the corps and noted specific recommendations.
Uhazie said the revised release schedules are a concern for the county and organizations, because water levels will be affected which in turn will impact the amounts available for withdrawal, pollution levels and aquatic life.
“We don’t think the study was thorough enough to evaluate what changes will occur,” he said. “There is going to be increased water usage by the municipalities along the waterway in the next 15, 20 and 25 years and we do not believe the corps has taken the time to evaluate that impact.”
The local water committee has directed Crouse and Company, which is assisting the county with its preparation of a long-range water plan, to begin drafting a work plan to include the development of a local water quality monitoring team.
The panel is looking to solicit interest from local high school science classes, sportsmen’s groups and other volunteers to collect samples, determine water levels and other related factors and compile the information.
No action has been implemented at the county level.
Dowling, meanwhile, said when the final report is completed it will be posted on the corps’ Web site, with printed copies being made available at local libraries.
He added that while the corps invites public comment, the agency would no longer accept specific comments to the study.
“We have always said we will continue to listen to the public, to meet with elected officials and others, and care about the concerns of the community, but we can’t leave the issue in limbo forever,” said Dowling. “The reallocation is the right thing to do.”