Ralph,
I have long been a proponent of a user locking fee. It is amazing that I
can pull up to a large commercial lock(e.g. Wilson) and be locked through
as the only boat in the chamber, which has happened several. I am willing
to pay an annual lock fee as my part when cruising the rivers I find it
incredible that small fishing boat(bass boats) repeatedly lock back and
forth on the Ten/Tom when holding tournaments of just out for a days
fishing. The link to the IWTF is to a purposed document with a agenda
(that I generally support) however leaving out the some pertinent facts.
For example, the dams on the rivers are not just for the locks. Many have
hydroelectric generation capabilities and they are also flood control
structures. In some instances, the waterways are the "only" means to move
extremely large heavy items e.g. steel bridge support structures, of course
these could be built in place however that would require impact study,
exponential costs etc. . Much of the goods transported on the Rivers are
destined for export so have impact on our import deficit.
Last summer we couldn't travel up several rivers off the Ohio River as
these locks had been shutdown from lack of use by commercial traffic.
Having an very abbreviated seasonal locking schedule supported by user
fees should be an option as these are heritage Rivers.
--
Joe Pica
Carolyn Ann GH N-37
MTOA #3813, AGLCA #5485
http://carolynann-n37.blogspot.com/
Ralph,
I have long been a proponent of a user locking fee. It is amazing that I
can pull up to a large commercial lock(e.g. Wilson) and be locked through
as the only boat in the chamber, which has happened several. I am willing
to pay an annual lock fee as my part when cruising the rivers I find it
incredible that small fishing boat(bass boats) repeatedly lock back and
forth on the Ten/Tom when holding tournaments of just out for a days
fishing. The link to the IWTF is to a purposed document with a agenda
(that I generally support) however leaving out the some pertinent facts.
For example, the dams on the rivers are not just for the locks. Many have
hydroelectric generation capabilities and they are also flood control
structures. In some instances, the waterways are the "only" means to move
extremely large heavy items e.g. steel bridge support structures, of course
these could be built in place however that would require impact study,
exponential costs etc. . Much of the goods transported on the Rivers are
destined for export so have impact on our import deficit.
Last summer we couldn't travel up several rivers off the Ohio River as
these locks had been shutdown from lack of use by commercial traffic.
Having an very abbreviated seasonal locking schedule supported by user
fees should be an option as these are heritage Rivers.
--
Joe Pica
Carolyn Ann GH N-37
MTOA #3813, AGLCA #5485
http://carolynann-n37.blogspot.com/
