Corps of Engineers Deflates Proposed Dam on the Susquehanna River
2005 Most Endangered River ProtectedFebruary 15th, 2008
Garrett Russo, American Rivers, (202) 423-9494
Stephanie Lindloff, American Rivers, (518) 482-2631
Wilkes-Barre, PA — The Susquehanna River, which was named by American Rivers as the Most Endangered River in America in 2005, will remain free-flowing thanks to the denial of a federal permit to construct an inflatable dam on the river. The Army Corps of Engineers determined that the dam would cause unacceptable impacts to the river and that the proposed project wasn’t in the public interest.
Below is a statement from Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers.
“This proves that just because a river is endangered, doesn’t mean it’s doomed. Thankfully, the Corps has taken the air out of this inflatable dam idea that was flawed from the beginning. The Corps’ application of the Clean Water Act is right on target.
This isn’t just a win for the river. It’s a win for every community on its banks. And, thanks to on-going efforts to clean up decades of pollution, Wilkes-Barre and all of Luzerne County will soon have a healthier Susquehanna River to enjoy something the region hasn’t experienced in generations. It’s a Valentine’s Day gift that will keep on giving for generations to come.
The time has come to choose solutions that work with nature to protect the interests of future generations of Pennsylvanians. The state is already struggling with the cost of maintaining aging infrastructure. This unnecessary dam would have saddled taxpayers with an unnecessary economic burden. I encourage the region to now focus on restoring the health and beauty of what nature has already provided.”