FRANKFORT, KY (1/17/13) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set a public meeting in Somerset for Jan. 24 to inform the public about its plans to restrict boat access near locks and dams on the entire Cumberland River and all of its tributaries. The proposal will actually close all boat access for up to 500 feet below Wolf Creek Dam.
 
The meeting will be held at Suite 300 at the Somerset Center for Rural Development at 2292 U.S. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. EST. Make sure to turn at Traffic Light 15. Anglers and boaters are strongly encouraged to attend.
 
The new restrictions are based on a 1996 policy that prohibits water bound access to areas above and below dams on Martin's Fork, Laurel River, and Barkley lakes as well.
 
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources opposes any unnecessary restrictions below the dams and favors a compromise for boat access when water conditions are safe. The agency has issued a position statement that outlines numerous strong concerns regarding the results of the Corps policy, available on the agency website at fw.ky.gov.
 
"The below dam restrictions will negatively impact boat anglers and major recreational fishing opportunities, especially below Lake Cumberland," said Ron Brooks, director of fisheries for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
 
The area below Lake Cumberland supports the highest catch rate and harvest of trout in the entire 75-mile stretch of the Cumberland River from the dam to the Tennessee state line.
 
SurfKY News
Information provided by the KY Department of Fish and Wildlife

Copyright © 2012 SurfKY News Group, Inc. all rights reserved.  SurfKY.com is an eNewspaper providing local news FREE to Kentucky 24/7.  Read Statewide Kentucky News, Sports, Obituaries and more from the following Kentucky Counties:  Calloway, Christian, Daviess, Fayette (Lexington), Henderson, Hopkins, Logan, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Warren, and Webster Counties as well as the Kentucky Lakes Area.