Charles Norwood: “I am sure my colleagues can remember the unfortunate boating death that claimed the lives of a couple of Cleveland…”

“I am sure my colleagues can remember the unfortunate boating death that claimed the lives of a couple of Cleveland Indian players a few years ago. One of the contributing factors to their deaths were the guide wires that are used to keep docks in place. Guide wires are the only authorized method for keeping docks in place at Thurmond Lake in Georgia. Why? Because the Corps of Engineers' Savannah office said so. Spud polls, a much safer and more practical action because of their effectiveness at adjusting to the water fluctuations from Thurmond Dam's releases, are not politically correct. The only thing wrong with spud polls is that some tree-hugging bureaucrats do not like them. "Do as I say, not as I do." That is the motto of the Corps' Savannah office. Mr. Speaker, I think it is time the Corps understood that they work for the people and not the other way around. It is also time for the Corps to start obeying Federal laws like the Clean Water Act before it bullies any more of my constituents for being out of compliance.”