Activist Group Complains About Draining Of The Augusta Canal
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Activist Group Complains About Draining Of The...
The city's plan to drain the Augusta Canal for its Water Works project is set to begin in a few days, but one activist group says...not so fast. They're looking for answers before the water is let...
The city’s plan to drain the Augusta Canal for its Water Works project is set to begin in a few days, but one activist group says…not so fast. They’re looking for answers before the water is let out. The group is the Fair Government Association, and their concern is about the channels the city went through to get permission for the project, and also how the drain will affect wildlife. WJBF News Channel 6’s Paige Tucker has more.
Augusta, GA—The Augusta Canal will be drained this month so Augusta Utilities can put in big water pipes and upgrade the city’s water system. Before that work begins, the attorney for the Association for Fair Government says his group wants to make sure the city went through the proper channels.
Robert Mullins, attorney: “The main concern we have, right now, is to see if the environmental impacts were at least addressed, or looked at. Now, if they were looked at satisfactorily, in the past, then we wouldn’t have a problem with it.“
Robert Mullins says he hasn’t heard back from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that would’ve issued that permit after publicizing it.
Mullins: “The purpose of the public notice is so that people can comment, and so people can find out if there’s any endangered species that would be impacted, how it will affect wildlife, recreation, and so forth.“
The Augusta Canal Authority says this utilities project has been in the works for several years. The canal drain is the next phase of Water Works’ overhaul.
A Representative for the Augusta Canal Authority explained to us, last week, that there are measures in place to protect animal life in the canal while it’s being emptied…there are several fish bypasses. and maintenance of the remaining water will aid with survival of any straggler fish. We didn’t hear back from the Augusta Utilities Department about the permits they have.
The draining is set for January 19th…parts of the trail along the canal will be closed around the pumping station during that time, blocking access for people who use it to go back and forth between Columbia and Richmond counties.
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