The City of Apalachicola says a proposed comprehensive study of the Apalachicola river basin proposed by members of congress is a great idea – but the plan needs to insure that historic water flows in the Apalachicola River System are sustained while the studies are completed. Congressman Allen Boyd and Senator Bill Nelson filed proposals on June 18th to begin a two year comprehensive study of the river basin to see what the effects of low river levels are on the basin and the people who live here. The action was taken after the US Army Corps of Engineers released plans to lower flows into the Apalachicola river system to 5000 cubic feet per second while it refills lakes and reservoirs further upstream that have seen their water levels drop because of an ongoing drought. The plan could cut water flows into the system for up to 5 years. Apalachicola mayor Van Johnson said he applauds the proposed study but he’s not sure the Apalachicola Bay can survive two years of decreased water flow while the study is completed. Mayor Johnson is calling on both Senator Nelson and Congressman Boyd to introduce emergency legislation that would guarantee historic water flows into the river system and that would additionally prevent the Corps of Engineers from approving any other changes to the river’s flow while the study is being completed.The city feels that if the Corps doesn’t yet have all of the scientific data it should as to the amount of freshwater the Apalachicola Bay needs to remain a healthy, productive Bay then they can’t foresee the damage their plans to can do to our area.
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