Collins celebrates Corps reversal on irrigation ban policy

U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) recently spoke with Brigadier General C. David Turner from the Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Decision, who announced revised implementations of shoreline management plans in some Georgia counties will be suspended.

“Immediately following news of the Jan. 1 decision, I publically called on the Corps to explain their decision and release all legal documents pertaining to the announced change to shoreline management plans,” Collins said. “Since my initial criticism of the Corps decision, I’ve met with numerous constituents, including the Lake Hartwell Homeowners Association, to discuss how to best fight against this burdensome and costly change.”

The Corps' intended implementation plans would have prevented residents from using lake waters for irrigation, a conflict with the precedent set over decades of homeowner usage for that purpose.

“While the Corps initially failed to behave in a transparent manner, they’ve responded to our criticism and reversed course,” Collins said. “The Corps will now suspend implementation of changes to irrigation policy and has committed to instituting a public comment period prior to implementing additional policy changes. This is a win for property owners across northeast Georgia and I will continue to ensure their rights are respected.”