The Dam is done

Kayak Dude is happy.

County deflates inflatable dam

The 20-year-old plan for an inflatable dam across the Susquehanna River from Wilkes-Barre to Larksville is officially dead in the water.
The Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority deflated the dam plan Tuesday by voting 4-1 to accept the Feb. 14 rejection of the county’s application for a federal permit. The authority could have appealed the decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the dam would not comply with the Clean Water Act...“It’s time to move on,” said County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak...County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla was the only authority member who supported an appeal of the Corps decision. “I’m not ready to throw in the towel,” Petrilla said.


STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN KANJORSKI :


“I can certainly understand the decision of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority not to appeal the permit rejection by the Army Corps of Engineers. It could be a lengthy and expensive process with an uncertain outcome. As I told the County Commissioners, I support their decision.



“While it is personally disappointing to me that it now appears the inflatable dam will not be constructed, I am looking forward to the completion of the other aspects of the riverfront development this fall. I am proud of the work we have done with the Luzerne County Commissioners over many years to ensure the successful completion of the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project which provides flood protection for more than 150,000 people.”