HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a public workshop and open house in Hinton, W.Va., on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The meeting will be held at the Summers County Memorial Building at 97 Park Avenue. The Corps is preparing a supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose potential impacts to the natural, physical and human environment resulting from modifications to Bluestone Dam.
The meeting will allow residents a chance to offer their comments and suggestions. The study team is looking for public input as alternatives are being formulated and evaluated. The supplemental EIS is tentatively scheduled to be released for public review and comment in 2015.
The Dam Safety Assurance work will strengthen Bluestone Dam’s stability and allow for increased discharge capacity in case of a high-water event. The meeting will include a presentation and various displays hosted by Corps employees.
Work began on the project in 2000 as the Corps first unveiled plans to bring Bluestone Dam up to modern engineering standards. Bluestone went into operation in 1949, and to date has prevented an estimated $2.1 billion in flood damages to those living along the New and Kanawha Rivers.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, please feel free to submit your ideas and thoughts in writing to: Natalie McKinley, CELRH-PM-PD-F, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, West Virginia 25701-2070.
Release no. PA13-69