FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Contact:  Chyenne Morning Star
(501) (250-3862)

CORPS OF ENGINEERS IGNORES WISHES OF RESIDENTS, APPROVES OCEAN POWERBOAT RACING ON  GREERS FERRY LAKE

Hundreds of Greers Ferry Residents, Users, Sign Petition Against Misuse of Lake

            Today, over the objections of hundreds of Arkansans and Greers Ferry residents, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit approving ocean powerboat racing on Greers Ferry Lake.  The permit will allow dozens of massive and noisy ocean powerboats to race at speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour on Greers Ferry, along with accompanying helicopters and thousands of spectators.

                        “Ocean powerboat racing is dangerous, noisy, and disruptive to the quiet enjoyment of Greers Ferry Lake,” said Chyenne Morning Star, spokesperson for The Committee for the Preservation of Greers Ferry Lake.  “What we’re talking about is allowing ocean powerboats to race on Greers Ferry at nearly 200 miles per hour.  I don’t live in this area to listen to the deafening noise of ocean powerboats, and neither do the nearly five hundred people who’ve signed our petition against allowing the races.”

            The Committee for the Preservation of Greers Ferry Lake has been canvassing the residents of the area and contacting representatives of the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Congressman Vic Snyder, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, and Arkansas Speaker of the House Bill Stovall.  Their efforts have resulted in nearly five hundred signatures in opposition to the ocean powerboat races, most of whom are residents of the area and the remainder from Arkansans who enjoy using Greers Ferry Lake for quiet recreation.

            “The Heber Springs City Council considered a similar  last year, and flatly rejected dragboat racing on its portion of the lake,” said Morningstar.  “These officials listened to the residents who did not want the additional noise, pollution, and danger on Greers Ferry.  Why is the Corps of Engineers ignoring the residents who live on Greers Ferry?”

            The Arkansas Sierra Club has also officially announced its opposition to the project, citing the local opposition and the lack of an environmental impact study. 

            In addition to ignoring the wishes of hundreds of local residents and their representatives, the Corps of Engineers has also flatly refused a request to conduct an Environmental Impact Study before granting the racing permit.  The negative environmental effects of ocean powerboat racing on the wildlife, shoreline, and water of Greers Ferry Lake is unknown.  However, a press release from Offshore Super Series (promoting an upcoming event in Pickwick, Tennessee), states:

PICKWICK LAKE TO EXPERIENCE TURBULENT WATERS

Batten down the hatches, Pickwick!  The forecast calls for turbulent waters, loud noise, extreme speed, and mind-blowing action for the Pickwick area May 5-7.  The calm, beautiful and majestic Tennessee River will once again experience rough waters as Offshore Super Series brings back the greatest show on water….”

            Morningstar concluded by saying, “This permit was issued without respecting the wishes of local residents and with no study at all of the environmental impact to beautiful Greers Ferry Lake.  We urge the Corps of Engineers to rescind this permit, respect the wishes of local residents, and do their homework before risking our waterway.”