WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement regarding the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill that Congress will vote on later this week. The nearly $1.2 trillion comprehensive spending plan will fund the federal government through September 30. The bill includes language to prohibit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from completing a Water Reallocation Study for Lake Cumberland. The Corps' study was scheduled to be complete by 2018 and would result in new fees for all surrounding communities that utilize the water, including unforseen rehabilitation costs for Wolf Creek Dam. Congressman Rogers has blocked funding for the study since it began in 2013.  

"I'm working to protect our small communities around Lake Cumberland from unaffordable fees that could bankrupt their small budgets," said Congressman Rogers. "Our communities use less than one percent of the water in Lake Cumberland and shouldn't be expected to foot the bill for future unknown rehabiliation projects on Wolf Creek Dam as a result. Several of our communities have accessed the water at Lake Cumberland for local citizens for many years without the burden of costly fees from unelected bureaucrats, and I intend to protect this resource."

For more information about the 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill, visit halrogers.house.gov.