The Blackwater project has unfortunately been dogged by misinformation for many years. Several misconceptions endure despite efforts to clarify those issues. For example, the Blackwater project is not just a bunch of pumps. A pump station is part of the project, but it also includes the purchase of perpetual easements for reforestation of up to 55,000 acres of cleared lands with bottom-land hardwoods.
The project will result in an increase in wetland resources of 19 %. There will also be improved water quality, an 11 % increase in terrestrial resource values, an 8% increase in aquatic rearing values, a 30% increase in aquatic spawning values, and a 53% increase in waterfowl foraging value. Each specific environmental concern, including pondberry, has been studied. These studies found little or no impact to those issues.
Project opponents continue to publish inaccurate information based upon outdated studies. Information concerning wetlands has been updated based upon recent joint studies by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.
Regarding the pump station, did you know that approximately 200,000 acres would be flooded before the floods would even be turned on? Did you know that those 200,000 acres will REMAIN flooded during pump operation?
For your information a Pondberry, also called Southern spicebush, is a medium-sized shrub that grows in swampy depressions in lowland forests.
Can anybody shed some light on this response from the Corp of Engineers? Is the information they quote accurate?
They also included an URL for further information. Click on this and then click on the Yazoo Backwater link.
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