Huntington District

   Notice is given that shoaling conditions have been investigated at London Locks and Dam, Kanawha River, mile 82.8. Due to a point bar extending into the approach to the land chamber, vessels drafting more than 5 feet will be locked through the river chamber.

The most recent survey, March 18, 2011, can be obtained at this link.

All other pertinent information remains the same. Questions regarding the lower approach can be directed to the London lockmaster on marine channel 13.

   Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, Commander and Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, visited the Huntington District March 11, 2011.    

   Gen. Van Antwerp addressed the Huntington District workforce at a town hall meeting in City Hall auditorium, met with emerging leaders and was briefed by district senior leaders on the Huntington District programs and activities.

   Huntington Mayor Kim Wolfe recognized the General by proclaiming March 11, 2011, as “Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp Day” in Huntington.

   As commander and chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gen. Van Antwerp leads a workforce of about 37,000 civilian and military employees located throughout the world. Civil Works is a major component of the Corps, and programs include water resource development activities including flood control, navigation, recreation, infrastructure and environmental stewardship and emergency response.  In addition, the Corps provides management and construction support to 250 Army and Air Force installations in nearly 100 countries worldwide. 

   The Corps carries on a proud heritage that began in 1775 when Congress authorized the first Chief of Engineers to build fortifications in the Boston area near Bunker Hill. The Corps continues to provide quality and responsive engineering services to the nation.

   Prior to his appointment as the 52^nd Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gen. Van Antwerp served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Accessions Command, responsible for recruiting and training thousands of young patriots who represent the epitome of “Army Strong.”   

    A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1972, Gen. Van Antwerp completed Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault training, and both the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration degree from Long Island University in New York. He is a Registered Professional Engineer.

   For more information, please call the Public Affairs Office at 304-399-5353.

     The Huntington District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a Department of the Army Permit to Highland Mining Company to allow the discharge of fill material into 13,743 linear feet of waters of the United States in conjunction with the Reylas Surface Mine in Logan County, West Virginia. 

     The permit authorizes one valley fill, one sediment pond and several mine-through areas. The permit, as authorized, represents the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative while meeting the projects stated purpose and need. 

     As a result of the Corps’ permitting process, the applicant reduced impacts to 400 linear feet of perennial stream while eliminating the future extraction of approximately 2.5 million tons of coal. To mitigate for impacts to waters of the United States, the applicant is required to restore 1,154 linear feet of stream channel and create 28,960 linear feet of stream channel on-site. 

     After mining and reclamation, the site will have a post-mine land use of emergency FEMA housing and associated infrastructure in accordance with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Permit.