NR 15-022: Corps rolls out guidance on floating cabins at lakes in the Cumberland River Basin

Published June 17, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 17, 2015) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued new guidance on floating cabins at its lakes throughout the Cumberland River Basin.  The guidance implements Section 1035 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014 that allows floating cabins at marinas on Cumberland River Basin lakes.

Under the new guidance, marina operators will be able to rent floating cabins to the public who recreate on Cumberland River Basin lakes.

“I am very proud of our outstanding commercial marina concessionaire program in the Nashville District,” said Mike Abernathy, chief of the Nashville District Real Estate Division. “This is an example of how we partner with our marina operators to create additional recreational opportunities within our district boundaries.”

In order to inform the public about the new floating cabin implementation guidance, the Corps is holding four public meetings at the following locations and times:

Nashville, Tenn. – June 22, 6-8 p.m. at the Metropolitan Police HQ Public Building, 3701 James Kay Lane, Hermitage TN 370076

Somerset, Ky. – June 29, 6-8 p.m. at the Center for Rural Development, 2292 US-27#300, Somerset, KY 42501

Eddyville, Ky. – July 1, 6-8 p.m. at Lee S. Jones Convention Building, Eddyville, KY 42064

Baxter, Tenn. – July 2, 6-8 p.m. Upperman High School, 6950 Nashville Hwy., Baxter, TN 38544

The public is invited to attend the public meeting nearest to their lake.  Each meeting will provide the same information to all attendees.

Abernathy said marina operators will ultimately be renting these floating cabins to the public after their floating cabin development plan is approved by the Corps. When marina operators submit proposals, the public will have the opportunity through the NEPA process to provide comments concerning floating cabins. These opportunities may be in the form of written comments submitted to the District concerning a proposal addressed in an associated NEPA document and/or public meetings as needed.

The implementation guidance seeks to ensure the safety and structural integrity of any floating cabins by requiring the completion of annual inspections and health and safety checklists.  It is a paramount goal of USACE to provide safe and healthy recreational opportunities on its projects. More information on floating cabins is available on the Nashville District web site, http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/About/Organization/RealEstate/floatingcabins.aspx.

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps or http://www.facebook.com/lakecumberland, and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)


Contact
Bill Peoples
615-736-7161
chief.public-affairs@usace.army.mil
or
Lee Roberts
615-736-7161
chief.public-affairs@usace.army.mil

Release no. 15-022