Controversy over Damming Pascagoula River

An organization dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers in the country named the Pascagoula River one of America’s most endangered for 2016.

This comes as environmental groups are calling on a federal agency to stop the potential dam construction project near the Pascagoula River. The project would create two lakes, one in Jackson County and one in George County, to supplement the flow of the Pascagoula River during droughts.

Project supporters argue the project will help control the river’s water levels and store water to provide relief when needed, but locals tell News 25 damming the river will cause nothing but harm.  Rick McDonald and Nancy Blue nominated the Pascagoula River. “Our voice could possibly make a difference in saving the natural ecosystem from being damaged from damming of these tributaries,” said Blue

“We’re out there on the river 48 weekends a year roughly, we spend a lot of hours out there. It’s a beautiful place, we want to keep it natural and keep a good place for the wildlife and recreational use,” said McDonald.

The Army Corps of Engineers is requiring an environmental impact study be done before approving the proposal by George County.