June 11, 2004

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan
2302 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
202-225-4172 (fax 7564) 304-292-3019 (fax 3027)

RE: Interim Solution Upper Mon Lock

Dear Congressman Mollohan,

On behalf of the Radisson Hotel at Waterfront Place, I would like to relay concern about the hours of operation at our local locks. Upper Mon locks at Hildebrand and Opekiska are now open only from 12:30PM to 8:20PM Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, during the recreational boating season. The Morgantown lock, open 7AM-3PM weekdays, then switch to the hours for Hildebrand and Opekiska on weekends and holidays.

I appreciate that the Pittsburgh District of the US Army Corps of Engineers has made this concession, given the Corps readily referred to budgetary constraints. However, this schedule continues to hinder recreational boating as well as the business it brings to Morgantown on the Upper Mon in West Virginia. I am requesting that we have our three locks open from 6AM to 10PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the May 1St through October 3 1 " time frame.

The Upper Monongahela River Association Incorporated has proposed this Interim Solution for Upper Mon lock hours. I also would like to see this solution in effect until such time as our three locks are restored to 24/7 operations. Doing so will encourage recreational boaters to travel the Upper Mon from Point Marion to Fairmont on weekends and to bring their business to all communities along the way.

Please consider helping to bring about the proposed Interim Solution for Upper Mon in WV.

Sincerely,