The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District has scheduled a public meeting Jan. 17 to allow the public to respond to the pending implementation plans to tighten restrictions around locks and dams on the Cumberland River and its adjoining tributaries, including Center Hill Dam.The public information meeting is 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Upperman High School Auditorium located at 6950 Nashville Highway in Baxter.Nashville District Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jim DeLapp said the Corps, because of safety issues, will install physical barriers, most likely buoys tied to cables above the water, within 500-700 feet of dam tail waters to prevent boat access to that area. Barriers will also be placed above the dams.The restrictions will be effective on a project-by-project basis as they are phased in. Fishing from the bank will still be allowed but all forms of water access will be prohibited in the restricted area, including boating, swimming and wading.The restrictions are being put in place to bring the Nashville District into compliance with other U.S. Corps of Engineers properties nationwide."We understand the tightened restricted areas in the Nashville District may be unpopular, but it is necessary for the district to enforce a more restrictive policy that complies more effectively with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' ER 1130-2-520, Chapter 10," said Freddie Bell, chief of the Natural Resource Management Branch.