Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC), faced with a change in Iowa law, which potential significant effects on the planned water supply reservoir on Squaw Creek northwest of Osceola, took a strong position on keeping the project moving forward at their meeting on July 16.
In a post meeting interview, Sandy Kale, chair of the CCRC, said “The new law is less than two weeks old. Contrary to what some people believe, it does not eliminate a new reservoir from consideration. It does require the commission to review some specific alternatives. We directed our project coordinator to begin work with our engineers and attorneys to evaluate what additional studies are required and to start developing possible adjustments to the project at its current location. As always, we are focused on bringing additional water supply to Osceola and Clarke County.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Kathy Kelly of Osceola and Kathleen Johnson of Murray discouraged the commissioners from approving a purchase agreement for land, one of the agenda items for the meeting.
Steve Waterman of Osceola spoke about the importance of the community having adequate water on activities such as recruiting teachers and other persons to live in the area.
Larry Keller of Osceola discussed the area’s need for additional water and the need for persons on both sides of the issue to respect those with different opinions. Others spoke about the need for water and potential concerns about West Lake, the city’s current water source.
Dave Beck, project coordinator, summarized points of the law change that would require the Reservoir Commission to reevaluate the planned project.
“For example, the new law says the commission will need to conduct a review of feasible alternatives. It further specifies that expansion of an existing water supply source is feasible. But if there are technical issues, such as not enough watershed to support an expansion of West Lake, then it really isn’t a feasible alternative,” said Beck. “Whenever the law changes, it takes time to evaluate the impacts of those changes, technically and legally, on the project. Right now, I don’t know how much time that will be. I will know more after I’ve been able to meet with the engineers and attorney.”
The commission voted unanimously to authorize the project coordinator to work with CCRC engineers and legal counsel to evaluate the effects of the changes in the eminent domain law on the approved project; explore pool size and water yield alternatives at the current project location; start a review of feasible alternatives as called for in the new law; and continue negotiations for land purchases with willing landowners.
On a separate agenda item, the CCRC approved a resolution approving the purchase of land from Sara L. Wood for the project.
The next meeting of the CCRC will be 9 a.m. Aug. 27, at the Clarke County Development Corporation building in Osceola.