1980’s – Alternatives analysis conducted for Lake Varner Reservoir; Bear Creek deemed second best place for reservoir

1996-2000 - Preliminary studies (alternatives analysis, needs analysis, safe yield analysis, and jurisdictional waters report) performed, along with supporting documentation for 404 Permit

March 2000 – Bear Creek Supply Reservoir 404 Permit filed by Newton County to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

September 2000 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requests clarification of need for the project

June 2003 – Newton County submits a revised request for need certification

October, 2003 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers accepts EPD need validation letter

2004-2005 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requests new need validation letter

May 2, 2006 – EPD verifies population and demand projections; certifies Newton County’s need for reservoir

November 19, 2007 – Updated 404 Permit application submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with revised mitigation plan

February 6, 2008 – Site visit with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project manager, EPD representatives and Newton County consultants

December 30, 2008 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requests additional information on project

March 2009 – Newton County responds to request of information

November 23, 2009 – Letter submitted to EPD

February 2010 – submitted expanded preliminary jurisdictional determination forms and revised mitigation plan to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

September 9, 2010 – Site visit conducted to review revised mitigation plan

December 28, 2010 – revised mitigation plan submitted to U.S. Corps of Engineers by Eco-South

May 11, 2012 – Revised mitigation plan submitted

November 20, 2012 - Newton County accepts $21 million GEFA loan

November 20, 2012- Newton County approves design for Bear Creek dam for $1.9 million from Schnabel Engineering

November 20, 2012 – Newton County hires Krebs Engineering for a master water supply plan

July 2014 – Revised comprehensive mitigation plan submitted

September 2014 – public notice issued by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after Newton County proposes moving Bear Creek Dam

August 28, 2015 - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers withdraws 404 Permit

September 21, 2015 – Tommy Craig responds to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administrative withdrawal of 404 Permit

October 2015 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denies request for reinstatement of 404 Permit application by Tommy Craig

October 2015 – BOC votes to suspend all activities on Bear Creek Reservoir and invest in upgrading and improving existing water infrastructures.