The Army Corps of Engineers recently withdrew Newton County’s 404 Permit for building the Bear Creek Supply Reservoir, adding more time and more money to a project that has been in the works for more than 15 years.
It’s one of several 404 Permits submitted, and the response to the withdrawal was yet more documentation prepared by Newton County’s attorney and water consultant Tommy Craig that cost Newton County more money.
So far, the county has spent more than $20 million and construction is still not close to beginning on the proposed reservoir project.
The county says that the extra water available from the proposed Bear Creek Supply Reservoir is needed. They have population growth numbers that prove it, and studies that show the environment will be safe after the reservoir is created.
The Army Corps of Engineers say it is not needed, and it has population growth numbers that prove we don’t.
County officials say the reservoir project is worth the millions already spent on it.
Citizens say it is not.
We say, it is time to take a stand.
The back-and-forth over whether or not the reservoir should be pursued is overtaking all other financial issues within the county — and there are plenty. The reservoir issue is also creating an atmosphere of distrust that the county is being managed in the interest of the residents.
Commissioners put a stop to it.
Say “We want to end pursuit of the project,” or say “We stand by the project and are going to see it until the end.”
Just say something. Either be 100 percent behind or 100 percent against the project.
If you are right in your assertion, Newton County’s water needs will be solved for the next 20, 30, 40 years, or the millions of dollars slated to be spent on the reservoir will be saved, and you will have done what is right for the Newton’s residents.
If you take a stand and you are wrong, the voters will do what is right for Newton County residents.
After all, wasn’t that what you wanted when you yourselves ran for office, to do what was best for the county.
Right now we need a definitive statement.
When the 2050 Plan was causing dissension, the uproar from citizens was heard loud and clear. Citizens felt it wasn’t what was best for the county and it was taken off the table. And the 2050 Plan didn’t cost nearly as much as Bear Creek.
Why not do that now?
The truth is the future is unpredictable. If it wasn’t we would all be flush with the riches earned from investments and football fans everywhere wouldn’t have to sweat over whether or not their team will win it all this year.
There’s no way to tell whose population growth predictions are correct, and no one in this county or any other can predict when the next drought or flood will come. Planning for the unpredictable is hard.
But leadership is simple. Do what is right, and do it with confidence so the people who follow, follow confidently.
