LETTERS: WATER SOURCE IS A KEY TO LAKE PLANS

To the editor:

Water is so critical to our lives that we can't live without it, but at the same time we can't live with it when we get too much. It seems like a week doesn't go by that there isn't a story in the paper about a critical water issue. We either read that one of our own communities or water districts is in need of additional water supply, or a question is raised about the quality of our water today. In the last year, but Cape Girardeau and Jackson have passed multimillion-dollar bond issues to address current water issues for the next 10 years. What happens after that? More taxes and bonds? The proposed Bollinger-Cape Girardeau County lake offers a long-term solution to our water problems facing us today and our future.

The engineering firm of Freese & Nichols prepared a model of the proposed lake to determine what impact water usage would have on the lake. The model was prepared based upon historical records of the runoff and evaporation to determine how the reservoir would have operated had it been in place today. With that model they were able to determine the spillway releases and reservoir levels for various assumed seepage losses, environmental stream flow releases and other water usage such as municipal and industrial usage. They found that the reservoir could supply almost 13 million gallons of municipal-industrial water per day with significantly impacting reservoir levels. This is enough water to meet the current water needs of both counties.

This same proposed lake also offers the ability to help control downstream flooding. While this lake is not intended as a flood-control project, it would have the ability to alleviate downstream flooding during major floods. Again, Freeze & Nichols prepared a model to show the effects of a 100-year flood on a lake of this size. During floods, the reservoir levels would rise. The preliminary analysis on floods showed the peak inflow during a 100-year flood to be 63,051 cubic feet per second and the peak outflow to be 32,891 cubic feet per second -- a reduction of 30,160 cubic feet per second flowing downstream. The reservoir level would rise 2.8 feet during this flood. The reservoir would rise less during smaller floods and more during larger floods. As part of a more detailed analysis associated with the first stages of possible lake development, this preliminary analysis would be studied. Reservoir levels during droughts and floods, from an annual event to the most severe, would be tested. And, if necessary, modifications would be made to the dam and spill ways to meet those established criteria. Thus, you can see that this proposed lake can offer a solution to several of these area problems in addition to providing a source of revenue for both counties.

Concerns have been expressed regarding the landowners and the compensation they would receive for their land should this lake be passed by the people. First and foremost, they will be adequately compensated for their property. At this time, no public appraisals have been performed on any of this property to determine an actual value. This would only be done if and when the lake is approved by the voters. Therefore, it is impossible to attach an accurate value. This would be determined by an accredited appraisal firm, not the lake authority itself. We have all required the services of this type of professional firm when purchasing our home or property. This procedure is required by all financial institutions before one can obtain financing. The same standards apply in this situation. Those same calculations apply in determining the value of this ground. That value would be determined by the location, type of ground, pasture, woods and any structures on the property. All values would be based on properties with similar attributes in that area and compared to the most recent sale of property of that type in the same area. In other words, if property in and around this proposed lake site is selling for $1,000 to $2,000 per acre, then that standard would be used. The rumor that the landowners would receive only $160 per acre is absurd. This rumor is by no means an accident. It is intentional and intended to confuse the public and sway your opinion.

A terrific opportunity is presenting itself to the people of Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties. This is a wonderful project that would benefit a tremendous amount of people. We cannot let the negative few override the positive and the many people who are in favor of this project and the benefits it has to offer. You must seize it. This proposed lake affects all who live in Bolinger and Cape Girardeau counties. The public's help is needed to make this lake a reality. Before the voters can vote on this issue, changes must be made to the existing Senate Bill 776. These changes must be made in the form of an amendment to SB 363. Please call your local senator or representative and voice your support in putting this revised Senate bill before the Legislature and supporting its passage. It is important that they hear from you and understand you want the opportunity to vote on this critical issue. The time to express your feelings on the proposed lake is now. If you need more information, please call the Lake Facts Committee at 573-243-9925, or write to P.O. Box 15, Jackson, Mo. 63755. Any and all information released by the Lake Facts Committee has been verified via professional studies and is accurate to the best of our ability. To date, no reports have been produced to dispute these studies by any one individual or organization.

JOE VERNIER, President

Lake Facts Committee

Jackson