Public comments are now being accepted about the “One Lake” project that would create another reservoir on the Pearl River near Jackson for economic development and flood control.
In a June 23 public notice in the Clarion Ledger, the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage District announced the release of its draft feasibility study and is allotting 45 days for comments.
They may be submitted in the following ways:
Online: rankinhindsflooddistrict.ms.gov/projects/
Email: rankinhinds@gmail.com
Mail: Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage District, 2101 Airport Road N., Flowood, MS 39232
The public comment period ends Aug. 7.
A meeting on the project has been set for 6 p.m. July 24 at the Mississippi Agriculture Museum in Jackson. A second meeting will take place in a downstream community at a time and date to be announced at www.rankinhindsflooddistrict.ms.gov.
The “One Lake” project (the name derives from a previous plan called “Two Lakes” that was ultimately denied, leading to the current plan to make a single new lake) would be situated about eight miles downstream of the existing Ross Barnett Reservoir, completed in 1963 on the Pearl River. Proponents, which include many influential Jackson business leaders, say the $355 million project will boost the metro area’s economy by creating businesses and homes along the waterfront while also providing flood protection for parts of Hinds and Rankin counties. But those to the south worry it could hurt their economies and environments by reducing waterflow.
A 1,394-page study called the “Integrated Draft Feasibility & Environmental Impact Statement” is available for download if users sign up at rankinhindsflooddistrict.ms.gov and then get an email containing links to the files.
It’s also available at the public libraries in Jackson, Picayune and Slidell, La.
Andrew Whitehurst, water program director for the Gulf Restoration Network, a frequent critic of the “One Lake” concept, said he is concerned about citizens gaining access to the report and that the local governments in downstream communities should request it be made available at their libraries.
“Not everyone is on the internet, and so they can’t get electronic downloads, and when they see that the drainage district wants them to register first and then get a document link e-mailed to them, they don’t want to register on the district’s portal,” he said. “The Corps of Engineers and MDEQ doesn’t require anybody to register in order to be able to comment on projects. The drainage district is doing things its own way.”
According to the Gulf Restoration Network, 10 downstream governmental entities in Louisiana and Mississippi have passed resolutions opposing the project. Columbia is considering joining after Monticello Mayor Martha Watts recently made a presentation at a Board of Aldermen meeting.
