Geneva Council Opposes Reservoir Project

By Debbie Ingram, Dothan Eagle, Ala.

Jul. 23–Folks in Geneva want the waters of the Little Choctawhatchee and Pea Rivers to remain free flowing.

Many are against any efforts to build a reservoir on the rivers at this point in time, as approved last month by the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority.

Many Wiregrass officials support the construction of a regional reservoir as a future long-term water source for the Wiregrass. But on Monday night, Geneva officials unanimously approved a resolution opposing “any attempt to build, or let contracts for, or spend money to obtain 404 contract permits to build a dam on the Little Choctawhatchee River.”

“When you dam up the river, you kill habitat on the river,” said Councilman James Mixon Jr., one of two city officials appointed to the committee that recommended the resolution.

“Downstream we could be losing fish on the extinction list, like the sturgeon. You can walk across the rivers now. It’s not ankle deep. The sturgeon and other fish habitats would be worse with a dam,” he said.

Two weeks ago he and John Hughes joined a 7-member committee to take a formal position on the issue. Committee members include Joe Paul, a Geneva attorney adamantly opposed to the project, and a marine biologist.

Mixon said there are a lot of concerns, including the fact that water tables are not low in the Geneva area as they are around Dothan, the largest city in the region. Other concerns, as expressed in the resolution include:

n Geneva’s history of flooding

n The effects of a drought on the most downstream Alabama town on the rivers

n Waste dumping into the rivers from 13 towns and cites upriver from Geneva

n Geneva’s desire to utilize ground water, which is sufficient for the city’s needs

n Holding water for the larger populated areas could adversely affect the amount of water received in Geneva

n Dothan’s practice of charging below market rates for water which “discourages conservation”

Although he signed off on the resolution, Councilman Hughes said he is not completely opposed to a reservoir. He wants more information.

“I can’t help but think an area for recreation and future drinking water is a good thing,” Hughes said. “I am a firm believer in cooperation between counties and cities.

“The spirit of the resolution is more of a concern that we didn’t have enough information on this. I agreed with the intent of the resolution, but not necessarily all the items in it,” he said. “We don’t really want to do anything at this current time until we have more time to look.”

Barbara Gibson, director of the Watershed Authority, said she understands the city may think they won’t need the water.

“I don’t feel like their opposition to the project means that they oppose the cities and counties that do have water shortages (and their right to) pursue a project to address the documented water shortage problem,” Gibson said.

The reservoir will require a lengthy permitting process, and Gibson said she knows a sharp look will be given to any adverse impacts on the environment.

“They don’t give these permits out left and right,” she said.

Gibson said she wished she had known the city council was taking up the issue.

“I could have given information derived from studies done by geologists and from experts at the Geological Survey of Alabama,” she said. “I understand their environmental concerns. There are strict rules and regulations when it comes to any impacts on the environment.”

Hughes said he had the feeling the resolution was rushed.

“It kind of got pushed in there pretty quick. As I said, I was not in favor of each point, but I didn’t want to say we are in favor of an impoundment without more information,” Hughes said. “We don’t know how it will affect us. We don’t know the size ….

“There are a lot of unknowns. Nobody wanted to give an all-out OK. With me it’s more of a cautious ‘let’s wait and see.’ Everybody agreed this would be a lengthy process anyway.”

The reservoir is expected to cost $148 million and would be located north of Wicksburg. It could not be built without substantial federal funds.

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Copyright (c) 2008, Dothan Eagle, Ala.

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