McCook Lake: lawmakers hear requests to reserve contingency funds for cleanup and flood mitigation; committee defers

Representative Chris Casson introduced House Bill 11 08 to create a McCook Lake Contingency Fund and to transfer monies to that fund to assist restoration and mitigation after a severe flood in the Southeast region.

Casson said the June flood — a FEMA‑declared disaster in the region — drove water into McCook Lake in record amounts and swept houses and yards into the lake. "This was 7 feet above the all‑time record high amount of water," Representative Shawarma told the committee, adding that the event diverted water into the oxbow lake, washing away lots and sharply reducing property values. Proponents said the damage differs from typical flood damage because many homeowners no longer have the land to rebuild on.

Lake residents and association leaders described the scope of the damage and why local and state help is needed. McCook Lake Association president Dirk Laurie said the association represents about 230 lakefront owners and estimated roughly 60,000 cubic yards of soil washed into the lake (about 7,000 truckloads); proponents said the currently proposed plan would remove only about 15,000 cubic yards (roughly 9% of the sediment). McCook Lake Association and residents emphasized the lake is state‑owned, relies on a private/public pumping system (pumps that can move about 12,000 gallons per minute were cited) and that much of the annual operation funding comes from private donors.

Chris Bogenrief, a lake resident and association member, said about 103 homes were damaged or destroyed and that 21 had been demolished so far. Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) had issued an RFP for cleanup and restoration, proponents said, but the scope and bids were not yet final. The bill is written to provide a backstop — contingency funding in the general fund that could be transferred if GFP's scope and bids exceeded available emergency or agency funds.

Opponents from the Bureau of Finance and Management argued the emergency and disaster fund and existing state programs should handle the work, that providing additional, dedicated funding would bypass established processes, and that the lake's pumping system is voluntary (installed and maintained by the McCook Lake Association). BFM also noted the consolidated water facilities construction program could be an option but prioritizes drinking and wastewater projects rather than recreation.

Sponsors said the bill was intended to address timing and scope: because the RFP and bids were still being developed, the contingency fund would allow a quick funding source if the scope exceeded existing agency authority. The committee asked that proponents and Game, Fish and Parks meet promptly to clarify scope and timing. The committee deferred action.