Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears Cove Reservoir EIS is near final stage; county has prior $9 million appropriation
Summary
Committee members reported the Cove Reservoir environmental impact statement is in its final stages, describing a roughly 6,000 acre‑foot project; county officials said $9,000,000 in prior appropriation remains available for engineering and property work pending further approvals.
Committee discussion on May 7 included an update on the Cove Reservoir project. An unidentified committee member said the project's environmental impact statement (EIS) is in the final stages and that, if approvals proceed, construction could begin in the coming season. The speaker described the planned facility as a roughly 6,000 acre‑foot reservoir.
Committee members said engineering plans and specifications are the next formal steps and that an engineering team has already been retained. The county holds a prior appropriation of $9,000,000 that the speaker said can be used to finish land purchases, rights‑of‑way and EIS tasks to make the project bid‑ready. The speaker said additional federal approvals and funding will be necessary before full construction can begin.
Meeting speakers named engagement with federal and state legislators to support the project and referenced coordination with NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). Committee members said they have worked with Senator Lee and Congressman Kennedy on issues related to watershed funding and that local staff will continue to seek support from state and federal partners.
No formal motion or vote related to Cove Reservoir funding occurred at this meeting; members presented the update as an informational status report and noted next steps would include engineering, specifications and eventual solicitation of construction bids.
