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Local water project gets county backing as developers seek Corps review
Summary
Hardy Waters representatives told the Williams County commission the company has an Industrial Water Commission permit for a large intake at Lake Sakakawa and asked for a county letter of support to accompany a Corps of Engineers re-review; the board voted to have staff draft a letter and authorized the chair to sign.
Garrett Lam of Hardy Waters told the Williams County Board of County Commissioners on April 7 that the company holds an Industrial Water Commission permit to withdraw roughly 10,000 acre-feet (about 9 million gallons) per 24 hours from Lake Sakakawa and that the permit has been extended to 2030. Lam said the company is preparing for a new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review of an intake easement and asked the county for a letter of support to accompany the application.
Lam said a previous Corps review in 2020 had been denied after the Corps cited a lack of demonstrated need and noted existing industrial water use in the lake area. "Back in 2020 there was 31,000 acre-feet of industrial water out of Lake Satakawia, which out of that Select Energy had 24,850," Lam said, describing that company’s prior share of permits. He also said the new application will emphasize municipal and industrial uses and argues the intake should not be subject to the Corps' half-mile recreation-area buffer.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the proximity of the intake to public recreational uses and whether the county had previously approved related zoning. Commissioners noted the board had approved a zone change in December that allowed the intake building location, but staff and Lam said that zoning approval alone may not be sufficient for federal permitting. Lam said Hardy Waters seeks a county letter that would demonstrate local municipal support as the company proceeds with Corps permitting.
Commissioner Barry moved to draft a letter of support and have the chair sign it; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Steve, Corey, Bo, Chris and Barry voting yes. Staff (Lindsay and county counsel/staff) were directed to draft the letter for the chairman’s signature.
The board’s action was limited to authorizing a staff-drafted letter; no county funds were committed in the motion. The Corps review and any future construction remain subject to federal permitting and any other applicable state approvals.
