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Cass County coalition urges Elmwood to press for regional role, benefits from Lincoln Water 2.0 project
Summary
Mark Patton of the Cass County coalition Our Water, Our Future told the Elmwood board the group seeks transparency and that Cass County communities share in benefits of the $1.3 billion Lincoln Water 2.0 project; he asked local governments to contact Cass County commissioners and Rob Clements.
Mark Patton, representing the Cass County coalition Our Water, Our Future, addressed the Village of Elmwood Board of Trustees during public comment on March 4.
Patton described Lincoln Water 2.0 as a $1.3 billion project that will treat and transport Missouri River water through Cass County. He said his coalition’s principle is that when a major public water infrastructure project is built in Cass County, the county’s towns should be beneficiaries rather than merely pass-through communities.
"We are not trying to stop Lincoln Water 2.0," Patton said. "We are advocating for a regional approach that recognizes water as a shared resource, includes Cass County communities in long-term planning, and allows affected towns the opportunity to benefit from the investment made here." He said the coalition has filed letters with agencies including the EPA and the Natural Resources District and that it will present to the Cass County commissioners on March 10 and seek advisory-board status.
Patton urged Elmwood and other local governments to contact Cass County commissioners and Rob Clements to voice support for including Cass County communities in planning and benefit-sharing. He told trustees, "Now is the time to act; we cannot wait 20–30 years like Lincoln is asking." The board took no formal action on the request during the meeting.
No opposing speakers or formal responses from trustees were recorded in the meeting minutes. The coalition’s request remains a public comment and does not affect any local approval or regulatory requirement recorded in the meeting.
