Murray County Commission votes 16-1 to seek $3 million state-funded feasibility study for Columbia Dam

The Murray County Commission voted 16-1 to ask the state to appropriate $3,000,000 for a feasibility study of the proposed Columbia Dam, Main Street Murray reporter Andrew Pearson said.

Pearson reported that supporters argue the dam would collect far more water than other supply options and could create a significant economic asset for the area. He also reported strong opposition from local environmentalists and from most government agencies that would need to plan, build or maintain the dam; those agencies have so far declined to prepare or recommend a feasibility study.

The motion, as reported, was a formal request that the state fund an independent study to evaluate the technical, environmental and economic feasibility of constructing the Columbia Dam. The program did not record who moved or seconded the motion, and no member vote names were given; the tally reported was 16 in favor and 1 opposed.

The proposal remains at the stage of requesting study funding; Pearson did not report any commitment from state agencies to carry out or recommend construction, and he noted that several responsible agencies have previously declined to support or prepare such a study. Next steps would require a state appropriation to fund the independent study, after which planning and environmental review processes would follow if the study found the project viable.

The reporting in this program is based on the May 27 issue of Main Street Murray as presented by Andrew Pearson.