Board approves one‑year extension to 1971 Eagle Creek agreement as residents demand more data and transparency

The Board of Public Works on June 24 approved an amendment to the 1971 Eagle Creek Reservoir water‑use agreement that extends the existing terms through July 1, 2027, with options for successive one‑year renewals while the Department of Public Works conducts a bathymetric survey and due diligence study. Brian Kavanaugh, general counsel for DPW, told the board the amendment "merely extends the terms of the original agreement" and preserves existing withdrawal amounts while DPW updates hydrologic assumptions and gathers new data to inform a later long‑term agreement with Citizens Water.

Public comment at the meeting was extensive and largely cautionary. State Representative Cherish Prior told the board she appreciated the extension but said constituents and residents have struggled to obtain information and that she was concerned Citizens Energy might proceed without completed studies. "My concern is the continual extension and the possibility that it could go to 2023 [sic], potentially after the LEAP project is completed," Representative Prior said, urging transparency and stronger public input. Multiple residents and local advocates — including Tina Oakes, Rachel Woolverton, Lou Ann Baker, Martin Rish, Bill Blomquist and Megan Anderson — called for additional monitoring, inclusion of advisory groups, a public dashboard, and specific protections such as requiring removal of PFAS in treated water. DPW staff said the study results will inform a renegotiated long‑term agreement and that the amendment is intended to avoid service disruptions while investigations proceed. The board voted to approve the amendment after public comment.