A few days ago the Sun Herald published an article about possibly damming the Pascagoula River in reference to what is known as the Lake George project. As you can guess by the name, George County and its supervisors are at the center of this. Since the article, I have rightfully been contacted about this and the disastrous effects, if true, it would have on the Pascagoula River. As we all know, the undammed Pascagoula River is one of OUR and the COUNTRY'S treasures. Any attempt to alter it, is "fightin' words" as they say.
A constituent shared with me the application for the project:
He went on to explain that the project is one that the George County Supervisors and delegation has pushed for quite some time and that they see it as economic development to their area. He also explained that Chevron and the Port of Pascagoula would benefit because of the guaranteed water level. The details, including the environmental impact and wetlands impact, can be found in the full application here. Per the application, the Jackson County Supervisors are a co-applicant. I asked whether notice and comment periods were had on the project and he stated a public meeting was held in George County a couple of months ago and that they are ready, willing and able to have one in Jackson County when requested by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors. Taking that a step further, I did a quick Google search and found the following:
Dam the Pascagoula? | Jackson County | The Sun Herald
www.sunherald.com/2015/09/14/.../dam-the-pascagoula.html
Sun Herald
4 days ago - He said flow rates for the Pascagoula River are improved by rainfall in ...Supervisor Troy Ross said he believed Lake George would provide ...
You visited this page on 9/18/15.
Editorial: Some answers needed about twin lakes - Sun ...
www.sunherald.com/.../sun-herald-editorial-some-answers.ht...
Sun Herald
3 days ago - One supervisor said the board supports the concept of a lake but doesn't... We, too, have nothing against a lake or two in George County but we have questions. The biggest question is how will it affect the Pascagoula River if the Big ... been chosen for the dams but the notice clearly has two sites in mind.
Lake George $50,000,000 does this make sense? In ... - Topix
www.topix.com/forum/city/wade-ms/TGK0KE0BLI5H03B7J?print=1
Feb 25, 2012 - They are calling it a reservoir to put water in the Pascagoula Riverwhen a drought comes. The County supervisors said, in case of a drought ...
A Lake in Disguise for George County? | Gulf Restoration ...
www.healthygulf.org/blog/lake-disguise-george-county
Apr 10, 2013 - One presentation focused on the George County Lake project. ... a 5200 acre water supply lake would dam a yet undisclosed Pascagoula River ...
Missing: supervisors
[PDF]
www.sam.usace.army.mil/.../SAM...
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Sep 4, 2015 - MAINTAINING PASCAGOULA RIVER FLOW RESILIENCY DURING PROLONGED. SEVERE ... IN COOPERATION WITH: George County Board ofSupervisors ... It is anticipated that the Lower Lake's dam/spillway footprint ...
In the highly scientific area of Google searches, it appears that there have been at least some newspaper articles on this.
As Senator, rest assured that I will continue to stay focused on this issue and make sure that we protect this great resource. I will also do everything in my legislative and chairman capacity to halt this project should the motives or results change from what was described above. I would further add that when state entities like the Pat Harrison Waterway Distirct (entities that only exist by virtue of state law) are called upon to assist counties and municipalities, it would be good policy to inform state legislators of the projects and plans. In this case, no one from the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Chevron or the Port of Pascagoula informed me of the project; I cannot speak for others. Citizens always have a right to know what their government agencies are planning and doing.
Feel free to comment on this post or contact me via social media, letter or phone on this issue or any other.
