Communities Set For Reservoir ‘Visioning Sessions’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPublic sessions to outline plans for a 2,100-acre reservoir in Madison and Delaware counties are set to begin Tuesday in Anderson. The events will allow opportunities for feedback and include exhibits detailing various aspects of Mounds Lake. The Hoosier Environmental Council and Heart of the River, an organization opposing a dam in Anderson, are set to hold a news conference this morning to detail an alternative to plans by the Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison County.
August 18, 2014
News Release
DALEVILLE, Ind. –
What: Press conference unveiling a sustainable, alternative vision to the proposed, controversial Mounds Reservoir project. The alternative proposal will increase recreational opportunities, enhance economic development potential, and prevent serious, irreversible environmental damage to the White River, riverine forests, and Mounds State Park.
When: Monday, August 18, 2014 at 10 a.m.
Where: Daleville
Why:
A sustainable approach to managing water resources in the Muncie – Anderson area should begin by protecting and enhancing the natural beauty and resources of the free-flowing West Fork White River, along with wildlife habitats in forests and wetlands, and unique historic and cultural resources. This is the basis for an alternative plan for the river that will create regional economic opportunities in tourism and outdoor recreation, stimulate small business creation, and improve the quality of life for residents in Madison and Delaware Counties and the communities along the river.
The new greenway conservation plan for the White River will create a truly rich nature experience, plentiful recreation opportunities, and a high-profile U.S. outdoor and tourism destination for people who want to enjoy Indiana at its finest and in doing so, boost the local and regional economies.
In contrast, flooding the West Fork White River for a new Mounds Reservoir as some propose, presents too great a risk to our waters, forests, native plant and animal species, unique prehistoric archaeological resources, and even to some local businesses and organizations.
Source: The Hoosier Environmental Council
News Release
Originally Posted July 16, 2014
Anderson, Ind. – The Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison County (CED) announced today Imagine Mounds Lake, a series of interactive visioning sessions, which will give area residents an opportunity to provide feedback on the project and learn more about the Phase II Feasibility Study findings.
Sessions will be held August 19 through August 23 in Chesterfield, Daleville, Yorktown and Anderson, with the main exhibit located in Anderson's Mounds Mall.
“The Mounds Lake project has the opportunity to bolster the entire central Indiana region by serving as a steady water source for generations to come and by reimagining what our community looks like,” said Rob Sparks, Executive Director of the CED.
“Imagine Mounds Lake is an opportunity for the community to get involved in the project and begin visioning for our future,” said Sparks, “We will be taking best practices from around the country and applying those to give folks a visual picture of what Mounds Lake could look like and what that could mean for Madison and Delaware Counties.”
Imagine Mounds Lake is designed to serve as open houses for the community. Area residents are invited to attend the sessions, where they will be able to visit exhibits, read about the project, ask questions and provide their ideas and opinions.
Preliminary results from the Phase II Feasibility Study will also be available at the sessions. “People often ask about the Phase II Feasibility Study we are currently undergoing in regards to Mounds Lake, and it is important to note that Phase II is not a planning phase,” said Sparks, “for example, we have not yet reached the point of designing for the lake or
determining where bridges will go. Phase II is about digging deeper to examine whether it is viable to build the lake from engineering, financial and environmental perspectives.”
“With the Imagine Mounds Lake sessions, we will ask the community to provide their perspective on the feasibility of Mounds Lake. It's about giving the community a voice in this project, every step of the way,” said Sparks.
Imagine Mounds Lake” Sessions Schedule
The community is invited to attend any or all of the sessions provided. Additional information concerning the sessions will be forthcoming.
– Anderson August 19-22 Mounds Mall 10 am-9 pm
– Anderson August 23 Mounds Mall 11 am-7 pm
– Chesterfield August 19 Mill Creek Civic Center, Room 16, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
– Daleville August 20 Daleville City Offices 11 am-5 pm
– Yorktown August 21 Yorktown Town Court 11 am-5 pm
“To date, nothing has been discovered in the feasibility studies that would prevent this project from happening. However, Mounds Lake will only happen if it has the support of the community to move forward,” said Sparks.
“If you want to know what's happening with the project, I encourage you to attend an Imagine Mounds Lake session and get involved to help shape our community's future.”
About the Mounds Lake Project
The Mounds Lake project began as an idea proposed during the 2010 Leadership Academy Development Class serving the Madison County community. The idea was to create a lake that would meet the water needs of central Indiana and provide a boost to the local economy. The Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison County (CED) conducted early investigations in 2010 to see if a lake was feasible.
From work the City of Anderson had conducted around the floods of 2005, engineers knew there was a natural basin. However, it was not until DLZ Engineering conducted a study in 2010 that local leaders realized the immense potential for Mounds Lake. The study revealed it would be possible to construct a 2,100 acre lake that spans from Madison
County into Delaware County and would have the ability to provide billions of gallons of water for central Indiana, meeting a long-term need for this region of the state.
A Phase II Feasibility Study is currently ongoing to examine the project in terms of engineering, environmental, and financial viability. Results of the Phase II Feasibility findings will be released as reports are finalized over the next few months and shared with the public at the August sessions of Imagine Mounds Lake.
About the Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison County The Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison County is a 501c3 non-profit that was incorporated in 1983. Their mission is to plan and undertake activities leading to steady job growth, increasing economic diversity, and a strengthened employer base, which enhances the quality of life in Madison County, Indiana.
For more information about the proposed Mounds Lake, visit www.moundslake.com, or contact Rob Sparks at 765-642-1860 or at robsparks@cedanderson.com
For updates on the project, follow the project on Twitter @MoundsLake
Source: The Corporation for Economic Development of Anderson/Madison
County