Lake Clarke committee meets with landowners
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

The Jenkins County Commissioners' newly appointed Lake Clarke committee met with landowners of the impacted area Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Jenkins County Agriculture Center to hear their concerns and gather input concerning the possible construction of a dam and lake on Big Buckhead Creek. The project would utilize water from the natural springs at Magnolia Springs State Park.

The purpose of the dam and reservoir would be to control flooding, create an energy source, promote tourism, provide jobs and conserve water.

Committee member Robert Jenkins acknowledged at the onset of the meeting that some landowners may have felt left out of the process thus far and that the purpose of the meeting was to rectify this situation. He also explained that his grandfather, Tom Clarke, had originally presented the proposal to a previous board of commissioners with no action being taken, and that he had simply brought the plan back to the present board for consideration.

Committee member Theron Cates of the Natural Resources and Conservation Service presented topographical and aerial maps of the impacted area, but stated, "This is very preliminary."

Many landowners had specific questions about the proposal, such as the height of the dam, depth of the water in the lake and location of the dam that could not yet be answered.

Jenkins explained, "This is all just an idea at this point."

When several landowners expressed opposition to the proposal, commissioners Domingo Green and Pam Dwight asked that they remain open-minded until concrete information could be gathered by the committee and presented for their consideration. It was noted that environmental issues and other matters could render the proposal impractical.

"If it turns out that this project can't move forward, then, I want all of you to come back here, and let's come up with something else we can do for Jenkins County," commented Jenkins.