'One Lake' bill moves forward; fed money, approval pending
A bill to help move the "One Lake" project forward passed the House overwhelmingly on Tuesday, but the flood control reservoir idea discussed and planned for decades still needs more federal approval and money.
House Bill 1585, with unanimous support from the Hinds and Rankin delegations, passed 110-4. It would give the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District, which already has taxing authority, flexibility to adjust any future taxes for the lake between those with property directly benefiting from being waterfront and those with less or no direct benefit — instead of levying a flat rate for all properties in the district.
The One Lake plan, which can trace its winding roots back to the historic 1979 flood, is to widen the Pearl River south of the Ross Barnett Reservoir to below Jackson. Congress has earmarked $150 million to the project. District leaders estimate another $150 must be secured — most of that expected to come from the federal government as well. The project is awaiting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval. A measure passed by Congress last year was aimed at expediting the approval of the One Lake and similar projects.
"This will be the crown jewel of Jackson when it's built," said Rep. Mark Baker, R-Brandon, a co-author of the measure who handled its House passage Tuesday.
Baker had to field a few pointed questions about the project in the House, including whether it is aimed more at creating high-priced waterfront real estate than flood control.
"Flood control, saving on insurance," said Rep. Ken Morgan, R-Morgantown, "If you believe this is going to happen, then I saw Bigfoot by I-55 this morning on my way down here ... The state should not be in the real estate business."
Baker said the project is aimed at flood control, and that hundreds of homes and businesses would no longer be in a flood plain or have to carry flood insurance after it's built. He said the project will create economic benefit but that flood control for Jackson, Pearl, Flowood and Hinds and Rankin counties is not a stalking horse and work on the project has been transparent — at times contentious.
"Since the flood of '79, this has been talked about, debated and millions spent on it," Baker said. "There have been public hearings and discussions ... It hasn't been all sweet and roses. It's been 30 years of fighting, and debating and scratching and changing and compromising, so we could have something for the city of Jackson and to address flooding."
Contact Geoff Pender at 601-961-7266 or gpender@gannett.com . Follow him on Twitter .
