LAKE SUPPORTERS HOPE ISSUE NOT DEAD; OFFICIALS SAY IT IS

MARBLE HILL -- Supporters of the proposed Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County lake project say the project hasn't dried up, but Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gerald Jones contends "There isn't any water in it.

"All the information I get is that the people in Bollinger County aren't interested."

The 7,700-acre lake would be created near Millersville by damming a portion of the Whitewater and Little Whitewater Rivers. It would be similar to the Wappapello or Clearwater lakes recreational areas, except that it would be run by a lake authority not the Army Corp of Engineers.

But lake supporters are still trying to answer questions posed by landowners near the lake site. They also are trying to amend current law.

The recreational lake was first suggested 10 years ago but has failed to make the ballot at any election since then. The Bollinger County Commission last decided not to put the issue before voters in 1990.

It resurfaced in August with a petition drive to get the issue on the ballot, much like a statewide initiative. Only 100 signatures were collected; the goal had been to gather about 750 signatures or about 10 percent of the register voters in the county.

Despite the low numbers, the proposal did earn the support of the Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Commerce and Growth Association in Cape Girardeau in August.

Bollinger County Presiding Commissioner Elwood Mouser said he hasn't heard of any progress with the project lately.

"But just let a sleeping dog lie," he told a Southeast Missourian reporter.

Stan Crader, a Marble Hill businessman who is spearheading the lake project, said the lake committee is still looking for a way to satisfy the majority of landowners near the site. And they are still trying to get a state law changed to enhance its chances of approval.

Legislation passed in 1990 by the Missouri General Assembly gives voters the opportunity to create a lake authority that would oversee the project. But commissioners in both Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties must approve putting the issue on the ballot.

Supporters now hope to get support from local representatives who will bring the issue before the General Assembly this year.

Some of the proposed changes to the law include changing the boundary of land the lake authority will control from a 200-foot area surrounding the lake to a minimum 15-foot area with a maximum of 200 feet and electing the first officers of the lake authority instead of having county commissioners appoint them.

"Those things have to be changed in the legislation," Crader said. "We've got another 30 days to clean up the language and visit with the representatives."

No area legislators could be reached Friday afternoon.

Steve Sebaugh and James Roche, both members of the Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County Landowners Association, said they have not heard anything about compromises with property owners or the petition drive.

Sebaugh is opposed to changing the legislation because it would give the lake authority more power than landowners around the lake.

"The ultimate power is with the group not the landowners," he said. "It's a bad business deal. I hate to see this be a precedent but it's just a classic case of the government taking away individual rights."

TIMELINE

Proposed Cape Girardeau-Bollinger County Lake

1988 Cape Girardeau and Bollinger County Commissions approve a feasability study for the lake project.

1990 Bollinger County Commissioners refuse to put the issue on the ballot.

1995

August

Lake project resurfaces. Supporters begin a petition drive.

October

Petition drive nears deadline but doesn't gather the anticipated 750 signatures. Only 100 names were added to the lists.

1996

Lake supporters hope to change current law with the assistance of area legislators.