OAKDALE - The future of the Allen Parish lake/reservoir is still uncertain after issues were discussed last week. The Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors held a meeting with jurors A.M. “Buddy” Farris and John Strother, Senator Eric LaFleur, Representative Dorothy Sue Hill, Public Service Commissioner Clyde Holloway, Lee Tucker, who represented Congressman John Fleming, and Mayor Andrew Hayes.

The purpose of the meeting was to get a clear picture of where the parish stands with the reservoir and what the chances are of the project being completed.

One plan to get the project back on track was shot down by the Army Corps of Engineers. The New Orleans office refused to allow the transfer of the project to the Vicksburg office. Farris, who chaired the meeting, said the Vicksburg office was easier to work with because communications were more open.

Farris said consultant Mike Thompson will not be available to work on the project and suggested Randy Denman of the engineering firm Denman & Denman be appointed consultant.

Farris said the environmental study was not recalled, but put on hold because of the mitigation funding. He said two small wetlands areas were found in the Mill Creek site, and the police jury was required to pay for mitigation up front. The two spots would cost $500,000. Farris said if something is found, it must be corrected right then.

He said DOTD has the project in line for complete funding, eventually.

“We’re looking for a lake out of necessity, not for recreation,” Farris said.

The Chico Aquifer is dropping about one foot a year now and Farris said the parish could sell one million gallons of water a day off the new lake, as well as provide recreation and entertanment.

“It’s just so hard to come up with money right now,” Farris said.

The Mill Creek location displaces no one and the property is owned by timber compnies. Farris said Mill Creek can produce millions of gallons a day. It currently drains 58,000 acres.

“Water is going to be one of the greatest problems in the world as time goes on,” Holloway said. He asked who the parish would sell water to and Farris replied several timber companies have expressed interest.

Juror Strother said that in addition to Allen, Rapides and Beauregard parishes would benefit from the reservoir.

Holloway suggested looking at the USDA for some possible funding and keeping people who will benefit from it out of the project.