Similar proposed bills in the state House and Senate aimed at creating a watershed management authority for Cullman County could pass before the regular session of the Legislature ends.
If the bills stall, they would likely move to a special session of the Legislature.
Dale Greer, the City of Cullman’s liaison for Duck River, said the intent of the water management authority is simply to meet a requirement of the project, which was requested by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Greer said the WMA still would not seek any regulatory authority. The plan for Duck River is to abide by regulations set forth by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“The legislation would allow the creation of the watershed authority and the local appointments. As noted before, we seek no regulatory authority,” Greer said.
The authority would serve the public by providing a wide range of representation for the area concerning the water supply. Authority members would also be able to monitor reports by ADEM or EPA concerning water quality.
The bills typically would need five days to pass the House and Senate, which put them right at the end of the regular session.
The WMA will consist of 10 initial members, with appointments made by the city, county and other wholesale water customers. The board will also be tasked with forming a water management plan for the area.
Long-term plans call for the members of the WMA to eventually own the lake, based on the amount of water they purchase through the life of the 30-year bond to fund the project. The proposal states that ownership of the reservoir will ultimately vest in those water systems purchasing water from the Duck River reservoir in percentages of ownership commensurate with the percentages of water purchased.
The House version is being sponsored by Reps. Mac Buttram and Jeremy Oden of Cullman. Sen. Paul Bussman of Cullman is the sponsor on the Senate side.
* David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 213, or by email at dpalmer@cullmantimes.com
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