CCRC moves toward Eminent Domain

During the Clarke County Reservoir Commission (CCRC) meeting held Thursday, Aug. 14, four resolutions were enacted which open the door to eminent domain proceedings, but Project Coordinator Dave Beck is still focused on working with property owners.

“The commission does not enter into the process into the eminent domain decision lightly,” said Beck, who said negotiations have been hopeful.

Over 2,000 acres of land was needed for the project, which would boost Clarke County’s water supply to an estimated 2.2 million gallons of water per day.

The CCRC has purchased 65 percent of the land needed for the project over the past three years. This year, due to some careful negotiations with the Iowa DNR, two homeowners were able to avoid relocation.

“Their house is technically within the buffer area that DNR normally requires CCRC to have ‘control’ over for a water supply reservoir,” said Project Coordinator David Beck. “However, after talking with the couple, CCRC proposed some variances at a handful of locations in the project to DNR.”

final site plan was approved Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, though a reservoir has been in the works for roughly 30 years. Changes in regulations over time and confusion over project speculations have held the reservoir back, but the commission now looks to be on track to see real progress.

Lack of rainfall and increasing drought conditions in Clarke County have brought the issue to the forefront of recent public meetings. While some homeowners feel the plan goes beyond the scope of what’s required, city leaders contend a larger source of water is needed to carry Osceola into the future.