Citizens Action Coalition joins fight against proposed Mounds Lake Reservoir

The Citizens Action Coalition (CAC), which was formed in 1974, has joined with the Heart of the River and the Hoosier Environmental Council in raising concerns about the proposed reservoir that would extend from Anderson to Yorktown.

Kerwin Olson, spokesman for the CAC, said the group is working to get the word out about its concerns over the reservoir project that is being spearheaded by the Anderson/Madison County Corporation for Economic Development (CED).

Proponents of the project believe the reservoir will provide a stable source of fresh water, which will become the backbone of economic growth over the next 20 years. They contend it will enhance current river activities and expand recreational opportunities in the area.

Supporters believe the benefits of Mounds Lake include an increase in local property values, redevelopment of current and new retail investments and the creation of new trails, fishing opportunities and boating.

The proposed reservoir will create a 2,100-acre lake that would extend from Anderson along the White River to Yorktown in Delaware County. The estimated cost is $450 million.

Olson said the CAC is currently going door-to-door to educate the public and get signatures on petitions in opposition to the reservoir project.

“We’re surprised by how many people in the community are not aware of the proposal,” he said.

Olson said the CAC has multiple concerns about the reservoir project.

“To consider that economic development is done by flooding is an absurd idea in our minds,” he said.

“We don’t need the water, water is available,” Olson said. “The bigger problem is getting the water to where it’s needed.”

Olson said an excuse for going ahead with the project is a need for water in Marion County.

“Citizens Water has said they’re not interested,” he said. “They have cheaper supply sources.”

Olson said claiming there is a need for the water is a false argument to justify a bad idea.

“We’re keeping an eye on it,” he said of the proposal.

Rob Sparks, executive director of CED, said that because the Mounds Reservoir project is so complex there was anticipation that local, regional and national groups would be opposed.

“There have been several studies that forecast a need for water in the region,” he said. “There is also a need for drought preparedness, which has not been addressed.”

Sparks said conservation has to play a role.

“To depend on an endless water supply for future planning doesn’t work,” he said. “There is needed additional capacity for future needs and possible drought.”

Sparks said there is a lot of information available about the project and is clouding the issue.

He said CED is currently working on how to present the information from the Phase II feasibility study to the public.

“The real issue is how to develop a long-range sustainable water resource,” Sparks said. “We hope to release more information by the end of the year.”

Currently the CED is working on obtaining financing for the project, he said. Sparks said most of the engineering studies have been completed.