Little Otter Creek Lake Receives State Funding
The Little Otter Creek Watershed will receive $2 million in funding toward the completion of a 362-acre lake in Caldwell County, as well as for environmental mitigation efforts in the area. The new improvements will offer a more dependable water supply and better flood control to the region, as well as new opportunities for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.
Both the House and the Senate passed the proposal and sent them to the governor for his approval. The governor signed the two fiscal year 2017 budget bills, House bills 2017 and 2018 into law on Thursday, June 16. The bills outline state appropriations for capital improvement projects including improvements in the Little Otter Creek Watershed. “I am thrilled that the governor has recognized the need for improvements to the rural water systems and supply in north Missouri.” said Senator Pearce, R-Warrensburg. “Residents as well as tourists who visit our district will benefit from these projects for generations to come.” Both Senator Pearce and Representative Neely have worked hard this year to see Little Otter Creek Lake move forward.
Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner in Caldwell County expressed his appreciation to the state legislature and to the governor, as well as to local citizens that took the time to contact the governor’s office to encourage him to sign the capital improvements legislation. “There has been a large amount of community support and local efforts to make this project a realization,” stated Motsinger. “These projects do take a lot of time and cost a lot of money, and we get discouraged with all the red tape and government regulations and permits, but we are making progress and getting closer to seeing the Little Otter Creek Lake begin construction.”
Caldwell County is still waiting for the Corp of Engineers approval of the Environmental Impact Study and the 404 permit, and also the state of Missouri 401 permit before construction can begin. Some additional funding is also still required and specific plans for mitigation are still being developed. A wholesale water commission has been established composed of the various rural water districts and cities that have expressed an interest in using the Little Otter Creek Lake for their future water supply. The commissioners are very optimistic that the construction can begin in the fall of 2017.
