Regional development authorities have ranked Hecla Water Association’s request for grant funds to construct new wells as Lawrence County’s top priority, calling it an urgent need because of this summer’s expected drought.

Friday, June 16, 2000

Regional development authorities have ranked Hecla Water Association’s request for grant funds to construct new wells as Lawrence County’s top priority, calling it an urgent need because of this summer’s expected drought.

"It’s nothing we can take home yet but the private sector is behind us, as well as everybody else here," Hecla Water director Ray Howard said after Thursday’s Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission meeting at the courthouse.

The OVRDC, based in Waverly, represents 12 counties when it comes to Appalachian Regional Commission grant funding. It convened its Lawrence County caucus, a group of local officials, to rank county projects seeking those dollars.

Hecla Water’s request for $300,000 in ARC funds to develop additional wells and make water softening changes at its treatment plant was moved to No. 1 on a list of five projects.

A $300,000 request for South Point Industrial Park development took the second highest ranking.

Hecla’s need is more urgent because of potential health hazards water supplies run low, said Pat Clonch, Lawrence Economic Development Corporation executive director.

"We have no problem falling to number two to help them," Mrs. Clonch said.

Hecla Water announced it would develop new wells last year because of current wells’ low production. Total project cost is $677,000. Some drilling has already begun.

A water line extension project in Decatur, Elizabeth and other townships – where drought effects were severe in past years – has been delayed slightly because new wells are required first, Hecla officials said.

The EPA will not approve line expansion plans until the company can provide enough water to serve the future customers on those lines, so Hecla must wait on wells, Howard said.

"The ARC request needed to be moved up because of drought conditions and the increased demands upon our system to meet the daily needs of the public," he said.

Hecla Water board chairman Bill Morris added that the need for water keeps increasing in the area.

The OVRDC ranking is a step in the right direction for Hecla, Morris said.

Jeff Spencer, OVRDC executive director, said ARC money is typically not available until January of each year.

Instead of waiting, Hecla and the OVRDC will seek state grant help to bridge the gap on the funding timetable.

The state is matching more ARC funding this year, Spencer said.

"I think there is more flexibility with the state money on projects that have to move quickly, like Hecla’s," he said.

Some changes to the ARC project ranking system also might speed things up.

Each project is ranked according to certain criteria. Officials might start giving more points to projects that are more urgent, so more information about local grant possibilities will be available after next week’s regional ranking meeting, Spencer said.

Hecla is hoping for the state dollars, which could come into the county in July, until the ARC funds are available, Howard said.

Support from county residents, whether by letters or other means, could help Hecla’s bid, he said.

"The biggest obstacle now is time," Howard said. "How fast is the system going to work and what about the rain?"