Oliver makes reservoir high-priority 'goal'

GAINESVILLE -- Tom Oliver said he has a new goal for his current term as Hall County Commission Chairman.

"I am hoping that I can get a permit for the new reservoir (in northern Hall County) during the next four years," Oliver said Sunday.

Oliver and a host of local and state officials met with Army Corps of Engineer officials Tuesday in Washington to discuss the Glade Farm reservoir proposed under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

Among those in attendance at the meeting were U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, and Undersecretary of the Army John Paul Woodley, who represented the corps.

Oliver confirmed that the corps will allow Hall County to begin permit applications for the 805-acre reservoir as soon as possible.

"It is a big deal that they are letting us move forward," Oliver said. "This has been in the works for a while and hopefully we can keep things moving forward. We are very excited about this development."

The county purchased the 805 acres seven years ago with the intent of building a reservoir.

While most of the officials connected to the project are expecting things to move deliberately over several years, Oliver believes they can actually break ground on the project sooner rather than later. The year 2020 has been mentioned as a possible time-frame for water being made available for public use.

"My goal is to have us turning dirt within 12 to 18 months," he said. "I think we can get that done if we move quickly with the application process. I haven't heard the year 2020 mentioned but I would hope that things could get done before that time."