GAINESVILLE — The price tag for the Glades Reservoir project in north Hall County keeps getting bigger, and the county is still a year away from getting a permit for the project.
Hall County Commissioners learned at a work session Tuesday that they will need to spend an estimated $1.79 million in additional monies on completion of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS), on consulting fees for the completion of that study and on a bat survey.
Public Works Director Ken Rearden told commissioners the survey is required by the Endangered Species Act to study the Northern Long Eared Bat, endangered because of a fungus the animal has developed.
Commissioners Scott Gibbs and Billy Powell were especially unhappy about having to fund the bat study.
"Had it [the property] just been timbered, you wouldn't have to study it, but this is the federal nutcases at work," said Gibbs. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life."
Powell concurred, pointing out to his fellow commissioners that he and his wife had had a similar discussion about the study over the weekend.
"Cut every tree on the property and you don't have to do a study, but if you're building a reservoir, you've got to spend $165,000 [sic] to do a bat study," said Powell.
"That's what the continued costs are with Glades is federal regulations," said Gibbs. "It is unbelievable."
The bulk of the additional expense - $1.5 million - will go to completion of the EIS process. Another $140,000 will be spent on monthly consulting fees with Joe Tanner & Associates between now and July 2016. The additional expenses will be funded by SPLOST VI revenues.
Following the work session, Commission Chairman Dick Mecum said he understands the frustration of the extra expense, but he said the county is too close to securing a permit to stop the process now.
"Most of the people I talk to basically don't want us to spend any more money on it," said Mecum. "But I think they understand, too, that we have $15 million dollars invested in it now. Do we just let it go at this point? They don't want to do that either."
Mecum said Hall County must have an alternate water source to Lake Lanier, especially since Florida and Alabama are pushing to restrict Georgia's ability to draw drinking water from Lanier, which is a federal reservoir.
The commission will formally vote on the expenditures at its regular meeting on Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Northern Long Eared Bat is considered endangered by the federal government, so Hall County will have to spend $150,000 to make sure the development of the Glades Reservoir does not negatively impact the species. (Photo from Hall County)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/5/312782/bat-survey-other-environmental-studies-add-to-price-tag-for-glades-reservoir-project