The Pascagoula River is the largest (by volume) undammed river in the contiguous 48 states, as such the Pascagoula River is a national treasure. The Pascagoula River isn't just a source of tourism growth to the residents of Jackson County but a source of national pride, and an integral part of our culture and heritage. Unfortunately Jackson County Supervisor Barry Cumbest and others stand to profit by creating “Fake Lakes” in George and Jackson County, by damning the Pascagoula River and destroying this unique environment forever.
The Pascagoula River Watershed is home to endangered flora and fauna, which in and of itself should provide it with our protection, yet the Jackson County Board of Supervisors signed off on damning our River without a second thought why? Because Jackson County Board of Supervisors President Barry Cumbest and his family stand to make a profit.
Jackson County depends on Eco-tourism that is to a large extent dependent on the Pascagoula River and it's designation as the largest undammed river in the contiguous 48 states, , the unique habitat of the Pascagoula River Watershed has created a premier hunting, fishing and nature tourism destination, and is an irreplaceable, unique natural resource, it should be a no-brainier to protect the River's designation. Instead the Jackson County Supervisors didn't even give the negative impacts a thought before giving their official support to the Lake George project by signing on as a co-applicant with George County to dam the tributaries to the Pascagoula River. And while they have been working on it in secret since 2009, residents of Jackson County are just now finding out about it. When the residents of Jackson County asked their Supervisors to remove their support for the project the Supervisors stated they needed to "research" the negative impacts before doing so. Shouldn't the research have been done before giving their support?
But then why research it when you and your family can make a huge profit from the creation of Lake George and Lake Cumbest. Jackson County Board of Supervisors President Barry Cumbest and his family own 240 acres in the area in question and Mr. Cumbest admitted that if some of the acres he and his family owns that are undeveloped and not on a road should wind up being lakefront lots, the value of that land would increase dramatically.
And it's not just Eco-tourism that will suffer. Property owners in Jackson County have already been informed their insurance may go up as the dams may be classified as "high hazard". Many residents have been informed that the "project" will require their homes being taken by eminent domain, so the "recreational lakes" can be created.
One also has to wonder in a cash strapped State like Mississippi where the 80 million plus to fund the "Lake George Project" will come from? Supervisors hope to use RESTORE Act BP oil-spill money, Katrina-recovery money or Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act money to pay for it. In fact Barry Cumbest has made several trips to Washington D.C. to secure funding for the project. A project that stands to benefit him and his family while negatively impacting the rest of the citizens of Jackson County.
At the Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee hearing hosted by Senator Brice Wiggins, Stan Flint on behalf of Jackson County’s Business Owners asked
• What alternatives are available and have they been appropriately considered?
• How did this project morph from a recreational lake into “drought control” project?
• Who paid for the studies and project development to date?
• How was state funding used when the legislature refused to fund it?
• Who is benefiting financially from this project and how are they involved in it?
• Who is paying for it and who asked for it?
Apparently changing the reason for creating the "Fake Lakes" from
"recreation" to "drought control" allowed Cumbest and his cronies to seek
RESTORE Act BP oil-spill money, Katrina-recovery money or Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act money. But the main industry that would benifit from the project doesn't support it.
The Waterway District is proposing to dam Big and Little Cedar creeks two miles from the Pascagoula main trunk as a drought-control measure, so it can provide water to the river during low flow.
The benefit listed for the project is ensuring the river stays above state minimum levels for industry downstream.
"Would it surprise you that Chevron (Pascagoula Refinery) hasn't signed on to support this project?" Wiggins asked Boone. ~Sun Herald
Concerned citizens are trying to Protect the Pascagoula River Basin, their best bet is to shine a light on the good ole boy network that allowed this dubious project to be put together behind closed doors.