GRDA suspends application to raise Grand Lake level permanently

Friday, June 11th 2004, 5:30 am

By: News On 6

MIAMI, Okla. (AP) -- Work on an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to increase the water level on Grand Lake will be suspended, the chief executive of the Grand River Dam Authority says.

GRDA Chief Executive Kevin Easley said he wants to get input from those who will be affected by the project before moving forward.

The authority, which manages the lake and Pensacola Dam, tries to keep the lake at 744 feet above sea level during the summer and at 742 feet above sea level the rest of the year.

The application for a license and an amendment to the "rule curve," or target water level, is to keep the lake level at 744 feet above sea level all the time.

Residents, business owners and others who have property north of Pensacola Dam, including the city of Miami, fear the projected backwater flooding that is expected to follow the lake level increase.

"GRDA needs to do a better job communicating with the stakeholders in Miami and I am going to stop everything until we get input from the area," Easley told the Miami News-Record Thursday.

"I had been here but a very short time when this application was filed. I do not like things to be done in the dark. I will come to Miami and work with the stakeholders on strategies that hopefully will benefit everyone."

Miami City Manager Michael Spurgeon said Thursday he appreciated Easley's willingness to work with municipal officials and concerned residents but will continue to draft letters of protest until told otherwise.

Miami resident Jack Dalrymple, who has led the fight against the rule curve amendment, said he was happy to hear of the suspension.

"Maybe things are different now. I have never seen GRDA back away from their position about anything," Dalrymple said.

Dalrymple, rule curve change opponent Dr. Mark Osborn and others said they would also like to see a representative from Miami on the GRDA's board of directors.

"We can't stop until we see a change where all of the stakeholders are represented," Osborn said.

"Including not only people in the flood plain areas, but residents on the lake with property not in association with the marinas."