


The Pearl River is being threatened by the One Lake project which is being disguised as a flood control measure. In reality, it is a plan to "create wealth" for a few while delaying real flood control and disregarding the many interests downriver. There is so much hope growing in the Pearl River, from the restoration on the Hancock County Marsh Living Shoreline project being funded to the new Pearl River Keeper hosting a huge cleanup along the Pearl. We have the opportunity to protect the amazing people and projects of the Pearl River by standing together for
Tell the Army Corps of Engineers and the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage Control District that you oppose the One Lake Plan and that they should adopt the Comprehensive Levee Plan to provide sensible flood protection for all of Mississippi.
Don't be fooled by the myths The Pearl River Vision Foundation and the Jackson Vision 2022 plan are spreading. The One Lake project is a bad deal for MS & LA. Let's go ahead and dispell these myths:
Reality: From the flood of 1979 to 1996, two flood control projects, the Shoccoe Dry Dam and the Comprehensive Levee Plan, were rejected by the Mississippi decision makers. These plans were political non-starters primarily due to those who wanted to cash in the Pearl River's floodplain for real estate development in Rankin and Hinds Counties. The desire for riverfront development helps explain thirty four years with no significant changes to Jackson's flood protection after the last big flood of 1983.
In 1996, local developer John McGowan introduced the Two Lakes Plan specifically to add economic development value. This plan included two lakes AND 36 islands for retail shopping and development. The Two Lakes Plan was adopted by the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District and renamed the LeFleur Lakes Plan as the Locally Preferred Plan. This plan was rejected because it did not provide adequate flood control. In 2007, John McGowan then pushed for the Lower Lake Plan which only included one lake and two islands, but needed actual flood control in the form of 21 miles of LEVEES which is EXACTLY what was originally proposed in the Comprehensive Levee Plan in 1996.
So, now we're down to the One Lake Plan- John McGowan's final grasp at using flood control dollars for economic value and personal gain. This project will limit flow on the Pearl River and cause flooding downriver. This lake is not for flood control, this lake is for economic development. In fact, a Mississippi Development Authority industrial development grant anchored funding of the project's environmental impact study.
Source: http://www.peer.ms.gov/reports/rpt540.pdf
Even the Jackson Chamber Partnership touting this One Lake project admits what it’s really about:
“Our vision is to build a sought-after community on the banks of a new 1,500 acre lake, located within minutes from homes and offices, in the heart of a region known for being a great place to live and work.” -Vision 2022
Myth: The One Lake Plan will not affect the environment.
Reality: This fake lake WILL cause significant negative environmental impacts.
The One Lake Plan will greatly harm the endangered Pearl River.
Myth: The One Lake Plan is good for business and would make Jackson boom.
Reality: This might be true if your name is John McGowan who owns land along the Pearl, or if you are one of his friends and allies who have positioned themselves as landowners along the river. However, by and large, this project would likely focus development in Rankin County rather than in downtown Jackson and cause a myriad of economic problems downriver.
The One Lake Plan is bad for business and a bad deal for Mississippi and Southern Louisiana.
Myth: The One Lake Plan has broad community support.
Reality: The One Lake Plan has very little support downriver. More and more downriver interests are joining the fight against this unnecessary and harmful One Lake project every day.
Join us in the fight to Protect the Pearl. Tell Jackson: One River | NO LAKE!
Tell the Army Corps of Engineers and the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage Control District that you oppose the One Lake Plan and that they should adopt the Comprehensive Levee Plan, or another less disruptive flood control alternative to provide sensible flood protection for all of Mississippi.