Tuesday Meetings To Focus On Apalachee Intake and Bishop Bypass

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted a 15-year extension to the Walton County Water and Sewer Authority for its permit to build an intake facility on the Apalachee River for its Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir.

The extension is contingent on approval of related permits issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and the Regional Reservoir Management Board and the Water and Sewer Authority will meet at 1 p.m tomorrow (Tuesday) in the Historic Courthouse in Monroe to discuss these permits.

The meeting is one of two tomorrow of interest to citizens in Oconee County, particularly those living east and west of Bishop.

The Georgia Department of Transportation will hold an open house 5 to 7 p.m. at Oconee Veterans Park, 3500 Hog Mountain Road, to allow citizens to comment on its plans for widening U.S. 441 from the Madison Bypass to the Watkinsville Bypass.

Included is a two-lane truck bypass of Bishop that abuts the University of Georgia Equestrian facility on Astondale Road

The University opposes the bypass route, saying it possible it may have to abandon the facility if the bypass is constructed.

For more on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.