Residents accuse upstream structures of lowering lake levels and drying up wells as regulators postpone decision until September
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Water Resources Board on Tuesday postponed action on a proposed agreement involving disputed dams connected to former Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee after dozens of Cedar Lake residents packed a board meeting, accusing the structures of draining the lake and drying up private wells.
Residents urged the board to reject a proposed agreement that would have allowed the dams to remain in place while additional permitting and engineering work continued, according to reporting by Oklahoma Voice.
The dispute centers on several dams located upstream from Cedar Lake near Hinton. Residents contend the structures were built without required permits and are unlawfully impounding water that would otherwise flow into the lake, leaving boat docks stranded on dry land, lowering lake levels and causing some nearby drinking wells to run dry.
Coffee, who served as Oklahoma Senate president pro tempore from 2008 to 2011 and later as Oklahoma secretary of state, signed the proposed agreement as manager of C&F Ranch and Coffee Grounds LLC, according to records cited during Tuesday’s meeting. Coffee now serves as a senior legal consultant to the Oklahoma Senate Republican Caucus.
Coffee told Oklahoma Voice that his family retained two engineering firms and legal counsel after becoming aware of the issue. He said the family would not discuss the matter publicly because it is pending before the Water Resources Board and could lead to litigation.
Residents’ attorney Tim Sowecke argued the dams were constructed without required permits and are unlawfully impounding water that should be flowing into Cedar Lake. He also contended that one of the dams carries a high-hazard classification, meaning its failure could pose a danger to people and property downstream.
Sowecke urged the board to require two of the dams to release the water residents believe is being unlawfully impounded rather than allowing them to remain in place under the proposed agreement.
An attorney representing the Coffee family disputed those claims, arguing the dams are structurally sound and that engineers are working with the Water Resources Board to develop a plan addressing the issues raised by residents.
The meeting grew increasingly tense as residents interrupted portions of the proceedings while urging board members to reject the proposed agreement.
The meeting then took an unexpected turn when Water Resources Board member Ron Justice announced the board would enter executive session. According to Oklahoma Voice, a reporter for the news organization informed the board that no executive session had been listed on the posted agenda, meaning such a session would violate Oklahoma’s Open Meeting Act.
The board remained in open session and instead voted to postpone consideration of the proposed agreement until its September meeting.
Among those addressing the board was Cedar Lake resident Anneliese Herren, who said she has spent about $1,100 to have water delivered to her home after her well ran dry. She also told the board many residents have lost access to well water or have seen their wells significantly diminished, according to Oklahoma Voice.
This story includes reporting by Oklahoma Voice.
