A mistake by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) in the 1950s regarding easements at Rough River Lake will not cost Grayson, Breckinridge and Hardin County homeowners thousands of dollars, as originally believed.
The ACE purchased private property around the lake in the 1950s, prior to homes being located near Rough River Lake, to release water during flooding events. When property owners began building near lake they were given incorrect information by officials on where they could build, resulting in hundreds of homes being built entirely or partially on the government’s easement (shared space).
When the mistake was discovered early last year, it was determined that hundreds of affected Rough River Lake residents would have to pay between $2,000 and $4,000 in administrative fees, and file for releases so their existing structures may legally exist on the property.
After an outcry by residents, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rand Paul sponsored a provision in legislation entitled, America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, that offers financial relief to homeowners at Rough River Lake.
Working with the Army Corps’ leadership, Sen. McConnell and Sen. Paul secured a measure prohibiting the Army Corps of Engineers from imposing or collecting fees from impacted Rough River Lake residents. The legislation also requires the federal government to reimburse all property owners who have already paid fees.
“Families in the Rough River community can finally breathe a sigh of relief,” Sen. McConnell said about the legislation. “Together we pushed back against the unreasonable bureaucracy, which unfairly saddled property owners with costly administrative fees. As Majority Leader, I helped ensure this important provision was included in the final bill.”
UPDATE 10/11: This measure was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in September. The Senate passed the measure on October 10th and the bill will now go to the desk of President Donald Trump.
(Photo courtesy of www.roughriverlakefronthomes.com)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
