To the editor:

It is encouraging to see the state administration exploring the development opportunities at state and federal lakes (“State floats lake plans,” Journal-World, Nov. 29). Grand Lake in Oklahoma is an economic success for a variety of reasons. It is not a federal lake, development on the shoreline is allowed, the lake is sufficiently large to provide a variety of recreational opportunities, and it is located near a large population base. The state’s review needs to consider these factors and others when considering the viability of any proposed project.

To correct what was published in Monday’s article, the Kansas Water Authority voted at its August 2004 meeting on whether to fund a feasibility study of the Grouse Creek proposal in Cowley County that supporters (including the city of Wichita, Sedgwick County and the Regional Economic Area Partnership, which represents 600,000 Kansas residents) were requesting. The KWA voted not to fund a study of this unique project.

Also, contrary to what was stated in the article, early project estimates indicate that the benefits to the state outweigh the costs by four to one. Lastly, despite the demagoguery of project opponents, there continues to be political will in south-central Kansas to address the many issues facing this region including water, work force recruitment and retention and economic development.

Tim Austin,

Wichita