Clinton County Commissioner Josh Uitts issued a statement Tuesday afternoon regarding the LEAP pipeline development study.
“By now, most of you have heard of the LEAP Project or more specifically the LEAP Pipeline. The proposed pipeline would divert water from the Wabash river in Tippecanoe County into a pipeline that would span 40 miles to serve Boone County. The proposed pipeline will travel through a small portion of Clinton County. After looking at the map of the proposed project and the map of Perry Township cemeteries, one of our local historians pointed out that it appears that there are possibly four pioneer cemeteries that could be in the path of this project. Hopefully, the State of Indiana has completed an archaeological study of the project area. I have my doubts that has happened.
“In addition, over the last seven years as Commissioner, I pushed to make sure our I65/SR28 interchange was in a strong position for growth. Water, sewer, and road infrastructure projects that have been completed made sure of it. The Governor, IEDC, and the IFA made the decision to direct hundreds of millions of our tax dollars dollars to Boone County. They have positioned themselves, out of the public eye I should add, to be in DIRECT competition with Clinton County for economic development. They have developed interchanges seemingly out of thin air, and now they want to pipe water into Boone County from 40 miles away. Think of it this way, what company worth their salt would decide to construct a facility in an area that was completely devoid of the one thing they need most? The answer is simple. None of them would. It’s obvious this pet project in Boone County has been guaranteed water from elsewhere by the IEDC. That’s not conservative government, that’s big government. That’s something you would expect to happen in another state, not here in Indiana.
“As your Commissioner I can say with absolute certainty that I do not support the LEAP Pipeline. I will do everything I can to ensure that Clinton County will be treated fairly, and that our history is not disturbed by this project.”
Earlier this week, the State of Indiana said it would cease all action on the development of pipeline until results of a major water study by the Indiana Finance Authority are known.