OKLAHOMA CITY – Dozens of angry property owners on Tuesday filled a state agency board room demanding the removal of dams that they said are draining their way of life.
Wearing stickers that read “Got Water? We Don’t” and “Save Cedar Lake. Vote No!,” residents accused the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, which is tasked with policing water issues, of doing nothing to help them after they said a neighboring property owner dammed streams feeding the lake they live on without obtaining proper permitting. They filed a complaint months ago seeking assistance.
Residents of the Cedar Lake community, located about 45 miles west of Oklahoma City, said the dams have caused the water in Cedar Lake to drop dramatically, leaving once-floating boat docks sitting on dry land and has contributed to their drinking wells going dry. They also warned they posed a hazard should they fail.
The residents packed the meeting room after learning late Friday that the water resources governing board planned to approve an agreement between it and C&F Ranch and Coffee Grounds LLC that would allow the dams to remain in place with no public discussion…