Opinion ID: 1752738
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: ASWCC's Modification of Centerton's Proposed Water Project

Text: Bentonville asserts that ASWCC modified Centerton's water project application, and therefore its approval was without authority. [1] Bentonville contends that ASWCC modified Centerton's project in two material respects: (1) certain areas were excluded from the project; and (2) water would be supplied by the Two-Ton regional water system. First, ASWCC excluded from the project any areas annexed by Bentonville prior to March 15, 2001. The record does not indicate that Bentonville annexed any of the disputed area between February 14, 2000, when Centerton filed its water project application, and March 15, 2001. As a result, granting Bentonville the opportunity to provide water service to its residents did not materially alter the scope of Centerton's water project. As to the second assertion that ASWCC materially altered the project by specifying water would be provided by the Two-Ton regional water system, Bentonville concludes it would be required to purchase wholesale water from Two-Ton to serve areas in its city limits. Such an argument is premised on the assumption that Bentonville will at some future time annex portions of the area serviced by the Centerton water project. Once again, this is nothing more than speculation. The Two-Ton regional water system was specified in the original PER and does not represent any change, much less a material change, in the water project.