The Creek Nation’s 11th hour reluctance to agree to provide funding for a Vision River Proposal could negatively impact other river projects. The tribe is asked for $18-million, but now Creek leaders want to wait for the outcome of the Vision vote in Jenks and Tulsa on April 5th. Part of the Vision money would fund repairs on the levee system. County Commission Chief Deputy Michael Willis says that’s a priority for the county and having the Creek Nation on board improves chances for additional federal funding.
If the city or county river proposals or both should go down, it would mean five or ten million less for levee repair. Some officials are worried the Creek’s hesitancy could cause voters to have second thoughts about the Arkansas River Corridor portion of the Vision package.