Local officials are sending information to U.S. Sixth District Congressman Ted Strickland, in hopes he can get federal dollars for rural water projects.

David Michael, director of community development for the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, said Thursday that he was contacted approximately three months ago by Strickland's representative about the issue.

The congressman plans to include a direct appropriation

of $200,000-$300,000 in the 2005 federal budget for water projects in Lawrence County.

Commissioners are likely to submit information on portions of Charley Creek Road, including part of Burlington-Macedonia Road; Elkins Creek Road and Township Road 161.

"It's hard to pick and choose because everyone needs water," Commissioner George Patterson said.

Michael gave the commissioners a list of 64 water project requests Thursday. "This is by no means a comprehensive list," Michael said. "These are the ones for which petitions have been submitted over the years."

Michael said he did not have cost estimates for any of the projects and some of them may have already been completed.

"Three hundred thousand dollars won't bring a whole lot of water lines," Michael said. "It may sound like a lot but it costs a lot of money to lay water lines. That one alone (Charley Creek project) would cost in excess of $300,000. It's not so much the lines but everything that goes along with it: pump stations, telemetry."

Michael said he will have information collected and ready to send to Strickland by the end of the year. Notification may come as early as spring 2005. Michael said that, realistically speaking, rural residents in the selected areas may get their water service by the end of 2006 - providing Uncle Sam sends along the money in the first place.