The Thursday action was an important step toward actual construction of the long-sought project. Before the final step of petitioning for a bond election is taken, however, representatives will go to Austin for consultation with the State Board of Water Engineers.

Elmer East, chairman of the bond committee for the project, outlined Thursday the steps yet needed before the improved lake area will become a reality.

The committee's plan includes the distribution of a petition for signatures of at least 50 county land owners before its submittal to Commissioner's Court for approval.

If the court grants the petition, it must enter an order creating the district and appoint five directors to oversee its operation.

Committee officials said the court may then call a county-wide bond election to cover the estimated $1,860,000 cost of the project and the new district's Board of Directors may then proceed with the authorization of the issuance of bonds as voted at the election.

Officials said that engineering data concerning the Buffalo Lakes project also must meet the approval of the state Board of Water Engineers.

The attorney general also will have to approve the issuance of bonds.

Envisioned for the Buffalo Lakes area, located 6 1/2 miles southeast of Lubbock is a lake of a minimum 217 acres with a storage capacity of approximately 5,000 acre feet.