LDC President Jim Dabbelt called the August meeting to order at 4:03 pm. Attending were Don Davis, Owen Hall, Kent Hinton, Tom Knapke, Dave Meyer, Milt Miller, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Mike Sudman, Doug Temple, Julie Miller, Ryan Garrison, Kelly Kill, Kent Bryan, Tim Lovett, Fran Schumaker, Donna Grube and Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard.

 

M. Miller reported the treasury balance stands at $ 2,326.57 with no new bills or deposits received. The treasurer’s report was approved. (Davis/Murray)

 

The minutes of the June meeting were accepted and approved as mailed to the membership.

 

A great deal of time was spent talking about the recent events concerning the water quality issues of Grand Lake St. Marys. Milt Miller noted that US Congressman John Boehner remarked that the people needed a unified front and they needed a plan. Members of the Lake Restoration Initiative took issue with that statement as more than a half million dollars was raised privately to try to find solutions and they have developed a plan. Miller said they are going to combine the watershed action plan with restoration plans and present the “package” to both Columbus and our federal politicians and let them know this is what we need to have done in order to fix the lake.

 

It was noted that it is believed that dredging is the best way to remove the phosphorus from the lake but that action is being dismissed out of hand as too expensive.   Kent Bryan noted that to remove just one foot of lake bottom, muck across the entire lake would cost about $80 million and would require at least 2,000 acres for the dredge material. He said the better way to accomplish this is to use the muck to build islands in the lake. These would also break up wave action and lessen future erosion as well as provide habitat for fish and fowl.   Bryan said he plans to petition the Army Corp or Engineers for permits and funding for the islands. Bryan believes the project match funds could come from ODNR’s dredging the material to fill the islands. The group concurred that helping cut through red tape and soften some requirements will probably be a good role for Boehner since he is against earmarks even for important projects.  

 

Tim Lovett noted that a group is working on hiring a person to take on coordination of the restoration effort full time. A job description is being crafted and funding is being sought. Most everyone working on the project has full time employment and it is difficult to have enough hours in the day to try to tackle the urgent lake issues. 

 

The many rumors and misconceptions that are being circulated was brought up. Julie Miller noted that the Lake Restoration Committee is discussing the possibility of sponsoring a newspaper column to talk about things in the works, what is happening and dispel some of the more outrageous rumors. She said they are envisioning a chatty-folksy type feature that would be easy to read and easy to understand.   No word on who would take this project on or how the cost would be covered. It was also noted that the LIA website and e-blasts are a good way to get the information out and many folks are linked to the Grand Lake St. Marys Facebook page.

 

Greg Schumm noted that reports show algae issues are showing up in many places in the Midwest.  Bryan said that while there is little research in the area, we are way ahead on information since we have been dealing with it for more than a year. It was stated the increase in algae plagued waterways may be good for Grand lake St. Marys as solutions are tested, but Grube added she fears it may cause officials to hold back on funding potentially seeing residents of many other waterways seeking help and money in the future.

 

In other business Secretary Grube wanted to make sure the record reflects the fact the LDC Board, in May, approved adding three members to the board. That will increase the number of voting directors from 15 to 18. It is expected the Convention and Visitors Bureau will have a representative in one of those new seats and members of the Ag community may occupy the other two, however no work on recruiting members to fill those positions has occurred at this time. Grube was absent from the May meeting and the minutes prepared in her absence failed to reflect the approval of the By-Laws change.

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:18 pm. (J. Miller/Murray)

 

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, the next board meeting is scheduled for September 13, 4 pm at the CVB Office.