Lake Development Corporation Minutes
11/05/07
The November meeting of the Lake Development Corporation was called to order by Vice President Frank C. Murray at 4 pm.
In attendance were Rick Bachelor, Don Davis, Bob Grimm, Donna Grube, Owen Hall, Frank C. Murray, Greg Schumm, Matt Schwieterman, Doug Temple, Terry Wissman, Max Gilpin, Craig Morton, Kelly Kill, Laura Walker and Nancy Allen of the Daily Standard.
Treasurer Milt Miller was not in attendance but did convey to secretary Grube that the balance remains the same as last month--$7,338.96. Grube noted that 16 contribution envelopes had been received and Miller said they would be deposited soon and the new balance would be announced at the December meeting.
The minutes from the October meeting were reviewed, Don Davis moved to approve the minutes as e-mailed to members. A second was submitted by Max Gilpin, motion carried.
The Lake report was presented by Craig Morton:
Lake Level
- 10 to 12” below normal pool
Dredge Report
- Stump removal for three weeks. The crew removed 90 stumps and 44 logs! When removed the stumps and logs are taken to the nearest DMRA and deposited there. The stumps make good wildlife habitat. The hull of the clamshell has developed a leak and will be brought back to the service area for repairs which may need to be extensive.
- The smaller dredge is finished with Behm’s Channel. The DMRA on Behms Rd. is filled to capacity and tear down will begin soon.
- The smaller dredge will finish up the season by completing the job at St. Marys Boat Club.
- The large dredge is making progress at Burdge Creek and will be finished soon.
- Long reach track hoe worked on the Uppenkamp DMRA to raise the walls for higher capacity and soon will start to tear down the walls to begin draining and drying. Dozers intermittently working on Liette DMRA tear down.
- Windy Point West Channel on hold for now for possible geotube project. Geotube would be used to protect the shoreline of the Turtleneck Point wetland shoreline.
- Winter dredge crew work, cleaning out Rustic Haven DMRA. Constructing a DMRA for Beaver Creek or Coldwater Creek.
- Next spring dredging. Schells area, Barnes Creek, Southmore Shores East.
- Long range dredging plans. Beaver Creek mouth, Coldwater Creek mouth, and Anderson DMRA construction.
- Sediment trap info...the data so far is not conclusive. Some traps lost sediment, some gained and one stayed the same from Feb. to May. We want to keep collecting data for one year or more before making any decisions about whether or not to continue.
Lake Safety
- Safety tip. Check your boat trailer over good before transporting your boat to winter storage. Check tires, tire pressure, lights, axles and grease, lug bolts, rims and hitch.
- All loaner buoys should be removed by now. If not please remove soon before the weather gets worse.
- Boat house progress report. We are working with the Division of Engineering to develop state approved plans.
- The seawall and dock project at the south east end of the SMBC channel is nearly finished. The seawall is installed and the steel I beams for the docks are in place. The park crew will install the 7 docks in the next month or two.
Park
- Future projects. Park office renovations/expansion to update the main office reception room and work area. Also will expand to the west side for more office space and storage. Putt putt course renovation.
- New 1 ton dump truck, 4WD with plow package should arrive before winter. The park has also received a new John Deer mower and trailer for hauling equipment. Used golf cart for Camper Host. Park trucks are slowly being replaced with Div. of Wildlife salvage vehicles.
- The summer and fall camping season seemed to be up a little. We will see when the annual figures come out.
- Tree program. Four donated trees will be planted in the next week or two.
The proposed ethanol plant was discussed. Should the LDC take a position on it and its discharge into the lake? Bob Grimm reported that the Lake Improvement Corporation will not take a stand, one way or the other, until there is more scientific proof that the plant would harm the lake. That same sentiment was echoed by other LDC members. Several noted that personally, they weren’t crazy about the idea of having that plant located so close to the lake, but agreed that objective evidence is needed before the group should take a stand on it. The consensus was that at this time the LDC would remain neutral on the construction of an ethanol plant.
GLWWA Watershed Action Plan
- Conditionally Endorsed
- Working on comments
- No large changes
Lawn Fertilizer Minigrant
- About 90 coupons are available for lawns to be tested with the owner paying $5 per sample
- Combined with Pheasants Forever and State Park and put insert in Franklin Township Newsletter
- Received initial results from Helena Agronomic Center
$100,000 for Grand Lake St. Marys Watershed
- Started waiting list of applications
- Looking for recommendations for 2008 program
- First certifications complete
Geotextile Tube Manure Dewatering Grant
- Project started September 4, 2007
- Three tubes filled at swine operation, two at the dairy
- Not enough results to draw conclusions at this time
Volunteer Monitoring Program
- Held Lake monitoring training October 19, certified 10 level 1 volunteers and 13 CLAMS
- Volunteers are needed for this program
- Working on quality assurance and supply order
Water Pollution Control Loan Fund
- Nomination Forms were submitted August 17, 2007
- Forms for septic system replacement and agriculture equipment
- If nomination is accepted, funds will be available Jan. 1, 2008
- May open door for other grant funds
USGS Microbial Tracking
- Project could show source of nutrients
- Requires a 70% match, looking for sources for match
- Offered to write proposal for ethanol plant monitoring
Lake Geotextile Tube Project
- $25,000 from state budget for capitol improvements
- Assisting State Park to get project started
- Working on formal proposal
Planning Commission Meeting
- Distributed Construction BMP poster and flyers
- Received ideas and input from group
QHEI Level II Training
- Habitat training
- Results are not complete
- Level III certification
Project Learning Tree/Project WET Training
- Certified to train educators in both projects
- Active/hands on learning
- Can be tailored for all ages
Coordinator’s Upcoming Meetings/Trainings
- Meeting with Global Safe Water, 10 a.m. November 6 (Office)
- GIS/DSI Training, November 7-8 (Columbus)
- SWCD Annual Meeting, November 8, (Coldwater American Legion)
- OLMS Annual Meeting, November 13 (Deer Creek State Park)
Walker also brought some oilseed radishes. These large plants are a winter cover crop that absorbs nutrients. She said a local individual was experimenting with them to see if they are a viable option for the area.
Kelly Kill reported that there is a lot of work taking place at lock 13 in St. Marys. It was also noted that efforts have been made to clean up the canal.
Donna Grube said that the Friends for the Preservation of Ohio State Parks would be holding their March board meeting at Grand Lake St. Marys. She said this would bring folks from all over the state to our park. The meeting will take place in the CVB conference room. Grube also noted that at this week’s CVB meeting her board will be discussing how to combat all the negative publicity the lake has been receiving around the state. Grube said she is expecting that a committee will be formed to see how we can best accentuate the positive. She also said that since the lake is under the control of ODNR—they need to step up and help promote it.
Rick bachelor reported that the West Bank Walkway filter strip is in. The sod is now in place.
Matt Schwieterman said that while traveling he saw news stories about run-off and nitrate problems with Lake Michigan. He said we are not the only area trying to work on that problem.
Max Gilpin reported that Bob Byrne is the new St. Marys Boat Club Commander.
Greg Schumm noted that the University is planning an outdoor education lab that will be open to the public as well as students. Schumm said they have been talking with an ODNR Education specialist on how to best layout the 45 acres. Schumm was also asked that with the upcoming remodeling project, would the meeting room be available. He noted that the construction is scheduled to begin in the spring so the next couple of months should be ok. Donna Grube noted that the board was more than welcome to use the CVB meeting room.
At 4:50 pm, with no further business to discuss, Don Davis moved to close the meeting, a second was provided by Bob Grimm, motion carried.
The next LDC meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 3rd, 4pm, in room 182 of Wright State University Lake Campus.
