Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee Meeting Minutes 13 April 2010

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MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD:
Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee Minutes
1201 Blakely Dam Road

Royal, AR 71964

DATE:
13 April 2010

Call to Order:
1900 by Al Gathright

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

Richard D. Stokes, Resource Manager, Lake Ouachita Field Office

Bill Jackson, Supervisory Park Ranger, Lake Ouachita Field Office

Amy Shultz, Park Ranger, Lake Ouachita Field Office

Members Present:

Tom Butler

Robert Cavanaugh

David Doty

Al Gathright

Rick Farmer

Larry Raney

Jerry Shields

Jerry Williams

Howard Wright

Minutes in Review:
The minutes for 8 March 2010 meeting were approved as written.

New Business:
Arnie H. was unable to attend the monthly meeting due to a death in his family, due to the circumstances, this will count as an excused absence from the scheduled meeting.

Sub-Committee Reports:

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail and ADA Trail:

LOViT:
Jerry S. related that the “Trail Dogs” were clearing trees and placing markers on the benches along the trail. Due to the number of distress calls from the trail’s users, Jerry S. related that a map is being created with the various landmarks being marked with GPS coordinates to aid in the location of stranded hikers. This map will aid emergency personnel in responding to the aid of the hiker.

Al. G. related he had spoken with Gloria Chrismer, District Ranger, Womble/Caddo Ranger District, concerning the extension of the trail system from the Crystal Springs Recreation on to Brady Mountain Road. It was learned that the trail will pass through a large area of environmental sensitive concern and will required additional

Al G. talked with Gloria C. from the Forest Service, and Al G., Jerry S., and personnel from the Forest Service flagged the trail from Crystal Springs to Brady Mountain Road.
Jerry S. related that it will take 3 or 4 years to cut the section of trail from Crystal to Brady Mountain Road.

Jerry S. stated that although the spur trail has not been dug to the fire tower, it has been approved.

ADA/Watchable Wildlife Trail:
Jerry S. stated the water was not underneath the boardwalk on ADA trail, and if they can get some more 2X6 boards they can finish the railing.
Rick Stokes stated the Corps recently purchased gravel pave material for the Gap Creek Spur, and this section needs to be marked.
Rick Stoked stated that he needed to get with Black to check on the amount of money that is in the account.

Campgrounds:

Rick S. related the NRRS problem to the Committee:

The Corps of Engineers was supposed to be in a two year study in which the campgrounds had been dropped to 35% reservable sites to 65% non-reservable sites.

The paperwork was submitted last year to NRRS for 2009 and 2010 reservations. In January, NRRS transferred the 2008 data (which had 60% of the sites reservable to 40% non-reservable) instead of the 2009 data. The Corps did not catch this mistake until last week. NRRS was contacted and told to cancel the reservations that were made on sites that were supposed to be non-reservable. By this time, however, over 500 reservations had been made on sites that were supposed to be non-reservable. When the Corps realized how many the cancellations would impact, NRRS was again contacted and told to stop cancelling the reservations, and re-instate all the reservations that were cancelled. NRRS has been given until this Friday to re-instate all reservations that were cancelled.

Bill J. stated at this time Lake Ouachita and Lake Greeson were at 60% reservable to 40% non-reservable for the 2010 season. The situation was related to Congressman Mike Ross’s office and the Corps was told to just do the study for the 2011, and 2012 seasons. This option is being proposed, but the outcome is uncertain.

Jerry S. stated that the way the Corps is utilizing the campgrounds by opening loops on an as needed basis is a very sensible approach.

Arnie H. sent the names of the 3-day camping Pass Winners, and the Winners are:

Cindy Thomason, Nikki Fit, and Carolyn Blackman. The Corps will send these three a facility pass to use at any of the 3 lakes.

Lake Ouachita Cleanup:

Larry R. handed out a policy statement, application form, waver form, and Stop, Think, Safety First sheet for the committee to review and give feedback. These forms are similar to the ones used at the Hot Springs Beautification Commission, and at Lake Cumberland for their cleanups.

Rick Stokes stated that the Corps of Engineers Office of Council would have to sign off on any legal waver. Larry R. stated the committee should be done with the forms by June or July.

Tom B. asked how islands that did not have point markers would be identified if someone adopted them. Bill J. related that at Lake Cumberland they mark by boundary markers. We could identify islands by GPS location or common names of the islands.

Jerry S. stated that for the equipment furnished, a dip net might be more beneficial than a litter grabber. Larry R. stated gloves might also need to be furnished. Rick F. asked if there was any incentive to adopt an island. Larry R. related that at this point recognition through signs and media was the only incentive. Rick F. asked if they needed to write a letter to the Game and Fish requesting more tickets be written for abandoned camps on Lake Ouachita. Rick Stokes stated that the Game and Fish pick several island spots during busy summer or holiday weekends, and watch these spots. They take photos of the area before the campers arrive, and after the campers leave. When the campers leave, if litter is left behind, the Game and Fish will radio an officer at the ramp and a ticket will be issued. The Game and Fish fines are $1,000 for littering. The Corps fines are only $50 to $100.

Comments:

Bill J. related that Arnie H. wanted the old minutes removed from the webpage.

A link needs to be set up to direct users to the LOViT trail site.

New Members:
Phillip Carr is a possible new member. He was a member in the past, but had to resign due to a conflict with the meeting night.

Bill J. related to the group that Garland County Hot Springs Beautification Commission has received a grant for recycle bins for plastics and aluminum cans. They want to place these at Brady Mountain and Crystal Springs, and have requested to place these on Corps property. The Committee was in favor of this.