Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee Minutes
August 2007

Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2007

CALL TO ORDER:
7:00 PM.
Lake Ouachita Project Office
1201 Blakely Dam Road
Royal, AR 71968
(501) 767-2101

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Richard D. Stokes, Park Manager, Lake Ouachita Field Office
Titus Hardiman, Supervisory Park Ranger, Lake Ouachita Field Office 

Guests:
Jo Childress,
Mayor of Mt. Ida, AR
Kathy Sumitt
Lloyd Tubbs, Owner, Little Fir Inc.
Chris Tubbs, Owner, Little Fir Inc.








Announcements:
Arnie Habig introduced guests for the
 evening and the newest member, Mrs. Pat Smith.

Campground and Camper Complaints:

Joe Childress, Mayor of Mt. Ida addressed the committee regarding her personal experiences camping at Denby on Lake Ouachita. She expressed her displeasure with the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) and the way it is set up with a 60% reservation requirement and 40% “first come” occupancy. Her concern is that it is not an efficient reservation system. She explained that during one two-week camping visit she had to move her camper a total of four times since she was unable to get a site for a two week period. She also said, there were15 camp sites vacant during the week and four reserve campsites were left empty rather than switching to “first come” occupancy on weekends, there is insufficient parking at camp sites. and the sites were not large enough to accommodate today’s larger campers, there was not enough mowing done on a regular basis and that it was not being monitored and that the facilities and showers were not being maintained as well as it has been done in the past.

Kathy Sumitt expressed similar concerns and said that she actually damaged the slide-out on her camper and broke a window due to the limited size of some camp sites and trees on some of the sites need to be trimmed or cut to accommodate the larger campers with slide outs. Overflow parking is needed.

The question of improving the electrical service to Denby and other campgrounds was brought up. Rick Stokes said that Project 50 is ongoing and will be making 50 amp upgrades to Denby soon.

Arnie Habig informed the members that since the parks were created the camping at Lake Ouachita has evolved from camp at any space that is available with no limitations on the number of campers at each campground, to the establishment of camp sites, which had a “first come” criteria, then to the point of listing all the sites as reservable through the NRRS. This was rescinded and dropped to 60% reservable, 40% “first come” was established where it is today.

 Arnie Habig pointed out that site specific reservations could be made 240 days in advance and that the reservation system allows for camp sites not reserved by Friday are switched to a “first come” occupancy for weekends. The problem is the reservation system allows for just weekend reservations, which essentially cuts out seven and 14 day reservations. He admitted it was a flaw in the reservation system. Jerry Shields stated he would like to see a system where a reservation could be made, but not be site specific and that when the camper got to the campground he was given a map which identified open sites.

Arnie Habig explained the appropriations, funding process and how all the funds collected go to the U.S. Treasury and are not returned to the lake that collected them. Al Behm then explained the fees that are collected do not cover the cost of maintenance of these areas at the present time. He pointed out that the recreational lakes in Mississippi are given additional funding through reoccurring Congressional-Adds, which keeps them fat and happy.

Jo Childress said maybe it is time for the Ouachita to be taken out of the Vicksburg District and placed in the Little Rock District to keep all the lakes in Arkansas under one district.

Arnie Habig said the LOCFC should do a staff study on the issues that Jo Childress has brought up and he would chair that committee. He asked Jo Childress and Kathy Sumitt to be a part of the committee when it was formed. Dave Doty requested that the mayor write down her concerns, send it to the LOCFC for them to take action with Col. Wehr, the new Vicksburg District Commander. Jerry Stokes asked the mayor to prioritize their concerns. Jo Childress said that she would.

Minutes Review:

Arnie Habig asked for a review of the minutes. Following the review Sue Hale made the motion to approve. Dave Doty seconded.

Aquatic Weed:

Arnie Habig said he sent a letter to the AG&FC on 28 June. Although he did not have the letter with him, he stated the AGFC did support the placement of carp. Aquatic Nuisance Vegetative Species will have a meeting on 28 August, Al Gathright and Arnie Habig will attend. Johnny Cantrell will make a presentation at the meeting on aquatic weed infestation in Lake Ouachita.

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail:

Jerry Shield called Representative Mike Ross’s office and didn’t get much of a response. The direction of the trail has to be changed, NEPA has been written but not approved for the new location adjustment. $25K has been approved for trail planned to go up Hickory Nut Mountain. This will be used to fund the trail crew come in the fall 2007. The third leg of the trail will be relocated ˝ mile south of its present location and some of the trail will be away from the lake but will tie back into the existing parking lot. This part of the trail will cost $80K of which the $25K has already been obligated. The grant is being written but no one will know if it has been approved until Dec 07. Jerry Shields said the Hot Springs area and the trail will be mentioned in the September issue of the National Geographic Magazine. He said there is a myriad of issues that still need to be ironed out between the Corps and USFS relative to building the bridge across the Crystal chute. Jerry S. then proposed the committee look at some other alternative to linking the trail to Crystal and then to the Dam.

ADA Trail:

Rick Stokes gave an update. He said that fill material is steadily being added to the trail. Montgomery County is planning on paving the road this fall (07). The kiosk has arrived and is in storage at the Field Office Maintenance Compound. Rick Stokes said he has not heard anything from the AG&FC yet. Arnie Habig stated he has a letter from the AGFC committing to the $150K. The Corps Finance and Accounting people are ready to accept the funds or the FOLO can handle it. The Corps should not deal with the contract due to the cost of overhead, which would consume most of the money. The Montgomery County may be another alternative.

Lake Ouachita Cleanup 2007:

 Arnie Habig has trash bags and T-Shirts from the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission. Purell has donated hand sanitizer, gloves and there are vest available. Jerry Shields passed out a copy of the proposed T-Shirt. Looks Good! Jerry is totaling of sizes so an order can be completed. Chris Tubbs took down Jerry Shields’s contact information. Chris asked for a Ranger on that day. Rick Stokes. and Titus Hardiman. said they would make sure she had a Ranger, T-shirts, gloves, food, etc.

Pat Witherspoon had provided a list of to do’s for everyone. There was a correction about the time on the flyer vs. the T-shirt. 8:30am-11:30am. Members will need to be there from 8am-until. Pat Witherspoon said he plans on having things spaced out nicely at the pavilion.

Wastewater Discharge:

Rick Stokes said that there will be a meeting August 21, 2007 at the OPMO. This will be the second meeting and will cover more than just wastewater.

Marina Safety:

 Sue Hale informed the members that the July 16, 2007 meeting was cancelled but will be rescheduled soon.

Fisheries and Campground:

Al Gathright talked about the July 18-25 Fish sampling on Lake Ouachita. Described the event and how the stocking rates are formulated based on these types of fish kills. He said that he went to 2 out of the 3 days.

Al Gathright talked about the rumored proposal for a Fish Weigh-In Station on Lake Ouachita. This would be similar to the one at the State Park in Dardanelle and the AGFC has a new weigh-in facility on Lake Hamilton. The Black Bass Coalition would like to work with the LOCFC to place a Fish Weigh-In Station on Ouachita. Following some discussion, it appears that the LOCFC is not anxious to pursue this project at this time but the members suggest more study of the project. Rick Stokes said he has no objection but that along with maintenance and upkeep the actual location of the facility would be the first major issue to resolve.

Watershed Quality Maintenance:

 Arnie Habig noted that he had received several letters but felt that there was no need for any action by the committee and the committee agreed. Indeed!

Marin Sanitation Advisory Report:

 Arnie Habig  No Report.

FOLO Report:

Al Gathright July expenditures $9.00.
Account Balances: $14,256.14

Membership:

 Arnie Habig stated Beverly Buys and Dan Mobley have missed three meetings and motioned to have Beverly Buys placed on an inactive list. Since no contact has been received from Dan Mobley he would not be retained as a member of the LOCFC. Dave Doty motioned and Al Behm seconded.
Motion passed. Arnie Habig stated he would write letters to each informing them of this action.

The LOCFC now has 2 Vacancies. Jerry Shields recommended we get someone from the Hot Springs area. Rick Stokes said he would consider anyone the Members recommended.

Adjourn
7 PM

Information courtesy of
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers