Lake Ouachita Citizen Focus Committee Minutes
June 2007

Lake Ouachita Citizens Focus Committee Meeting Minutes
June 11, 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

Announcements:

Arnie Habig informed the Members present that there were not enough members attending tonight’s LOCFC meeting to have a quorum and therefore any items that needed to be voted on would have to be tabled till the next meeting.

 Membership:

Arnie Habig said he had received a letter of resignation from Jerry McCrory. Arnie also said he had sent an e-mail to Barbara Garner who seemed interested in the LOCFC during the safety blitz but has yet to hear back from her.

Nominations for Chair and Vice Chair:

Arnie Habig informed the members that in accord with the by-laws they would need to make nominations for Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the 2007-2008 year and opened the floor for nominations.

Chairman Nominations:
Patty Roddenberry nominated Arnie Habig
Al Gathright seconded the nomination and Arnie Habig accepted the nomination to chair the LOCFC.

Vice-Chairman:
Patty Roddenberry  nominated Al Gathright to Vice-Chairman.
Arnie Habig seconded the nomination and Al Gathright accepted the nomination for Vice Chairman.

American Trails Membership:

Arnie Habig stated he had gotten an application for American Trails Membership and wondered if the LOCFC wanted to join since we were doing the LOViT. The Group membership fee is $50.00. Rick Stokes said that the group was not a member but was merely on the mailing list of the American Trails Association.
Al Gathright asked to table this till the July 09, 2007 meeting.

Minutes Review:

Arnie Habig asked for the members to review the minutes. Al Gathright motioned to approve the minutes and Rick Farmer seconded. Arnie asked that the minutes be tabled till the next meeting on July 09, 2007.

LOCFC Subcommittee Progress Reports:

Aquatic Weed:

Arnie Habig said that he received a letter announcing a meeting at 0900 hrs, 19 June 2007 at the Cooperative Extension Building in Little Rock for the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. The members of the committee have assignments to identify nuisance species (plants and animals) in Arkansas lakes. Al Gathright, who volunteered, and Johnnie Cantrell are both on the task force. Al Gathright was also considerate enough to nominate Jerry Shields to the committee.

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail:

Al Gathright received the award from the Arkansas Trails Council for Jerry Shields as Volunteer of the Year 2007. While there he met Mr. John Beneke, who serves as the coordinator for State Grants for Trails. Al Gathright had an opportunity to promote the LOViT trail during the ceremony.

Al Gathright said that he has not heard anything from Tim Ousterhaus in reference to the suspension bridge crossing the Crystal Chute. Al Gathright was expecting a decision from the USFS Management. Rick Stokes said that he had heard from a lady with the USFS in reference to the $4mil. After returning the phone call to the lady it was decided to hold off till more information was gotten from the Management of the Corps and USFS.

The Environmental Assessment (EA) from the USFS is still pending in dealing with the 3rd leg of the LOViT. The trail has been moved to a different location due to its proximity to the two houses that were not in favor of the trail.

ADA Trail:

Arnie Habig announced he had received a letter from the AGFC committing the $150K for their 1/3rd of the ADA trail. It was suggested that the LOCFC seek clarification as to whether the $150K was for the next 3 years or all at once. Rick Stokes said he has the capabilities to handle the funding through the Corps. The Environmental Assessment has been setting on someone’s desk in the District Office but it is out now. As of June 06, 2007 it had only one comment on it. Al Gatheight asked what the next step would be as far as construction. Rick Stokes said he would have people start laying the chat material and bush hogging the trail.

Wastewater Discharge:

<> Rick Stokes said a meeting was held a few weeks ago with Real Estate and Concessionaires. The reason for this meeting was to discuss the lake elevation. The Corps has taken the stance that it will not interpret the law for dictating lake elevation for the state of Arkansas as it pertains to wastewater discharge. Real Estate is supposed to forward a letter petitioning the state to make a final decision on this issue.

Fisheries and Campground:

Arnie Habig received open notices from the USFS that they are thinking about leasing some of their campgrounds to concessionaires due to the cost associated with maintenance, etc. Rick Stokes explained the situation and the true costs to operate a recreation area. Arnie Habig said he feels that people would pay more if they knew the funds were coming back to the lake. Rick Stokes explained that the Corps no long participates in the Golden Age/Access Card program but would accept them and the new America the Beautiful Passes but were not authorized to sell them. Rick Stokes suggested the LOCFC write to Arkansas Congressional delegates requesting the Corp be part of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA). Arnie  Habig said he would draft a letter to the delegates using the background information Rich Stokes had sent him.

Lake Ouachita Cleanup 2007:

Pat Witherspoon was absent. Titus Hardiman informed the members that he had talked with Adam Roberts, Director of the Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission about partnering efforts. Howard Wright said that he would talk with some people from Entergy about the possibility of sponsoring both Hamilton and Ouachita. Arnie Habig urged everyone to start visiting last year’s sponsors for donations.

FOLO Report:

Al Gathright said that he had received $500.00 for a memorial bench from the LaChance’s, from Houston, TX.
The balance now equals what was in the account the previous month plus $500.00 for the memorial bench for the LaChance’s.

Comments:

National Safe Boating Week/Water Safety Saturation Campaign:

Titus H. discussed the outcome of the Lake’s National Safe Boating Week and Water Safety Saturation Campaign that was held on May 19-20, 2007. There were 2,732 total contacts, 725 Vessel Safety Checks, 18 Beach Safety Demos, and one (1) Operator Safety Briefing for the Poker Run. Titus Hardiman informed the members that this was a great opportunity for the Lake Ouachita Field Office and that they made the most out of it with 99% positive comments received concerning their efforts. He again thanked the LOCFC Members who participated.

News Articles:

Arnie Habig provided two articles from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, one on the Brit’s fishing for Carp Arkansas lakes and the other on USFS controlling ATVs on public Forest Service land.

Adjournment:
 8:35 PM

Information courtesy of
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers