Member Alert
The GRDA is hosting what we hope is the last
public comment meetings on the shoreline management plan on Tuesday at Cleora
School and on Thursday at the Grove Community Center. Both meetings will get underway
at 6:00 p.m. They will make a presentation at both meetings and seek public
support for the new and improved plan. I will not be able to attend the Tuesday
meeting, but I have prepared a statement of support which will be read at the
meeting as follows:
Mr. Kevin Easley
Chief Executive Officer
Grand River Dam Authority
226 West Dwain Willis Avenue
Vinita, OK
October 2, 2007
Dear Mr. Easley:
Grand Lakers United Enterprise represents well over 200 members with an
interest in the management, direction and future of Grand Lake. The formation
of our organization was driven by concerns of property owners, boaters and
commercial interests regarding the federally mandated shoreline management
plan. Those concerns manifested themselves into fears as information became
public regarding the restrictions and regulations proposed in the initial
draft.
As these proposals came out of the closet and into the light of day, it
became apparent the personality of Grand Lake could potentially be changed
forever. The very economic engine, Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, which had
brought hope to the poorest part of our state was about to be strangled.
Our organization set out to bring about changes to the draft which would
balance the interests of development, environmental preservation and water
quality. During the public comment period, we were the only group to submit a
comprehensive alternative proposal to a draft driven by fees, regulations,
permits and red tape. The adoption of such a plan would have been disastrous to
the future of Grand Lake.
We applaud the efforts of the Grand River Dam Authority’s leadership and
staff for demonstrating the courage to protect the “Crown Jewel” of Oklahoma’s
lakes. Furthermore, Grand Lakers United Enterprise will support this new and improved
common sense plan in every possible way.
In a time when restrictions are being relaxed on other federally
controlled lakes, killing the “Golden Goose” of economic opportunity in
northeastern Oklahoma would make no sense at all.
Rusty Fleming
Executive Director
Grand Lakers United Enterprise
We have spent a lot of time and money in
bringing about some positive changes to the plan and the special interests will
be out in force on Tuesday and Thursday to voice their opposition to the new
plan mostly authored by GRDA. A show of support for these modifications would
certainly help with getting the plan approved by both the GRDA board and at the
federal level. If you can’t make either of these meetings, please review the
petition of support below. If you concur, please forward it on to the address
shown.
Cheers
Electronically
“Sign” Petitions online:
Land Use Classifications -
Vegetation
Plan
Go here
to view/print the form
Email to:
SMP@GRDA.COM or
Mail
to: GRDA
P.O. Box 409
Vinita, Ok. 74301-0409