SMP Update From Nov. 8th Chronicle

The much cussed and discussed Grand Lake Shoreline Management Plan is scheduled to be voted on by the Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors Wednesday, at their November 14th regular meeting.  However, because so-called “resource agencies,” mostly wildlife organizations have not all responded yet, as is required, GRDA General Counsel Gretchen Zumwalt-Smith said there is a possibility the vote may be delayed until December.

“We’re planning to meet with the resource agencies late in the week,so we just don’t know yet if we will have to delay” she said Wednesday.  “We know it may seem like an inconvenience if we have to push it back a month, but certainly the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission isn’t going to do anything until they weigh in on it.”

Zumwalt-Smith said if the vote has to be delayed until December, GRDA will notify the public and the media Friday morning (November 9).

“We will make every effort to make lake area stakeholders aware if this is moved to December,” she said.

Although there have been a few technical corrections, the SMP the GRDA Board will vote on this month or next is basically the same document presented in two public hearings last month.

“I would say there have been no significant changes since this was presented,” said the General Counsel, adding that, “overall, we have received very positive comments from the public.”

Support vs. Opposition

Approximately 130 citizens attended the two October sessions (one in Cleora and one in Grove) where GRDA staff presented the final draft.  There have been approximately 400 responses, according to Assistant General Counsel Casey Davis who was charged with writing the final draft of the document.

Ironically, although the most vocal opponents of the plan have complained that it is too pro-development, the majority of opposition in the final analysis actually came from those who think it is too anti-development.

“Overall, there was about 60-40 support for the SMP as written, by those who responded to GRDA,” said Davis.

“About 400 people responded.  Almost 250 of them were in support of the plan and approximately 152 expressed opposition, at latest count,” said Davis.

“Out of the 152 who expressed opposition, less than 15 thought it was not restrictive enough on development.  The other 130+, including 129 who signed a Grove petition, thought it was too restrictive regarding future development.”

Davis said 129 signatures were collected on a petition calling for an area of Wolf Creek near Grove to be switched from a “Stewardship Area” designation to a “Responsible Growth” area which would provide far fewer restrictions on future development.

“I understand what they’re saying, but the problem is that the area in question is a federal wetlands.  We (GRDA) can’t change that.  No one can change that but the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,” Davis said.

The Public Had Their Say

General Counsel Gretchen Zumwalt-Smith pointed out that the public certainly had ample opportunity for input -- which they took advantage of.  The final plan was a dramatic revision of early drafts.

“This document has received more public input than any document I’ve ever been associated with in state government,” she said.  “We had five hearings -- three around Grand Lake, one in Tulsa, and one in Oklahoma City, over the winter and spring; then two more last month.”

If the GRDA Board approves the SMP Wednesday, in whatever form they approve (Board members could make changes to this draft, if they so desire), then it goes to FERC, according to Zumwalt-Smith.

“FERC will put it out for comment, and the public will have yet another chance to weigh in on whether they like it or dislike it, and the reasons therefore.

“Then, of course, FERC can approve it as written, they can make modifications, they could send it back approving parts of it and telling us to work further in certain areas -- or they could reject it altogether.  It’s virtually carte blanche as to what they can do with it once they have it,” she said.

“It’s not too late to send in comments of support or non-support for the plan.  Send those comments to FERC.  I’ll say this,” she observed, “if this is what people want, they’re going to have let FERC know it’s what they want,” she said.