Agency Comment Period Delays SMP Vote

Vinita — The Grand River Dam Authority is announcing that the Grand Lake Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), will be considered by the Grand River Dam Authority Board of Directors at a later meeting, instead of the November 14 meeting as originally planned. GRDA confirmed the delay this morning (Friday, November 9).

According to GRDA, the move is being made to allow other resource agencies, including the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide written comments on the plan. Those agencies are required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to comment on the plan, however, to date, GRDA has not received any of the comments.

“We realize the delay may be inconvenient for the lake area stakeholders who have followed this SMP process over the last two years,” said GRDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Easley. “However, its important that these agencies be given consideration before the board votes."

Input from the public and resource agencies has been encouraged throughout the SMP process added Easley.  “Since we began the SMP in 2005, GRDA has encouraged input, from all agencies and the public, and we think allowing time for this important resource agency input merits this delay.”

At the request of FERC, GRDA began developing the SMP in 2005 to provide a consistent and long-term stewardship plan for Grand Lake’s 1,300 miles of shoreline. Stakeholder Working Groups (SWG), comprised of lake area stakeholders who volunteered to help develop the plan, were established early in the process. Initial SWG meetings began in December 2005.

Final SWG meetings were held in May 2007. GRDA also held a series of public meetings throughout the process, including five earlier this year, to take public comment on the most recent draft. The information gained during those sessions — including comments from the public — was considered during the drafting of the final SMP. If the GRDA Board approves the SMP, it will be sent to FERC for final approval, followed by another public comment period initiated by FERC.

Those interested in commenting on the final draft can still do so, prior to the GRDA Board vote. Comments can be submitted via email to smp@grda.com or other written comments can be addressed to SMP, PO Box 409, Vinita, OK 74301.