Round 1 Is Complete!

Yesterday, the GRDA board of directors unanimously approved the modified version of the Shoreline Management Plan. Most of us will never be satisfied with mandated controls, but this plan is so much better than the original draft. Most of our written recommendation served as a catalyst in changing the plan from ultra restrictive to one with enough flexibility we can live with. The plan is available for your review at www.grda.com.

One aspect which remains as a hanging chad is the habitable structure issue. There has been no decision on this issue by the board, but it has to be addressed within 120 days. In the meeting yesterday, the University of Oklahoma contract for an environmental assessment of the lake with respect to this issue has been extended. I’m told the initial study found no data to support the elimination of habitable structures from a water quality stand point. I’ve also heard that FERC has requested a meeting with the OU people and GRDA eco-systems personnel to discuss this matter further.

The best case would be a dialogue to establish guidelines for their approval and worst case might be to challenge the EA data. We’ll keep you posted on that part. Another part that concerns me deals with GRDA board attitude. During the discussion of habitable structures, Director Spears, expressed his opinion that no habitable structure on Grand Lake had ever been permitted.

He conceded those structures had dock permits, but were not approved for plumbing and other things required for live-on status. If any of you have any documentation where the authority approved your dock, with knowledge of a live on situation, I would like to know about it. Some of you may be holding a key card in this argument. Let me here from you.

I also sense the climate is better than since the early nineties to get the lake’s minimum level changed. GRDA is in the process of buying flood easements in the northern most areas of Grand. It’s a great opportunity to get rid of the millet seeding program by providing the wildlife interests with off site locations for mitigation in excess of 3,000 acres. I think we’re still a year away with significant work to do with the Miami community. It will be key that they are board.

On the water quality front, I visited the Simmons Plant in Southwest City a few weeks ago in connection with an award they received for exceeding the goals on water discharges in to Honey Creek. As a result of attending that meeting, I requested a subsequent meeting with Simmons CEO Mark Simmons to discuss the chicken litter spreading issue in the watershed. His representative called to schedule the meeting this week, but it was to be at the same time as yesterday’s board meeting. We’ll reschedule and I’ll keep you advised.

Happy Lakin’