Post Memorial Weekend Member’s Report 2010

As of this morning, the lake level is 744.42’ which is .42’ above the projected target elevation. The target elevation will remain at 744.0’ until August, when the elevation is reduced just prior to Labor Day for the ill fated millet seeding program to benefit migrating waterfowl.

Millet Seeding Update

The authority has now amassed over 3,000 flood easement acres of real estate mostly located in the northern extremities of the lake. The original intention was to use some of this property for off-site mitigation to replace the millet seeding efforts that have, at best, had mixed results. Dr./Representative Doug Cox has been working both ends of the candle in trying to bring the GRDA and the wildlife conservation elements together, and although there has been some movement it’s far from a done deal. There seems to be a conflict over who would be calling the shots on the managed area.

Based on a document containing comments from U.S. Fish & Wildlife in response to a report GRDA submitted to FERC regarding this issue, these two entities aren’t meeting after work for a cocktail.

In a related matter, Senator Coburn recently submitted a letter from one of his constituents regarding the lake level issue. The response received by the senator could be a blessing in disguise as the FERC arrogance was never more evident. This isn’t the first exchange between FERC and Coburn that has been less than productive. His staff receives a copy of all GLUE reports and we’re hopeful the senator will take this up as a cause. Boren’s staff also receives a copy of these reports and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to let them know your concerns and thoughts on this ridiculous matter.

To date, the Wood Duck houses on my shore line have been home to three pairs of nesters with 23 baby woodies being fledged and there was no millet growing in the drip. Go figure.

SMP Update

There has been no official communication between the authority and the FERC regarding this issue since the list of questions and requests for clarification was exchanged shortly after the filing of the plan last September. The silence is deafening, but we’re told there have been three key retirements within the FERC staff and that could be part of the delay….but no, wait! The Lake of the Ozarks plan has now been residing at the FERC for over two years. By-the-way, if you’re interested in checking the pulse over there, and perhaps see how it compare with our lake, there is an on-line publication which covers a broad range of topics at www.lakenewsonline.com.   Check it out.

But quiet certainly is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to the authority. As many of you will recall, habitable structures were not included in the proposed SMP and were to be included later as an addendum. In my opinion, the authority was hoping OU would bail them out with their environmental assessment of this highly charged issue. I think they would have been delighted if the study had indicated these structures were a serious threat and would have given them the ammo to ban them……but it just didn’t happen. The result was the board directing the staff to develop a set of rules for consideration. We submitted our recommendation with respect to that matter. Those rules have now been done for months but mysteriously can’t seem to find their way back on the board agenda. I continue to monitor the communications between FERC and GRDA from the subscription e-mail notification service available at FERC. It is very quiet out there.

Alert

One of our members recently had a somewhat stressful experience related to a dock permit issue. He has multiple boats and applied for a multiple slip dock, but with less than ten slips that defines commercial. He also has some cottages on his property which he rents. His application seemed to be going well until he put a sign on his dock about using one of the proposed slip when a cottage was rented. He was then told that made him a private marina…….that was a new one on me but it does exist and the issue was worked out.

Memorial Day Weekend Extraordinaire

Have you ever seen weather like that for an entire three day holiday weekend? It was fantastic and the crowds seemed to be mostly well behaved. I’ve heard zilch about any serious accidents on the water which makes it an even better weekend. The water will continue to clear and it looks like a great summer. Let me hear from you with any questions, comments or concerns.

You can catch my public rambling at www.rustyflemingongrandlake.com or at www.360grandlake.com.

Cheers