Editor:
I live in a house overlooking Foster Lake. It has been a pleasure these last few years to observe people engaging in activities that such a body of water makes possible: swimming, shore fishing, water skiing, trolling, and sailing. The limited beach along the shore has provided areas suitable for camping, picnicking, sun tanning, and a general playground for old and young alike.
It is with dismay that I review the plan for a marina in this beautiful expanse of water and shoreline. It was the understanding of the people in this community that the lake would provide a free place of recreation for the general public, young and old.
Three important facts come to mind:
1. From the plan published in The New Era, the reservoir would no longer be a place of recreation for the public. If this plan is followed the reservoir would be a place of recreation for the people who will fill the 150 boat slips with boats.
A contributor to the page, who attended the last meeting that the Corps of Engineers offered, described the area that the Marina would occupy as “big as two football fields,” which would extend out into the lake.
If this plan is pursued, the waters being roiled with boats coming and going, shore fishing will not be worthwhile. With the boat traffic neither swimming nor water skiing will be safe.
The picnic and camping areas will be limited. Trees that now offer limited shade in that particular area will be cut down to make room for the marina. The rest of the area will be of dubious value with the activities of the marina being paramount.
2. Another glaring facet of this plan is the obvious exploitation of public property by private commercial enterprise versus the right of the public to enjoy free recreational facilities. The question thus aroused is “Does the Corps of Engineers have the legal and ethical rights to grant privilege to a private enterprise whose sole interest is the profit from such a venture, and which thus curtails the rights of the general public?”
3. According to research on the Internet, one of the principal duties of the Corps of Engineers is to ensure environmental protection to the properties under their jurisdiction. It is questionable that the ultimate traffic, noise, activities, and the denial of public rights would be considered environmental protection.
Research on the Internet divulged that another duty of the Corps of Engineers is “to respect the views of individuals and groups interested in corps activities. Listen to them actively and learn from their perspective in the search to find win-win solutions to the problems that also protect and enhance the environment.”
The series of public meetings arranged by the corps meets this requirement, but the usual result is poor attendance. The last meeting was attended by 12, with the vote showing that six voted for the marina, and six against it. It makes one wonder what would have been the vote if 50 had attended.
We’re told that the last word has not been spoken, that nothing has definitely been decided. If that is true, why does the sign in the RV Park announce “RV Resort and Marina” as if it is a done deal?
As a compromise, and in accordance with the duty of the Corps to listen, I would suggest that the marina be located east of the present planned location, and directly in front of the present condo complex. The distance achieved would ease the situation, make it possible to continue most of the present activities by the public, and move most of the boating up the lake.
Accordingly, the club building could be erected on the vacant area east of the condo complex, too.
It would be well if those who enjoy the present facilities and who feel threatened by the present plan for the marina, would attend the next meeting when the Corps of the Engineers will present the plan again to the public.
Be concerned that any plan not only is environmentally acceptable, but that it also respects the rights of the private citizen, the wealthy and the not-so wealthy.
Rachel Mealey Vogel
Foster