Without the in-depth plan that is proposed and 60% paid for by grant money we will not be able to apply for further grants to actually implement the plan or portions of it. It will cost money to get money in the form of a grant.
The wetlands by Tamarack Hollow are a problem that Rebecca Olson tells me she believe will be incorporated into the plan. That area is a watershed priority so it's inclusion should work. What we must remember is we laid a black pipe tiled to drain the area and provide flow into the lake. Over the years the pipe has plugged to a degree with roots, inhibiting the water flow. Something must be done and if we do not get grant money we will have to pay for the entire project on our own. That in itself is a big plus to me. The watershed plan should address options for that area, possibly not even including a pipe.
Joe and Rebecca will also contact the farmers in the watershed area to develop a relationship and hopefully get them on board with helping retain their soil rather than having it wash into our lake, meaning they lose topsoil and our lake pays the price.
If we do not start planning for the future we will get the lake cleaned up with an alum treatment and a few years from now be at square one again. Long range thinking may be painful financially in the present but down the road it may have been a smart move.
Enough for now. I may touch on this later. It is on my mind a lot lately.
The area I speak of is about here--->
Ken Dillenburg