Darling Restoration Home

Meeting Minutes - May 01,2008

Welcome and Introductions – Holly Schulte

Recap of February 27, 2008 meeting – Holly Schulte

• Brief overview of what was presented
• Update re dam, D/F study – Vance
• Cannot do much because of all the rain
• Want to work on the ponds

What We Hope to Accomplish this Evening – Chris Larson

• The reason for the community meeting is to get “local solutions for local problems”

Review of Lake Restoration Requirements and Goals and Vision for the resource – Chris Larson

• Lake restoration goals
• Lots of in-lake work to be done
• Community backing with tech team help to accomplish goals

Introduction to breakout session

• Small groups of community members with parks/district staff facilitating
• Breakout Session –Brainstorming Resource Concerns and Issues – Facilitators
• What do you think are the issues and concerns we must address in order to make Lake Darling be what you want it to be?

Summarized Lake Issues and Concerns*:

• Water quality
• Sediment removal/dredging
• Improve image of Lake through PR and marketing**
• Better fishing/promote fishing
• Bacteria reduction
• Enhance/maintain fish habitat
• Safe for swimming/beach
• Second campground development**
• Hard surface trails**
• Trails that connect to other towns and resource areas (example Kewash trail)**
• Enhance existing trails
• Stabilize shoreline and reduce soil erosion
• Add handicap fishing access and more jetties
• Develop partnerships b/t Lake and local biz**
• Replace dam and spillway
• Better aquatic ecosystem
• Utilize wind energy in park site
• More interpretation classes…school groups**
• Improve access to dam in case of emergencies
• Geese management
• Maintaining progress
• Deer number concerns**

*in order of most to least importance based on community opinion votes

**not part of this project but can be dealt with accordingly by district and park staff

Prioritizing Resource Concerns and Issues – Facilitators

• Vote on concerns/issues (dots)
• See above list

Vision-

• What do you want Lake Darling to be in 20 years?
• Develop vision statement

Group statements/slogans-rough drafts

• “Welcome, Our Darling is Back!”
• “Our Lake Darling is a destination that is accessible to all citizens and provides a healthy ecosystem for multiple use recreation so it can be Darling again.”
• “Regional, diversified outdoor experience that exemplifies a healthy and stimulating life style within a sustainable ecosystem, typifying humans in balance with their environment.”

Discussion of the Role of the Lake Restoration Advisory Council – Chris Larson

Volunteers for the Lake Restoration Advisory Council – Holly Schulte

• Council will formulate then evaluate then decide

Community council:

• Fay A. Vittetoe (Friends)
• Don Kline (Friends/former district biologist)
• Chad Dolan (District Fisheries Biologit)
• Mary A. Anson (Friends/businessowner)
• Lee Schafer (Friends)
• Elaine Pitt (see Bud below)
• Bud Pitt (Brighton City Council member)
• Jim Gevok (Jefferson soil and water commissioner/landowner)
• Ed Raber (WEDG)
• Craig Wright (landowner)
• Donnie B. Dickenson (landowner)
• Ralph Dickenson (landowner)

Where do we go from here??? (Next Steps in the Process) – Chris Larson

• Organize council, hold meetings, formulate plan for Darling

Closing (Thanks for Coming, Updates) – Holly Schulte