Deep Creek Lake Property Owners Association (POA) officials announced this week that they have joined with the Garrett County commissioners to make up a funding shortfall for Phase II of the Deep Creek Lake sediment study.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to begin Phase II next week. The first phase was completed for selected DCL coves during 2010–2011.
"Phase II will be a continuation of those studies, targeting the entire lake to evaluate sediment distribution, character and chemistry of the sediment, and to determine alternatives to control and cope with sedimentation," said POA board member Scott Johnson.
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The cost estimate for Phase II is $180,000, of which $65,000 has been committed to by the DNR, leaving a $115,000 shortfall for funding. The POA has joined the county commissioners to cover that shortfall.
"At a special meeting of the board of directors called by President Troy Ellington on Saturday, there was a unanimous vote that the POA, as a stakeholder in the welfare of the lake, would contribute $20,000," Johnson said. "In the meantime the county has committed to make up the difference of approximately $95,000."
By so doing, the study can begin immediately, he stressed.
"The importance of starting Phase II immediately is to do much of the sampling prior to the sub-aquatic vegetation starting to grow as the lake water temperature begins to rise," Johnson said.
Funded totally by the DNR, the POA, and the county, the effort will be a scientific study, giving a data base to go forward into the future to study trends of sediment deposits and knowing how to deal with its management, according to the POA.
"Members of the POA and the county commissioners have been providing input to the DNR that will greatly improve the validity of the study," said Johnson. "The DNR has accepted much of that input and incorporated it into the scope of the work."
He added that sedimentation is a natural process whereby soil is deposited through erosion into a body of water.
"The existing bathymetry map (water depth) of the lake is inadequate for this study, and hence, a new map of the entire lake represents a major effort of this study," Johnson said.
According to the POA, Phase II study has four objectives:
1. To map the accumulated sediment in Deep Creek Lake.
2. To determine the physical and chemical properties of accumulated sediment.
3. To identify realistic, feasible, sustainable alternatives to address the removal and/or relocation of the sediment.
4. To identify the sources of the sediment inputs to the lake and develop strategies to minimize additional accumulations.
Results of the study will be released as they become available. A final report is due in approximately one year.
"The report will receive widespread dissemination to all stakeholders to allow for the maximum benefit of this investment," said Johnson.
The POA has conducted two workshops over the past two years involving a wide range of Deep Creek Lake stakeholders.
"Brainstorming sessions, along with panel discussions, have proven to bring awareness to areas of concern, sediment being one of those concerns about the long-term health of the lake," Johnson said. "The relationships among all the stakeholders have greatly improved through those workshops. The POA wishes to express its appreciation and thanks for the excellent working relationship that has been established between its membership, the county, and state offices. As stakeholders, we all want to maintain the wonderful recreational experience that Deep Creek Lake offers."
More here.
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