FOBHL
Board Meeting Minutes
Bighorn Federal Meeting Room
January 12, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Lovell
Call to order and Welcome – Bob C
Approval of December email minutes: Motion by Jerry Second by Joe
Board Items
2009 Annual Report for Friends of BighornLake
It's been another exciting and productive year at BICA with many improvements and additions to professional staff and park visitor offerings!
While local government leaders continue to work with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and COR on management plans, The Friends of Bighorn Lake (FOBHL) have taken a partnership/ advisory role with the National Park Service (NPS). FOBHL continues to support local, state and federal government representatives in their efforts to make sure Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA) is protected and managed correctly for future generations.
FOBHL have been active in many projects this year and more are underway in the coming year. We are very pleased with the progress made. Members of FOBHL, NPS and government representatives are to be congratulated for all of their efforts!
FOBHL continues to meet with the Park Service at least once a month to discuss the public’s needs, concerns and plan for future developments.
Projects in 2009
* FOBHL influence felt by government agencies
* FOBHL is a partner in the Lakemgmt team
* BICA web site upgrades
* Concessionaire at HSB marina
* BICA now on Twitter and Facebook
* New dock at Horseshoe Bend
* More driftwood cleanup projects
* Updated FOBHL web site
* Car counter survey for BICA visitor count
*MoreSouthLake Maps
* VIP’s serving at the LovellVisitorCenter
* Assisted BHC Search & Rescue in getting a boat from BICA for lake patrols
*Promotions programs
*FOBHL/BICA secured funding for: more courtesy docks at HSB, Destination platform for south lake, a dock and restroom for JimCreek bay, Gangway for Kane ramp
* Encourage silt management and remediation at BighornLake
* Booth at CodyHome Improvement Show
* Booth at Powell Home and Garden Show
* Public’s voice for improved fairness in water mgmt in BighornLake
* Support efforts to raise full lake level to 3645’
* 2009 BighornLake celebration - June 20th
*Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) task force member helping conduct meetings to inform the public.
As a result of these accomplishments, more visitors have continued to come to the lake and area businesses have seen increased sales. We expect 2010 to be another year of increased visitor services, visitor numbers and improved area economies.
FOBHL would like to thank all of its members for their support, financially as well as physically. We would like to encourage all members to renew their membership for 2010 and to encourage everyone who isn’t yet a member, to become part of this special organization and help support this wonderful recreation area!
Financial Summary for 2009
2009 Income $10,130
2009 Expenses
BighornLake Celebration in June $1547
VIP projects: $2891
Maps 5&6 $2531
2 Portable restrooms for $ 360
Jim Ck and South causeway
Advertising $3248
2009 BighornLake Celeb $2137
Catfish Tournament $ 851
Mustang Advert $ 260
Misc supplies and equipment $ 892
TOTAL $8578
Many more costs and expenses were covered by donations through products and services of local businesses and members.
We say “Thank You” to all of our members and businesses who have been so supportive of these efforts!
FOBHL Directors
Ken Grant Joe Anderson Jerry LaFleiche Lisa Dickerson
Bob Nemitz David Taylor Bob Croft Ferrell Mangus
To renew memberships or to become a member, please send in your membership fees!
Friends of Bighorn Lake
Name_____________________________
Address___________________________
City___________________ State______ Zip_______
Telephone_________________________
e-mail*___________________________
*kept confidential
*** Family Membership ____$20 (Silver) ____$50 (Gold)
*** Business Membership ____$100 (Silver) ____$250 (Gold)
____$500 (Platinum)
Mail to: FOBHL
223 Hwy 32
Lovell, WY 82431
We will also use personal contacting for membership renewal and recruitment of new members. Folks need to know first hand that FOBHL needs to stay involved in order to keep adequate water in BighornLake.
FOBHL involvement with AIS public education
The following additional meetings were held to inform the local residents of AIS concerns in Wyoming most especially the Zebra and Quagga mussels.
The Lovell Chronicle ran a half page article in December on AIS that was very informative. The Powell Tribune has had three articles concerning AIS.
We met with Powell Valley C of Comm board on Dec 15. They will send out an email with info to their members.
Met with City of Powell city council on Dec 21 they agreed to inform all town residents.
We met with the Powell Rotary club at their noon meeting on Dec 30. Several folks present took pamphlets (300+) to pass out to fellow workers.
We met with a board member of the Sidon, Lovell, Hunt, Globe canal districts and the local drainage board in Lovell. We also contacted the Emblem, Farmers and Sunshine reservoir irrigation board members to inform and provide website locations for them to study. These irrigation districts were very interested in the concerns associated with AIS.
We were on the morning KPOW radio talk show on Jan 5 discussing AIS issues.
We met with the Powell Kiwanis club at their noon meeting on Thursday Jan 7.
Many groups, schools, NW College and businesses have sent their folks the informative email about AIS issues.
Upcoming AIS meetings:
Town of Byron town council meeting on Jan 26 at 6pm (they sent 220 pamphlets out with the Dec utility bills)
The Town of Lovell will pay to have 2200 AIS pamphlets (provided by WGF) inserted into the Lovell Chronicle in late January.
Town of Deaver town council meeting in Jan-Feb
Sunshine Reservoir and Irrigation district meeting at the Burlington Fire Hall on Saturday Feb 6 at 1pm.
NorthwestCollege will allow an information station with handouts be set up on campus. Also NWC TV will do a special outdoor program about AIS in January.
Wyoming House Bill HB0018 dealing with AIS authority and funding. (first page of)
2010 STATE OF WYOMING10LSO-0152
1 HB0018
HOUSE BILL NO. HB0018
Aquatic invasive species-2.
Sponsored by: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and
Cultural Resources Interim Committee
A BILL
for
1 AN ACT relating to game and fish; providing for control of
2 aquatic invasive species; providing for inspection of
3 conveyances; providing for decontamination orders;
4 providing for impoundment and quarantine; providing for
5 rules; providing for inspection fees; providing civil and
6 criminal penalties; providing an appropriation; and
7 providing for an effective date.
8
9 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
10
11 Section 1. W.S. 23-4-201 through 23-4-205 are created
12 to read:
13
14 ARTICLE 2
15 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
16
(Please contact your legislative representative to encourage passage of this Bill)
There will be an AIS Summit meeting in Cheyenne in March. Jerry will try to attend representing FOBHL.
Friend of BighornLake Volunteer Project Suggestions - end of 2009 and 2010
1. Information kiosk placements at North Kane, South Causeway and Barry's Landing
- We need to decide on locations for the Kiosks will have to be marked. Time scheduled for Maintenance to drill holes for posts.
- Volunteers to put up posts and construct Kiosks.
2. Driftwood piling near the causeway and Horseshoe Bend
- We will need to make sure in the burn plan and burn the piles.
- Volunteers will pile driftwood
3. Landscaping around the new well and in the Horseshoe Bend Campground
4. Litter pickup going south from the causeway – What about Habitat and help with adopted highway section?
5. Help with Zebra Mussel education and AIS decontamination wash stations
6. Barry’s Landing Camp host for a weekend or two
7. Possible campground programs
8. Earth Day Festival April 24th.
Promotion type:
1. Cody and Powell Home and Garden shows in April and May
2. BighornLake Celebration in June
3. Presentations on BHLake including AIS issues coming up to service clubs, C of
Comm's, irrigation districts, boat dealers, etc.
The 2010 Bighorn Lake Celebration will be June 19, 2010 at Horseshoe Bend. The free boat rides will be the main event using sponsors again this year to pay for the boat fuel. The 3rd Annual Catfish Tournament will also be held at the Kane boat ramp.
Ben Zeller met with us to discuss a Triathlon Event during the 2010 Bighorn Lake Celebration (peddle, paddle and run or swim, peddle and run event) held at BICA. We have discussed this several times but had no one knowledgeable about this event to take charge. Ben will keep Joe informed on the details then we can make a final decision this spring.
The Interstate I90 12’ x 48’ billboard ad, was discussed with some concerns on how to best inform the public on what recreation opportunities are at BICA. The design approval is on hold until we review all the options. The key is to keep it simple and yet informative to a driver passing by at 75 mph.
FYI
The removal of brush north of the causeway with the brush grinder will not occur this winter since the ice froze over the top of the brush. As the water level recedes the ice will break down the brush as it drops. This should shorten the brush enough to prevent boats from hitting it next summer. We will reevaluate this again in the spring after the ice melts.
Chris Wilkinson and staff continue to upgrade the BICA web site. It’s looking great!
The Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 which includes the Crow Compact is still winding its way thru Congress.
BighornLake is at a pool elevation of 3631 feet. Ice is now 18 to 22 inches thick on the Wyoming end.
Chris Wilkinson and Christy Fleming of the Interpretive Division at BICA will be meeting with the LovellSchools and NW College to discuss educational opportunities for both BICA and the institutions. BICA will also be on NW College TV with WGF and FOBHL folks in late January discussing AIS.
The January monthly conference call of the Bighorn River Issues Group was on January 5.
The USBR reported that the three reservoirs in the system were dropping at the intended rate. However the mountain snow pack is much lower than last year at this time. They indicated that if the snow pack remains low that changes in outflow from YT would be necessary to conserve storage.
The efforts to inform the public about AIS continue. Numerous meeting have been held with wonderful success. Many groups and businesses have made an extra effort to inform all of their co-workers; using email, posters or pamphlets, about the serious nature of AIS coming to Wyoming.
The next FOBHL board meeting will be in Powell on February 9 at 6:30pm.