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TRWD Board Meeting, January 15th, 2008
Randall Harwood from the Fort Worth Parks and Recreation Department
gave an outstanding briefing on the Gateway Park area development master
plan. Very comprehensive, ambitious and expensive. But you have to spend
money to make money. I think my Dad said that at one time.
The only agenda item that impacted Eagle Mountain Lake was: To Consider
Real Property Issues - Sale of Land at Cedar Creek Lake and Eagle Mountain
Emergency Spillway. Unfortunately, it was during the Executive Session
and observers were dismissed from the meeting. I called Steve Christian,
the TRWD real estate guy, in the afternoon and asked him what he could
tell me. He said they did not get into much discussion but it involved
the master plan for the old Twin Points area. Not really the sale of
any of the land. I told him that Jim Oliver told me over two years ago
that he thought it could be a public boat launch. Steve said that is
what he thought it was going to be. I want to be proactive and remind
Jim what he told me. Since Twin Points is gone, there is not a public
boat launch area on that part of the lake.
I talked to Robbie Tompkins, the Eagle Mountain Lake clean-up coordinator,
and asked her if SEML could have the park shoreline as our clean-up
area. She didn't see why not but she would coordinate with the TRWD
overall coordinator and let me know. More to follow.
TRWD Board of Directors Meeting, February 19th,
2008
Consider Approval of Phase 2B of the Eagle Mountain Dam Geotechnical
and Stability Analysis - David Marshall
Item was approved by the Board.
David reported that the initial Phase discovered that the foundation
of the dam is very stable. Phase 2B will look at other parts of the
dam to determine condition.
Park Update - Linda Christie
Some of the native walls of native stone are completed and the pads
for the two pavilions have been poured. Seven signs will depict history
of the region, birds, animals, plants, etc.
The house rehab is continuing and when completed the Game Warden will
live in the house.
Jim Lane asked if horse riders would be permitted in the park and the
answer was no. The advisory group, including the Wildlife Nature Center
recommended no horses do to the clean up issue. Mr. Lane seemed to be
OK with the decision.
TRWD Board Meeting, Tuesday, March 18th, 2008
No agenda items directly affected Eagle Mountain Lake.
I had a discussion with David Marshall, Chief Engineer, about the trial
run of the pumps, etc. of the Eagle Mountain Connection 19-mile pipeline.
He stated that they were going to run a 30-day test of the system starting
on April 28th. They will run it at a low rate flow because all of the
lakes are filled to 95 percent and rising. The excess will go down the
Trinity River. This pipeline is going to be a great asset for our lake.
It will maintain acceptable water levels pretty much year round. It,
therefore, should maintain lake property values as well as provide plenty
of water supply. We know there are some people who forget that the major
mission of Eagle Mountain Lake is to supply water to the Fort Worth
Water Department.
Part of the staff update included the Eagle Mountain Park video with
David Geary, Reservoir Director, stating that the park is being constructed
to maintain the natural state as much as possible but still allowing
people access to the area. The park includes 7,000 feet of waterfront.
Some bass fishing groups are already asking for a boat ramp. We sure
want to oppose such an idea as will TRWD. Those of us fortunate enough
to see Charlie Geren's Peak at the Park saw what a great job they are
doing. The park opening is April 17th. I will get an agenda of activities.
The next meeting is April 15th and I should be able to attend.
TRWD Board Meeting, Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
The TRWD board meeting on April 15th was short.
High lights:
Kathleen Hicks, Mayor Pro Tem was appointed Director of the Trinity
River Vision Authority. It was felt that an elected official should
have that title.
The board approved granting enforcement power to the Lake Patrol to
issue citations or ejections from the park for improper behavior or
other illegal activities. The TRWD ordinance will be revised to incorporate
that language.
The park opening was on April 17th. Everything went great and the work
crews did a fantastic job of maintaining the natural features as best
they could. Vic Henderson, J. D. Johnson, Charlie and Carter Burdette
made comments. Charlie thanked our organization for our support and
I appreciated that gesture.
The Pipeline Dedication is May 1st and I am on the agenda for comments
so make sure you attend to hear my comments. It is at 1000 and refreshments
will be served so make sure you RSVP like I requested in a previous
e-mail.
Eagle Mountain Connection Pipeline
Dedication, May 2nd, 2008
I was a guest speaker at the dedication of the pipeline
yesterday at 10 AM. Vic Henderson spoke first.
It was a great event, all of the contractors were represented and a
beautiful marker was unveiled. Over 100 people attended. I thanked the
TRWD and the contractors for their great work, on time and within budget.
I also commented that the pipeline will maintain higher water levels
which will help to maintain property levels and provide better recreational
activities. Jim Oliver first told me about the pipeline in 2002. I thought
I would never see it in my lifetime and here it was dedicated three
days before my next birthday.
As the ceremony closed the pump was turned on and we could hear the
water rushing down the pipeline and into the lake. What a great asset
to OUR lake.
TRWD Lake Clean Up, May 17th, 2008
Thanks to all who participated in the clean up Saturday.
Kyle and Erin Meyer and their sons Andrew and Austin, Don Sanderson,
Steve Kaylor, Dudley Brown, Mike and Linda Montgomery, Bob Lynch and
Mont and LaTonne Stout. Thanks to Officer Chris Akins who led us to
the bottom area.
We picked up 11 bags of trash. Some of the terrain was pretty difficult
and Dudley Brown won the prize for the most scratches on his arms. He
failed to wear long sleeves as I suggested. At least nobody go hurt
or snake bit. We will do it again next year.
Thanks to TRWD for the hot dogs, drinks and entertainment after the
clean up. See you next year.
Dick
PS: Charlie, Jim, Linda and David. I stayed up in the park entrance
area and cleaned up the fence areas, etc. as did Linda Montgomery. While
I was there there were many visitors and hikers were visiting. All I
talked to were very appreciative of the park and it's accessibility
from the Metroplex. One foursome had hiked all of the trails.
CLICK
HERE FOR SLIDE SHOW OF PARK
TRWD Board Meeting, Tuesday, May
20th, 2008
No agenda items were specific to Eagle Mountain Lake.
I had a conversation with Jim Oliver and Mike Barton, Eagle Mountain
Volunteer Fire Dept. Chief at the affair after the clean up. Mike was
concerned about getting into some of the areas on the trails in the
park if they had a medical emergency. I put a call in to Mike to find
out what type vehicle he had in mind. I would assume it would be a four
wheel all terrain vehicle with the capability of carrying a litter.
Jim told me that he thought it would cost about $20,000. He said that
they might kick in some money and also ask XTO and the county to pitch
in also. Mike is supposed to call me back. Possibly SEML can be the
facilitators on the project. I'll work on it.
TRWD Board Eagle Mountain Park
Update , June 1st
To read TRWD Eagle Mountain Park update PDF file Click
Here
Esgle Moutain Connection Pipeline Update, June
16th, 2008
As most of your know the pipeline feeding into Eagle Mountain Lake was
opened on May 1st, 2008. The announced filling of the lake was for every
June, however I have received some new information based on an e-mail
I sent David Marshall, Chief Engineer of the Tarrant Regional Water
District (TRWD).
The Eagle Mountain pipeline can only be run when the TRWD is moving
water to Lake Benbrook. David anticipates that they would start any
filling required in November, after they see if we get fall rains and
then continue to June. They normally go down for maintenance for portions
of the system in January and February, so there would be no filling
in those months.
This is a lot better plan than the one previously announced and I feel
confident that our lake level will be maintained at a level conducive
to recreation and maintaining property values.
TRWD Board Meeting, June 17th, 2008
No agenda items were directly related to Eagle Mountain Lake.
I am still monitoring the potential gas drilling site at Lake Country
Marina in the vicinity of the old Bradley Marine facility which has
been torn down. XTO has yet to file for a permit with the Railroad Commission.
Ken Brummett, the TRWD gas coordinator, suggested that I might contact
the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. I have a contact in Austin
for that group and will try to get an e-mail address to outline our
concerns in regards to a drill site so close to the lake. When I get
that info, I will ask for Board approval to send them an e-mail.
Dick Fish, President of Save Eagle Mountain Lake, Inc.
Please call or e-mail me if you have questions or concerns at/or (817)
236-1248,
txfishro@msn.com .
Eagle Mountain Watershead Stakeholders Briefed
on North Central Texas Water Quality Project Findings Sept 3, 2008
The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) in cooperation with Texas
AgriLife Research and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, agencies
of The Texas A&M University System, had a public meeting on Wednesday,
September 3, 2008. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest
findings of the North Central Texas Water Quality Project with regard
to water quality in the Eagle Mountain Reservoir Watershed.
The goal of these proceedings was to provide information, solicit stakeholder
input, and garner support for the development of a watershed protection
plan for the Eagle Mountain Reservoir Watershed. Watershed planning
is a collaborative process in which residents, elected officials, agency
representatives, and agricultural producers work together to develop
a comprehensive strategy to reduce pollutants in local water bodies.
The North Central Texas Water Quality Project is supported by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of
Agricultural- Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Texas A&M
AgriLife Water Resources Institute.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Watershed Coordinator
David Waidler at 972.952.9689 or d-waidler@tamu.edu.
Clint Wolfe is the Project Manager of the North Central Texas Water
Quality Project.
North Central Texas
http://nctx-water.tamu.edu
Water Quality Project
Texas AgriLife Research and Extension CenteratDallas 17360 Coit Road,
Dallas, Texas 75252
The Star-Telegram coverage of the meeting can be read at http://www.star-telegram.com/health/story/891453.html
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