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Board revisits Lake Lee boat ramp eminent‑domain path after years of access and maintenance disputes
Summary
Supervisors discussed a long‑running effort to restore public access at Lake Lee, described previous lease history and the need to determine acreage for eminent‑domain acquisition; staff will provide prior survey and move toward negotiations or court action.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors discussed next steps in a years‑long effort to restore a public boat ramp and parking landing on Lake Lee, a topic that residents have repeatedly raised.
Board members and staff recounted the site's history: the county once held a lease for the park area that later lapsed, and the county and community subsequently lost practical access when gates and fences restricted entry. Supervisors said that past neglect and recurring flooding left the former county‑maintained picnic and parking areas in poor condition, and that the county previously attempted to negotiate purchase without success.
Staff told the board they have an existing survey that outlines the county’s original lease area, including a roadway easement from a levee board right‑of‑way to low water and a presumed 4–5 acre target for acquisition to restore a functional ramp and parking. Because the current owner has not granted permission for a new survey or entry, staff said the next steps are to provide the survey to commissioners and, if the board directs, initiate eminent‑domain preparations (negotiation first, then court action if necessary).
Supervisors expressed differing views: one supervisor said they had voted previously against eminent domain on principle; others stressed the strong public interest from local anglers and asked county staff to move forward with obtaining updated surveys, pursue negotiation, and have the county attorney prepare the next steps for possible condemnation if talks fail. The board asked staff to share the prior survey with Commissioner Griffin and Commissioner McGee and to follow up on survey and legal steps.
