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Supervisors revisit Lake Lee landing: board directs survey review, possible eminent‑domain steps
Summary
The board discussed a long‑running effort to restore a public boat landing at Lake Lee, instructed staff to share an earlier survey with county counsel and recommended next steps toward negotiation or eminent‑domain filings if needed.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors discussed next steps toward restoring a public boat landing on Lake Lee and instructed staff to provide existing survey materials to county counsel so the board can decide whether to pursue negotiation or file eminent‑domain actions.
County staff reported that a longstanding two‑to‑five‑acre area used for fishing and a boat ramp was removed from public control after decades of missed maintenance and an expired lease. Staff said an earlier 25‑year lease had lapsed and that the county previously attempted to purchase the property but negotiations failed; the recent owner and heirs cited a high asking price at the time. The board heard that a courtroom order to pursue eminent domain had been passed previously and that the county’s next steps are to determine the acreage needed, attempt negotiations to settle, and, if necessary, proceed with a condemnation filing.
Staff said they have an older survey that shows a roadway easement from the levee board right‑of‑way down to low water and that the county excluded flood‑prone picnic areas and an old structure from the requested acquisition. The board asked staff to provide that survey to the county attorney and to coordinating supervisors, and directed staff to seek permission from the current property owner to enter the property for an updated survey if needed. If permission is not granted, staff said the county will pursue judicial steps to gain access for surveying as part of the eminent‑domain process.
Several supervisors emphasized that, if the county reacquires the site, it must commit to maintaining the boat ramp and parking area rather than letting the property decline again. The board discussed arranging maintenance responsibility—whether building‑and‑grounds staff or another department would carry out upkeep—and said they would plan a program to keep the landing clean and safe if eminent‑domain or purchase succeeds.
No final vote to file condemnation was taken; the board’s direction was procedural: provide existing surveys to counsel, attempt to contact the owner for access, and prepare for further legal steps if negotiation fails.
