Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lake Denham Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes conceptual master planning and trustee input for Lake Denham restoration
Summary
Trustees authorized staff to engage approved firms to prepare a conceptual master plan for Lake Denham and asked staff to gather individual trustee input about public access and features; the motion passed unanimously.
The Lake County Water Authority authorized staff Oct. 22 to engage approved firms to develop a conceptual master plan for Lake Denham, a property purchased to address legacy phosphorus loading into the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Justin Elkins, director of water resources, described the site as historically farmed land with several feet of organic muck that contributes persistent phosphorus loads. "These are called legacy loads, and they do not go away," Elkins said, describing excavation work under way with Southeast Soils and Barge to remove muck deposits and improve attenuation.
Trustee (speaker 11) moved to authorize the executive director to engage applicable approved firms to prepare the conceptual master site plan and to solicit individual trustee input on access and desired features; Trustee (speaker 12) seconded the motion. Trustees discussed potential recreational amenities, fisheries, boardwalks, seasonal docks and public‑private partnership opportunities (for example, Ducks Unlimited) to support ecological objectives. The motion passed unanimously.
Board direction clarifies that staff will return with a final master plan, phasing and funding options for future board review. Trustees emphasized balancing nutrient‑reduction goals with public access and regional partners' expectations.
