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Latest Update - The ROPE Study (Dan Branson/Vern White) Several weeks ago the BSLA sent a letter to all BSL property owners explaining the Reservoir Operating Plan Evaluation (ROPE) Study being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The ROPE Study relates to the management of water levels in the Cass, Winnibigoshish, Leech, Pokegama, Big Sandy, Cross, and Gull lake reservoirs. This article will update our previous mailer. On May 16th members of the BSL Association attended a meeting of the Mississippi Headwaters Board in Walker, MN. The guest speaker at the meeting was Mr. Steven J. Clark, the Corps of Engineers Project Manager. Mr. Clark's educational background is as a Biologist. The meeting was lightly attended, so our representatives were able to ask a number of questions relating to the ROPE Study and the resulting implications relating to Big Sandy. The following information briefly reviews some of the information that was shared by Mr. Clark. " ROPE is a partnership between the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service. " John O'Leary, the person formerly working on the project has changed jobs and is no longer active on the ROPE Study. " The person in charge of the Corps in St. Paul is Colonel John Christianson. " The study area for ROPE is the 7 inter-connected Federal reservoirs in Northern Minnesota " The current plan was initiated 40 years ago, with a focus primarily on flood damage and recreation and does not include environmental issues. " The study started in 2000/2001 following a letter from the Mississippi Board requesting clarification on water levels. " Mr. Clark stated that the primary reason for the ROPE Study and the resulting actions are driven by the desire for improving shoreline vegetation. His reasoning was that by drawing down the water levels earlier in the year it will improve shoreline aquatic health. He stated, "It was not to increase water flow in Minneapolis." " The current status is that a "draft" of the plan is being completed - he thought that this portion of the process would take 2 months. " Once they finish the draft of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) they will release it and there will be a 45 day period for public review during which time they will hold public meetings. " They will then revise the Draft EIS and release it for 30 day public review, respond to comments and sign and issue a "Record of Decision" and begin operating under the new plan. " The earliest the new plan would be in operation would be in the late fall of 2008 (probably October). " Clark stated they are looking at "Economic, Social, Recreational and Environmental issues." " He said that Big Sandy Lake, (due to the large geographic area of the watershed) has a "huge inflow (of water) based on the size of the basin." " There was a lot of the discussion related to the "Minimum Flow Requirements" and the large percentage increase suggested for BSL in the original draft (compared to the other six reservoirs). " He indicated the minimum flow requirements are not final and that they will be reviewed further during the process. Note: Brian Napstad, Aitkin County Commissioner, attended the meeting and following the meeting shared that members of the Big Sandy Lake Tribal Council is aware and concerned of the consequences of the ROPE Study and have become involved in the public involvement process. |