Lake Norrell land use issues

[Jim Krueger]

As a resident of the Benton area for some years, I have recently been reading some of the local newspaper articles about Lake Norrell. The lake was built by the city of Benton years ago as a drinking water supply, and evidently, as of late, the city has been having meetings with the Lake Norrell residents as per it's guidelines, ordinances, and so forth. Up until now, it seems like the articles were mainly in relation to what lake residents could and couldn't do. However, I noticed in Monday's Saline Courier a mention of the city's possible adoption of a policy allowing the mayor to post (No Trespassing) of all their property around the lake, this would include everything from the boat ramp, through what has been the swimming/picnic area, spillway, and the whole wooded point on the other side of the spillway. I can only presume they probably own all the land , stream channel, etc.
I've never had the skills needed to float that run, or the inclination , but I know several of you do enjoy running it, so please just view my note as a FYI. If any of you are interested, I guess you'd need to visit with the Mayors office to get a better understanding than my 'glossing' through the paper.

Best Regards
Jim

[Concerned One]

Jim, I thank you for your post. I just got signed up with this site as I am very aware of the folks enjoying the use of the spillway area for their kayaking highs. Just this week the whole area of the spillway and downstream and all around the dam on both sides have been heavily posted by the city of Benton. While they were putting up the signs there was a test already set up on the South side of the spillway bridge. The next day the tent was gone. I am not a whitewater enthusiast - too old at this point in life, but do love to float and fish in my canoe when I can. However, I am perplexed and miffed (putting it mildly and fit to print) at Benton's actions. I may have to "unoccupy Benton" and take my business elsewhere and encourage others to do the same while letting the businesses know what and why.

[jnewcomb]

Well this is disheartening... not only for whitewater folks but for all the people who enjoy the lake out there for fishing and everything else. Surely there is something we can do about this? I am from Benton originally and still go back frequently from Fayetteville to visit family and on holidays, etc. I'm not sure which direction to go towards to do something about this, but certainly willing to help, and can think of a hand full of others who would be as well. Would truly hate to see that area closed off, very fun run.

[Half Ton]

What a wacky set of rules.

Sounds like a crazy mix of riparian regulations for I'm not sure why.

The fertilizer and pesticide part is good for water quality for sure.

The part about access must be some kind of public blight or liability thing and is plain weird.

The part about boat docks sounds standard almost, but why now? Maybe since other changes are happening, go ahead and make some more!

Jeez. I can't remember the rest and don't want to really.

Sure hope that this does not end the water resource access enjoyed by so many others.

There must be more info about the subject in public info sources by now?

[SteveGabbard]

http://www.benton.ar.gov/index.php?opti ... Itemid=246" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The link above gives contact information to Terry Mckinney who is the general manager for Benton Utilities.

I was in the area so I drove by and both sides of the road at the bridge are posted. Actually both sides of the whole road are posted from where you first turn off on the road to where the dam is.

Once Benton Utilities decides to do something they tend to stick with it. I know they were concerned with fourwheeler erosion damage based on earlier newspaper articles. I think the best you could hope for at this point is a gentlemans agreement not to prosecute paddlers. Perhaps someone who runs this could talk to them and explain that it doesn't run too often, fourwheelers are not used, BLAH BLAH BLAH

One thing I did notice was excessive trash in the parking area below the bridge. Perhaps an ACC cleanup initiative could be traded for paddling access? Just a thought.

[SteveGabbard]

Be ready for the "liability" issue to be presented as well.

[bmartin]

Darn.... Message sent to Terry M in the spirit of small hopes a compromise can be found.

[Concerned One]

I initiated the action that led to the fencing of the dam as there were not only ATV's going up and down the dam, but also 4WD trucks. There was a mud pit at the base that never dried up in spite of all the drought. The folks around the lake paid 1/2 the cost to preserve the dam. Prisoners are brought out periodically to mow the dam. Meanwhile, there is a major issue after all the years of relative freedom at the lake to start charging fees for boat docks, requiring permits, etc. There is a document arrived at between the Benton Utilities Commission (Terry McKinney) and the Lake Norrell POA to reach the best deal possible that has turned into a nasty issue not unlike the Dems & Republicans in Washington D.C. The proposed ordinance was on the agenda at Benton last night but was put off until the next meeting (Dec. 6 I 'assume') while the updated ordinance can be printed. The happens at all governmental levels - the power grabbing while preaching that government needs to be reduced. While the signs were being put up and the trees painted there was a tent in place below the bridge. It was gone the next day. I'd prefer that if folks are camping that a driver's license be taken and if the area is left unkempt that the person be brought back out to clean it up. Color me anything but happy. Tom

[Half Ton]

Oh my. A case of good intentions gone off course.

The rule can be overridden if passed. A group of concerned folk will need to get a petition going if the ordinance is passed.

Until then, a good deal of public Ed an outreach in addition to public input at city hall is necessary to shape the potential new rule to the most possible extent for beneficial public uses.

Or else

[Concerned One]

I apologize, but my date for the next Benton City Council meeting is December 5th! It is Monday December 5th and not the next day on the 6th as I posted earlier today. Having as many folks as possible there should be effective. Look at the website for the Benton City Council at the minutes of the Public Utilities Commission for the minutes of November 8, 2010 - last year - to get the origin of all this murk. (I try to be as polite in my wording as I can.)
Tom

[Half Ton]

I had trouble finding that documented record on that web site. If you could post it up that would help. I've got the idea now though.

A good concern and potential solution turns into good concern with a poor solution. Said poor solution came about as an opportunity for folks on council with alternative agendas to accomplish said agendas under the guise of a legit community concern brought about by a person with good and simple intentions.

Sounds like politics to me.

Concerned one - thanks for overtly trying to be as polite as you can.

Maybe one day some of that will rub off on me

Thanks for the additional insight on the issue

[jnewcomb]

Hopefully something can be arranged to allow full access of the lake back to users and if not maybe some under the table handshake for paddlers. Seeing as this is a gorge cut out from the lake and takes about 10 minutes to run in all... I honestly have to say I wont be deterred from running it.

[bmartin]

I got a response from Terry and will say that I am somewhat encouraged though the final deal on the matter is in the hands of the city council....


Here is a link to the city council members:

http://www.benton.ar.gov/index.php?opti ... Itemid=188" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Concerned One]

Here's the link for the Benton City Council minutes - I think it is page 6 - near the end anyway - http://12.200.164.196/weblink7/DocView. ... ndle=20626" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Again, I must apologize about my misinformation. My wife has learned not to trust me. Not because I intentionally say things that are wrong however - I just do not always get things right. So, the Benton City Council meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The next scheduled meeting is the 28th of November, 2011. Thankfully, I have a few friends that help keep me straight and honest.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families all and perhaps I may see you on the 28th.

Tom

[Fish]

Hopefully an agreement can be reached to allow paddling to continue on the sporadic occasions when it rains enough to get Norrell flowing. As a former landowner, I understand the concerns that local land/home owners have about people coming in and trashing the streams and lakes that are essentially in their back yard. Everyone who has hung out with paddlers very long knows they are typically a very low impact group, occasionally leaving behind only a few colorful plastic shavings on the sharpest rocks. Also, there's a strong carry-out-more-than-you-carry-in ethic with most paddlers, so trash cleanups and such happen a lot around popular whitewater rivers. Hopefully paddlers can be well represented at the council meetings and participate in discussions about how they can be a help to local residents in taking care of what we all think is a very cool place.