(Enter from north door)
Well, no one can ever say life at Decker Lake is boring!! John Patterson, WVC City Manager, will be at the Member Meeting to give his view (and hear your view) of what the ISTEA discussion means to Decker Lake.
Also, the Ed Center folks want to know your hopes for the Education Center as they write up the proposed plan. Lots is happening, so be sure to attend!
In 1994, West Valley City applied to UDOT for ISTEA funds. Based on I-215's close proximity to Decker Lake, the West Valley City application defined $350,000 for landscaping and water mitigation, requiring a 20% match. (ISTEA funds came into being in 1992 as part of a roadway enhancement program. In 1994, one of the criteria was water mitigation, to be used for cleaning up runoff for roadways in areas negatively impacted by urban runoff).
The original plan was to build two de-siltation ponds on the west end of the lake, on the UDOT right-of-way, routing the Kearns-Chesterfield canal waters through the basins, allowing the silt time to drop out, then rechanneling back into the lake.
After careful study, it became apparent there was not enough room to place the ponds at the west end. Attention was then given to finding a site across I-215 for the ponds, but no land was readily available.
The City turned to Sargent Engineers to study a solution to the desiltation of the waters entering the lake. Sargent designed a water treatment tank, sited just at the mouth of Decker Lake, using a baffled system to slow the water and settle the silt. Cost was estimated at $478,000.
Because of the estimated cost, West Valley City was concerned about having enough funds to complete both the landscaping portion of the ISTEA project along with the water mitigation project. West Valley eventually approached DLWPF requesting help on the landscaping, which DLWPF provided. The State Non-Motorized Trails Grant which DLWPF received last May, ensures both trails and landscaping will be addressed.
The final design for the water treatment facility was completed and bids were let. Costs came in at $700,000 instead of the expected $500,000. West Valley City and Sargent went over the design in detail, trying to determine how to cut costs. Ultimately, the desiltation portion of the project was delayed and talk related to the water treatment facility began to define a trash rack, grease & oil separator, and deepening the channel to capture the large debris coming down the canal rather than desiltation and allow some sediment settling.
So when C.H.A.D. (Communities Helping to Avoid Deaths) solicited UDOT and West Valley City for help to build an overpass at 3100 S Bangerter, after Chad Riding's death on Bangerter Highway, City officials were between a rock and a hard place on two fronts.
Should the ISTEA $$ be re-directed to the 3100 S overpass? According to UDOT authorities, that is not West Valley City's or UDOT's call. It must be decided by the Transportation Commission. But knowing such commissions often respond to community sentiment, what impact will this discussion have on water quality at Decker Lake?
Bob Buchanan, Economic Development Adminsitrator, indicates West Valley City continues to be committed to the clean up of the Kearns-Chesterfield waters. But does that commitment include the replacement of the $500,000 which had been dedicated to the clean up? There are several factors which come into play: 1) ISTEA monies are no longer available. By relinquishing these monies, other funding sources must be sought. 2) If ISTEA monies become available again in the future (this requires an act of congress, literally) what is the likelihood of the commission re-dedicating funds for a project deemed ... (see ISTEA $$ on page )
(cont'd from page 2) important enough to fund, but then reclassified as no longer important. A dangerous precedent would be set.
The question remains, if West Valley redirects its support, what financial commitment is there to clean the West Valley watershed? With data indicating sediment levels significantly above recommended levels (recommended reductions include: fecal coliform = 800%, mercury = 580%, and lead = 300%) what are the real impacts of the water quality at Decker Lake on the residents and businesses of the area?
Health Benefits America (HBA) is a neighbor to Decker Lake, directly south of the lake. And what a neighbor! For over a year HBA has supported the clean up of Decker Lake in more ways than one. As DLWPF Vice Chair, Kent England (HBA Facilities Manager) spends many hours donating his time to the Decker Lake cause.
And at last month's Member Meeting, Kent presented DLWPF a $5000 check from HBA as match money for trails and landscaping at the Decker Lake site.
DLWPF understands that any time dedicated to the project is time Kent makes up after hours. We also understand, that any corporate contribution means that money comes from some other account. We at DLWPF do not take such contributions of time or money lightly. We express sincere thanks to both Kent and HBA.
Adoptions were received in memory of Clyde O. Slenning
The Valley Junior High School students have been busy working on the design of the bird blind for Decker Lake. Friday, Feb 14th students presented their initial designs to DLWPF Environmental rep, Penny Ciak and Jim Bach, landscape architect.
The Valley Junior Eco Club initiated the project on their own. They approached DLWPF last year with the idea, which the Foundation supported. Penny, President of Great Salt Lake Audubon, brought the project to the local Audubon's attention and they sponsored a $50 prize for the winning design. That coupled with $50 from the VJ activities budget will award the winning designer $100. Additional prizes will be presented to other participants by DLWPF.
We are working on a site to display the bird blind design finalists. We will publish the details next month, so you can be sure to go by and see what the students have been working on. The winning entry will be announced mid-March.
Thanks to all of Valley Junior High for the support you give DLWPF and the example to other students!
Submit your best photograph of an American wetland and you may win $500 --and see your photo become the American Wetlands Month '97 poster!
"This contest celebrates American Wetlands Month, and will raise awareness of the beauty and the importance of wetlands throughout America," said Lew Lautin, president of Florida Wetlandsbank, offerer of the cash prize.
"Photographs certainly raise our awareness of wetlands," observed Phil Oshida of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Wetlands Division, a cosponsor of the competition.
March 7 is the deadline for submission of either color or black and white print photographs to the Terrene Institute, 4 Herbert St., Alexandria, VA 22305. Contact Terrene for an entry form at 703/548-5473 or email terrene@gnn.com.
This month's Accolade goes to a long-time friend and advocate of Decker Lake, Robert G. Scott. Bob has been the Salt Lake County rep on the DLWPF board since the inception of the Foundation and has believed in the project with a strong commitment.
Bob recently announced his resignation from Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation. Because of this, he steps down as the County representative. Bob moves on to new opportunities, but at the announcement of his resignation at the DLWPF board meeting, Bob reaffirmed his interest in the Decker Lake project, regardless of his place as an appointed representative. Much of Bob's new work will take place in the West Valley area and we, at DLWPF, are hopeful that somehow his new job and the Decker Lake project cross paths quickly. Bob moves on to a great opportunity and we are happy for you, Bob. Congratulations!!
Before we know it April will be here, and April is election time for the DLWPF Board of Trustees. If you are interested in participating at the Board level, call, write, or email (http://www.cirris.com/decker) your area of interest. If you know someone who you want to nominate for the position (and they are willing), make sure to watch the newsletter next month for the nomination form and mail it in.
Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve Foundation