Speaker: David Rettie
Granite School District
Topic: Educational Value of Wetlands
David Rettie is the Secondary School Science Specialist for Granite School District. David also serves as a member of the Education Committee for DLWPF. The goal of David's presentation is to explain the value of wetlands in teaching science to both elementary and secondary students.
The slide presentation shown at last month's Member meeting came in handy this month! It was presented at both the update given to the WVC Council on April 25th and the Utah Water Conser-vation Forum on May 9th. Both presentations were well received and WVC Council members literally applauded the DL Site Plan. Members of the Water Conservation Forum were also enthusiastic and provided potential grant information. The May 21st GSDistrict presentation was also a success. Lynn David-son, GSD Board Chair, also participates with SLCo Parks and Rec and offered his committed support.
Thank you to Ed Collins for setting up the WVC present-ation and to David Rettie for helping with GSD. Our next presentation is May 29th at the WVC Rotary Club at noon.
Another friend is leaving... DLWPF wishes Ed Collins, WVC/ DLWPF Board Rep, a ton of luck in his new position as Admin. Services Director for Lehi City. Ed begins his new position in June. Ed, you have been a tremendous friend to DLWPF and we will miss you! Good luck and please keep in touch!
Are you wondering if the dirt is EVER going to disappear from around the shores of the lake? Though it is slower than we all want, there is progress! Steve Schueler (Swaner Design) and Roger Krause (SLCo Contractor) met this past week and discussed the grading plan. There are still some points needing negotiation, but the bid specs are to go out by June 15th. Dirt should start to move in July.
One of the negotiation points is that the County only wants to move about half the dirt off-site and DLWPF wants all but the amended soil moved. Money is the issue. It costs about $60 a truckload to haul.
Other issues in negotiation include: how much shoreline is dedicated to wetlands, whether the bridge is included (there is some opposition in case further dregdging is needed, also windsurfers don't like it), and whether the trail goes along the south shore or through the wetlands.
This may sound like a downer, but really it is good. DLWPF has received written communiniques outlining concerns from the appropriate parties. A year ago this wasn't happening, two years ago no one thought it would ever happen. The main thing is ... if you have an opinion, make sure it is heard. This is a critical time in the planning process.
Let me take this opportunity to express thanks to the out-going board members: Mike Fitch, Fred Fife, Kathy Bugg Riley, Jill Elliss, Ed Hansen, and Debbie Stufflebeam. We appreciate the contribution you have made and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. And thank you to all those willing to continue on the Board, whether elected or not, we need your dedication. Thank you for the time you give toward Decker Lake.
Elections were held April 24th, 1996. Results follow:
On May 21st, Decker Lake was adopted by the Wastach Front Resource Conservation and Development District (WFRC&D) as a project they wish to support and help further. This is significant for several reasons: 1) WFRC&D is the leader in facilitating large community projects from Weber to Utah county. They have been successful in assisting communities in strategizing and obtaining necessary funds and cooperation. 2) While DLWPF is in the process of applying for 501c)(3) status, it takes several months to obtain the designation. Adoption by WFRC&D allows DLWPF to work under their 501(c)(3) until we receive our own. This is critical for corporate donors, grant submittals, and implementing membership categories.
DLWPF's proposal hit the WFRC&D table just as they were re-evaluating criteria and limited resources. We were the first to have to pass through the stricter approval process. We had several old friends at the table (Earl Jackson, Richard Parks) and in the process made several new ones. DLWPF was unanimously approved for sponsorship as the type of project WFRC&D embraces. Thanks to David Spann of WFRC&D, Richard, Earl, and all those who helped make this happen!
Patience is a virtue they say, but some of us just haven't acquired it. Rather than wait for the dirt to disappear before making a difference, there have been some suggestions come to the Board which have received support for action now.
Earl Jackson, USU Extension Service, wanted to plant an experimental garden using the batched soil from the lake. We needed a site and some water. Keith Kinghorn from FIRST HEALTH (on the east side of the lake) and Earl are checking this project out.
Wes Groesbeck, known around as an authority on sustainable living, made the suggestion to Dianna Smith that now is the time to start the education process about Decker Lake. Dianna, always trying to make sure all views are heard at the Board table, mentioned the suggestion. Wes suggested putting a trailer out at the lake as an information center, the Board modified the suggestion to "investigate the feasibility of putting up an information kiosk." David Rettie hasn't wasted any time and is looking into including the GSD Applied Technology students.
And, of course, there is always moving the dirt.... If you are interested in any of these projects, contact Earl for the plantings, David for the kiosk, or Dianna for the dirt.
DLWPF welcomes Norma Lloyd as the new Executive Director of Valley West Chamber of Commerce. Norma has a strong Public Relations background and will be a valuable addition to the DLWPF Board as the Chambers representative. Make sure you take the opportunity to meet Norma, she's already been great to work with! Welcome, Norma!
Putting together a slide presentation takes a LOT of work. There is gathering the photos, getting them made into slides, having the right equipment. Then there is always some-thing that works better mounted. DLWPF expresses LOADS of Appreciation to Robert Scott for his knowledge, expertise, and help in making sure the DLWPF presentation is first class!
Thanks to all of you who helped keeping things going this month!
At the WFRC&D meeting this bit of information was passed around...
Doug Page, U.S. Forest Service, Heber, Utah, Phone: (801) 654-7232, knows of "free" Ponderosa Pines available. These trees come in boxes of 500 (and can only be dispersed in quantities of 500 or more), are 3 years old, bare foot, and 1 ft. In length. They need to be planted immediately. Anyone interested, please contact Doug Page at the above phone number.
And Penny Ciak passes along... In September, the Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring a seminar on "Becoming an Outdoors Woman." It will be held at Camp Wapedi (sp?). They are looking for attendees, sponsors for those not able to pay the cost, and door prize donations (if you supply one of these because of this notice, please mention you saw it in the DLWPF newsletter). For more information, contact Ralynne Takeda, 538-4727. If you prefer to donate a door prize through DLWPF, contact Dian at 261-0496 (this allows us to place information on DLWPF in their packet).
If you want to help out, but don't have much time.... How about cutting out local articles about Decker Lake. We are getting press and need to save the articles. Call Sal Jansson, 359-2444 if you take the Trib or DN and can take on this task.
Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve Foundation