At the last member meeting the group decided it was time to get down and dirty and clean up the lake. So...bring your hip waders, gloves, weeding tools, crowbars and hammers (to help pull up the old boardwalk). Thanks to our Sponsors:
It's all been in a day's work...of course, that is several people's day! Take a moment to back up and think about where we were a year ago...the Foundation had just been established, the different government entities had just agreed to join the Foundation in a united effort to clean up the lake. Now think about where we are today...Salt Lake County Commissioner Brent Overson gave SLCo Parks & Rec the go ahead to fully participate in the planning and implementation of the lake site. West Valley City, a long-time advocate of the lake, has embraced what John Patterson calls the "four E's" (economic, ecologic, educational, environmental) vision of the Foundation.
Since 1969 Decker Lake has languished. The pelicans kept coming back, but the lake was seen as an ecological graveyard. Now, with not only West Valley City's strong advocacy, but also a strong backing by Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, the lake is coming full circle. It used to be 150 acres of wetlands. We will never see those days return, but we will see a beautiful site with areas for both the nature lover and the person looking for a quiet place to have a picnic.
It took over 20 years to really get the ball rolling. Why so long, some ask. Others can dissect that question. What matters now, is that the momentum is strong and the element that made a difference was your voice. It is still important to let the Commissioners know that Decker Lake matters in the quality of life of Salt Lake County residents.
Where do we go from here? DLWPF will continue to work with Bob Scott of Salt Lake County Parks & Rec (Bob has been a valuable asset to the Board) and will continue to solicit information about what the community wants at the Decker Lake site. If there is something you really want to see, give us a call at 977-4999. DLWPF will also continue to keep the community informed, try to raise money for the overall plan, help in the design process, and organize the volunteer effort. Once again, thank you for your support of the Decker Lake project...and keep the comments coming!
Clean Up Day at the Lake!
Wednesday, August 28th
5:30 pm
This month's DLWPF thank you goes to Steve Reed, science teacher at Valley Junior High. Steve joined the DLWPF ranks a few months back at one of the Member meetings. He expressed an interest in the educational aspect of the DLWPF mission and grabbed hold of the vision and ran with it! He has accepted the task of building a strong Education Committee and has organized the Valley Junior High School teachers to integrate Decker Lake into their curriculum. Just for a few ticklers, here are some of Steve's ideas....
People like Steve are what keep DLWPF going! If you would like to work with Steve on some ideas of your own, please call him at ---- Thank you, Steve, for your vision and enthusiasm!
Another Accolade to Max Coon of The John Co. Apparently when the EPA grant was written no provision was made for (umm, er...., oh well) ...for john facilities for the crews working at the lake. Penny Ciak talked with Max about the dilemma and The John Company is providing a porta-potty until hauling is completed. DLWPF thanks the John Co. and the crews say a BIG thanks!
This month's Member meeting will be dedicated to cleaning up the lake environs. Lots of folks are participating in making this a successful event, so come join the forces! If you have been at the lake lately, you will have noticed some larger items (is there really another shopping cart out there?), and some smaller pieces of general trash. You may also remember there is a very hazardous boardwalk along the lakeshore. These and other items are waiting for your hands to help carry them away.
Never fear....the Utah Airboaters Association will be there to help pull the big items out of the deeper parts of the lake, but if you have some hip waders, you might want to bring them along. Salt Lake County Parks & Rec will be providing garbage bags for collecting trash, but bring your own gloves and tools. Some weeding may go on, depending on how many people show up and how much we can get done. Bring hammers and crowbars to tackle the boardwalk.
A word of thanks to our sponsors...
Albertsons is providing drinks and Frito-Lay is donating lots of chips. Thanks to
Kevin Condie at WVC for coordinating the food. Also, Browning-Ferris Industries(BFI) is supplying the dumpsters and will haul away anything we put in them. Thanks to Norma Lloyd of Valley West Chamber of Commerce for facilitating the BFI help. Division of Wildlife Resources is providing orange safety vests for folks working close to the road. And thanks to Bruce
Henderson and the staff at Salt Lake County Parks and Rec for supplies and coordination. Thank you one and all!
West Valley City's Manager, John Patterson, recently sent a letter to DLWPF reiterating the City's support for the Decker Lake project. Dian wanted to reprint the letter en total, however, the DLWPF computer had a mind of its own, so....here are some excerpts from the letter....
"The plan shown to the City Council accurately portrays their desires to see a traditional park on the north and east sides of the lake with a natural wetlands habitat on the south and west side. We were all pleased with the effort and the design and think it is a good compromise between competing interests. It serves businesses around Decker Lake and meets environmental concerns while achieving the educational objective."
Addressing future plans for the Decker Lake site, Patterson stated West Valley City envisions a place for area employees to enjoy "peace and serenity" during lunchtime. He also noted support for "an area of instruction for school children on wetlands habitat" on the south and west side of the lake. Let there be no mistake, West Valley City continues their strong commitment to beautifying Decker Lake while remaining committed to the environmental and educational components of the lake. With support like this, Decker Lake will be a model area residents will enjoy. Unity, Pride, Progress ... West Valley City is a model for all of us.
Speaking with Larry Steinbach, SLCO supervisor over the hauling project, most of the dredge material has been hauled from the north and east sides of the lake. He anticipates starting rough grading by Labor Day weekend (is this progress or what???? *grins*). The crews have been working hard. They have begun pulling dredgate from the south side also. Bottom line is....if you want to help haul away some additional dirt to ensure some extra wetlands, please put your check in the mail. Grading will begin soon and that is when the real work begins. A truck and pup holds 16 yds of dirt. It costs $60 to haul 16 yds of Decker Lake sludge across the Valley. That 16 yds taken away clears the way for another 10' x 10' plot of wetlands.
On Education related matters...
Steve Reed's phone number was left out of the body of the
newsletter (see Accolades). To contact him call 281-0647.