October 15,
Friends--
A special thanks to each and every one of you who have participated in our efforts to restore and protection DCL and its watershed in the past decade. We have engaged hundreds of volunteers in stream wading, Water Quality sampling, our "Off Your Dock" sediment sampling, SAV observations, "Go Jump in the Lake", educational events and DCL100th birthday celebration, advocating for our lake, going on boat tours, speaking in Annapolis and, yes, donating to our organization.
All of you have a part in building our organization and enabling us to win this prestigeous award. THANKS! And, we must persist in our volunteer efforts now!
WE NEED EVERYONE TO CONTACT GOVERNOR HOGAN WITH A REQUEST HE INCLUDE $25 MILLION FOR DCL RESTORATION IN HIS NEXT STATE BUDGET.
Timing is tight: The Governor's staff develops the State Budget, which is then reviewed and approved by the General Assembly. October is the month the budget is finalized. So in order to get our request considered, we must act immediately.
REQUEST: ALLOCATE $25 MILLION FOR DCL.
WOW! this is NOT a typo! Here is why:
In 2011, the engineering firm Whitney, Bailey Cox and Magnani was contracted to assess DCL sediment issues and impacts and released their report,
Deep Creek Lake: A Sediment Study, January, 2013.
The WBCM estimate for dredging all 10 impaired coves ranged from $15,875,000 to $22,924,519, depending on the dredging methodology selected.
We increased the estimates to take into consideration inflation, bringing total range to: $17,650,000-to $25,600,00, as of August 2018.
We made upward adjustments due to 1) 7 additional years of sediment accumulation; and 2) WBCM estimates do not include remediation mechanisms which are necessary to prevent future sediment accumulation, after the dredging is completed.
We reduced the WCBM estimates, because the leading Maryland lake dredging firm reviewed the report and found the costs substantially inflated.
We decreased the estimates based review of lake dredging firms reports they would most likely employ less costly dredging methodologies.
Our work is now focused on DCL restoration funding and specifically one-time, capitol projects addressing deferred maintenance of the valuable state-owned asset.
We have made great strides educating the State, agency staff and members of the General Assembly about the conditions and needs of the 16 state-owned lakes. It is now up to DNR and other state agencies to move forward to protect and restore all these state-owned lakes.
1)
It is an election year and allocation of these funds will benefit both Garrett County as well as 50% of the lake property owners who have invested in DCL but live elsewhere in Maryland.
2)
The state has a revenue surplus of $500 million.
3)
Decisions are being made right now on how the $500 million should be allocated. It will go to “one-time, capitol” infrastructure projects, e.g. roads, bridges, schools.
4)
State-owned recreational facilities AND lakes are public assets and should be included in the “infrastructure” category. ( We have received positive feedback from DNR on this position.)
THE MESSAGE AND HOW TO DELIVER IT:
USE THE PETITION OR CREATE YOUR OWN MESSAGE.
Click here for messaging and/ or to download the petition: GovHoganRequestwflag1018.pdf
Fill in your information and send it immediate to FoDCL.
OR
Contact the Governor directly: Phone his office at (410) 974-3901 or
Email at http://governor.maryland.gov/mailing/default.asp.
DONATE TO OUR EFFORTS TO SAVE DCL
We urge you to join others who have already made a donation to the Campaign now. We have a lot of work to do.
We have demonstrated our effectiveness in Annapolis so you know your donation will be used productively.
Donating to Friends of DCL is an investment in a sustainable future of DCL as well as in your property. How much is that worth to you?
SEND A CHECK TO FRIENDS OF DCL, PO BOX 55, ACCIDENT, MD 21520.
