May 11, 2019
Friends,
It is time to re-group! After 11 years of intense and persistent effort, we know what needs to be done to restore our 94-year-old lake. What? Commitment to allocate funds from the lake owner—the State of Maryland. Based on this analysis, the goal of Friends of DCL in the past 3 years has been to secure needed level of state funding. But, with the minimal success achieved, we need to explore new approaches.
Let's talk! We turn to you for guidance. We have found the most productive way to engage with lake stakeholders and beneficiaries is in community meetings. Wewant to share with you our 2019 “state of lake/watershed” assessment and explore action steps needed to resolve challenges we all face. Opportunity for a special meeting? Would you consider hosting an open house of your neighbors and friends? Are there other groups we should contact? Let us know by replying to this newsletter.
State of the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund.
Review: In 2017 we all supported a bill which created the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund fiscal mechanism. In 2018 the broadest and most active advocacy effort ever launched by Garrett County/ DCL interests in Annapolis secured allocation of $1 million per year for 3 years for all 16 state owned lakes-- a disappointing outcome. This year, 2019, produced nothing.
What did all this effort get for DCL?
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$200,000 for “shoreline stabilization project. According to DNR’s Bruce Michael, “Eric Null as the DCL NRMA Lake Manager, is working on developing a method for how funds will be distributed.”
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$200,000 for herbicide applications to control hydrilla. This will be the 6th year of the contract for herbicide application to control just hydrilla.
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$20,000 for an undefined fisheries project. Bruce Michael states: “Funding allocation for fisheries habitat restoration is being determined between the individual lake managers and staff from Fishing and Boating Service who are familiar with the fish communities in each lake.”
Friends of DCL take on DNR allocation decisions
1. We question whether 2 of the 3 projects even comply with the legislative intent of the law: "
Money expended from the Fund for the protection or restoration of STATE–MANAGED lakes is
supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that would otherwise be appropriated for the protection or restoration of STATE–MANAGED lakes.
On AIS Control. For 5 years, DNR has found money to underwrite this control program. So, why has the agency decided to take 50% of the total funding for DCL for this on-going project? The Fund was designed to provide new funds for new restoration and protection projects, not to supplement on-going DNR work.
Friends of DCL recommended to DNR that the State Lake Funds be used for installation of a cleaning station at the State Park to prevent further introduction of AIS into the lake. Current approach is not cost-effective or productive; over $120,000 has been spent to-date on control efforts. One-time investment in a cleaning station would prevent further introduction of AIS into the lake and reduce control costs over time.
On Fisheries habitat. DNR has an established and well-financed dedicated Fund for fisheries, with on-going income stream from sale of fishing licenses. If DNR folks want a project at DCL, all they needed to do was shift Fisheries Fund priorities. Further, we have not heard of an urgent need for fisheries habitat protection. None of us testfied or lobbied for fisheries habitat restoration in our 3 years of effort in Annapolis to secure funds to supplement the fisheries Fund.
2.The needed investment in DCL restoration will not be coming from this Fund we all worked so hard to enact. The aspirations of those of us who worked for passage of the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund bill has resulted in minimal gains, at best.
3. Of the 6 areas listed as eligible for fund allocation from the State Lake Funds, 4 of them deal directly or indirectly with lake dredging yet DNR has chosen not to channel any of the Fund to dredging.
Friends of DCL recommended to DNR the Fund allocate monies to support development of a DCL Sediment Removal and Restoration Plan.
4. Shoreline stabilization project could be a positive step, depending on decision by the Lake Manager. These funds have potential to shift DNR funding policies at DCL. Currently DNR policy places the burden of buffer strip and shoreline stabilization projects on abutting private property owners. Yet, in the Bay watershed, our tax dollars help to pay for state-funded shoreline stabilization projects. So, if state funds are used for actual stabilization projects, this would be a positive and major shift and easing of undue burden on private property owners.
5. Process issue: The DCL PRB is charged with advising DNR and MDE Secretaries on lake management and programs. Bruce Michael reports: “The DCL PRB, as well as all interested stakeholders were solicited for input on lake projects. The PRB member input was greatly appreciated. . . . . we had a very extensive process.” We are interested to learn more on the specifics. We do know that the specific proposals adopted by DNR were not presented nor discussion at the April, 2019 PRB meeting.
Spring at DCL
Of the 4 four seasons in Garrett County, spring draws the least visitors and presents the most challenges. The weather can be glorious with warm, sunny days or just terrible as winter doldrums remind us of days past. And, again, this year it has been very wet, with the lake water levels slightly above the Upper Rule Band.
Spring event; RAMPS! We urge you to put the State Park Ramp Cook Off on your calendar for next year. Nothing quite like is, as dozens gather to sample creative dishes which incorporate our local treat- ramps!
(
DCL Friend and Award winning chef Barbara Lefebure, left and "The
Ramp Judge" Kevin Dodge, right. )
A Spring event we miss a lot is the Stream Wading project. From 2009 until 2015, Friends of DCL kicked off the season sampling streams flowing into DCL. Dozens of volunteers sampled over 100 sites. Unfortunately, DNR has decided to end this cost-effective volunteer program, at least in our area of the state. Through this
program we gathered important data on our streams. We learned so much and came to deep appreciation of the lake as part of a much larger and intregrated watershed system.
The first sampling team a decade ago in 2009-- left to right, Jeff (Deep Creek) Craddock, Chris Hazeler, Craig Hazeler, Daniel Hazeler, Jeff Hazeler; back row Frank Shapp.
Look forward to seeing you in Garrett County and around the lake soon!
Your friends and neighbors,
Friends of Deep Creek Lake Board 
