Questions remain about dock removal on Buckeye Lake Dam

BUCKEYE LAKE — Reactions to the news that docks, decks, patios and other personal property have to be removed from Buckeye Lake Dam by Nov. 1 have been mixed, said Tim Figgins, owner of Boat Boys in Newark and Boat Boys Marina on Buckeye Lake.

Figgins said he believed most homeowners on the dam thought they would have more information about dock removal at the Open House hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources last Wednesday. People still have unanswered questions, he said.

“We can spend the money, or else (ODNR) will do it for free,” Figgins said.

In a letter mailed to residents Tuesday from the ODNR, homeowners along Buckeye Lake Dam were told personal property along the dam had to be removed by Nov. 1. If property was left behind, “construction crews will remove and store the dock materials for up to 60 days so you may reclaim the materials if you so choose,” the letter stated.

If materials are not reclaimed, they will be discarded, according to the letter.

The letter also states that homeowners cannot remove support posts or piling that have been attached to the dam wall or that have been driven into the lake’s bed.

Tim Ryan, a homeowner on Buckeye Lake Dam, said the planking material is cheapest and easiest to replace. Posts are expensive and hard to install, he said.

“This scenario is ridiculous,” Ryan said.

Ryan also is a trustee at the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club. The club boasts more than 130 dock spaces on the north side of the lake, including boat hangers and lifts.

“We need to find someone with a crane to take those off,” Ryan said.

Figgins said that Boat Boys Marina, next to the Yacht Club on the North Bank, has 26 docks with permanent roof structures over them, which include wiring for electricity. And he said he’s not in a position to remove them himself.

“When your handcuffed from the income side, it’s a hefty price to pay,” he said.

Figgins said he plans to leave the docks for the ODNR to remove.

Gary Obermiller, deputy director at the ODNR, said that it was in homeowners’ best interests to remove the property themselves so they could maintain control of how the property was managed.

“We’re not going to abuse the property,” Obermiller said.

In addition, Obermiller said homeowners may want to keep the dock materials for when the new dam is complete.

“They may be able to reuse portions or all of that dock once the water comes back up,” Obermiller said. “Will we allow docks along the new dam? Absolutely.”

However, those docks will have to be anchored to the lake bottom, not hanging from the dam wall, he said.

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