More warning, faster work sought for Buckeye Lake Dam

NEWARK – Much of the Buckeye Lake dam discussion Tuesday at a Licking County commissioners' meeting focused on time.

Property owners wanted more warning that water levels would remain at historically low levels and requested an accelerated construction timetable on building a new dam because of fear the existing structure will fail.

John Wisse, the ODNR communications manager, heard complaints, questions and frustrations from several people in a crowd of more than 30 who came to hear updates on the state's plans.

"We do take very seriously the concern of the economic impact drawing the water down has, but we're focused on public safety," Wisse said.

The lake remains one-half foot above winter pool level, Wisse said. He further explained winter pool is not the level people usually see in winter, but 888.75 feet above sea level, reached only once since 1993.

Dredging of the lake begins next week and continues all summer, Wisse said. Engineering firms face a Friday deadline to turn in requests for qualifications, with a firm selected in late summer.

Ed and Debbie Fisher, owners of Fisher's Marina, said they don't know how their 103-year-old, five-generation family business will survive a long-term reduced water level.

"For them to let it go so long and put me out of business is wrong," Fisher told Wisse. "It's a little ridiculous how you handle my life."

Licking Township Trustees Dave Miller and Joe Hart registered their complaints, as well. Miller said the water will be too shallow to use the water rescue boat.

"Four years seems like too long of a time," Hart said of the earliest the construction could be completed. "I'd say that seems unacceptable."

County Commissioner Tim Bubb agreed an quicker process is needed for people to salvage their businesses.

"Economic impact is on people's minds," Bubb said. "We'd like to see an accelerated design package."

Sherry Pymer, who works in construction, said a design build team, with public-private partnerships, could complete the project in half the time.

"Do a second RFQ for design build and have a team ready," Pymer said. "Start at both ends and complete it in a year."

Tim Figgins, owner of Boat Boys and secretary-treasurer of the Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, asked why the state could not let people know of its plans earlier.

"In the fall, they said nothing would be done without our input," Figgins said. "As a business owner who will soon not have one, I could have planned better.

"I could have had $800,000 in inventory instead of $3 million."

The recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report on warning the dam could fail at any time was a game-changer, Wisse said.

"It forever changed the way the state of Ohio will manage operations at Buckeye Lake," Wisse said.

The state will make a decision soon on docks, Wisse said, but he added, "It's not looking like we'll be able to use the state docks this year at Fairfield Beach."

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958

High points

•Dredging of the lake begins next week and continues all summer.

•Engineering firms must turn in their request for qualifications by Friday if interested in performing work on the dam construction.

•An engineering firm will be selected in late summer.

•Construction will begin in late 2016 or early 2017 and take three to four years, with completion of the project in 2019 to 2021.

•The lake level remains one-half foot above winter pool, which is 888.75 feet above sea level. Winter pool has been reached just once since 1993.

•Dock owners should hear something soon, but it's unlikely the state docks will be usable this year at Fairfield Beach.

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources