Friends of Lake Ouachita

1424 Blakely Dam Road

Royal, Arkansas 71968

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD: Friends of Lake Ouachita Committee Minutes

Dustin Thomason, Biologist, Lake Ouachita Project Office

Amy Shultz, Natural Resource Specialist, Lake Ouachita Field Office

Members Present:

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Results:

Jerry shared results from the election of officers: He will remain Chair, and Robert C. will be

Vice Chair of the committee.

Final Decision on HWY 27 N. Strip Mine: Ron M. shared no decision has been made yet. The

close of comments was May 29

2019 Lake Cleanup: Jo W. asked to represent the committee and pursue a grant for the cleanup

event. Jerry mentioned in the past, banners and free bags were given to volunteer events through

Keep Arkansas Beautiful. Amy S. shared National Public Lands Day also sends cleanup

supplies if you register your event online-she will send the link to Jo W. A date will be set by

the August meeting for the event, and Jerry asked Jo W. to look into having some posters made

stated the Forest Service Jerry shared if the meeting outcome was not positive for the renovations

to the roadway and vista, the next steps could possibly be surveys/petitions of community

members in favor of the renovations. Jerry further stated the Montgomery County Judge was in

contact with the senators and representatives about this project.

LOViT Trail:

ADA Beaver Infestation: Jerry shared there was a beaver infestation on the ADA trail. Phillip

C. stated they were also having problems with beavers and otters at Shangri La docks. Jerry

asked if the Corps could treat the area with some roundup. Jerry shared the trail dogs had

repainted the restroom at the ADA trail and the Corps had installed a nice walkway to the bottle

had ordered flare guns and whistles to shoot as a deterrent for geese at the swim beaches. It was

suggested to host a special veteran goose hunt at Ouachita. Other means of controlling the geese

were discussed. Bruce E. believes hiring a contract for trained dogs to scare geese off beaches

would be best. Amy S. shared why the Corps would not be going this route: Cannot enforce

leash law if these dogs are allowed off leash to chase geese, also, if any of the dogs were to be

perceived as being aggressive toward a visitor, it is a liability the Corps isn’t willing to take.

There was some discussion as to whether Game and Fish or Fish and Wildlife could contract

trained dog handlers at Ouachita. Amy suggested they ask Stacy S. prior to contacting these

agencies. Dustin shared the Corps geese control permits come through the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife. Jerry asked about the possibility of using live traps. Dustin stated you might be able to

stated she would ask Derick and Stacy and let him know. Suggestion was made to put Grab a

Bags on floating restrooms. Amy will pass along suggestion. Bill B. shared Todd Gadberry

services the floating restrooms for the contract company.

for repairs. Amy shared anything over 3 K, the Corps has to go through a special contract

process to purchase. Bill B. made a motion to support FOLO paying the excess amount of repair

over the 3K USACE pays at the discretion of FOLO Inc. Motion approved.

Amy passed out the possible grant lists to the committee.

Amy shared the Memorial Day holiday report for Lake Ouachita with the committee-relatively

few incidents for number of visitors, and no injury reports.

Jerry asked about the possibility of creating new campsites at Denby Day Use area since the day

use at Denby is seldom utilized. Amy will pass along suggestion.

making campsites more useable making sites with RV and Tent pads on one site. Bill asked if

FOLO could purchase materials and build sites in Corps campgrounds. Amy stated, if it was

approved, they could. Would depend on area and plans. Jerry inquired about campsite location.

Amy stated if sites are not near the water, they will not be utilized. Committee would like to

pursue grants to build additional campsites. Bill shared the biggest cost with constructing more

sites is if you have to purchase another restroom which is 80-100K. Jerry asked the committee to

search for more areas to put additional campsites in recreation areas.

Amy shared one of the possibilities for obtaining a grant would be to build a swing

set/playground at the Crystal Springs Day Use since the swing set has been torn down due to

damage. Jerry asked the committee members to look over the possible project list and pick

something they are interested in to work on getting a grant to accomplish.

Commission and the state tourism is down due to people thinking the entire state is closed due to

also putting out a release that E. Coli only closed the State Park beach at Ouachita, and all other

Jerry asked about the fisheries grant. Amy will send out the email with the grant information to

the committee members. Al G. asked about the status of non-native aquatic vegetation. Dustin

stated the Corps would be doing a survey later this month, and he would provide an update.

Cedar Glade restoration and cedar utilization for fish habitat.

Bill B. moved to adjourn, Jon S. seconded. Meeting adjourned @ 7:10