Update on develpment

[Phil Lilley]

I know rain hasn't been a problem, so I've heard down there, but is the development proceeding? Has there been any effort to correct the runoff problem?

And how's fishing???

[John Berry]

I talked with my friend Leon Alexander about the project. He is the treasurer for the Southern Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers and lives very close to the river. He has been very active in monitoring the situation since day one. He reports that substantial progress has been made to mitigate further run-off problems. There are silt fences, settling pools and they have seeded the area with grass. Of course none of this equals the pristine enviorment that existed before and there is still a lot of silt in the river. A recent article in the Baxter Bulletin noted that the Baxter County Zoning and Planning Commission was considering requiring storm water plan approved by ADEQ before issuing a construction permit. Let's hope they do!

[Danoinark]

Latest from the Mountain Home paper:

Environmental impact of sediment runoff remains to be seen

An environmental agency is satisfied with steps taken by a developer who allowed sediment to run into the North Fork River but researchers continue to investigate how it will impact the riverπs trout.

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality issued an emergency order in May against Benny Doyal, who is building the subdivision Overlook Estates above the North Fork River near the Norfork Dam.

So far, Doyal has taken steps to stabilize the site, said Doug Szenher, ADEQ media and public affairs manager. The agency required him to plant grass seed on the site and create sediment ponds.

Water specialists are investigating the impact the soil will have on fish that swim in the river and nearby tributaries.

"There is an impact, but we donπt know to what extent," said Erica Shelby, ADEQ water use and resource specialist.

[Snow Fly]

I heard they had a good amount of rain at Norfork on Fri. 7/28 and there was a lot of mud run off from the housing project near the dam, bad enought that it ran all the way down to the White and muddy that water also.

This happened even after the state agenices in charge of monitoring this work & solve the problems basically stated all issues concerning run-off from this area had been addressed and appropiate action taken by the responsible party.I guess politics have entered this issue like all the others, where money talks and the environment gets ZERO!

[snap]

...I was there over Easter for the first time and came to the conclusion that nothing could be done to fix that problem....too many trees missing and too much dirt showing...in addition, I am not very smart, but it does not take a smart person to figure out that at that slope....grass and holding ponds are like band aids for heart attacks...a lot of damage has been done and would take time to restore if the development fall through...houses do not belong everywhere...good luck....as I hope for the best !!!

[Griff]

I personally checked the runoff after our last big rain, 7/28, I think, and it was horrendous. Whatever efforts have been made are apparently largely ineffective. Most times when we have a big rain, the White is muddy and the Fork is clear. This time it was reversed.

[Rusty]

FWIW...I am waiting on a return call from Steve Moyer (sp) with the National Trout Unlimited. To see if a National Organization can toss their clout around. So far, it seems the state government has issues in other areas. I am also going to ask about the attempted dredging in the Taneycomo Lake. Wish me luck.

[Danoinark]

Good deal Russ thanks. I would like to here what he says.

Dan

[MTM]

I find it amazing how builders and the government can do things to areas like that. People want to move there becasue of the fishing and the beauty of the area and end up killing what they loved to start with. And the state let's the builders get away with it. Just as an example look at the Letort in PA. Heck they let them build a huge Wal-Mart right on it's banks and now it gets all of the run off from all the parking lot's and all the gas and oil left from the cars and trucks. Dang shame if you ask me. I think they sould be made do build at least a mile from such places. Heck the Yellwostone River just out of Yellwostone Park is on the top 10 indangered list now do to all the building going on along the river. Funny how people will kill what they love just to say "Look were I live". But what do I know. Ron

[snap]

...It is obvious we are all on the same page on this one!!!...Good Luck to us all....I am afraid we are going to need it!!!