The Ramps

[straw hat]

Well I guess an old dog can learn new tricks. I have been fooling around and found you can hit the quote button on a post, edit the wording in it and post that altered post. Can't say I like that very much.

[powerdive]

I'd guess the purpose of that is to be able to eliminate extraneous wording other than the gist of what you're responding to. With computers, though, not everybody is operating at the same level of proficiency.

[Walcrabass]

Everybody,

Here are the answers to the questions I ask concerning the ramps etc.

Thanks for your interest in Stockton Lake!

I am responding to your questions posted in an email to our office. I am listing the questions and a response to the individual items below:

1) Can a campground/boat ramp can be sold to another entity?

In order for Federal Lands to be sold to another entity it would take approval of Congress. Land originally purchased by the Corps of Engineers was intended to be used for flood control purposes, so justification and rationale would need to be provided in order to sell the property.


2) If a campground/boat ramp is leased to another entity does that entity have the right to keep the general public from using the boat ramp?

If a campground/boat ramp is leased to a concessionaire/lessee, no attempt shall be made by the Lessee, nor any of its sub-lessees or concessionaires, to forbid the full use by the public of the premises. However, the Lessee has the authority and responsibility to manage the premises and provide safety and security to the visiting public.

3) Can an entity that has leased a campground/boat ramp charge a fee to use the boat ramp?

Yes, a concessionaire/lessee does have the authority to charge a reasonable fee to use the boat ramp. This fee is to help recover a portion of their cost of operating and maintaining the area/boat ramp.

4) If a person from the General Public has an Annual Daily Use tag for Corp of Engineer facilities can an entity that has leased a campground/boat ramp keep the general public from using the ramp at no additional charge?

A concessionaire does not have to accept an Annual Day Use Pass for the use of the leased boat ramp. An Annual Day Use Pass only permits the holder and all accompanying passengers in the vehicle to use boat launch ramps and/or designated, developed swimming beaches at any Corps operated recreation area. Since the leased area is not operated specifically by the Corps they are not required to accept the Annual Day Use Pass as payment for using the area.

5) Are there currently any thoughts by the Corp of Engineers about closing or leasing any additional campgrounds or boat ramps on Stockton Lake?

The Corps of Engineers at Stockton Lake does not have any future plans of closing any additional campgrounds or boat ramps at Stockton Lake. Each year we evaluate and assess our park areas to make management decisions based on usage, efficiency, and performance. As you may know, camping within Masters Park was closed on March 1, 2014. At this time we would entertain interest from potential partners, that express an interest in becoming a lease concessionaire and developing/operating the Masters Campground Area.

6) If a campground has been closed or does not have Corp of Engineer personnel taking care of it or maintaining it can the general public still launch at the boat ramp?

As long as the boat ramp is designated as open for use and appropriate day use fees have been paid then yes, the boat ramp is open to the public for appropriate use.


7) Specifically and exactly what fund(s) do the monies for the campsite usage get deposited in? If this is a General Fund then please tell which one it is.

All recreation use fees collected are deposited into a general account in the U.S. Treasury. Subject to congress approving appropriations, those appropriations are used for operation, maintenance and improvement of recreation sites and facilities at the project.


8) Specifically and exactly what fund(s) do the monies for the boat ramp usage get deposited in? If this is a General Fund then please tell which one it is.

Same as above, there is no specific fund - all recreation use fees collected are deposited into a general account in the U.S. Treasury. Subject to congress approving appropriations, those appropriations are used for operation, maintenance and improvement of recreation sites and facilities at the project.

Thanks again for your interest in Stockton Lake.

I hope that you have many SAFE and enjoyable visits.

If you would like to address this further - please feel free to respond to this email or contact our office.


Respectfully,
Rod Hendricks
Operations Project Manager
Stockton Lake

Office 417 276 3113

I did the best I could with the questions. If you guys have other questions just give the Operations Project Manager a call or email him.

Walcrabass

[bfishn]

You done good!

[Walcrabass]

Everybody,

I hope you have read the questions and answers as bfishn has done. I hope you raise your voices ( letters, votes, phone calls, emails, etc.) to those in power ( and don't forget that we empowered them). I for one am having a very hard time understanding how we can pay for it to be purchased and built but then can have it leased or sold out from under us without our consent. The truly ridiculous part is where we have to pay again to another entity to use the boat ramp. It looks like to me that with all those incredibly smart managers, lawyers, and politicians that are running this show that they would be able to write the lease so that the general public could still use the boat ramp with the Corps of Engineer Day Use Pass. I believe it is deplorable to treat your fellow American is this manner. If people want to lease these campgrounds I think that is just fine if they do a good job. I just believe that they should lease with the understanding that the public can still use the beaches, boat ramps, etc. that the public already paid to buy and build.

Go get 'em guys.......don't let this slide...... like I said before , " It just ain't right !!!!

Walcrabass

[straw hat]

Excellant job Walcrabass!!