Overlook Estates Debacle

[John Berry]

Well, the Baxter Bulletin reported today that Homeport Land Company submitted a stormwater pollution prevention plan to ADEQ and was on schedule. The bulletin went on to say that construction began on check dams etc. The estimated cost of the clean up is $500,000.00. I sincerely hope they are doing it right. I am also glad that something, anything is being done to correct the problem. This is a problem that they brought on themselves.

[Kansas Fly Fisher]

Sounds like they are at least trying to move in the right direction. I hope it works out.

John

[Terry Beeson]

That's good news... Now for the follow through...

[Snow Fly]

John:

A group of us were on the Norfork last week and while wading in the rocks across from Gene's I noticed silt {mud} coming up around my feet, I assume this is from Overlook! Have you also noticed this or is my brain on overload?

Also noticed the big flat rocks just in the water on the shoreline next to Gene's oldest dock the rocks had a gray like silt tint!

If what I noticed is correct there has to be major issues concerning the destruction of the aquatic life in this tailwater.

[John Berry]

There has been siltation and degradation to the Norfork caused by the Overlook Estates debacle. It cannot be fixed until the situation at Overlook Estates is stabilized.

[Rusty]

Update released today in the Baxter Bulletin. I think it is rather strange that the people overseeing this are the same ones who were going to give this a pass, basically, until TU made notice they were going to sue BD. Then ADEQ decided to pull up their boot straps and do something. Is TU involved in any oversite on this, or is it still an Arkansas only issue?

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dl...328/1002/NEWS01

[John Berry]

I do not know exactly what type of oversite that TU will maintain on this issue. I can say however that I am personally pleased that they got involved. I think this issue was a wake up call for ADEQ and they will be more involved in this type of situation in the future. The person that really worked on this one was my friend, Leon Alexander. He is the Treasurer for the Southern Council of the FFF and Vice President of the Friends Of the Norfork Fish Hatchery.