Table Rock Buoy Removal and Massive Boat Wakes

[Champ188]

When all is said and done, what the Average Joe wants vs. the powers that be (i.e., those who make the laws and the richy-rich folks who are lining their wallets) matters none.

Strength in numbers is a thing of the past, if indeed it ever existed at a political level. More docks on Table Rock means a whole lot more money for a lot of folks and the wishes of a handful of us fishermen doesn't mean diddly squat to the lawmakers. 

Sorry to come off negative but IMHO, that's the cold hard truth of the matter. 

[vernon]

I know I'm constantly running my mouth defending the COE and here I go again.  

Nonetheless, I can assure you of a couple of things that WILL happen from the COE's perspective.

1)  They WILL diligently and accurately record and document all concerns expressed at these town halls and whatever other feedback/input they receive from community members.

2)  They WILL diligently and accurately package and present these concerns to state and federal legislators and include their input and recommendations which typically parallel and support those expressed by the community members.

Believe me, the COE doesn't like or want to deal with the dangers and damages caused by these ocean liners either.

However, after doing so, they have no choice but to wait for policy revisions, regulations, directives and instructions to come back down from above that will tell them what the rules and regulations will be going forward and how they are expected to implement and enforce them.

Period.

In a nutshell, that's life in the military which is exactly what the COE is.

[Browning Guy]

1 hour ago, vernon said:

I know I'm constantly running my mouth defending the COE and here I go again.  

Nonetheless, I can assure you of a couple of things that WILL happen from the COE's perspective.

1)  They WILL diligently and accurately record and document all concerns expressed at these town halls and whatever other feedback/input they receive from community members.

2)  They WILL diligently and accurately package and present these concerns to state and federal legislators and include their input and recommendations which typically parallel and support those expressed by the community members.

Believe me, the COE doesn't like or want to deal with the dangers and damages caused by these ocean liners either.

However, after doing so, they have no choice but to wait for policy revisions, regulations, directives and instructions to come back down from above that will tell them what the rules and regulations will be going forward and how they are expected to implement and enforce them.

Period.

In a nutshell, that's life in the military which is exactly what the COE is.

Vernon, spot on.  I went to the Reeds Spring meeting last night.  The Corps was professional and cordial as was I and most I saw.  Without naming names of who I spoke with..... the Corps is well aware of the SIGNIFICANT problems caused by the ocean liners, wake board boats and surf boats.  They are also aware of the anger caused by the Water Patrols push to remove the buoys from the lake.  According to the Corps representatives I spoke with, the two MAJOR concerns being expressed by the public is the massive boats, dock destruction, bank erosion and removal of buoys. They documented my, and others, concerns in a very professional manner.  I mentioned that TR is being turned into Lake of the Ozarks south.  The two representatives both said it will get much worse if Washington doesn't hear from us (the general public).  One Corps official said that money is trying to outdo money on the lake write now and that I was correct in comparing LOZ and the new TR. 

With this said.............IT IS NOW our responsibility to send our concerns to Claire McCaskill, Roy Blunt, Billy Long AND our State Representatives.  Some on this board will say "it won't matter if we write our Representatives" and unfortunately the self defeating attitude will lead to bigger boats, more damage and the inability to use the lake by us during the summer months.

Love or hate Ms. McCaskill.... she is facing an uphill battle for re-election next year.  We have the opportunity to ask her for help in this matter and maybe she is looking for more agenda items to sink her teeth into.  My letters have been written (after speaking with the Corps last night) and I will be assisting others in writing their letters.  I encourage everyone on this board to take a few minutes and write the Corps before August 30 and write each of their Representatives. As I said when I started this thread.....speak now or forever hold your peace.   43 years of fishing Table Rock Lake and I have never seen a summer like this. 

 

[vernon]

2 minutes ago, BrowningCollector.com said:

Vernon, spot on.  I went to the Reeds Spring meeting last night.  The Corps was cordial as was I and most I saw.  Without naming names of who I spoke with..... the Corps is well aware of the SIGNIFICANT problems caused by the ocean liners, wake board boats and surf boats.  They are also aware of the anger caused by the Water Patrols push to remove the buoys from the lake.  According to the Corps representatives I spoke with, the two MAJOR concerns being expressed by the public is the massive boats, dock destruction, bank erosion and removal of buoys. They documented my, and others, concerns in a very professional manner.  I mentioned that TR is being turned into Lake of the Ozarks south.  The two representatives both said it will get much worse if Washington doesn't hear from us (the general public).  One Corps official said that money is trying to outdo money on the lake write now and that I was correct in comparing LOZ and the new TR. 

With this said.............IT IS NOW our responsibility to send our concerns to Claire McCaskill, Roy Blunt, Billy Long AND our State Representatives.  Some on this board will say "it won't matter if we write our Representatives" and unfortunately the self defeating attitude will lead to bigger boats, more damage and the inability to use the lake by us during the summer months.

Love or hate Ms. McCaskill.... she is facing an uphill battle for re-election next year.  We have the opportunity to ask her for help in this matter and maybe she is looking for more agenda items to sink her teeth into.  My letters have been written (after speaking with the Corps last night) and I will be assisting others in writing their letters.  I encourage everyone on this board to take a few minutes and write the Corps before August 30 and write each of their Representatives. As I said when I started this thread.....speak now or forever hold your peace.

 

Well stated.  While I am pessimistic (at best) that there's much hope of derailing this runaway freight train, all any of us can do is try.  

One thing is for sure - if we do nothing, then that's exactly what we can expect to get so far as any hint of resolution - nothing.

The bigger problem, as I see it, is that in virtually all of these types of government related controversies, the die were cast long ago by big money and sweetheart deals and all that's going on now is the typical CYA effort of the legislators intended to make it appear as if they weren't behind the entire mess to begin with and that all they really care about is the "good of the people and delivering to them what they want".

Which, as we all know, it total bull.

Unfortunately, EVERYTHING in this world has its price including all of the things that people like us treasure and value the most.

As an aside, it's long been my opinion that the legislators that are at the highest risk of not being re-elected are the most dangerous and unswayable.  These types of deals are their way of padding and increasing their nest egg after their days of  "service" have come to an inevitable end.

Believe me, the long reach of their influence and power doesn't end when they leave office.

Just ask the Clinton's.

[Champ188]

1 hour ago, vernon said:

I know I'm constantly running my mouth defending the COE and here I go again.  

Just for clarity, let me emphasize that my stone-throwing was at "lawmakers" and not the COE. As Vernon points out, this decision will be made above their pay grade. 

[Champ188]

1 minute ago, vernon said:

The bigger problem, as I see it, is that in virtually all of these types of government related controversies, the die were cast long ago by big money and sweetheart deals and all that's going on now is the typical CYA effort of the legislators intended to make it appear as if they weren't behind the entire mess to begin with and that all they really care about is the "good of the people and delivering to them what they want".

Ding ding ding ding!!!! Watched this from a front-row seat for more than three decades in the newspaper business. Thus my pessimism.

The only way to get these people's attention is with the voice of someone with more money than all of us combined. Hmmmm, do we know any such person? Oh wait ... what about Johnny Moneybags? After all, isn't he an icon in the sport of fishing and vitally concerned about our natural resources? Shoot, seems he'd be particularly interested in this world-renowned fishery that rests in his own backyard. 

Surely Johnny will use his political influence to speak on our behalf and step in front of the train. 

[vernon]

1 minute ago, Champ188 said:

Ding ding ding ding!!!! Watched this from a front-row seat for more than three decades in the newspaper business. Thus my pessimism.

The only way to get these people's attention is with the voice of someone with more money than all of us combined. Hmmmm, do we know any such person? Oh wait ... what about Johnny Moneybags? After all, isn't he an icon in the sport of fishing and vitally concerned about our natural resources? Shoot, seems he'd be particularly interested in this world-renowned fishery that rests in his own backyard. 

Surely Johnny will use his political influence to speak on our behalf and step in front of the train. 

I like the way you think!

However, it's more likely that Ranger/Nitro will start manufacturing 65 foot cabin cruisers I'm afraid.  Whatever "influence" Johnny might have had in this issue has already been exerted and likely years ago.  Now it's time to turn "opportunity" into profit.

When it's all said and done it's way easier and cheaper to change one's product to fit the law than it is to fight to change the law.

You know it's not at all unusual (and it's probably happening right now) for government entities to be drafting up new policy at the same time that they're "soliciting" input from shareholders regarding those very policy changes.

While it's known in the trade as "preparing for all possible outcomes and contingencies", everybody pretty much knows that it really means that the ship has already sailed and we're just performing an exercise intended to provide covering fire for the Blunts of the world.

Depressing.

[Browning Guy]

Just mailed my three letters (took all of an hours work) and will send one to my State about the buoy removal.  Johnny maybe an idea and will most likely send something to his keepers. No doubt a way up uphill battle, but at least I can say I tried to make a difference.  After attending the presentation last night, I get the feeling that there are many folks not pleased with what is happening and I will stand with them and hope.

[Lake Lover]

1 hour ago, BrowningCollector.com said:

Vernon, spot on.  I went to the Reeds Spring meeting last night.  The Corps was professional and cordial as was I and most I saw.  Without naming names of who I spoke with..... the Corps is well aware of the SIGNIFICANT problems caused by the ocean liners, wake board boats and surf boats.  They are also aware of the anger caused by the Water Patrols push to remove the buoys from the lake.  According to the Corps representatives I spoke with, the two MAJOR concerns being expressed by the public is the massive boats, dock destruction, bank erosion and removal of buoys. They documented my, and others, concerns in a very professional manner.  I mentioned that TR is being turned into Lake of the Ozarks south.  The two representatives both said it will get much worse if Washington doesn't hear from us (the general public).  One Corps official said that money is trying to outdo money on the lake write now and that I was correct in comparing LOZ and the new TR. 

With this said.............IT IS NOW our responsibility to send our concerns to Claire McCaskill, Roy Blunt, Billy Long AND our State Representatives.  Some on this board will say "it won't matter if we write our Representatives" and unfortunately the self defeating attitude will lead to bigger boats, more damage and the inability to use the lake by us during the summer months.

Love or hate Ms. McCaskill.... she is facing an uphill battle for re-election next year.  We have the opportunity to ask her for help in this matter and maybe she is looking for more agenda items to sink her teeth into.  My letters have been written (after speaking with the Corps last night) and I will be assisting others in writing their letters.  I encourage everyone on this board to take a few minutes and write the Corps before August 30 and write each of their Representatives. As I said when I started this thread.....speak now or forever hold your peace.   43 years of fishing Table Rock Lake and I have never seen a summer like this. 

 

Just a thought from some of us that aren't as fluent with our words, and or letters of this type.  If someone had the time and was able to draft a template for a letter to be sent, posted it for all to cut and paste and put their own info on it, we might get a lot more guy's to join in and send the above mentioned our thoughts.

I know it will look repetitive and at some point maybe a little unprofessional, but sometimes consistency pays, and the easier it is for people to join in on the battle the more of a voice that might be heard from their potential voting public.

[bobby b.]

1 hour ago, Lake Lover said:

Just a thought from some of us that aren't as fluent with our words, and or letters of this type.  If someone had the time and was able to draft a template for a letter to be sent, posted it for all to cut and paste and put their own info on it, we might get a lot more guy's to join in and send the above mentioned our thoughts.

I know it will look repetitive and at some point maybe a little unprofessional, but sometimes consistency pays, and the easier it is for people to join in on the battle the more of a voice that might be heard from their potential voting public.

Here are the two comments I made to the Corp. regarding Solar Power and Buoys

I own one slip in an 18 slip dock on North Indian Creek.  I am a professional engineer, retired. 

I would like to address two proposed changes to the Shoreline Management Plan.

First – Page 9, Line 8-10 and Page 36, Lines 32 and 33 appear to require all electric service is to be removed and replaced with “alternative power source” (by December 2027).  Is this correct and if so, does this mean primarily solar power?

My 18 slip dock current uses 187 Kw-hr of electricity each month.  My calculations indicated that the solar system required to meet this energy demand would be a 6Kw solar panel having a dimension of 33 ft x 12 ft.  with over 2000 lbs of flood lead acid wet cell batteries and a 4400Kw inverter.  This system requirements have been validated by a professional solar company with an estimated cost of over $20,000 assuming the existing structure can even support this additional weight.

I question whether real safety is improved with this arrangement but I do believe that this increases the potential for an environmental insult due to the batteries.   Additionally, there are shock detection and prevention systems on the market that would increase electrical safety for a fraction of the cost of the solar systems.  Why don’t the Corp require these if safety is the concern?

Second – Page 9, Line 18-21 require removed of no wake buoys for private docks in favor a signage.  Is this correct?

I have had a home on the lake for 11 years now and can tell you that the buoys provide both safety for the swimmers adjacent to the swim platforms as well as some protection for the dock structure from boats particularly Wake Boats.  I observe that 95% of the boats will pass a dock on the buoy side rather than between the dock and the buoy.  If removed the boats will not adhere to the sign and few boaters seem to understand what 100 ft. is.  We have both buoys and a very large readable sign.  Again if Safety is the concern, this is a step in the wrong direction.