Houseboat Owners Assoc. Update #2
fellow boaters,
The BOR reports that this was the biggest week ever for use of New Melones Lake. What a great asset our lake is to the community and businesses! Your leadership team is busy. Next week we meet with the Marina Owners to discuss ongoing drought related issues. Our next steps are to coordinate a volunteer Marina Clean Up Day and set our next meeting dates. Meanwhile, here is an update from our meeting the BOR:
Meeting Notes: BOR 5/14/14
Attendees: Steven Foster, Glynn Morris, Bill Carey, Alex Michalek
Lake levels were discussed. Within a 90% accuracy rating-at the end of....:
May-909 ft.
June-891 ft.
July-870 ft.
August-840 ft.
Sept.-826 ft.
The last BOR built ramp at Glory Hole comes out of the water at 899 ft. Then the first volunteer ramp attached to the Glory Hole Ramp comes out of the water at 846 ft. Then the second volunteer ramp comes out of the water at about 804 ft.
The BOR is working hard on trying to keep the Marina and Boaters on the water. The BOR will allow the two volunteer ramps and possibly the Old Hwy 49 road to be used as "emergency" houseboat pull-out facilities. Therefore, if you want to pull a houseboat out for storage or repairs other than an emergency, it needs to be done very soon!
Emergency pull outs will be reviewed by the BOR on a case by case basis and need careful planning due to narrow ramps and dock removal. The base line review for pull out need will be based on whether or not the boat represents a health and/or safety concern.
Marina Operator -we held a lengthy discussion on long term construction and management of a new marina to possibly be built within 3 to 5 years. The BOR will begin marketing that concept very soon to possible operators. Meanwhile, in the short term, the existing Marina Operator wants to retire. Therefore, the BOR and Marina Operator are in ongoing discussions/negotiations with an individual who wants to run the marina on a temporary basis for two years or so. This is good news because without a Marina we cannot have our boats on the lake. If all goes well, this transition will take place in Sept. We must all continue to support our marina as much as possible to keep it viable.
Storage and Pull Outs -the BOR is working on a houseboat storage plan just in case we all do have to pull out. Storing boats on Federal Land requires management by the Marina Operator as the Federal Govt. does not run concessions. We discussed the logistics of a mass pull out operation and the possibility of difficulty in securing boat movers during the drought. Details of the discussion included support stands, repair work, security, etc. We decided to hold these discussions in more detail at a later date. The BOR has agreed that if a pull out is necessary, those in good standing (i.e. fees paid up to date with Marina, have proper insurance, and in compliance with BOR standards) will be allowed to return to the Lake on a priority basis.
Marina Operator Contract -The BOR has agreed to e-mail us a copy of the Marina Contract. In addition, the BOR is working on the logistics and environmental documents to allow the Marina to continue moving out further into the Lake. There are boundary issues that have to be overcome so this is good news.
Roadwork -any grading or gravel that needs repairs (including the possibility of straightening a curve) between the volunteer ramps will be taken care of the BOR. The extent of any work won't be known until the roads and ramps surface.
Communication -in order to ensure proper communication, notes of meetings with the BOR will be reviewed and agreed to by the BOR and the leadership team before they go out for distribution. In addition, we will try and meet at least every 30 days to stay on top of this drought management situation.
End of notes
Keep spreading the word about our association. We have 57 contacts now and growing. I will update you after the meeting with the Marina Owners. Contact me at any time.
See you on the lake!
Steven Foster
916-425-0657(including texts)
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