Douglas Bay subdivisions trying to keep lake access
By Suzanne Werre
BHG News
The folks who live in the Spring Creek and Iglehart Lakeview Subdivisions near Douglas Bay on the north side of Lake Sakakawea do not want to lose their easy lake access, and they’re willing to take the necessary steps to make sure they don’t.
Representatives of the association came prepared for their meeting with the McLean County Commissioners Tuesday morning when they asked the commission to consider allowing the group to call for an election to form a recreation service district, which would allow the group to develop parking areas, proper signage, manage shoreline access, maintain the area and get insurance, and most importantly, construct a concrete boat ramp.
Rosalie Doerr and Jeff Stamaris represented the group of property owners near Douglas Bay, giving a brief overview of why the group wants to establish a recreational service district. According to Doerr, the association members for several years had been using natural boat ramps, but in the fall of 2011, the Army Corps of Engineers informed association members that they needed to use concrete or metal sliding sections, which they did for 2012. In the fall of 2012, they were informed by the Corps that they needed to have a permanent structure.
Since then association members have been working with the Corps as well as the County Auditor Les Korgel to determine the best way to go about building a permanent, concrete boat ramp in Douglas Bay. They’ve determined the best way is to establish the recreation service district, which may allow the group to be able to obtain some grant funding.
