The purpose of this meeting was to continue to educate the volunteers concerning the AML project and to work with them to establish projects and protocol for working at Interlake.

Mark Stacy, AML Environmental Specialist, spoke to the group about the current AML project.  He spoke about (a) the history of the local area and the numerous projects that have been completed by AML in the area, (b) funding involved in AML projects, (c) reasons the project area is extremely fragile for at least 5 years, (d) future project plans and timeline, (e) how that project completion can be targeted to the Interlake users, and (f) some information about other local projects.  Mark also answered several questions from volunteers.

Mark’s presentation led into discussions concerning signage for the current Interlake AML project site.  These discussions are outlined below.

I discussed the need for volunteers to be distinguished from general public users and for a calendar to be established that includes work days and work locations.  It was generally agreed that fluorescent green vests would be a good identifier; these vests could be purchased by Friends of Interlake (FoI, or individual volunteers) and marked with a FoI logo (logo to be determined).  This should allow volunteers to be identified from a distance by Law Enforcement (LE) officials.  I stressed the importance of this because volunteers will be allowed a few “privileges” on scheduled workdays.  One of the most important privileges will be the right to use chain saws to clear trails and to decommission areas of trails or “illegal” trails.

Work day requirements include:

·        Volunteers easily identified by Law Enforcement and the general public – a recognizable presence on site

·        Work completed on pre-scheduled days – Law Enforcement and safety personnel (EMS Services) will be notified

·        Work locations pre-determined and recorded – Law Enforcement and safety personnel (EMS Services) will be notified

Five projects were identified as needing to be completed.  Three additional projects were added after the main meeting with a subgroup of volunteers.  It was decided that Project Teams would be formed including people with the most interest, experience, and knowledge.  These teams will devise plans and present them at the March 15 meeting.

Project 1:

Trail marking:  I presented a current map with trail coded by color and stated that Div. of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) would be purchasing blazers for trail marking.  This brought up a lot of discussion and questions including (a) using Spray paint and stencils (currently used at Pike State Forest), and (b) national trail marking standards to be consistent for people visiting Interlake from distant areas.

After much discussion about how overly simplistic my solution was to a much more complex issue : ), the decision was made that spray paint and stencils would work best at Interlake and I can adjust the Trails Map to the new colors. The Trail Marking Team will research national standards and submit a proposal to me for Interlake.  Yvette Rollins will be a leader of this team.  Justin Sawyer offered materials for stencils.

Other trail marking methods may also be used, for example colored carsonite posts throughout the middle of the property where there are no trees.

Project 2:

Trail 8:  This project will focus on the areas of Trail 8 (furthest northeast trail) that need attention due to wet areas and to “illegal” trails that are currently connecting to the AML project levee.

Two wet areas that need attention were identified.  There was also much discussion of how to by-pass or bridge a current wet area that is the “beginning” of a trail that connects to the AML project without jeopardizing the CE and state or federal funding.

The Trail 8 team will determine how to bridge the wet areas and close the access to the AML levee.  Some signage maybe required.  This may be a temporary bridge until culverts and stone can be placed.  Geotextile may also be an option for these wet areas.

Project 3:

AML project – off the access road, Passive treatment wetlands signage: This project will be a joint effort with DOR, Sugar Ridge, and volunteers.  I will continue to pursue acceptable verbiage for signs that will be placed at specific locations around the passive treatment areas.  Wording has been approved by District 7 officers; I will complete submission to Exec. level LE for formal approval.  DOR will purchase required materials, Sugar Ridge is willing to rout out the lettering, and volunteers are willing to place the signs.  Hopf Equipment is willing to donate the equipment needed for posthole drilling.

Six locations have been identified as needing signage.  Some signs will need to be “double faced” as some trails currently run beside the AML area.

There was also discussion about placing interpretive signage.  This will be followed up on.  However, enforcement signage is the primary goal of this project, at this point in time.

Project 4:

Trail Clean Up: This will be an ongoing project and may be done in combination with trail marking.  The Trail Clean Up Team will develop a calendar of days and locations for trail cleaning.

I would like to suggest we build Adopt-A-Trail programs into this project.  I didn’t think to mention it at the meeting, but we can discuss this more, including appropriate recognition signage.  DOR may be able to provide some funds for that.

Project 5:

Media Day: A proposal was presented that we follow the example of other states and have a media day.  This project would include inviting media personnel to the property for an educational day including short trail tours for the media representatives.  The goal of this media day would be to reach a much larger audience, to educate them about the AML project, trail etiquette, and property and state rules and regulations.

I will need to follow up with DNR (including the Divisions of Communications, Reclamation, and LE), FoI representatives, and possibly others.  Mark Stacy has expressed his willingness to be the AML rep. on this project. 

Project 6:

Sign on the south end of haul road:  This project is a continuation of Project 3.  A sign needs to be placed at the north end of the AML project on the old haul road that connects to 1200S. 

There may be other locations that need to be identified for signage.

Project 7:

Adopt-A-Can: This can be a continuing project.  A proposal was made to create an adopt a trash can program.  The goal of this program is to provide trash cans that can read to the effect of “Clean Up Sponsored By (organization)”.  It will be the organization’s responsibility to check the can on a regular basis to empty it and remove the trash from the property.  Cans could potentially be anchored using swing set anchors which would not jeopardize federal funds.

There was some discussion of an organization placing a dumpster on site and that organization paying for the trash removal contract.

FoI, Justin Sawyer, can be contacted for more information on this program.  There may be cans available for low cost purchase.

Project 8:

Perched lake – dam repair: I need to follow up with DNR Div. of Engineering to determine what (if any) requirements must be met and how to proceed.

There were some concerns at the end of the meeting that work done by volunteers would be futile because of the master plan.  I gave a brief description of the master plan and why it would impact the volunteer efforts very little, if at all.

The next meeting will be held at Interlake:

Meeting date:  March 15, 2009

Place: Marion Parking Area

Time: 9:30 AM EST

Friends of Interlake Election of Officers (in conjunction with the WCRD meeting):

March 10

7:00 PM CT

Big 4 Cycle & Marine: 5320 E Morgan Ave., Evansville (1 mile west of I-164)

Teleconferencing may be available.  

FoI information available at Lincoln Country Trail Riders web site:   http://www.lincolncountrytrailriders.com/

Important contacts:

Justin Sawyer:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   812/319-1421

Yvette Rollins: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tom Hartman: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    812/453-2712

Thank you to all who attended the Feb 21 meeting!  Your comments, insight, and knowledge are a strong asset to Interlake.  To those who were unable to attend but would like to be involved in any projects, please, contact one of the representatives above (project coordination will be run through the FoI).

Be Safe!

Carman