Fun launches J. Lake trail [and FERC Shoreline Management Plan review meeting, Sept. 11th]

Post date: Sep 02, 2009 4:38:27 PM

By LORI POTTER Hub Staff Writer, August 31, 2009, Kearney HUB on line at: http://www.kearneyhub.com

HOLDREGE - A Labor Day groundbreaking for a new hike and bike trail at Johnson Lake will feature a "Parade of Spades" carried by bicycle riders, runners and walkers converging at the ceremony site.

The groundbreaking will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 7 at Drive 19B, Johnson Lake Drive.

Participants in a five-mile bicycle fun ride should meet at 9 a.m. at the EMS Building, Drive 8A. Also at 9 a.m., participants in a 3.3-mile fun run should meet at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outlet trail head on Drive 28.

There will be a fun walk of six-tenths of a mile starting at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7 from Drive 22 (Mallard Beach 5-6 entrance area) and Drive 18 (inlet campground).

At Friday's Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District board committee meeting in Holdrege, CNPPID Public Relations Manager Tim Anderson said the concrete-surfaced trail on the west side of the lake along Central's E-65 irrigation canal will be 1.4 miles long.

Meetings are planned this week on the development plans so that construction can begin in October. Anderson said a contractor hasn't been selected, but work has been done to lay out the trail route and write specifications.

The total estimated cost is $225,000. So far, Central has contributed $158,000 and the Lexington Community Foundation has approved a $50,000 grant.

Anderson said Tri-Basin Natural Resources District officials have agreed to provide in-kind services for landscaping along the new trail.

He said the long-term goal is to link 17 miles of trails around the lake, making it a destination for people who enjoy trails as outdoor recreation.

In another Johnson Lake issue at Friday's CNPPID meeting, board members were reminded that public information meetings are scheduled next week on the district's updated land and shoreline management plan that's required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for Central projects.

The Lexington/Johnson Lake area meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Lexington Holiday Inn Express.

Other meetings are at the Gray Goose Lodge at Lake McConaughy at 7 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time Sept. 9, and the Super 8 in Gothenburg at 7 p.m. Sept. 10.

The draft plan will be posted Tuesday on the Web site at www.cnppid.com. [ http://cnppid.com/Shoreline_Plan_and_Permits.htm ]

CNPPID Natural Resources Manager Mike Drain said comments will be accepted at the three public meetings, but the format will focus on information and answering questions. Then, comments will be accepted for another couple of weeks.

"For most of our established users, not much is going to change," he said.

However, contractors for future shoreline and land developments will face more permit conditions, Drain said, such as making sure habitats used by threatened or endangered species are protected.

The updated plan also must be reviewed by agencies and interests that include the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, counties and State Historic Preservation Office.

Drain said he hopes the plan is ready for board approval at its Sept. 25 committee meeting or at least by the Oct. 5 board meeting. The FERC deadline is the end of September, he said, but an extension won't be required if it's completed within a couple of weeks of the deadline.