Post date: Jul 05, 2012 6:29:4 PM

Plan outlines Johnson Lake trail system

By LORI POTTER Hub Staff Writer | Posted: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 3:30 pm http://www.kearneyhub.com

HOLDREGE — A master plan has been completed that defines how current hike-bike trails could be linked into an off-road trail system around Johnson Lake.

Rick Zubrod of Kirkham Michael of Lincoln presented an overview of the plan Monday to the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District directors and staff.

Johnson Lake is a regulating reservoir for CNPPID’s irrigation system, with water also running through the J-1 and J-2 hydropower plants.

Central Public Relations Adviser Tim Anderson said a master plan was requested a year ago. Since then, a steering committee representing the lake’s neighborhoods reviewed trail options. There also have been two public information meetings.

“We tried to get the public involved as much as we could,” Anderson said.

Zubrod said that of the master plan’s 110 pages, 35 are the plan and the other pages are maps and other attachments. No engineering or actual cost assessments are included, he said, and the costs could vary greatly depending on the amount of construction done by CNPPID, volunteers and other entities.

Ron Fowler, a member of Johnson Lake Development Inc. and the steering committee, told the Hub that general costs for paved trails is about $120,000 per mile.

Zubrod said an opinion survey mailed in October to 900 homes had a map listing 11 trail segments and options and received positive comments about trails’ benefits for recreation and to keep hikers and bikers off the main roads.

“One of the things I like about these trails is they’re not only for use by cabin owners, but also by the general public,” Anderson said.

Concerns raised in the survey focused on keeping trails away from main roads for safety reasons and ensuring that trash and animal waste are controlled.

“The priorities were developed with safety in mind. The secondary goal was to connect neighborhoods and destinations,” Zubrod said as he introduced a possible four-year schedule of 10 projects.

Proposed for fall this year are 1.09 miles from the marina to Road 751 to take bikes off a high-traffic road and about a half-mile from the Matson Trailhead across the inlet to Bass Bay Road to eliminate two dangerous bridge crossings, three sharp curves and a shared vehicle road.

The final project suggested for 2015 is to provide shoulder lanes for bicycles on the dam road.

“That’s a very dangerous spot. Everyone wants to go across the dam,” said CNPPID Director Dave Rowe of Lexington.

“This is a planning document. … But there’s still some discussions to be held with property owners,” Zubrod said.

Anderson said the steering committee could have recommendations about 2012 projects for the CNPPID board’s Aug. 6 meeting.

He added that he’s working with CNPPID Engineering Services Manager Eric Hixon to make sure none of the trail work would conflict with the possible construction of a low-head hydro across the canal. “Those have to be compatible,” Anderson said.

Steering committee member Allan McClure said the Lexington Community Foundation has provided financial and emotional support for the project. He and Rowe said the foundation’s Give Big Lexington campaign could help fund trail projects by allowing former residents to also contribute.

In other Johnson Lake news reviewed Monday, the annual fireworks show has been postponed until “after a good rain or when the snow flies,” Fowler joked.

Rowe said the supplies probably will be saved for use in 2013, so no fundraising will be needed next year.

Fowler also reminded the CNPPID board that the second annual Johnson Lake Triathlon — a one-mile swim, 25-mile bike ride and 10K run — is July 15.

CNPPID Natural Resources Manager Mike Drain reported that high winds from a storm about two weeks ago had caused dock and shore station damage around the lake. He said Central will waive permit fees to replace those structures, as long as the new construction is consistent with what was there before and the old structures were in compliance.