Who wants a new 88 acre lake in Sarpy County?

[Justin83]

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section

There is one being proposed...appears to be in the very beginning stages, but the right people seem to be backing it.

[Harold]

Originally Posted by Justin83

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section

There is one being proposed...appears to be in the very beginning stages, but the right people seem to be backing it.

As long as it doesn't turn out to be a "rich mans Paridise" at taxpayers expense.

I understand the need for flood control in the Omaha area. And the annexing to support the (local) tax authority to pay/maintain the project. But, that is PUBLIC WATER and will become a FISHERY that will last for a generation. I only hope that NEBRASKA FISHERS do their part in protecting THEIR RIGHTS to access to the future fishery!

The BIG PICTURE, $120 million. Maybe the "budget" could include NEFGA Line Recycling Bins. Just a reminder that all Nebraskans should have access, and what better "stewards" than the NEFGA members!

Harold F.

[OldBaldGuy]

Just to clarify, the estimated cost of the 88-acre lake is $20 million. The $120 million figure is for the overall plan for that part of Sarpy County, which would include this dam plus five others and some additional improvements.

We as voters within the Papio NRD basically have three choices:

(1) we can support the NRD's efforts to gain authority from the Legislature to issue bonds to pay for dams,

(2) we can see future private-developer fiascoes ala "Lake Bennington," where our tax dollars created a nice private lake for the few dozen who can afford to live there, or

(3) we can forget about additional reservoirs and future fisheries.

I know which option I prefer.

[fast-pirogue]

Dam it and they will come......

[Phishful Thinking]

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

Just to clarify, the estimated cost of the 88-acre lake is $20 million. The $120 million figure is for the overall plan for that part of Sarpy County, which would include this dam plus five others and some additional improvements.

We as voters within the Papio NRD basically have three choices:

(1) we can support the NRD's efforts to gain authority from the Legislature to issue bonds to pay for dams,

(2) we can see future private-developer fiascoes ala "Lake Bennington," where our tax dollars created a nice private lake for the few dozen who can afford to live there, or

(3) we can forget about additional reservoirs and future fisheries.

I know which option I prefer.

I know which one I support as well... although I am lucky enough to know someone who lives on "Lake Bennington" so I get to fish it it's funny seeing boat's come by and ask how the fishing is... "oh, kinda slow, been here for an hour and have only caught 20 fish..." Really they say, I have never fished here... and I hope it stays that way

[BoB_25]

Originally Posted by Harold

As long as it doesn't turn out to be a "rich mans Paridise" at taxpayers expense.

I understand the need for flood control in the Omaha area. And the annexing to support the (local) tax authority to pay/maintain the project. But, that is PUBLIC WATER and will become a FISHERY that will last for a generation. I only hope that NEBRASKA FISHERS do their part in protecting THEIR RIGHTS to access to the future fishery!

The BIG PICTURE, $120 million. Maybe the "budget" could include NEFGA Line Recycling Bins. Just a reminder that all Nebraskans should have access, and what better "stewards" than the NEFGA members!

Harold F.

[vrentropy]

Well, that will ruin a 'local' place that is available for walk-in bow hunting currently. (There are signs allowing this at 132nd and 370)

The land is for sale currently and has been for a few years already, so if they plan on doing this, I hope they can get it done sooner rather than later. It would probably cut the access more if some private group buys the land and only gives up what they have to thru eminant domain.

Good place for a new lake though, halfway between WC and W and just a bit souht of Cabela's. I would love to see it!

[Harold]

Originally Posted by OldBaldGuy

Just to clarify, the estimated cost of the 88-acre lake is $20 million. The $120 million figure is for the overall plan for that part of Sarpy County, which would include this dam plus five others and some additional improvements.

We as voters within the Papio NRD basically have three choices:

(1) we can support the NRD's efforts to gain authority from the Legislature to issue bonds to pay for dams, "with the understanding that they will become fisheries managed by the NGPC with public access."

(2) we can see future private-developer fiascoes ala "Lake Bennington," where our tax dollars created a nice private lake for the few dozen who can afford to live there, or

(3) we can forget about additional reservoirs and future fisheries. If the proposed "additional reservoirs" require "imminent domain" and are to be private access, OUR NGPC might serve us better by using monies to continue investing in the success of the many current fisheries in the area.

I know which option I prefer.

A "partnership" with the NRD's and the NEFGA's Line Recycle Bin program just MIGHT emphasize the importance of public access.

...And increase the number of Permit sales for our NGPC...

My preference, as an "out state fisher" would be the $120 million project with public access secured. Even though MY tax dollars will not go to the Papio NRD, they will certainly be requested for the future of the fisheries!

Harold F.

[mrcold]

I call false advertising... I thought you were trying to give one away.

[Hillbilly Fisher]

Washington County is supposed to be getting a lake as well from the NRD which will be open to the public. Problem is that a lot of opposition from a few people that have made false accusations about the lake flooding a bunch of people out of their homes. These projects need public support from the people if they are to come to being. Without vocal support, these lakes will never happen.

[gwhunter]

Originally Posted by wcso92912

Washington County is supposed to be getting a lake as well from the NRD which will be open to the public. Problem is that a lot of opposition from a few people that have made false accusations about the lake flooding a bunch of people out of their homes. These projects need public support from the people if they are to come to being. Without vocal support, these lakes will never happen.

It is more than just a few people opposed to it. Myself I'm not sure. If it was my property I would be opposed to it but it is not mine so selfishly I kinda want it. But some of that land has been in those people's family for many decades so I can see how they feel.

[Hillbilly Fisher]

Many including myself feel the same way. Being selfish, I hope the lakes come though.

Build it and I will fish.

[fish-n-son]

Another place to fish sounds good to me! I wish they would find a way to put a nice lake a little closer to Columbus.

A while back I was interested in the approval process for similar projects and found some justification criteria from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. It is rather lengthy but it is interesting how they determine the cost/benefit ratio for water recreation. The first link is a PDF project example, the second link is the DNR source page. On the page with the second link is a map with active projects. Maybe there are things that the NEFGA can collectively affect.

http://www.dnr.state.ne.us/rdfund/An...hments0807.pdf

DNR Resource Management Funds

[Justin83]

Mr. Cold, I wish I were in a postion to give an 88 acre impoundment away!

[DeerSlayer]

Originally Posted by wcso92912

Many including myself feel the same way. Being selfish, I hope the lakes come though.

Build it and I will fish.

Its people like you who make our taxes go up and don't care about anyone else, as long as you win that's all that matters. The people who are going to be flooded out of their homes have inherited the land from generation to generation and farmed it for years. Why don't you do the morally RIGHT thing rather that the all i care about is benefiting from other people's loss thing and vote the right people in for NRD. Why just forcefully kick people off their land just so you can have another lake to fish and go pleasure boating?

[Huskeron]

You can get an idea from this map where this lake would be. Right between Wehrspann and Walnut Creek on 126th and Cornhusker Road.

http://www.unmc.edu/services/bus-fin...aTrails.05.pdf

The article says only one residence is on the land. The needs of the many fishermen/walkers/picnicers/bikers outweigh the needs of the one. It also says there are currently no private developers involved. "Pleasure boating"? I would imagine it will be no wake like all our other small dam sites. Hopefully no one will be "forced" to sell. I would expect a good price will be offered. Land that close to a 1 million population metro area is bound to be gobbled up sooner than later. I would prefer it remain 'wild' rather than become a shopping mall.

I'm all for it. But it amazes me that it costs 20 million to build a small lake/pond.

Jim

[snidelywhiplash]

I pulled an aerial of the site from the Sarpy County GIS site. The land already owned by the NRD is outlined in red. I'm guessing all of the parcels noted are in the plan to be purchased, with the exception of the 303-acre piece. The 156-acre parcel extends all the way to Highway 370, if anyone is curious.

IMO, it's kind of a weird setting for a recreational lake, as all of the land to the north and west of the proposed site is zoned industrial, and is either built upon already or has been readied for development. That said, it'll be nice if it comes together, and I'm sure the owner of that 303-acre parcel will be just crushed when his land becomes even more valuable.

[Hillbilly Fisher]

Anytime when it comes to land acquisition and the discussion of lakes comes up, it becomes an emotional issue. Omaha has grown, but so has the outlying areas. As more population expands into the rural areas, it takes away the naturally occuring flood water handling capabilities of the land. This causes areas that didn't flood origionally to now flood. NRD is not building lakes just for fishing or pleasure boating use, but as a flood control tool. If it was just for pleasure, I would have to also say no when it comes to people losing property. But, many of the people that are getting flooded now due to population growth, have no say that it happens, and no amount of planning could have guessed it was going to occur. As the area grows, things sometimes have to be done. I just want to see that when things change, and they will, that the general public gets the benefits, and not just private developers. Please understand though, I also respect everyones opinions even though they may be different from mine. America is the land of the great.

[gwhunter]

The same dams in Washington County that they want to build now were scrapped over 20 years ago as unnecessary and a lot of public discourse with them. Nothing has really changed. I am not a big fan of the Papio NRD. I think they are a bunch of crooks and they tax people to death. There are other options that are less expensive and less intrusive. I too would like more lakes around here but like I said earlier that land has been in theor hands for many years and I don't know if it is right to take it.

[Justin83]

If they are acting in the interests of future flooding control, and we can gain access to more fisheries near the metro, then I'm all for it, 110%. I have a young son, and I'd love for him to be able to grow up and have more options to fish, without having to drive an hour to 90 minutes away from the metro. This summer, on any given day, go to PV or Wehrpsann, and you are looking at a FULL parking lot. I've counted 32 boats on PV before, which almost one boat per acre. I've counted at least 45 trailers at Wehrspann. It'd sure be nice to have more options in which to go. I know cunningham will help a little bit w/pressure, but not enough IMO.