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[font "Calibri"]In the near future expect some news on user driven improvements favoring all who care about Willard Bay State Park. An organization composed of dedicated outdoor recreationist's will have the opportunity to be part of a number of planned improvements.[/font]
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[font "Calibri"]An organization known as "Friends of Willard Bay State Parks" will be officially given birth. This will be a "user" driven effort made up of all who are interested in making things more enjoyable for all who love the Bay and will create user amenities on a year round basis.[/font]
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[font "Calibri"]This will be an all-inclusive volunteer effort.... Campers, Day Users, Anglers, Skiers, Boaters, Air Boaters, Hunters, Birders, Hikers etc.[/font]
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[font "Calibri"]Look for more news in the near future ...if you wish to be on the e-mailing list, send your address to the person below, we'll keep you posted.[/font]
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[font "Calibri"]E-mail / [/font][url "mailto:jim.morkin@gmail.com"][font "Calibri"][#0000ff]jim.morkin@gmail.com[/#0000ff][/font][/url][font "Calibri"] [/font]
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Thanks for the info. One question. On the PDF file #2 points to the water on the North Dike, should that be by the outlet near the North dike? And where can we find what will be done at these locations? Some of them tell what will be done but not all of them.
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Its good to see the interest in Willard. Do you think that any of the projects will be usable for Dedicated Hunter hours?
humpy
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Ok question....forgive my ignorance but the airboat launch ramp on pic number three. Is that to the river or marsh? Fresh or saltwater?
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Airboat launches into a freshwater canal.
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Thanks! Any fish in it?[:p]
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I could be wrong Kevin but I think the airboat launch is a little down stream of the outlet, at the North end of Willard.
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I always wondered what was on the other side of the dike there. I would hear the airboats and it would get me curious.
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Yea, I have never driven over to that area where the airboat launch is but I have walked down to the area below the outlet, any improvements that happen there will be a plus imo. That area has huge potenial but as it is now, it is an overgrown dangerous mess that needs a lot of help, to make it a useful fishing spot. The biggest problem that I see with all these improvements will be the cost. Since I have not attended any of the meetings and don't know the facts, I might be jumping the gun here but the way it has worked in the past is, improvements are done to an area and the Parks department starts charging to use those areas. In the case of making them a day use area or even camping, I totally understand those fees but I don't think shore anglers should have to pay to fish at some of the remote areas of Willard, just because they put in a toilet. Like the area South of Freeway bay or the S/W corner. A lot of people have a hard time just paying for gas and a license to go fishing, then the state wants to charge a fee just to park and walk out and fish, just because they install a toilet[crazy], that is crazy imo. I know by Rockport it is $3 or $4 to park in these areas, even if you don't use the restroom. I just hope they leave some of the areas around Willard as a no fee area, so fisherfolks can get out and fish without having to pay.
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[quote wiperhunter2] The biggest problem that I see with all these improvements will be the cost. Since I have not attended any of the meetings and don't know the facts, I might be jumping the gun here but the way it has worked in the past is, improvements are done to an area and the Parks department starts charginre emphasizeg to use those areas. In the case of making them a day use area or even camping, I totally understand those fees but I don't think shore anglers should have to pay to fish at some of the remote areas of Willard, just because they put in a toilet. Like the area South of Freeway bay or the S/W corner. A lot of people have a hard time just paying for gas and a license to go fishing, then the state wants to charge a fee just to park and walk out and fish, just because they install a toilet[crazy], that is crazy imo. I know by Rockport it is $3 or $4 to park in these areas, even if you don't use the restroom. I just hope they leave some of the areas around Willard as a no fee area, so fisherfolks can get out and fish without having to pay.[/quote]
I haven't got much into the funds portion as of yet but the simple fact remains vault toilets cost $4,000 each. IMO any individual that uses them should be willing to help out, even if its only $3 or $4. Our budget hopefully will allow 1 new toilet every other year for the next 11 years. With that being said let me re emphasize that this is a nonprofit organization so we're not looking to make a single red cent. Just make a positive impact and a more enjoyable Willard Bay.
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I agree about the fee after they install the vault toilets, I'm just saying they need to leave some open areas where folks can fish without paying a fee. It will not effect me either way because I buy a state parks pass every year but it will effect some people. I guess I need to attend one or more of these meetings and voice my concerns but it might be too late at this point[:/]. It's too bad that those that shore fish don't voice their thoughts, maybe they don't care but I've heard enough members complain about it over the years that I know some will not like it at all. I realize the nonprofit organization is doing the work and I have no problem with organizations like this, in some cases projects like these would never happen if it were not for great organizations like the Friend's of Willard. The problem as I see it is the Parks dept thinking they need to charge folks at every access point around any body of water. Of course that is not true of every lake but it happens a lot. At least at Rockport they left a few easy access points for those that don't want to pay to use those pay spots.
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