State and federal legislators and other public officials lauded the recent work of Indian Lake residents to pool their resources for the betterment of the 5,800-acre waterway and the entire community. The remarks were made Friday during the annual Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s legislative luncheon.
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State Rep. Robert Sprague speaks Friday at the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual legislative luncheon at The Lighthouse, 121 Orchard Island Road, Russells Point. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR) |
Among the topics broached by speakers at the event hosted at The Lighthouse, 120 Orchard Island Road, Russells Point, was the acquisition of new dredge equipment — The Chief — that was dedicated in September 2014. Last year, the high-tech equipment removed a record-setting 90,000 cubic yards of sediment from Indian Lake, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Southwest District Manager Brian Miller said.
The Indian Lake Watershed Project was instrumental in raising funds for the equipment that greatly improves water quality by removing the sediment from the lake bottom, and also increases boater safety.
“I want to commend you for your due diligence to your watershed,” Mr. Miller said.
“I’ve always been impressed — not only by the natural resources here at Indian Lake — but also by the way the community works together to accomplish these tasks,” fellow presenter State Senator Keith Faber said.
State Rep. Nino Vitale also mentioned the work of the Watershed Project, noting that during his visits to Indian Lake, the group has been proactive in the finest of details that affect water quality, including educating residents about placement of their trash and compost materials.
“One season amiss at a lake community is not good,” he said. “It is important to keep on top of these important details.”
Also during the past year, Mr. Miller said the ODNR has been able to accomplish a number of projects across the state with the help of $88.5 million in capital improvements that were allocated to the state park infrastructure, one of the largest allocations ever for that purpose.
At Indian Lake, some of this funding provided for upgrades to launch ramp restrooms and a number of campground electric hook-up sites that were converted to also support water and sewer for today’s fully contained campers.
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Magnets listing the 2016 Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce calendar of events were distributed at Friday’s annual legislative luncheon. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR) |
Moving forward into this year, design work for the
Indian Lake spillway replacement is about 90 percent completed, Mr. Miller said. Construction for the project is expected to begin in the summer or early fall and cost estimates fall between $8 to $10 million.
Also by Memorial Day this year, new shower houses are scheduled to be completed at area campgrounds.
Ohio Department of Transportation District 7 Representative Randy Chevalley also provided updates regarding roadway and bridge projects in Logan County this year. A $2.117 million paving project for sections of U.S. Route 33 from the Huntsville area to Indian Lake are planned, along with stretches of U.S. Route 68 in West Liberty and also north of Bellefontaine.
A $1.4 million ODOT project to replace expansion joints and abutment bearings on three U.S. 33 bridges near Bellefontaine will be in the works this year, along with a $519,000 bridge repair at U.S. 33 and State Route 274.
Other speakers at the annual luncheon included State Senator Cliff Hite, State Rep. Robert Sprague, Cameron Warner from Congressman Jim Jordan’s Office, Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce President Pam Miller, and John Adams and Matt Huffman, candidates for the Ohio Senate.
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