SECTION XI - SPECIAL PROGRAMS

11.01 HYDRO-PWER

The Wappapello Lake Gatehouse is the location of a small hydroelectric turbine and generator. This generator rated at 125 kw, 480 volt, 60 Hz, 3-phase, produces electric for use at the project. Facilities presently utilizing hydro-electric power include, the gatehouse, lights on the dam, lights in Redman Creek and Spillway Recreation Area, Redman Creek Day Use restroom and shelter, Visitor Center overlook shelter and restroom, and Spillway restroom. As a backup source, the Project Office and Visitor Center can be placed on hydropower.

Fluctuating lake levels, discharge rates and mechanical response time can limit the ability of the unit to produce constant voltage and at maximum levels. During these times commercial power is utilized. In August of 1997 a study was made to determine the feasibility of placing the hydroelectric unit on the local commercial system. This would maximize the unit's production of hydro-electricity. This study helped determine that it was not economically beneficial to proceed with this option. The project will continue to look at ways to maximize the use of this hydroelectric power that are cost effective.

11.02 MARINAS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers promotes recreational boating at Wappapello Lake by making public land available under lease agreement to private operators for provision of marina facilities and services. There are five existing public marinas on Wappapello Lake. Barretts Resort and Marina is located on the south end of the lake, one mile north of State Hwy RA. Sundowner Marina is located just north of the dam on State Hwy D. Chaonia Landing Resort and Marina is located on the west side of the lake at the end of State Hwy W. Holliday Landing Resort and Marina is located on the west side at the northern end of the lake off State Hwy F. Lost Creek Lodge is located on the Lost Creek Arm of the lake approximately 3 miles from State Hwy BB.

Barretts Resort and Marina offers 172-boat slip's, a store, and fuel sales. A resort with cabins and swimming pool are located on private property adjoining the marina area. Demand for boat slips on Wappapello Lake has stabilized, with the existing marinas meeting the demand. At present, the operator has no plans to expand the facility, but does have approval for 22 additional in water boat slips. The marina in presently 99% full.

Sundowner Marina is a full service boat facility, offering 112 boat slips, fuel, repairs and boat sales. Boat sales and repair are located on private property adjoining the marina area. There are no plans to expand the dock facilities but the potential for an additional 40-50 slips is available if demand warrants. Presently the marina is 85% full.

Chaonia Landing Resort and Marina is the second largest marina on the lake and receives the most year-round use. This 142-boat slip facility also includes fuel sales, cabins, swimming pool, camping, limited dry storage, restaurant and a store. Upgrading of docks is scheduled within the next ten years. Limited potential for dry and wet slip spaces are available, however the marina is only 75% full.

Holliday Landing Resort and Marina includes an 80-boat slip and a 25 dry unit storage area. This facility also includes fuel sales, a 51-unit campground, cabins and a store. The marina is 85% full with limited room for expansion. Located on the northern end of the lake, the facility is exposed to strong currents after receiving significant rainfall. The marina is protected by a breakwater that diverts current and debris, which limits the possibility of expansion without exposure to current and debris.

The Lost Creek Lodge is a small facility with 20 boat slips. Eight campsites are located within the lease area with additional campsite and cabins on private property adjacent to the area. The marina is 75% full with no plans for expansion.

The previous Master Plan included a marina at the Lake Wappapello State Park. In January 1994, this marina was destroyed by heavy snow and wind and was removed. The State has attempted to re-establish the marina several times without success. A marina replacement is not presently planned for this area, however this option may be considered in the future.

11.03 SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Lakeshore Management Plan for Wappapello Lake was prepared and implemented to protect and manage the shoreline in a manner which will promote the safe and healthful use of these shorelines by the public while maintaining environmental safeguards to ensure a quality resource for use by the public. This Master Plan update will be utilized to make minor revisions to the Lakeshore Management Plan for Wappapello Lake.

Public comments received in conjunction with the Master Plan Update were considered in this periodic review. One area that received several comments was a request to install a new dock in the Redman Creek cove. This need is presently being served by a commercial marina. Five public boat launching ramps also service this area of the lake. This requested change to the Shoreline Management Plan is denied. The existing plan is working well and is serving and meeting a majority of the community and user needs. Shoreline allocations will remain the same and are delineated on Plate 21. The presence of five commercial mooring facilities ( with open slips) and the twenty-nine public boat launching ramps provide adequate access within a reasonable distance on Wappapello Lake's shoreline. The following minor revisions will be incorporated into the Shoreline Management Plan for Wappapello Lake.

1. Change the name of the plan from "Lakeshore Management Plan for Wappapello Lake" to "Shoreline Management Plan for Wappapello Lake."



2. Reposition the legend and title on the allocation map. North arrow will point to top of map versus to the left. Reference Plate 21.



3. Page 9, Section 5.4, 2(b) Existing Permanent Duckblinds. This section will be deleted; no permanent Duck blinds are present on Wappapello Lake.



4. Page 8, Section 5.2, "Existing docks in Limited Development Areas" and 5.3 "Existing Dock in Other Allocated Areas" paragraphs (a) and (b) state, "docks will be allowed to remain in their present location until transfer of ownership, death of the present permittee or repair cost to the facilities exceed 50% of the replacement value of that facility (provided that the structure passes annual inspection)." These statements will be removed and replaced with the following: "Existing docks may remain if they meet the three conditions below, except where necessary for immediate use for public purposes or higher public use for a navigation or flood control project:



1. Such property is maintained in useable and safe conditions;



2. Such property does not occasion a threat to life or property;



3. and, the holder of the permit is in substantial compliance with the existing permit.



5. Page 12, Section 5.11, Duration and Administration Fees. Replace this paragraph with the following. These are administrative charges; there is no increase in the fees.




5.11 Duration and Administration Fees. Permits for private floating facilities will be issued for a period of 5 years. The charge will be $10 for the initial permit, plus a $5 inspection fee per annum for a total of $30 over the life of the permit. Permits for vegetation alteration and erosion control devices will be issued for a period of one year at no charge. Permits for duck blinds will be issued for a period of one year and there will be a $15 registration fee. All fees for issuance of a permit will be collected in advance of the inspection. In the event that the permit is terminated or revoked before its expiration date, no portion of the fee will be rebated for the unused tenure of the permit. Fees may be paid in the forms of cash, check, or money order payable to FAO USACE, St. Louis. Only the exact amount of the fee due will be accepted. A receipt will be given for all cash transactions. All fees will be collected by the Operations Manager at Wappapello Lake. Fees are collected to cover administrative cost and inspection services and are forwarded as general receipts to the Treasury of the United States.

11.04 USER FEES

Public Law 103-66, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, authorized the Corps to expand its recreation user fee program. The act authorizes the charging of user fees for day-use facilities. There is no authority for charging entrance fees at Corps operated recreation areas. Fees will be charged for the use of certain boat launching ramps and designated developed swimming beaches in Corps operated day-use recreation areas. Total day-user fees collected will be no more than $3 per vehicle per day. A day-user fee of $2 will be charged to launch a boat at a ramp in a Corps operated day-use recreation area. A fee will be charged at recreation areas having a boat ramp and one or more of the following facilities: rest rooms, picnicking facilities, swimming facilities, or other developed recreation facilities except where facilities are associated with a campground. No fees will be charged where only a boat ramp and courtesy dock exists or where ramps are located in undeveloped or lightly developed shorelines with minimum security and illumination. A day user fee of $1 per person, whether walk-in or in a vehicle, up to $3 per vehicle, will be charged for the use of a designated, developed swimming beach in a Corps operated day-use recreation area. An annual pass, (in lieu of daily charges), may be purchased for $25 which permits the holder and all accompanying passengers in the vehicle to use any or all boat launch ramps and/or designated, developed swimming beaches at any Corps operated recreation area at any Corps project for that calendar year. An additional annual pass may be purchased for a reduced fee of $5 for a second family vehicle. Only one duplicate pass may be purchased at the $5 fee for each full price annual pass purchased. A Golden Age or Golden Access Passport shall entitle the permittee and any accompanying persons to a 50% discount on the day user fee.

11.05 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Action and activities that the Corps proposes must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Chief among these is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires public officials to make decisions based on an understanding of environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment. Public involvement is to be encouraged and facilitated for decisions that will affect the quality of the human environment. Environmental consequences of proposed actions and alternative are to be described in NEPA documents, which are circulated for public review.

According to Corps regulations, many of the items proposed in this Master Plan are categorically excluded from the need for preparation of NEPA documents, because they do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Replacement or rehabilitation of existing facilities or forestry activities or construction of new facilities in developed recreation areas such as vault toilets, comfort stations, and picnic tables are examples of categorical exclusions. On the other hand, the preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) is required for actions that will have substantial environmental effects. Examples of such actions are: expansion of a campground into an undeveloped wooded area or construction of water control structures in natural habitats for the purpose of vegetation management. Before construction activities requiring an EA can proceed, the review of environmental consequences must conclude in a Finding of NO Significant Impact (FONSI). If the review process results in a finding of significant impact, then an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) needs to be prepared before construction can commence. An EIS is presently being developed for Wappapello Lake to include the major items planned for the project.

NEPA documentation will be prepared in the future for all actions proposed in this Master Plan that are not categorically excluded. It is the Corps policy to identify and avoid adverse impacts as early in the planning process as possible. Recreational and resource management projects will be designed to avoid and minimize adverse environmental impacts.

11.06 WATER SUPPLY

Wayne County Public Water Supply District #4 is a new water district formed on the eastern side of Wappapello Lake. The district encompasses about 4500 persons in a 23 square mile area that includes the dam area of Wappapello Lake. One alternative being considered by the district is to obtain the approximate 1 million gallons of water per day needed, from Wappapello Lake. The Corps of Engineers supports this project and will continue to cooperate with the water district. A Public Water Supply District #2 has also been formed to service the Patterson area at the northern end of the project.

11.07 PARTNERING

Federal reservoirs provide an important recreation resource in the United States. Facilities for support of recreation are expensive to build and operate. Federal involvement is presently limited to provide minimum facilities to meet health and safety requirements of the visiting public. Federal investment of 50 percent of costs is available if non-Federal participating agencies provide 50 percent and operate and maintain the facilities. Marinas are the best known non-federally supplied public recreation service at Corps reservoirs. Scarce funds and other priorities have limited non-Federal participation in recreation at federal reservoirs. New Corps regulations allow non-Federal partners greater opportunities to participate in the operation and management of recreation facilities and environmental stewardship.

The Wappapello Lake Project continues to seek new partnerships and strengthen existing ones at a means to accomplish project initiatives. All existing partners are identified in Section VI-"Coordination and Partnering with Other Agencies," with a description of those partnerships.

11.08 FISHERIES

More visitors fish at Wappapello Lake than participate in any other activity and maintaining a good fishery is essential. On 7 June 1995 the President signed Executive Order 12962 addressing recreational fisheries. The Executive Order recognizes the social, cultural and economic importance of recreational fisheries. Federal agencies are directed to restore and enhance aquatic systems to provide increased recreational fishing opportunities nationwide. The Executive Order also established the Recreational Fisheries Resource Conservation Plan with the goal to plan, construct and manage Corps water resource projects for the protection, conservation or restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Working with our partners, these actions will improve the quality and quantity of fishing opportunities.

The Missouri Department of Conservation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognize the need for improved fisheries and recreational fishing. This partnership has shown that, when possible, water level management during shad spawn can rejuvenate the fishery. This water level management appears to have provided successful shad spawns over the last 5 years. The increased shad population has greatly improved the quality of fisheries at Wappapello Lake. This activity will be continued as well as the development of other facilities, such as fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, courtesy docks, bank fishing areas and disabled accessible facilities as outlined in this Master Plan.