News Flash
Settin’ docks on the bay
Today's News-Herald
Published Tuesday, March 2, 2010 12:50 AM MST
Jackie Leatherman/News-Herald Photo
Crews work to install one dock at Windsor Beach Area 4 in the Lake Havasu State Park Monday afternoon. Arizona Game and Fish Department funded the $600,000 dock project that will allow boaters to drop off passengers without having to drive up onto the beach, according to Fred Adler, president of London Bridge Marine Corp., the local subcontractor on the project. Several docks are scheduled to be installed in the coming weeks.
BEGINNING TO BUILD
By Nathan Bruttell
Today's News-Herald
Published Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:07 AM MST
Engineers installed the first of several new docks this week on the west side of the south ramp at Lake Havasu State Park. “This is a brand-new dock that has never been there before,” said Ron Christofferson, boating facilities program manager with Arizona Game and Fish Department. Next up for the $600,000 dock project will be dock replacement at Area 4 next to the Channel entrance.
Lake Havasu State Park Manager Tim Kristof said the south side docks are scheduled to be closed for two to three weeks beginning March 1 to allow time for construction and weather is the main factor. The south ramp cove will be buoyed off and not open for vessel entry during this time, and the north ramp will be open for vessels to launch and retrieve, Kristof said.
Engineers installed the first of several new docks this week on the west side of the south ramp at Lake Havasu State Park. “This is a brand-new dock that has never been there before,” said Ron Christofferson, boating facilities program manager with Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Next up for the $600,000 dock project will be dock replacement at Area 4 next to the Channel entrance. Lake Havasu State Park Manager Tim Kristof said the south side docks are scheduled to be closed for two to three weeks beginning March 1 to allow time for construction and weather is the main factor.
The south ramp cove will be buoyed off and not open for vessel entry during this time, and the north ramp will be open for vessels to launch and retrieve, Kristof said. Nathan Bruttell/News-Herald Photo.
Dock building to begin Monday
By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Today's News-Herald
Published
_________________________________
State Parks Bill
PHOENIX – If a House Bill passes, a lease agreement for Lake Havasu State Park will no longer be an option, but a requirement. House Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee heard House Bill 2786 Monday afternoon but did not vote on the matter as Rep. Bill Konopnicki, R-Safford, the committee’s chairman, was absent. The bill, introduced by Doris Goodale, R-Kingman, would require the State Parks Board to enter into a lease agreement with Lake Havasu City. The committee is expected to vote on the bill next week. Interim City Manager Charlie Cassens, Mayor Mark Nexsen, Arizona State Parks representatives and Goodale all spoke during the hearing. “Help us help you,” Nexsen told the committee, according to Cronkite News Service. “The state cannot afford to keep our park open, and we cannot afford to have it close.” Nexsen said he hopes the city got its point across. “I thought, for the fact that they didn’t take a vote, it went reasonably well,” Nexsen said. “Our emphasis was … make sure they understood how important this park was, not only to the state of Arizona, but to Lake Havasu City and our local economy. Losing that park could mean jobs and we can’t have that happen.”
The Lake Havasu City Council voted unanimously last Tuesday to authorize Cassens to enter into lease negotiations with the State Parks Board. Cassens previously met with State Parks Executive Director Renee Bahl Jan. 27 in a response to Bahl’s invitation to discuss “Plan B” or the proposal that would allow Lake Havasu City to operate and control Windsor Beach in the event the State Parks system cannot support it. The State Parks Board unanimously voted to keep nine parks open, including Lake Havasu State Park last month, despite severe budget cuts.
Jay Ziemann, assistant director of Arizona State Parks, said his agency is counting on revenue from Lake Havasu State Park, according to Cronkite News Service. “By giving the park to the city, it will only hurt the public,” Ziemann said, according to Cronkite News Service. “We would eventually have to close even more parks, and that is not benefiting anyone.” Ziemann said Arizona State Parks is anticipating that by 2011 Lake Havasu State Park will generate $424,000 more than it costs to operate, in large part through more efficient use of staff and increased fees, according to Cronkite News Service.
Jay Ziemann, assistant director of Arizona State Parks, said his agency is counting on revenue from Lake Havasu State Park, according to Cronkite News Service. “By giving the park to the city, it will only hurt the public,” Ziemann said, according to Cronkite News Service. “We would eventually have to close even more parks, and that is not benefiting anyone.” Ziemann said Arizona State Parks is anticipating that by 2011 Lake Havasu State Park will generate $424,000 more than it costs to operate, in large part through more efficient use of staff and increased fees, according to Cronkite News Service.
Cassens also spoke Monday in support of the city acquiring the lease.
“I spoke to the practical matter of how we can incorporate that park into the municipal park system,” Cassens said. “I also spoke about our interest in keeping the park open and basically outlined why we think it’s a good idea.”
One provision of the bill, which discusses length and lease payments, came into question during the hearing. The bill “specifies that, if the lease agreement is agreed to by the city or town, the lease agreement will last for 25 years with lease payments not exceeding $50,000 per year.” Cassens said those are initial provisions and will most likely change. “The bill was not acted upon and the term of the agreement was one question and amount of the lease payment was another issue,” he said. “We believe it will be further discussed in a stakeholders meeting later this week and there is a good possibility it will be heard again next week.”
Nexsen said he was almost certain the proposed lease would not pass at 25 years.
“I think the general consensus from the committee was that they would like to see a lease of less than 25 years and we spoke about 15 and I think that would be an adequate amount,” he said. “I know we certainly would not want it to be a 3 to 5 year lease because who in their right mind would invest a lot of dollars just to have it taken away from you a couple years later? We understood 25 may be too many but thought 15 would be the right amount.”
“I spoke to the practical matter of how we can incorporate that park into the municipal park system,” Cassens said. “I also spoke about our interest in keeping the park open and basically outlined why we think it’s a good idea.”
One provision of the bill, which discusses length and lease payments, came into question during the hearing. The bill “specifies that, if the lease agreement is agreed to by the city or town, the lease agreement will last for 25 years with lease payments not exceeding $50,000 per year.” Cassens said those are initial provisions and will most likely change. “The bill was not acted upon and the term of the agreement was one question and amount of the lease payment was another issue,” he said. “We believe it will be further discussed in a stakeholders meeting later this week and there is a good possibility it will be heard again next week.”
Nexsen said he was almost certain the proposed lease would not pass at 25 years.
“I think the general consensus from the committee was that they would like to see a lease of less than 25 years and we spoke about 15 and I think that would be an adequate amount,” he said. “I know we certainly would not want it to be a 3 to 5 year lease because who in their right mind would invest a lot of dollars just to have it taken away from you a couple years later? We understood 25 may be too many but thought 15 would be the right amount.”
Windsor dock construction could begin next week
By NATHAN BRUTTELL
Monday, February 1, 2010 11:31 PM MST
Keeping fingers crossed, several officials are hopeful new docks could be installed at Windsor Beach by April. After the completion of several processes from various state agencies, dock construction should begin as early as next week, said Arizona Game and Fish Department Boating Facilities Manager Ron Christofferson. Several federal and state agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated on the $600,000 in beachfront renovations at the Windsor launch site in Lake Havasu State Park, according to officials. The new docks, made of aluminum construction, are set to replace the 15-year-old docks currently at the park.
Monday, February 1, 2010 11:31 PM MST
Keeping fingers crossed, several officials are hopeful new docks could be installed at Windsor Beach by April. After the completion of several processes from various state agencies, dock construction should begin as early as next week, said Arizona Game and Fish Department Boating Facilities Manager Ron Christofferson. Several federal and state agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have collaborated on the $600,000 in beachfront renovations at the Windsor launch site in Lake Havasu State Park, according to officials. The new docks, made of aluminum construction, are set to replace the 15-year-old docks currently at the park.
"We’re looking at being two or three months away right now and possibly much sooner if everything fell into place,” Christofferson said. “There are two aspects still pending approval that we’re thinking will be completed next week and we will issue a construction schedule at that point. … We fully intend to move as fast as we can.” The Army Corps of Engineers finished a permit process and the BLM completed its environmental assessment recently. The project is still pending two of about eight different permit processes that are required for construction, but Christofferson said he expects the last two processes to be completed soon. “We still need final approval to proceed by the (USFWS) office of federal assistance, who oversees the federal funding awarded to state game and fish for this project, and we anticipate that will occur next week,” Christofferson said. “And then the other authorization we still need is the final approval from Arizona State Parks and that’s dependent on them taking one last look at the design plans. So those are the two things that are pending. That’s our anticipation that next week we should have a green light to start.”
Lake Havasu State Park Manager Tim Kristof and game and fish officials are currently working on a construction schedule that will not interfere with any scheduled events at the park, Christofferson said.
“We want to have the least amount of impact on those previously scheduled events that we can,” he said. “We may alter the schedule to be at one location so we don’t interrupt anything unnecessarily. We have several people working on getting those done as quickly as possible.”
The Lake Havasu Marine Association initially raised $17,000 for the dock project in November 2008 and also obtained federal funds through Arizona Game and Fish Department officials. The docks were later purchased in July 2009. Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said he is hopeful construction on the docks will finish before the spring break season.
“It’s hard to believe we’re this close. I think we’ll have a bottle of champagne down there if that’s what really happens,” he said. “We’re going to just cross our fingers and hope nothing disrupts our schedule. I have to commend Ron for his hard work on organizing this project and working to ensure every process was completed. The reason why we’re this close is because of the effort he and several others have put into this.”
You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com
Lake Havasu State Park Manager Tim Kristof and game and fish officials are currently working on a construction schedule that will not interfere with any scheduled events at the park, Christofferson said.
“We want to have the least amount of impact on those previously scheduled events that we can,” he said. “We may alter the schedule to be at one location so we don’t interrupt anything unnecessarily. We have several people working on getting those done as quickly as possible.”
The Lake Havasu Marine Association initially raised $17,000 for the dock project in November 2008 and also obtained federal funds through Arizona Game and Fish Department officials. The docks were later purchased in July 2009. Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said he is hopeful construction on the docks will finish before the spring break season.
“It’s hard to believe we’re this close. I think we’ll have a bottle of champagne down there if that’s what really happens,” he said. “We’re going to just cross our fingers and hope nothing disrupts our schedule. I have to commend Ron for his hard work on organizing this project and working to ensure every process was completed. The reason why we’re this close is because of the effort he and several others have put into this.”
You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com
City denies vendors shoreline access
The City Council could have made three decisions regarding shoreline vendors at Rotary Park. It only needed to make one.
The council decided, by a 5-2 vote, to not authorize Interim City Manager Charlie Cassens to sign an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management that would have allowed two shoreline vendors back to Rotary Park beach Tuesday night during the council meeting.
Mayor Mark Nexsen and Councilman Brian Wedemeyer held the dissenting votes. The decision nixed further discussion on allowing land-based kiosks or determining a fee for park permits. “In my opinion returning vendors to the public beaches is a step in the wrong direction and does nothing to enhance our city or make it a more attractive place to either residents or visitors,”
Councilman Dean Barlow said before the vote. “I would urge the council to retract efforts to turn back the clock and again allow vendors on our public beaches.”
Barlow’s statement, along with several residents’ statements requesting that vendors not be allowed back, received applause from those in attendance.
Several council members spoke of tourism and a projected $3.8 million budget deficit in the discussion. Councilman Brian Wedemeyer said his main goals were looking at finding new revenue sources and saving tax dollars.
“I think we should not only be trying to cut expenses, but also coming up with creative ways to generate more revenue without raising taxes and fees to residents,” he said. “I thought this was an opportunity for us as long as we had a limited amount of shoreline vendors and we had control of the situation, I really thought this was an opportunity for us.”
Nexsen said while it appeared the audience for the evening was against allowing the vendors back at Rotary Park, he had heard equal opinions from citizens for months.
“If you ever watch boxing, they always say let’s get ready to rumble,” Nexsen said before the discussion, anticipating difficulty. “I get people that say ‘I want those beaches cleared’ and I get an equal number that say ‘we’re a tourist town, how can the city council in good conscience eliminate jobs we so desperately need?’”
The BLM, in coordination with the city, removed all shoreline vendors from Rotary Park and London Bridge beaches in July 2009. The City Council held a public hearing during a work session on Oct. 13 to discuss regulated shoreline vending possibilities.
A few vendors and members of the Lake Havasu Marine Association referred to a petition against allowing shoreline vendors at any city park. Representatives claimed to have obtained 600 signatures in the last week supporting the petition.
Blaine Hitchins, president of Arizona Watersports, who helped gather signatures for the petition, said he would not be opposed to allowing shoreline vendors along a small southern area of Rotary Park with a proper kiosk, but was opposed to the proposed agreement.
“Going into Rotary Park as many times as I have … I think there’s already a parking issue,” he said. “I just do not see how this is going to benefit the city in any way shape or form. We only have two beaches for the public. If we had 10 and you wanted to use a commercial area for one, that would be fine.”
Chad Whetten, of Whettrods Jet Ski Rentals, said he was one of the vendors that was previously at the locations at Rotary Park beach under discussion.
“I think you should do what’s best for the city,” Whetten told the council. “I think right now the city needs money and this is a great way to earn revenue.”
The council’s decision means the city will not allow shoreline vendors with access through the park, but it does not necessarily mean there will no longer be shoreline vendors in Lake Havasu City or even at Rotary Park beach.
The BLM holds jurisdiction over all land below 450 feet, which includes the shoreline at Rotary Park beach. The city, however, owns the land above the 450 feet so city officials said an agreement was necessary to allow shoreline vendors back to the two specific locations, but not to other beach areas.
The council’s decision Tuesday night does not affect any future permits in other locations in the city, said BLM Lake Havasu Field Manager Ramone McCoy last week.
“The agreement and the council’s decision has no bearing on permits that may or may not be issued by the BLM,” McCoy said previously. “The confusion may have happened because we’re doing an environmental analysis for Thompson Bay as a whole. We will still continue with that analysis despite the decision the council makes.”
You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com
Windsor Beach Boating Facilities Improvement Project Update
December 29, 2009
The City Council could have made three decisions regarding shoreline vendors at Rotary Park. It only needed to make one.
The council decided, by a 5-2 vote, to not authorize Interim City Manager Charlie Cassens to sign an agreement with the Bureau of Land Management that would have allowed two shoreline vendors back to Rotary Park beach Tuesday night during the council meeting.
Mayor Mark Nexsen and Councilman Brian Wedemeyer held the dissenting votes. The decision nixed further discussion on allowing land-based kiosks or determining a fee for park permits. “In my opinion returning vendors to the public beaches is a step in the wrong direction and does nothing to enhance our city or make it a more attractive place to either residents or visitors,”
Councilman Dean Barlow said before the vote. “I would urge the council to retract efforts to turn back the clock and again allow vendors on our public beaches.”
Barlow’s statement, along with several residents’ statements requesting that vendors not be allowed back, received applause from those in attendance.
Several council members spoke of tourism and a projected $3.8 million budget deficit in the discussion. Councilman Brian Wedemeyer said his main goals were looking at finding new revenue sources and saving tax dollars.
“I think we should not only be trying to cut expenses, but also coming up with creative ways to generate more revenue without raising taxes and fees to residents,” he said. “I thought this was an opportunity for us as long as we had a limited amount of shoreline vendors and we had control of the situation, I really thought this was an opportunity for us.”
Nexsen said while it appeared the audience for the evening was against allowing the vendors back at Rotary Park, he had heard equal opinions from citizens for months.
“If you ever watch boxing, they always say let’s get ready to rumble,” Nexsen said before the discussion, anticipating difficulty. “I get people that say ‘I want those beaches cleared’ and I get an equal number that say ‘we’re a tourist town, how can the city council in good conscience eliminate jobs we so desperately need?’”
The BLM, in coordination with the city, removed all shoreline vendors from Rotary Park and London Bridge beaches in July 2009. The City Council held a public hearing during a work session on Oct. 13 to discuss regulated shoreline vending possibilities.
A few vendors and members of the Lake Havasu Marine Association referred to a petition against allowing shoreline vendors at any city park. Representatives claimed to have obtained 600 signatures in the last week supporting the petition.
Blaine Hitchins, president of Arizona Watersports, who helped gather signatures for the petition, said he would not be opposed to allowing shoreline vendors along a small southern area of Rotary Park with a proper kiosk, but was opposed to the proposed agreement.
“Going into Rotary Park as many times as I have … I think there’s already a parking issue,” he said. “I just do not see how this is going to benefit the city in any way shape or form. We only have two beaches for the public. If we had 10 and you wanted to use a commercial area for one, that would be fine.”
Chad Whetten, of Whettrods Jet Ski Rentals, said he was one of the vendors that was previously at the locations at Rotary Park beach under discussion.
“I think you should do what’s best for the city,” Whetten told the council. “I think right now the city needs money and this is a great way to earn revenue.”
The council’s decision means the city will not allow shoreline vendors with access through the park, but it does not necessarily mean there will no longer be shoreline vendors in Lake Havasu City or even at Rotary Park beach.
The BLM holds jurisdiction over all land below 450 feet, which includes the shoreline at Rotary Park beach. The city, however, owns the land above the 450 feet so city officials said an agreement was necessary to allow shoreline vendors back to the two specific locations, but not to other beach areas.
The council’s decision Tuesday night does not affect any future permits in other locations in the city, said BLM Lake Havasu Field Manager Ramone McCoy last week.
“The agreement and the council’s decision has no bearing on permits that may or may not be issued by the BLM,” McCoy said previously. “The confusion may have happened because we’re doing an environmental analysis for Thompson Bay as a whole. We will still continue with that analysis despite the decision the council makes.”
You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com
Windsor Beach Boating Facilities Improvement Project Update
December 29, 2009
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Permitting: All information requested by the Corps has been
submitted for their review, including a Biological Assessment developed by the Arizona Game and
Fish Department (AGFD) in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Corps
recently transferred responsibility for processing the permit from their Tucson office to their Phoenix
office in order to further expedite their authorization. The current permit manager in Phoenix has
estimated approval of the required permits by approximately mid-January. Processing of this
aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of the Corps.
submitted for their review, including a Biological Assessment developed by the Arizona Game and
Fish Department (AGFD) in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Corps
recently transferred responsibility for processing the permit from their Tucson office to their Phoenix
office in order to further expedite their authorization. The current permit manager in Phoenix has
estimated approval of the required permits by approximately mid-January. Processing of this
aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of the Corps.
Bureau of Land Management Environmental Documentation: The BLM has completed and approved
the final Environmental Assessment. No further processing is required for this aspect of the project.
the final Environmental Assessment. No further processing is required for this aspect of the project.
Endangered Species Consultation: A final Biological Assessment related to potential effects to
Endangered fish species in the project area has been completed and provided to the Corps for their
use in consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as per the Endangered Species
Act. The time-frame required for this consultation varies, but AGFD has coordinated with the USFWS
to request the best possible turn-around time. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently
the responsibility of the Corps and USFWS, and should run concurrent to the Corps permitting
noted above.
Endangered fish species in the project area has been completed and provided to the Corps for their
use in consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as per the Endangered Species
Act. The time-frame required for this consultation varies, but AGFD has coordinated with the USFWS
to request the best possible turn-around time. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently
the responsibility of the Corps and USFWS, and should run concurrent to the Corps permitting
noted above.
Final Engineering and Design Approval: The engineering and design schematics for the docks,
gangways, sidewalks, new gangway anchor points, asphalt repairs, dock pilings, and the south
launch ramp repairs have been completed and certified by structural engineers. The design and
structural certification for the dock pilings has been completed by a private engineering firm
specializing in dock structures, and final certification of the piling design by an Arizona structural
engineer also is completed. All specifications and drawings are being forwarded to Arizona State
Parks (ASP) this week for their review and approval. The responsibility for processing this aspect
of the project will transition to ASP this week.
Inter-Agency Authorizations: Authorization for the project has been finalized by the BLM, including
finalization of the above Environmental Assessment. Processing of the final authorization
letter to ASP is currently the responsibility of BLM.
gangways, sidewalks, new gangway anchor points, asphalt repairs, dock pilings, and the south
launch ramp repairs have been completed and certified by structural engineers. The design and
structural certification for the dock pilings has been completed by a private engineering firm
specializing in dock structures, and final certification of the piling design by an Arizona structural
engineer also is completed. All specifications and drawings are being forwarded to Arizona State
Parks (ASP) this week for their review and approval. The responsibility for processing this aspect
of the project will transition to ASP this week.
Inter-Agency Authorizations: Authorization for the project has been finalized by the BLM, including
finalization of the above Environmental Assessment. Processing of the final authorization
letter to ASP is currently the responsibility of BLM.
This update will be provided bi-weekly throughout the remainder of the Windsor Beach project.
If you have any questions regarding this update, please contact Ron Christofferson, Boating
Facilities Program Manager, AGFD, by replying to this e-mail or by telephone at (623) 236-7481.
Windsor Beach Boating Facilities Improvement Project Update
December 10, 2009
Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Permitting: All information requested by the Corps has been submitted for their review, including a Biological Assessment developed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) in conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Corps recently transferred responsibility for processing the permit from their Tucson office to their Phoenix office in order to further expedite their authorization. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of the Corps.
Bureau of Land Management Environmental Documentation: The BLM has completed the final Environmental Assessment per an expedited schedule, and anticipates a final authorization during the week of December 14 th . Processing of this aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of BLM.
Endangered Species Consultation: A final Biological Assessment related to potential effects to Endangered fish species in the project area has been completed and provided to the Corps for their use in consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as per the Endangered Species Act. The time-frame required for this consultation varies, but AGFD has coordinated with the USFWS to request the best possible turn-around time. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of the Corps and USFWS.
Final Engineering and Design Approval: The engineering and design schematics for the docks, gangways, sidewalks, new gangway anchor points, asphalt repairs, and the south launch ramp repairs have been completed and certified by structural engineers. The remaining design and structural certification for the dock pilings has been completed by a private engineering firm specializing in dock structures. Final certification of the piling design by an Arizona structural engineer is anticipated to be completed early next week, combined with all of the above design documentation, and forwarded to Arizona State Parks (ASP) for their review and approval. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of AGFD, and is specifically being completed by a private engineering firm.
Inter-Agency Authorizations: Authorization for the project from the BLM will be complete upon finalization of the above Environmental Assessment. Processing of this aspect of the project is currently the responsibility of BLM.
This update will be provided bi-weekly throughout the remainder of the Windsor Beach project. If you have any questions regarding this update, please contact Ron Christofferson , Boating Facilities Program Manager, AGFD, by replying to this e-mail or by telephone at (623) 236-7481.
Reprinted courtesy of Today's News Herald.
Reprinted courtesy of Today's News Herald.
"Locals" beach trashed
Marine Association installs 8 new trash-bag posts
Marine Association installs 8 new trash-bag posts
By Jayne Hanson
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:10 PM MST
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 8:10 PM MST
Lake Havasu City Marine Association and London Bridge Yacht Club pulled together again this week in a volunteer cleanup effort after a popular local beach known as “That Beach” was discovered littered with trash over the weekend. Lake Havasu Marine Association executive director Jim Salscheider said Wednesday they had just checked the posts the end of last week to make sure they were stocked with enough trash bags. The beach was trashed over the weekend, and Salscheider, and other volunteer cleanup members are certain it was the work of local residents. London Bridge Yacht Club’s lake cleanup volunteers bagged the mess Tuesday, and the Marine Association transported it to Windsor boat launch ramp Wednesday morning to transport the bags to a dumpster there.
“Everyone says it is always the Californians (who litter), but it isn’t … that is a ‘locals’ beach,” Salscheider said. Five Marine Association volunteers displayed unfaltering enthusiasm Wednesday on the heels of the weekend incident when they installed eight new trash-bag posts on the shores of Lake Havasu and in the parking area-accessible locations on the Island. “So far this year, we have gone through about 80,000 bags,” Salscheider said. The newly installed trash-bag posts bring the number of stations on the shores of the lake to 61.
Three new trash-bag stations are located on the beach of Crazy Horse Campground and are sponsored by the Marine Association and London Bridge Yacht Club and feature sponsorship by Shugrue’s Brewery Group, Horizon Community Bank and Today’s News-Herald. Two were installed on the California shore and are sponsored by the Marine Association and the Chemehuevi Tribe, and feature sponsorship by Impact Media Studio, Mohave Community College and Xanadu Condo Resort. Two more stations were installed near lighthouses on the topside of the Island later Wednesday. Trash-bag post sponsorship is an initial cost of $295 and a maintenance cost of $100 for every year after that to supply the trash bags distributed by volunteers.
Arizona State Parks allowed the use of their platform pontoon boat and ranger truck assistance with the trash as a result of more than 2,000 volunteer hours members of the Marine Association have dedicated to the state park and launch ramp so far this summer. Sunstate Equipment Rentals has donated the use of an auger to drill postholes for all 61 of the bag stations. Marine association volunteers Mike Donegan and John Matlock have worked consistently and have installed all existing posts. You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.
Reprinted courtesy of Today's News Herald.
Hospitality honors Marine Association
By DAVID BELL - TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
 |
|
David Bell/News-Herald Photo
Lake Havasu City Hospitality Association Executive Director Greg Tryon, right, congratulates Bill Draper, left, and Jim Salscheider of the Lake Havasu Marine Association for earning the Excellence in Customer Service award from the Hospitality group Wednesday. |
Spearheading a dead fish cleanup and keeping launch ramps open for the July Fourth holiday weekend earned the Lake Havasu Marine Association a big thank you from the tourism
industry.
industry.
During the Marine Association’s monthly meeting Wednesday at Shugrue’s Restaurant, the Lake Havasu City Hospitality Association presented the Marine Association with the Excellence in Customer Service award.
“July Fourth was amazing thanks to all of you,” said Hospitality Association Executive Director Greg Tryon. “It could have been a disaster if there were dead carp everywhere and boats couldn’t get on the lake.”
Marine Association volunteers worked with the Elks Fishing Club, the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Lake Havasu City Parks Department and State Parks to pull fish killed by the Koi Herpes Virus out of the water and off the beaches.
And when the state budget crisis resulted in a one-day shutdown of Lake Havasu State Park, the Marine Association and the city mobilized to keep the Windsor Launch Ramps open for the holiday.
“This is special,” Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said about the award. “This year, the goal was to make a difference, and this shows that we made a difference.”
City Councilman Dean Barlow echoed the praise, saying, “What’s happened since the Marine Association has taken over (the lake shore cleanup) has been tremendous.”
During the year that the Marine Association has been heading up the lakeshore cleanups, the organization has installed 53 posts to dispense trash bags to boaters and those on the beach. They’ve gone through 60,000 trash bags and more are on the way.
Bill Draper, Marine Association board chairman, said the cleanup after July Fourth went smoother than in years past because of the accessibility of the bags.
“The beaches were much clean- er this year,” he said. “People are using the bags and they’re taking their trash out with them.”
And the work keeping the launch ramps open July Fourth resulted in a new plan State Parks may implement for the next holiday.
“You tried launch and leave (with offsite parking) and it worked better than anticipated,” said Tim Kristoff, Lake Havasu State Park Manager. “We’ll try it again for Labor Day, if we have volunteers. Because I just don’t have the staff.”
Barlow also said the city has put together a group — headed by Lake Havasu City partnership for Economic Development President and CEO Gary Kellogg — to find a way to always keep the launch ramps at the park open, regardless of the state’s financial condition.
The State of Arizona has a bill on the Governors desk for approval. In the interim,
funding has occurred to keep essential services, such as the Rangers at Windsor, in place.
So it will be business as usual at Windsor this weekend, except "Launch & Leave" will be in place.
Once the Park is full, you will be able to launch your boat but you will have to find parking off site.
The Marine Association will be there for traffic control and to assist the boaters however we can.
funding has occurred to keep essential services, such as the Rangers at Windsor, in place.
So it will be business as usual at Windsor this weekend, except "Launch & Leave" will be in place.
Once the Park is full, you will be able to launch your boat but you will have to find parking off site.
The Marine Association will be there for traffic control and to assist the boaters however we can.
Stop by and say hello! And be safe!
News!!!
The City has executed an agreement with State Parks to take over the operation of Windsor State Park, which would have been closed at Midnight tonight due to the lack of a State budget agreement.
The Marine Association will work with City Parks & Recs to oversee the operation of Windsor during this period.
While we don't know how long this budget process will last, there will be no fees charged for using the Park during this period. The Campground will be closed and only boat launching will be allowed. The Marine Association will have a full staff on site and will be prepared to answer any questions you may have. We will not close the Park but rather once it is full, offer a "launch and leave" program allowing you to put your boat in the water and find an off site place to park.
We hope you will enjoy your 4th of July in Lake Havasu and we all thank you
for coming! Contact Jim Salscheider at 928-208-2442 with any questions.
for coming! Contact Jim Salscheider at 928-208-2442 with any questions.
Windsor Beach expected to be open for July Fourthto revise a legislative budget approved
City to take over operation from Arizona State Parks
By TONY WAGGONER - TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
 |
|
News-Herald File Photo
Boaters take off from Windor Beach launch ramp on a busy summer weekend in 2007. |
The Windsor Beach launch ramp should remain open this Fourth of July weekend, despite the absence of a state budget for Arizona.
Tuesday afternoon, Lake Havasu City and Arizona State Parks reached an agreement that would allow the city to take over the operation of the park and boat launch ramp.
“Everything is signed and ready to go,” Arizona State Parks Public Information Officer Ellen Bilbey said Tuesday.
The fate of the Lake Havasu State Park, where Windsor Beach is located, and the fate of all state agencies remained in jeopardy as the Arizona State Legislature and Gov. Jan Brewer worked to finalize a budget agreement late Tuesday for the coming fiscal year.
City Intergovernmental Affairs and Communications Officer Charlie Cassens said Tuesday the agreement with state parks would allow city staff and personnel to maintain the park and launch ramp with the assistance of the Lake Havasu Marine Association. It would function similar to a special event permit for the city.
More than 1,000 boats could launch from the Windsor Beach ramp during the holiday weekend, Lake Havasu Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said, making the ramp one of the lake’s busiest boating spots.
Cassens called it a key component to the city’s summer-time economy.
“Obviously, it is in the best interest of the city to keep the park open, especially for the holiday weekend,” Cassens said. “We couldn’t bear the idea there would be a chain on the gate at Windsor for the Fourth.”
Windsor Beach campgrounds will not be open. Cassens said the city does not have the resources to operate the campgrounds.
Visitation to Lake Havasu State Park has been up more than 110 percent from 2008, Cassens said. A portion of the park was under construction at this time last year. The Fourth of July weekend promises to add considerably to the more than 173,000 visitors that have come to the park this year. The park has the highest increase in visitors of any park in the state this year.
Windsor Beach is one of two state parks that is staying open because of agreements with the city. Show Low’s Fool Hollow Lake will stay open as well.
According to a state parks press release, 28 other parks closed at midnight, and campers were asked to leave 13 state parks’ campgrounds at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Cattail Cove would likely remain closed, as the city does not have the resources to operate both parks, Cassens said. Visitation to Cattail Cove has been down 3.9 percent from last year. The impact closing the cove would have this weekend remains unknown.
To address the issue, Cassens and Salscheider said Windsor Beach area would remain open even after the parking lot is full. The city and marine association are working out a deal that would allow boaters to park their automobiles elsewhere, once the lot is full.
“Once the park is full, we will allow people to leave the area to park, so they can get more boats on the lake,” Salscheider said.
Entry to the park will also be free this weekend. Between 100 and 150 additional boats could launch from Windsor Beach because of the Cattail Cove closing, Salscheider said.
A big part of the city and marine association’s responsibility would be traffic control, according to Salscheider.
“Managing the traffic in the park would be first and foremost,” he said. “If people park where they want to park, it could be gridlock.”
A dock schedule is already posted for the launch ramp at the Arizona State Parks Ranger Station.
Cassens said the details of the agreement were finalized Tuesday afternoon.
Cassens said it was uncertain if the state budget crisis would have kept the park closed over the weekend, but the likelihood of a finalized state budget by the June 30 deadline did not
look promising.
look promising.
“I fully do not expect the state to solve its budget problems before midnight,” Cassens said. “Hopefully the state will get their act together before the holiday weekend.”
The city has overcome several hurdles on its way to the Fourth of July weekend, Mayor Mark Nexsen said. Budget cuts forced the city to cancel its fireworks show, before the community stepped in and raised enough money for the Freedom Festival and Fireworks Show. In addition, the Fourth of July Lake Havasu Festival will take place in London Bridge
Beach Park Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m.
Beach Park Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m.
The Koi Herpes Virus made its way down from Lake Mohave, killing and leaving thousands of carp on the water and shores of Lake Havasu, before Parks & Recreation staff, members of the marine association and other city and private volunteers stepped up to clean up.
“This community looks at a crisis as an opportunity to deal with it and make things better,” Nexsen said. “I will bet you this would be the best Fourth of July Lake Havasu City has ever had.”
Salscheider said the marine association would be looking for volunteers to help keep the park open next week. Anyone intertested may contact Salscheider by e-mail at jims@lhcma.com.
More beaches need adopted
Staff Reports
Staff Reports
 |
|
Submitted Photo
Signs are posted around Lake Havasu reminding users to dispose of their trash. Trash can by deposited at various trash locations or be taken out by the users. |
The Lake Havasu Marine Association and London Bridge Yacht Club are looking to local businesses and residents to keep the Lake Havasu beaches clean with their “Adopt a Beach” promotion.
As part of the promotion, interested businesses or residents would have the option to adopt a beach by paying an initial $295 for trash-bag posts on a beach of their choice. The Lake Havasu Marine Association and London Bridge Yacht Club will install the posts, and regularly maintain the trash bags. Sponsors would pay an additional $100 every year for what would amount to about 1,000 trash bags to keep Lake Havasu’s beaches clean.
Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said the promotion has been quite successful in cutting back the amount of trash along the Arizona side of the lake. Now, the Marine Association is turning its efforts to the California side, working with the Chemehuevi Tribe to place trash bag posts along all of the beaches of the lake.
Twenty-two locations along the Island, Body Beach and Contact Point have already been spoken for, Salscheider said.
“As of this moment, we have sold out this side (of the lake),” he said.
But, help is needed on the other side. “Our objective is to get all the (California) beaches that dents have a favorite business they’ve gone to many times, they can buy a post for $295 and we’ll maintain it for the first year. Just tell us where.”
The Marine Association would bill sponsors the $100 yearly on the date of their initial invoice.
Salscheider said when the London Bridge Yacht Club first started cleaning the beaches they had would fill between 30 to 40 bags of trash from a single beach. According to Salscheider, after the July 4 weekend last year they came back with 17 boats fully loaded with trash.
Now, trash receptor posts placed from one end of the Island to the other are being used accordingly. But Salscheider says work still needs to be done to keep Lake Havasu’s beaches clean for all visitors.
The posts are first come, first serve. Anyone interested could contact Jim Salscheider at 928-208-2442.
As part of the promotion, interested businesses or residents would have the option to adopt a beach by paying an initial $295 for trash-bag posts on a beach of their choice. The Lake Havasu Marine Association and London Bridge Yacht Club will install the posts, and regularly maintain the trash bags. Sponsors would pay an additional $100 every year for what would amount to about 1,000 trash bags to keep Lake Havasu’s beaches clean.
Marine Association Executive Director Jim Salscheider said the promotion has been quite successful in cutting back the amount of trash along the Arizona side of the lake. Now, the Marine Association is turning its efforts to the California side, working with the Chemehuevi Tribe to place trash bag posts along all of the beaches of the lake.
Twenty-two locations along the Island, Body Beach and Contact Point have already been spoken for, Salscheider said.
“As of this moment, we have sold out this side (of the lake),” he said.
But, help is needed on the other side. “Our objective is to get all the (California) beaches that dents have a favorite business they’ve gone to many times, they can buy a post for $295 and we’ll maintain it for the first year. Just tell us where.”
The Marine Association would bill sponsors the $100 yearly on the date of their initial invoice.
Salscheider said when the London Bridge Yacht Club first started cleaning the beaches they had would fill between 30 to 40 bags of trash from a single beach. According to Salscheider, after the July 4 weekend last year they came back with 17 boats fully loaded with trash.
Now, trash receptor posts placed from one end of the Island to the other are being used accordingly. But Salscheider says work still needs to be done to keep Lake Havasu’s beaches clean for all visitors.
The posts are first come, first serve. Anyone interested could contact Jim Salscheider at 928-208-2442.
No vendors in channel — for now
City to work with BLM on ways of regulating
City to work with BLM on ways of regulating
By TONY WAGGONER TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
The Lake Havasu City Council held a vote Tuesday to give watercraft vendors on the lake the boot, at least for now.
With a 4-3 show of hands, the council approved halting vending in Rotary Beach, London Bridge Beach and Site Six Cove. The decision could be temporary, though, while the city continues to work with the Bureau of Land Management to determine ways of regulating vending and establishing a permit process.
“Our first priority should be to clean them out,” Councilmember Don Callahan said. “All the people I’ve talked to and heard
from want their beaches back.” The decision met with some opposition on the council.
“I really struggle with saying summer is coming up, but guess what, you’re out of business so are your employees,” Mayor Mark Nexsen said.
Councilmember Brian Wedemeyer also disagreed stating he often visited the channel with his daughters and never had any problems with the vendors.
A lack of permits, insurance and refusal to follow BLM regulations of moving every 30 days to a new mooring spot has created some concern among fellow vendors, who do follow the rules, visitors and residents, alike. In all, there are 12 watercraft vendors on the lake.
The issue of vending at the channel goes back to 2007 with the city and BLM. Since then, the city has considered a number of different tactics, while an agreement with the bureau was worked on with no finality.
The city attempted to regulate the vendors above the 450 elevation mark, but, as City Planner Stuart Schmeling said Tuesday, they could do little more than wait to see if the vendors moved above the 450 elevation to conduct business, which some residents Tuesday complained the vendors had.
The city has also looked at regulating carrying gasoline in city parks, something vendors regularly do to their vehicles and boats on the water.
In order to have the vendors removed, the city would have to submit a letter of request to BLM. Schmeling said BLM would then have to go out and remove the vendors. Under federal trespass law, BLM does have the authority to remove the vendors from the three beaches.
Vice-Mayor David McAtlin said he believed an agreement with BLM to possibly regulate vending at the channel could happen faster now that the city has made the decision to disallow vending for the time being.
Watercraft vending on the lake wasn’t the only issue that reached some controversy Tuesday, as the council voted to find a way to keep the city’s contract with the lobbying firm Williams & Associates.
The city would need to find $56,000 from its general fund in the 2009-10 fiscal year tentative budget it approved Tuesday to pay for the firm’s services.
This issue met with opposition from Councilmember Dean Barlow and City Manager Richard Kaffenberger. Barlow said if the decision came down to safety in the community or hiring lobbyists, he would choose the former.
Kaffenberger said the lobbyists would need to bear the same brunt city departments had with the budget.
“We have to balance the hardships,” he said.
Brian Williams and Brian Tassinari of Williams & Associates argued they provided the city a voice in Phoenix.
Williams said for his firm the job was a 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. effort, noting they had fought in Phoenix for the city’s Federal Air Service grant, for State Lake Improvement Funds to go only to lakes that allow motorized vehicles, for 30-year financing on the city’s current sewer project and had made the city more than $20 million in the time they have been under contract.
“I prove to clients in dollars and cents what we do,” Williams said. Every dollar we save you or keep the state from taking from you is a dollar your citizens save.”
The budget will be discussed and for final adoption at a future special meeting of the council June 23.
With a 4-3 show of hands, the council approved halting vending in Rotary Beach, London Bridge Beach and Site Six Cove. The decision could be temporary, though, while the city continues to work with the Bureau of Land Management to determine ways of regulating vending and establishing a permit process.
“Our first priority should be to clean them out,” Councilmember Don Callahan said. “All the people I’ve talked to and heard
from want their beaches back.” The decision met with some opposition on the council.
“I really struggle with saying summer is coming up, but guess what, you’re out of business so are your employees,” Mayor Mark Nexsen said.
Councilmember Brian Wedemeyer also disagreed stating he often visited the channel with his daughters and never had any problems with the vendors.
A lack of permits, insurance and refusal to follow BLM regulations of moving every 30 days to a new mooring spot has created some concern among fellow vendors, who do follow the rules, visitors and residents, alike. In all, there are 12 watercraft vendors on the lake.
The issue of vending at the channel goes back to 2007 with the city and BLM. Since then, the city has considered a number of different tactics, while an agreement with the bureau was worked on with no finality.
The city attempted to regulate the vendors above the 450 elevation mark, but, as City Planner Stuart Schmeling said Tuesday, they could do little more than wait to see if the vendors moved above the 450 elevation to conduct business, which some residents Tuesday complained the vendors had.
The city has also looked at regulating carrying gasoline in city parks, something vendors regularly do to their vehicles and boats on the water.
In order to have the vendors removed, the city would have to submit a letter of request to BLM. Schmeling said BLM would then have to go out and remove the vendors. Under federal trespass law, BLM does have the authority to remove the vendors from the three beaches.
Vice-Mayor David McAtlin said he believed an agreement with BLM to possibly regulate vending at the channel could happen faster now that the city has made the decision to disallow vending for the time being.
Watercraft vending on the lake wasn’t the only issue that reached some controversy Tuesday, as the council voted to find a way to keep the city’s contract with the lobbying firm Williams & Associates.
The city would need to find $56,000 from its general fund in the 2009-10 fiscal year tentative budget it approved Tuesday to pay for the firm’s services.
This issue met with opposition from Councilmember Dean Barlow and City Manager Richard Kaffenberger. Barlow said if the decision came down to safety in the community or hiring lobbyists, he would choose the former.
Kaffenberger said the lobbyists would need to bear the same brunt city departments had with the budget.
“We have to balance the hardships,” he said.
Brian Williams and Brian Tassinari of Williams & Associates argued they provided the city a voice in Phoenix.
Williams said for his firm the job was a 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. effort, noting they had fought in Phoenix for the city’s Federal Air Service grant, for State Lake Improvement Funds to go only to lakes that allow motorized vehicles, for 30-year financing on the city’s current sewer project and had made the city more than $20 million in the time they have been under contract.
“I prove to clients in dollars and cents what we do,” Williams said. Every dollar we save you or keep the state from taking from you is a dollar your citizens save.”
The budget will be discussed and for final adoption at a future special meeting of the council June 23.
Cleanup coordinator: Trash bags are working. Chemehuevi Tribe to install more posts
By JAYNE HANSON - TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
By JAYNE HANSON - TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
 |
|
Jayne Hanson/News-Herald Photo
Dan Herron, lake clean-up coordinator of Lake Havasu City Marine Association, center, along with at least 20 volunteers, organize trash during the cleanup. |
Lake cleanup organizers were pleasantly surprised Wednesday to find lake goers had used the trash
bags and trash bag posts to contain and cart away their own trash over the busy holiday weekend. The trash effort success has led organizers to look further into the installation of more posts at other waterside locations on Lake Havasu.
bags and trash bag posts to contain and cart away their own trash over the busy holiday weekend. The trash effort success has led organizers to look further into the installation of more posts at other waterside locations on Lake Havasu.
“About 800 bags were used over the weekend,” said Jim Salscheider, executive director of Lake Havasu City Marine Association, the organization that helps coordinate the lake cleanup effort and assigns itself to the California side of Lake Havasu.
“I think the bags are working, but it is not just the bags. It is community awareness, too,” said Frederick Rivera, lake cleanup coordinator for Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. “I’ve never seen it so clean,” he said.
The tribe has recently purchased an additional five trash bag posts that will be installed Friday. “The next five (trash bag posts) will be put on outer facing beaches so they will be seen by the public,” Rivera said.
At least seven boats and a large group of volunteers worked together Wednesday morning to collect trash.
“We would normally pull 30 or 40 bags of trash from some of these beaches,” Salscheider said. Since the installation of the nine trash posts on Tribal land across the lake late last year, people seem to be using the bags and taking their trash with them.
“Goodness, this one looks really clean, too… I can’t believe it. It works. It really, really works,” said Cindy Salscheider, Jim’s wife and lake cleanup volunteer, as the boat pulled up to the second beach with the fixed trash bag post.
“That’s why virtually every beach needs a (trash) post,” Jim Salsheider said.
Crews found and transported trash bags full of beer cans, soda cans, empty cardboard 30-pak boxes, a half-eaten watermelon, lost clothing, empty potato chip bags, broken camping equipment, empty water bottles and beer bottles among other items.
A Sea Tow boat cap- tained by Russ Nyland, first mate Mocha, a big brown Labrador, and two volunteers towed the remains of a wrecked floating dock they found washed up on the California side of the lake.
“We stopped at a beach without a (trash) post over the weekend to give the campers some bags and they said they had already stopped at a beach with a post and got some,” Jim Salscheider said.
London Bridge Yacht Club keeps the Island beaches clean, said Dan Remy of London Bridge Yacht Club. “If we can make the bag posts readily available, they will use
them,” he said.
them,” he said.
Remy said the local yacht club is working on raising funds to install another four of five trash posts on Island beaches utilized by people who drive in with vehicles versus reaching beaches form the waterside by use of a watercraft.
Lake cleanup volunteer Bob Clark donates the use of his boat and his time to keep the beaches of Lake Havasu clean. “It is basically to give back to the community … I’ve been using this lake since the 60s,” Clark said.
Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Lake Havasu City, and Romer Beverage donate the large trash bags fixed to the posts. Budweiser donates the smaller bags the volunteers use to collect trash from the beaches during the monthly cleanup effort that will last the duration of the summer months.
Allied Waste donates a trash bin once a month and after holiday weekends to coordinate with lake cleanup efforts, organizers said.
Lake Havasu City Marine Association and the London Bridge Yacht Club organize cleanups once a month during the summer boating season and after the three busy holiday weekends of Memorial, Independence, and Labor days to clean up litter on the shores of the lake
Boating volunteers help when state retreats
The first holiday weekend of the summer really emphasizes the great, good, bad and ugly of this community’s love of and reliance upon the body of water that is Lake Havasu.
The great and good is, of course, that for residents the lake is readily available all the time (usually, anyway, but more on that later.) The water hosts a variety of aquatic activities usually in more-or-less peaceful coexistence.
Those bad and ugly parts rear their heads during periods of high demand such as summer weekends.
The most obvious is the lack of boat launch capacity. It appears a new mainland marina is at least a few years away, so area boaters have to rely on what is there. The problem is parking for trailers more than the capacity of the ramps.
This situation was magnified in the spring when Arizona State Parks’ budget was cut. In reaction, Lake Havasu State Park threatened to shut down overflow parking for 280 vehicles at the Windsor launch ramps. The Lake Havasu Marine Association stepped in with volunteers at the launch ramps on weekends.
In doing this, the association not only made life easier for boaters but may have retained a lot of revenue, up to $5,600 per weekend, from potentially lost launch fees.
The association deserves the thanks of boaters but also of whole community, since a potential “failure to launch” can seriously dissuade a boater from visiting Lake Havasu. State agencies are notorious for cutting their most high-profile services first during budget crunches to make political points, even if, as in the Windsor case, the cuts actually make the budget problem worse. State Game and Fish did the same thing by pulling its law enforcement boat from the water over the holiday weekend. The public reaction is usually opposite from the one intended by the agency and generally includes a stronger version of the word knuckleheads.
But the marine association is doing a good thing by running the volunteer ramp helper program. Anyone interested in helping the group help boaters is invited to contact the program coordinator, Les John, at 928-854-2590, says marine association head Jim Salscheider.
Time to cleanup
With the spring break frenzy coming to an end, about 20 volunteers helped clean up the lake Thursday morning. A handful of boats were there to assist them during the Lake Havasu City Marine Association’s lake cleanup. The marine association’s executive director Jim Salscheider said people are using the trash bag posts that were installed this past December. This was the first clean up since the installation to really tell, he said. Trash posts installed on the Island and the California side of the lake, in collaboration with the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, were considered a success, Salscheider said. There is talk of the tribe’s desire to install an additional 10, he said. London Bridge Yacht Club, including three boats and about 12 volunteers, worked Wednesday at the same cleanup effort, but the marine association preferred Thursday because of the weather, Salscheider said. The marine association and the yacht club organize cleanups one Wednesday a month during the summer boating season and after the busy weekends of Memorial, Independence and Labor days.
Volunteers needed to help boaters
Marine association teaming up with Lake Havasu State Park
By JAYNE HANSON, TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
A local marine association is organizing a volunteer parking operation that will last through Labor Day weekend in an attempt to keep areas of the Lake Havasu State Park open to boaters.
“The volunteers would help support existing staff get the public on and off the lake safely,” said Tim Kristof, park manager of Lake Havasu State Park. The park currently staffs nine permanent positions, and budget cuts have eliminated several part-time and temporary positions that are essential to the operation of the park, Kristof
said.
“The more volunteers we have, the less everybody has to work,” said Jim Salscheider, executive director of the Lake
Havasu City Marine Association. The volunteer shifts are Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., beginning the weekend of April 25 and lasting through Labor Day weekend, Salscheider said. The state park requires six volunteers per shift, and a pool of 50 helpers would be ideal, he said.
Approximately 20 or so volunteers have signed up to help at the ranger station to give directions, give camping receipts, and answer phones, the state park manager
said. “We will not put anyone in harm’s way,” Kristof said.
Marine association teaming up with Lake Havasu State Park
By JAYNE HANSON, TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD
A local marine association is organizing a volunteer parking operation that will last through Labor Day weekend in an attempt to keep areas of the Lake Havasu State Park open to boaters.
“The volunteers would help support existing staff get the public on and off the lake safely,” said Tim Kristof, park manager of Lake Havasu State Park. The park currently staffs nine permanent positions, and budget cuts have eliminated several part-time and temporary positions that are essential to the operation of the park, Kristof
said.
“The more volunteers we have, the less everybody has to work,” said Jim Salscheider, executive director of the Lake
Havasu City Marine Association. The volunteer shifts are Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., beginning the weekend of April 25 and lasting through Labor Day weekend, Salscheider said. The state park requires six volunteers per shift, and a pool of 50 helpers would be ideal, he said.
Approximately 20 or so volunteers have signed up to help at the ranger station to give directions, give camping receipts, and answer phones, the state park manager
said. “We will not put anyone in harm’s way,” Kristof said.
The boat ramp volunteers need to be of a certain temperament and will be required to learn the park’s crucial parking system to most efficiently revolve boaters onto the
water and off again, which can be challenging at times, according to Kristoff.
water and off again, which can be challenging at times, according to Kristoff.
Lake Havasu State Park, known locally as Windsor Beach, consists of two large parking lots located in the immediate area of the boat launch ramp and one overflow parking area located at Windsor 4 near the south end of the park, Kristof said. “About 700 boats can launch from here,” he said of the park when at full capacity.
Arizona State Parks will host a volunteer services orientation meeting at 5:30 p.m., April 22, in the Water Safety Center at Contact Point, located at 1801 State Route 95, according to Arizona State Parks officials. The orientation meeting will feature Nicole Armstrong-Best, volunteer resource planner for Arizona Sate Parks.
For more information about the volunteering at Lake Havasu State Park, contact 855-2784.
Ring rentals touted
