The Starke County Commissioners discussed a potential land use agreement of Starke County-owned lake front property on Bass Lake during their meeting last week.
Bass Lake land owner Dr. William Oliver addressed the commissioners for the purpose of placing a second well and pump to maintain lake water levels. He added setting aside 20 feet of Starke County-owned Bass Lake front property into a 30-year land use agreement with Doral Industries may be the correct route in maintaining the lake’s water levels.
Dr. Oliver explained Doral would use the property to drill a well and place a pump for maintenance of water levels on Bass Lake. Once the well is placed, Doral would perform safety and efficacy studies to submit plans to all necessary local, state and federal agencies for approval. If approved, Dr. Oliver stated the land lease agreement would be transferred to the Bass Lake Property Owners Association for ongoing management and maintenance for 30 years with options to renew.
It was noted Doral Industries has worked with Starke County in the area around Bass Lake as part of their solar farm development. Dr. Oliver stated in the course of Mammoth Solar’s community outreach and involvement program, Doral Industries learned the problems with maintaining levels of water on Bass Lake. He stated they had approached the Bass Lake Property Owners Association with an offer to divert water from an existing well to the lake to assist in lake level maintenance.
Dr. Oliver stated a committee formed, revealed the cost and logistics of diverting water from offsite, across multiple properties and potential road ways as well as on going maintenance expenses would be significantly more than leasing 20 feet of lake front property and installing a second well like the existing one. He explained to the commissioners a portion of his property on the south end of Bass Lake has been chosen for this project. He stated he has entered in to a land use agreement for the project with Doral Industries.
Dr. Oliver then stated the Bass Lake Property Owners Association and Doral Industries have executed a term sheet agreement to take over the land lease agreement, and management of the pump once all permits have been obtained and the safety and efficacy of the well has been established. It was mentioned Doral has committed to paying up to $15,000 per year for maintenance and management expenses for 30 years.
Dr. Oliver stated a test well has been drilled. He said an environmental engineering firm specializing in well design and monitoring has advised that further testing is needed. He added they are proceeding with testing and design at the site on his property, but are investigating feasibility of alternative sites as a back up plan. In addition to other sites, Dr. Oliver stated county owned properties have been identified as desirable locations.
The commissioners thanked Dr. Oliver on the information. No action was taken by the commissioners as they took the report under advisement.
