•Lake Clean Up

•Annual Boat Parade

•Weather Station

•Board Meeting Minutes

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Contact Information:

•Phone: 540-674-0166

•Fax: 540-980-3540

•Email: info@focl.org

Last year was our first with the new approach: hired help rather than trustees. It went reasonably well; we planned and ran like we intended. But being the first time operating in this manner, we did stumble a little in that we experienced cost overruns. Also, in terms of volume, last year was not a banner year for debris removal. However we suspected this outcome going into it because our goal was to work in areas of the lake that we had not been to in a long time (down closer to the dam). These areas have fewer pockets of debris and less debris in each pocket meaning more travel time and less volume of debris removed.

This year we are striving to learn from last year. We will be more closely monitoring costs as we work our way through the water season. Also, with the limitations in the budget for Lake Clean-up established by Pulaski County, we are looking into more funding to keep it running all season long.

Our goal for the clean up operation is to be in the water on June 14th. This year we intend on starting mid-lake in the Peak Creek, Harry DeHaven Park areas, will work our way up-river towards the bridge, then double back and work towards the dam. We are striving to be fully prepared by then and have asked Pulaski County to make sure the equipment is in good working order by this date.

Other clean-up bits:
•Thanks to HT Bowling for providing a loader to assist in burning the debris.
•The burn at Big Hole Hollow is scheduled to take place May 31st.
•We are currently filling the positions for Debris Removal Workers.
•In AEP's Claytor Hydro Site Licensing Renewal process, AEP is studying lake debris.
•Here are some insights from the study:
••there are natural receptors of debris in the lake; that is, there are areas of the lake that should be kept clear for the very fact that debris accumulates naturally in these areas and being able "catch" debris in these natural receptors enables a more productive removal process
••though debris may be at once considered an annoyance or danger to boaters or swimmers, non-trash debris forms a natural habitat for wildlife
••therefore, the shoreline is being evaluated with the idea that some debris should be left in the lake
••note FOCL does not remove trees that have fallen from the shoreline as this is considered a natural process which creates that natural habitat

Read more AEP's study at their Claytor Hydro Relicensing web site:

http://www.claytorhydro.com/relicensing/studyReportsDocs.htm

Then search for and click on Draft Debris Study.

Annual FOCL Boat Parade in Honor of Independence Day

Come join the fun! The Friends of Claytor Lake Annual Boat Parade in Honor of Independence Day is Sunday, July 6th. Lots of fun, great sponsors and great prizes. There's no better way to show your patriotic and creative side by honoring our great country through participation in our Annual Boat Parade.

We'll follow the same parade route as last year: gathering at the State Park Launch Ramp then heading down river into Dublin Hollow by the dam, around the island and back to the Park for judging. Be looking for more information about the parade in the June FOCL enews and the Southwest Times.

Claytor Lake Weather Station

Claytor Lake now has its own weather station! Find it at this link:

http://www.vtacs.com/weather/lake/Current_Conditions.html

Friends of Claytor Lake Meeting of the Board, April 8, 2008

Present:  Ronnie Powers, Darla Jennings, Bill Cunningham, Ranny Akers, Mike Spraker, John Toothaker, Mike McLeod, Larry Moore, Dean Jackson, Alan Stratton, Dave Stevenson, Larry

Minutes of the March 11, 2007 Board meeting were approved as written.

Financial Resource Report
•Income/Expense Report was reviewed by Darla Jennings. 
•Total income since last report $3,058.92
•Two largest parts of income: $1,300 dividend check from endowment plus $1,325 membership income.
•General Fund account:  $22,162.25
•Upcoming expenses:  $1,790 for 500 maps to get through the 2008 water season were ordered. The maps are geographically the same as our previous maps but have a different cover that is not FOCL-oriented. However we will be affixing FOCL stickers on the front in order to tie the maps to us.
•It was noted that 1000 maps will last about 2 years thus the decision to order the 500 to get us through this year while we undertake the effort to update and improve the map to have the entire lake on one side.
•It was noted that the establishment “Awful Arthur’s,” in Roanoke has our map hanging on their wall.
•Additional expense: FOCL placed an ad in a recent Roanoke Times in the section “Discover the New” for $250.
•Larry Moore moved that the Financial Report be approved as written. Seconded and approved.

Sea Scouts at Claytor Lake
•Larry Moore, FOCL Board member and representative of the Boy Scouts of America, made a presentation regarding BSA activity at Claytor Lake.
•An effort is being made to establish a Sea Scout Base at Claytor Lake. Larry proposed that FOCL be a sponsor of the organization. Cost for sponsorship is $20/year. Sponsorship responsibilities of FOCL would be to provide 2 committee members to a committee of 5 that oversees the Claytor Lake Sea Scouts in their endeavors.
•The Sea Scouts organization is youth-driven and runs all year. Starting membership likely to be 5-10 Scouts. FOCL’s commitment would be more time-based, less financial; the 5-person committee (with 2 FOCL members) would guide the Sea Scouts as they develop their self-directed program.
•Conrad’s Marine has agreed to become a sponsor. If FOCL also becomes a sponsor, Conrad’s & FOCL would “own” the charter of the Claytor Lake Sea Scouts Program.
•Discussion ensued regarding sponsorship. It was decided to table the discussion to a future meeting after fully examining the responsibilities that FOCL would be undertaking.
•The June FOCL Board Meeting will be held at the new BSA Aquatic Center. Dinner will be served.

Executive Session
President Ron Powers asked the board to go to executive session to discuss Board Member issues. Larry Moore moved that we go to executive session. Seconded and approved. A motion was made to leave executive session. Seconded and approved.

Larry Moore moved to accept the resignation of boardmember Mary Rhoades while thanking her for her service to the Friends of Claytor Lake. It was also noted that she would be welcome and encouraged to attend future Board Meetings as her schedule permitted. Seconded and approved.

The meeting was adjourned.