Published: January 26, 2007 07:52 pm      

Open For Business

Will lake thrive despite crisis?

FRANKFORT, Ky. — The State Commerce Cabinet is selling this message to the Lake Cumberland area: Everything’s going to be just fine.

Key representatives from Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s administration met with officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday, as well as officials from the Commerce Cabinet, the Department of Tourism, Military Affairs, Emergency Management, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, Homeland Secu-rity, Transportation Cab-inet, and SEKTA (South Eastern Kentucky Tourism Association). The purpose of the meeting was evaluating strategies for alleviating any negative ramifications of lowering the water level of Lake Cumberland.

Chris Gilligan, Commun-ications Director with the Department of Commerce, said it was vitally important to stress that the situation was not one of “imminent danger,” but merely a high risk.

“(Figures show) about $153 million in economic impact for the four-county lake area,” said Gilligan. “No one knows what exactly the impact would be. One of the fears of the tourism folks is (the effects of the perception that) the lake is dried up and the sky is falling. That’s completely erroneous.”

The dam is exactly the same as it’s always been, Gilligan said. It’s just that the methods of evaluating its status have changed — they’re “more complex” and “multi-tiered” as compared to the past.

Moreover, those already anticipating spending their summer on the lake will still find plenty to enjoy.

“One of the things we focused on (at the meeting) was that even with the reduced lake level, Lake Cumberland is still the third largest lake in Kentucky,” said Gilligan.

Indeed, at 37,680 acres, it ranks behind only the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. Better still: “The third-largest ranking doesn’t change at 723 or 680 feet, and it doesn’t come close to getting down to number four,” noted Gilligan.

The Corps of Engineers gave an in-depth factual briefing on the history of the dam and mindset surrounding the recent decision, as well as the process of going forward. One key point is that the target date for the 680-feet elevation is Feb. 12. The water will be lowered four to six inches per day until it reaches 687 feet, then a foot per day until it reaches 682 feet, followed by a slower reduction until the target level is reached.

Also addressed was the fact that eight boat ramps will remain open at the new elevation, with the possibility of extending more.

Both a hard copy and electronic record of the questions posed at Wednesday’s town hall-like meeting at The Center for Rural Development were given to the Corps. They anticipate being able to answer those questions by next week.

One way to access that information will be by an e-mail newsletter and the Commerce Department’s Web site. Of the approximately 200 people at the town hall, those placed on an e-mail contact list will receive a sort of electronic newsletter keeping the situation up to date. That information will also be available at www.commerce.ky.gov, at the bottom of the homepage in the news section.

“It’s going to be an irregular update, just snippets of useful information,” said Gilligan. “(It won’t hold) a definitive answer, but it’s a good general overall update to keep everyone informed. ... It’s one way to help get new information back to folks.”

He added that every public speaking appearance possible will be taken advantage of to promote the “mantra,” as Gilligan put it, that the lake will be open for business this summer. In fact, First Lady Glenna Fletcher has immediately begun work recording a series of radio spots which include that message.

We’re taking advantage of every opportunity ... (to say that) the lake is still open and it’s still the third-largest lake in Kentucky,” said Gilligan. “The governor has directed us to do everything we can to help soften the blow.”