Lake Sakakawea - Making a Serious Push For Progress

To all who are concerned about Lake Sakakawea,

I am writing and submitting this letter to anyone I can in hopes of making a positive difference. I have read through many articles, forums and blogs on all of the issues related to Lake Sakakawea on water levels, downstream navigation, land transfers, you name it. Up until now everything I had heard greatly concerned me, but I didn’t really understand the extent of the conditions until a recent trip to Lake Sakakawea. I was able to see first hand the changes that have taken place down there since the last time I was able to make it to the river, which was two years ago, and it filled me with despair and then downright anger. What was once the ultimate destination point for a day in the sun, an overnight camping trip, fishing and swimming and laying in the sun, is now becoming a faded memory of the “good ol’ days.” I cherish the memories of all the great outings to the river growing up in North Dakota and have bragged about them to many people, as well as my own children and nieces and nephews. And it’s not just me who has these wonderful memories. This is something that has passed through generations of my family.

Lake Sakakawea has provided us with years of recreation and a means for our family members to spend quality time with one another. We would have numerous weekend camping and fishing trips at the river every summer. I would also spend as many afternoons as possible just swimming and laying in the sun on the hot sandy beaches of Little Egypt eating my sand-covered Doritos. That was the ultimate place for swimming. It has sugar sand beaches with a gradual slope so the water was warm and you didn’t have to worry about the unexpected drop-off when walking out in the water. Some summers with low water levels meant hiking a distance to get to the water, but it was always worth it once you got there.

Then, every year for as long as I can remember there is a week long camping and fishing trip for our family, complete with an official name for the group and everything. It’s a way for everyone to keep in touch with one another no matter how far apart we are living and a way to find a reprieve from our busy lives. Time seems to slow down for everyone once they have the chance to get together in this manner. It’s a way to get back in touch with the parts of our lives that have meaning. The days are spent with fishing for the ultimate catch – the walleye - which involves finding the perfect spot, the perfect lure and the perfect bait. The evenings are spent relaxing after a full day in the fresh air and sun, telling tales of childhood memories over a dinner of freshly caught fish, and watching the late sun setting in the sky that turns the clouds a bright pink color that is reflected off of the glass surface of the water.

As a child we had the thrill of enjoying afternoon adventures climbing up the sandy buttes which seemed like the largest mountains ever encountered, being careful not to step on a prickly pear on the climb upward, just to find the most perfect spot to sit and rest and get a birds-eye view of the expanse of the river surrounded by the majestic buttes and being filled with the feeling that we were on top of the world. We also spent many hours studying and picking through the rocks along the shoreline to find the most perfect rock for skipping and had contests to see who could get a rock to skip across the water the most. Now I don’t think you are even allowed to touch a rock along the shoreline. God forbid, it may be of archaeological significance!

So what’s left? The only thing anyone can truly experience anymore is being harassed by on official of some sort and being told they aren’t allowed to do this or allowed to go there. Over the past years our family has spent their week long trip down at Reunion Bay, due to low level water in other locations, and this year they couldn’t even do that. Because the Corp was thinking of transferring the land back, they shut it off. If they want to transfer the land back to the Native Americans, fine, but then they should also give back whatever land they took from other landowners as well, or at least allow them the option of buying it back. Why is it right for one group and not another? And since the land transfer hasn’t actually taken place yet, I see no reason why it should’ve even been locked off to begin with. There is no valid reason to take away access and recreational opportunities for the community without replacing it somewhere else. We have just as much right as anyone to be able to recreate in a reasonable manner.

I realize that with the ongoing drought there are restrictions on open fires and where you can drive your vehicles - I get that. I realize that there are areas off-limits to even walking due to protecting endangered birds - I get that. What I don't get is the total disregard for human use and the power trip that the Corp seems to have over people trying to just spend a simple day recreating. I work in the park and recreation industry and all of our projects involve finding the correct balance for human use and environmental protection. All of our projects have been very successful for humans, animals and the native ecological systems so why can't the same principles be applied in a location where the human impact is very small in comparison to everything else? I'll tell you one reason why - the Corp of Engineers is the most inflexible agency I know of. Their rules seem to only apply to everyone else, not themselves, and I swear sometimes they have no comprehension of the "real world" and how it truly functions.

I went on a trip to White Earth Bay this weekend because my childhood destination of Little Egypt is now off limits and even though we were at a designated campground, we had no way of easily getting to the water unless we wanted to swim off of the boat launch. Not my first choice with kids. We then had to hike quite a distance through the mud and weeds (not native vegetation, weeds) with kids who had to be carried because the weeds pricked their legs, then had to go back to vehicle to get the coolers and floaties for the second hike back to the water just to find a little cricket infested area to set up for the afternoon. We made the most of it, but this is not the kind of memory I wanted for the kids since all of our childhood memories growing up were such great ones. And this was a designated recreation area. Would it be so difficult to set aside some small areas that allow for access to the water for those camping down there as well as anyone who would just like to spend an afternoon cooling off? And what about those with limited mobility? Sherpa’s would've had a tough time with our hike, what is a person with limited mobility expected to do? Maybe the Corp isn’t familiar with the ADA regulations, but again I suppose they feel that they don’t have to be. At least we didn't get harassed by any officials while we were there. There have been others who didn't fare so well.

I was told of one group who was in their boat, pulled up close to shore and anchored it to save on gas, and just sat and listened to music while enjoying the sunny afternoon. An official pulled up to them and told them to turn off the radio and leave because they were disturbing the birds. What is that?! I would've asked if the birds actually filed a complaint on the noise, but that's just me. Another person walking along the shoreline was told they couldn't be there because they didn't want any bird habitats being disrupted. They were not in an area where the least terns or piping plovers nest. Those birds make nests in sandy areas that preferably have been cleaned of all vegetation by spring high water. This is why Little Egypt is off limits now, it has wonderful sandy areas suitable for nesting. Thick gooey mud with thigh high weeds is not prime habitat for these birds. And if the Corp is actually concerned with areas for them to nest in, maybe they should be doing more to allow for better spring flooding. There are written reports that indicate the biggest threat to piping plovers along the Missouri River are the water-level regulation policies that contribute directly to the chick mortality rate.

Another group camping mowed a small area by their camper so that they wouldn’t start any grass on fire. They were fined $150 for that. Maybe it’s against some type of policy to mow, though I don’t see the reasoning for that, but if so then maybe they should’ve been given a warning first as there are no listed rules that I saw against mowing. If the agencies are not able to communicate rules effectively, it shouldn’t be someone else’s burden to pay for their mistake when they thought they were doing the right thing. That is a hefty fine for anyone who lives in this area. Everyone there works long, hard days, makes a basic living, and they don’t have a lot of options for recreational outlets. I have heard of nothing but complaint after complaint from people who go down there and now all of my memories are just that, memories. My kids won't be able to experience first hand all that I have told them and they will probably think I'm just making it all up like my father’s stories of walking 5 miles to school uphill in both directions.

Other states encourage the use of lakes, rivers, streams, forests and other natural areas to not only allow people the chance to enjoy these resources, but also to educate them on their surroundings. With human use in these areas, people end up becoming stewards of the natural areas and will work to preserve them for future generations while still getting enjoyment out of it. For example, most hunters are very well educated and involved in preserving and enhancing animal habitats so that they can continue hunting. They work to give back what they take. The river is a natural draw for people and it provides the perfect opportunity for a serene surrounding to get away from the day-to-day hassles and work, a place to connect with nature. If you allow people to recreate on and along the river, educate them on their surroundings, the outcome will be far better for everyone involved than just restricting their use.

The Corp is a regulating agency, yes, but they do not own the river. The river is also there for human enjoyment and recreation. We had to give up Little Egypt Park for the birds and then Reunion Bay for the possibility of the land transfer, with many areas in between off-limits as well. The human use factor is an important one to take into consideration and if the Corp doesn’t start noticing that, there may be some serious issues once people have had enough, and I think that time has about come. People are tired of being told what they can and can’t do, they are tired of being ignored, they are tired of not being taken seriously, and they are tired of being beaten down again and again. There is plenty of land available and a successful balance can easily be achieved if the agencies will start realizing the negative impact they are having on the surrounding community and tourism.

Editor's Note:   Candace was born and raised in rural North Dakota and spent all of her years growing up enjoying the wide open spaces which included hunting, fishing and camping with her family, as well the afternoon or evening excursion out walking and exploring the prairies and buttes. Her love of the outdoors and recreation led to a career as a Registered Landscape Architect in the Minneapolis metro area working as a planner and designer in the park and recreation industry.  As a ten year veteran, Candace has lived in heavily populated areas which has made her appreciate and miss the vast outdoor spaces she became accustomed to growing up in North Dakota.  Supported by both her love for North Dakota's wide open spaces and the fact that kids today do not spend the majority of their time outside has influenced her work.  Candace said, "As a kid, I spent most of my time outside and because of that I strive to create places that will encourage families and individuals to get out and involved in the natural world".

Although Candace is extremely busy with her career, she is one of many that take time to defend something they truly love.  Candace's love?  You guessed it, Lake Sakakawea.  

The Lake Sakakawea region has been expierencing a severe drought for some time which has complicated the health of Sakakawea.  However, there are several instances and circumstances that have led to many question marks surrounding the Army Corps of Engineers management of the big water--for that matter, the entire Missouri River.  It's going to take many more people like Candace to make a difference in the push for the future of Sakakawea and other Missouri River reservoirs.  Candace is not only pleading to the Corp or the "higher-ups", she is also pleading that everyone related to the Missouri River, whether it directly or indirectly, stand up and make a push towards a positive difference.

I for one, have been involved quite a bit in the recent years.  As I'm sure Candace found, the first step in getting involved is simply starting.  It's hard to make the first push but once you've started, it's addicting.  There isn't much in the world that can give you the satisfaction of taking a few minutes of your life to make a difference.  I've found it rewarding not only in making my words be heard, but also in the new friends and contacts I've made throughout the process.  These individuals will be in my life forever.  So, take a few minutes to open your eyes on the gloomy situation surrounding the Missouri River.  You not only have emotional ties to the big muddy but you also have millions, even billions, tied up in it's flowing waters.  As a tax payer, you can make a difference.  The only thing you have to do is try...

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Here's some links to various articles and news releases:

Articles By Tim Sandstrom:  One Step Forward But Two Steps Back  |  One Step Forward But Two Steps Back - Take Two
Articles By Bob Kellam:  Land Transfer - Too Many Uncertainties
New Town News:  Land Transfer - An Interview With Ladd Erickson

COE Spring Pulse Update
2006 Final Annual Operating Plan for the Missouri River
Sakakawea Shoreline Access Policy
Parshall Bay Boat Ramp -- Corp of Engineers Response
Draft Effects Report
Army Corp of Engineers Shoreline Update
Lake and River Access
Lake Sakakawea Chinook Salmon and Rainbow Smelt Update  
Lake Sakakawea News

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Talk Forums:
The Corp of Engineers & Lake Sakakawea
Lake Sak land transfer/3 Affiliated Tribes
Other Talk Forums - Fishing Buddy Outdoors
Sakakawea Making The News In a Bad Way
I think we have a problem

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Information Links:
ACOE Potential Land Transfer Home Page
Press Releases
Public Meeting Transcripts
Draft Effects Report – Interactive Copy
ACOE Lake Sakakawea Project Home Page 

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Comment Submission Links: 

Submit Comments By Email 
larry.d.janis@usace.army.mil

Submit Comments By Mail or Fax:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District
ATTN: CENWO-OD-TN (Mr. Larry Janis)
106 S. 15th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
or fax 402-221-4230

Note:  PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN BY EMAIL, MAIL, FAX, OR PHONE UP TO AUGUST 20TH