The Next 10 Ten Years of SDL&SA
This is the beginning of a new year and also the beginning the next ten years. Some questions we have been asking ourselves and the SDL&SA membership; has the cost sharing of association construction and management assets and fixed overhead among the association members worked; will it work in the future, should the SDL&SA association activities and Special Projects (such as Citizens Monitoring) continue to be supported by this cost sharing entity, or should these activities be self-supporting.
Another question that we have been asking, is there still a need for the Association and "Preserving, Protecting, and Restoring South Dakota Lakes and Watertways through Stewardship, Education, and Networking?".
Though the mission of the association has evolved over its ten years of existence, it was born to fulfill a specific need. That being to take over the dredging operations from the State of SD, as explained in the last issue of SPLASH. Of the 13 lakes mentioned as potential candidates in that article, Swan Lake, Ravine Lake and Lake Redfield were dredged. Additionally, Punished Woman's Lake and Wall Lake, which were projects in progress when SDL&SA was formed, were completed. Eureka Lake, Hiddenwood Lake, Elm River in Aberdeen, Bush's Landing and Ute Lake were also dredged. The first ten years has also included several non-dredging projects such as shoreline restoration, animal waste systems, tree removal along the James River, fencing projects and several other related projects.
As to the question has cost sharing of Association assets worked and will it work in the future? Cost sharing has worked in years where there has been enough demand on these assets so general costs such as maintenance and overhead can be spread over at least 3 major projects in a single operating year. This has happened in most of the ten years. In the other years, we slip behind and play catch up during the good years -- much like any other business.
Rather it will work in the future depends on our membership's needs and desires. The big question is "Is there work required on the SD waterways and lakes that can't be contracted with local companies for a reasonable price?" If there is a local contractor, experience in lake and watershed restoration that can perform the work at a comparable price to SDL&SA, then there is no need for bringing in the Association.
In the beginning it appeared there would be a great demand on our dredging. However, with the increased demand for additional cost share, combined with the relatively small share of monies that can be allocated for dredging, many of the projects that were in the planning stage 10 years ago have been either cancelled or postponed. So, it has been suggested that we diversify and get into areas or watershed work that is being funded we will be looking at those options.
Should association activities and Special Projects be self-supporting (not rely on income from the cost sharing construction activities). The SDL&SA Board has decided this would be a goal to attain by the end of this year. Databases have been developed for each type of membership and fund raising has commenced toward this objective. The January issue of SPLASH was late in mailing because of developing these new databases - it is anticipated in the future this will be corrected. Other means of fund raising, such as through advertising in SPLASH and through the Annual Conference has been put in place.
I would like to report that we have all the answers to these questions, but unfortunately, we don't. A committee has been formed composed of members of the SDL&SA Executive Committee to answer these and related questions as to how we perform our mission for the next year, five years and ten years. This committee will begin meeting the first part of March and will continue until a plan is in place. This plan will be introduced at the Annual Meeting in May.
South Dakota Lakes & Streams Association
P.O. box 95
108 S. School St South Shore, SD 57263
ph. 1 (605) 756-4195 fax 1 (605) 756-4218
© 2002 all rights reserved