The Lake Improvement Association held its Monthy meeting Saturday Morning March 1st. To listen to the meeting:

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The following is an AI Generated summary of the March LIA Meeting:

Meeting Notes

1. Lake Improvement and Community Engagement

• Financial Report
  Ted Bertke presented the financial report, highlighting the current checkbook balance of $73,311 and the foundation balance of $19,000. Recent expenditures include cement corn holes, sponsorships, and picnic table repairs.

• Pontoon Raffle
  The pontoon raffle is ongoing, with over 200 tickets sold out of 500. Tickets are $100 each, and the raffle aims to raise funds for lake improvement efforts.

• West Bank Playground and Shelter
  The playground is fully funded, and efforts are ongoing to raise funds for the shelter house, with a remaining balance of $30,858.

• All Abilities Playground
  The main component of the All Abilities Playground has been ordered, and the installation date is pending.

• Winter Icebreaker Dance
  Jeff Vossler reported on the successful Winter Icebreaker dance, which raised about $12,000 with over 400 attendees.

• Membership Update
  Membership cards will be sent out in April. Members are encouraged to join or renew to support the Lake Improvement Association.

• Prairie Creek and Coldwater Creek Funding
  Funding for Prairie Creek has increased to $5.3 million, allowing for additional work on Coldwater Creek.

• Beach Guard Application Issues
  The Beach Guard application inaccurately shows advisories for the lake. Efforts are underway to address these inaccuracies.

• Bike and Walking Path Proposal
  Discussions are ongoing about a potential bike and walking path connecting the campground area to East Bank.

• Recent Board Actions
  The board has supported several events, including the Governor's Cup Regatta and Celina Lake Festival, with donations.

• Lake Cleanup Day
  Scheduled for April 19th, with increased volunteer support expected.

• Boat Racing Experience
  A boat racing experience event is planned for May 30th and 31st, allowing participants to race with professionals.

• Wetland Projects and Awards
  Dave Sherman announced an award for Teresa Dirksen for her work on wetland projects, highlighting several ongoing and upcoming projects.

• Toxin Data and Lake Conditions
  Toxin levels are currently low, with historical averages decreasing. Future lake conditions depend on spring rains.

• Soil and Water Initiatives
  Tree seedling and fish sales are ongoing, with deadlines approaching for orders.

2. Environmental Conservation and Park Management

• Nature Trails and Wetlands
  Discussion on the availability of a map for nature trails and the progress in wetland restoration over the past 12 years. The map can be shared via email, and significant strides have been made in increasing wetland areas.

• State Park Fish Hatchery
  Update on the fish production at St. Marys Fish Hatchery, including the stocking of yellow perch and plans to stock more in Grand Lake.

• Moment of Silence for Ron Pyles
  A moment of silence was held in memory of Ron Pyles, the assistant park manager, who passed away after battling cancer.

Conclusion

1. The map is available for sharing via email, and wetlands have increased to 2% of the watershed.

2. Fish stocking is ongoing, with positive results in yellow perch populations.

3. Lake Management and Geological History

• Lake Level and Rainfall
  The lake level on Monday was negative 4.25 inches, and no current reading is available due to wind. Rainfall for 2024 totals 2.5 inches, which is low for this time of year.

• Campground Reservations
  Memorial Day weekend and several weeks in June and July are fully booked. Some sites are available in late June, July, and Labor Day weekend.

• Events and Festivals
  Upcoming events include 5K hikes, Fall Festival, and Halloween campout. The Fall Festival will maintain its expanded size with returning and new vendors.

• Dock Invoices
  State dock invoices are due March 31st, and private dock invoices are due April 30th.

• Capital Improvements
  Significant capital improvements are planned, including replacing Lock 23, Spillway Gate, and a 5-foot corrugated steel pipe. A new office and camp store construction is slated for December 2025.

• Littoral Wetlands Project
  A $5.3 million project for littoral wetlands, mainly Prairie Creek, is underway with engineering starting soon.

• Geological History of Ohio
  Dr. Ciampaglio discussed Ohio's rich geological history, highlighting periods from the Silurian to the Devonian, and the area's seismic activity due to the Grenville Province.

4. Geological History and Fossils of Ohio

• Devonian Period
  Discussion on the Devonian period, focusing on the unique and bizarre marine life such as chondrichthians and placoderms, and the rich fossil record in Ohio.

• Mississippian and Pennsylvanian Periods
  Exploration of the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian periods, highlighting the swampy environments, coal formation, and the presence of early sharks and amphibians in Ohio.

• Silurian Period and Dolomite Formation
  Examination of the Silurian period in Ohio, focusing on the formation of dolomite from limestone due to evaporating seas and the significance of Silurian fossils.

• Glaciation and the Teays River
  Discussion on the impact of glaciation on Ohio's landscape, including the diversion of the Teays River and the formation of Lake Tite.

• Climate Change and Geological Time
  Overview of Earth's climate changes over geological time, emphasizing the natural cycles of warming and cooling and the impact of geological events like the rise of the Himalayas.

5. Historical and Geological Overview of Ohio's Oil and Gas Industry

• Historical Climate and Fauna in Ohio
  The discussion covers the historical climate changes in Ohio, the presence of various prehistoric animals, and the geological changes due to glacial movements. It highlights the impact of these changes on the land and its drainage.

• Development of Oil and Gas Industry
  The topic explores the discovery and development of the oil and gas industry in Indiana and Ohio during the 1800s, including the role of natural gas and petroleum in the Industrial Revolution and the involvement of John D. Rockefeller.

• Geological Features and Oil Reserves
  This section discusses the geological formations in Ohio, such as the Silurian Dolomite and Ordovician shale, and their role in trapping oil and gas reserves. It also touches on the challenges of extracting these resources today.

• Environmental and Economic Considerations
  The discussion includes the environmental impact of oil extraction, such as contamination of aquifers, and the economic challenges of sealing old wells. It also mentions the potential risks of drilling in faulted areas.

• Future Meetings and Topics
  The meeting concludes with announcements about future meetings and topics, including a history of oil and natural gas on the lake by Caitlin Clark.

Conclusion

1. Ohio was a major oil and gas producer until the late 1880s when Texas oil fields were discovered.

2. There is still a significant amount of oil, but extraction is not economical.

Next Arrangements

 [ ] Membership cards will be sent out in April.
 [ ] Lake Cleanup Day is scheduled for April 19th.
 [ ] Boat Racing Experience event on May 30th and 31st.
 [ ] Wetland tour and wildflower identification event on July 19th.
 [ ] 5K hikes on March 9th and April 1st at St. Mary's Township Hall.
 [ ] Fall Festival on September 5th and 7th.
 [ ] Halloween campout on October 3rd through 5th.
 [ ] State dock invoices due March 31st.
 [ ] Private dock invoices due April 30th.
 [ ] Next meeting on the history of oil and natural gas on the lake with Caitlin Clark.