(Orleans)– Don’t look for gas to be available for sale anytime soon on Big Spirit Lake.
That was the gist of a message officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources had for members of the Spirit Lake Protective Association at their annual meeting Saturday.
It’s been several years since gas was last available on Big Spirit. A proposal last year to put a gas dock at Templar Park eventually died after neighbors expressed opposition, siting concerns over the environment, traffic, noise and other issues.
Kevin Scodronski, Chief of State Parks for the DNR, told the crowd Saturday they have now targeted Marble Beach as a possible site for a gas dock/concession area.
But John Maehl, Northwest District Parks Supervisor for the DNR, told the crowd the cost of installing infrastructure for such a facility has been estimated at roughly 200-thousand dollars. And he says as of right now, they don’t know of a private partner that would be interested in such a venture.
Scodronski added the DNR is having a more difficult time finding concessionaires for similar operations they have in other areas of the state. He says it’s another sign of the economic times we’re in.
When asked how many SLPA members would actually like to see a gas dock on the lake, the majority indicated by a show of hands they would not. Some said having gas available could increase the number of boats on Big Spirit…something they don’t want.
