Bridge to Solar Collector/Darkside

Post by **SikMonkey** » Tue May 06, 2003 11:48 am

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up on the earth dam/bridge that goes out to the parking area for Solar/Darkside. I talked to Hugh Loeffler Sunday and he said that due to the dam's deteriorating condition, we should make every effort to limit further damage by parking in the pull-off just before you get to the bridge. He said that if the dam broke, the landowners, oil company and EPA would all raise pure hell and we could probably kiss access to that area goodbye. In actuality, it's really only a matter of time before the dam pops anyway. It already has leaks in it and water is flowing through/under it. Please pass the word on. Thanks.

Matt

Post by **Gretchen** » Tue May 06, 2003 11:54 am

Very good heads up! I heard the same info. We certainly do not want to loose access!

Post by **SikMonkey** » Tue May 06, 2003 12:23 pm

I just hope people take this seriously. The ones I am most worried about is the out-of-towners who don't know about the situation. Is there any way we could put a sign up out there or something?

Mj

Post by **Gretchen** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:07 pm

I will check into this & let you know. Being tht we do not own hte land, I don't know the rules of us putting a sign up! I'll get back to this ASAP!

Post by **Steve** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:43 pm

Posts like this are a good thing. Put a note up at Miguel's...maybe update the RRGCC kiosk?

Post by **SikMonkey** » Tue May 06, 2003 2:33 pm

If we could, I would also suggest reinforcing the dam itself with a dumptruck full of #2's. A concrete retaining wall would be ideal, but I don't think that's within our capabilities.

Mj

Post by **Gretchen** » Tue May 06, 2003 4:08 pm

Who is going to pay for that type of work? And where are we getting the "volunteers"?

Post by **SikMonkey** » Tue May 06, 2003 4:23 pm

Sorry, I was just speculating. As for volunteers, I don't think that would be too much of a problem. I would definitely do what I could to ensure future access to that area and I am pretty sure I could convince a couple of other people to help too. Does anyone know if the Army COE takes on projects like that?

Mj

Post by **SCIN** » Tue May 06, 2003 4:57 pm

There's this organization called John Bronaugh that does shit like that.

Post by **Gretchen** » Tue May 06, 2003 5:09 pm

I am sure John would love to hear that he is volunteered!

You would have to find out who has true responsibilty of the road to determine in fact who should undertake the project. but in the meantime, we need to diminish the direct impact that we are inflicting on it. I don't know about you, but I don't feel like swimming thru that swamp!