Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Congressman Mark Souder has expressed interest in conservation and farming of the state's land since he first took office.
Wednesday, in support of efforts by the Soil and Water Conservation District to improve the watershed drainage into Dewart Lake, the Congressman toured Camp Ella J. Logan watershed protection project, completed in 2003.
Souder was guided on his tour by SWCD officials: Sam St. Clair, Sherm Bryant, John Roberts, Garry Tom, John Young, Darci Zolman and Kimberly Neuman with NRCS; Souder's aide Steve Howell; and camp Logan manager Gary Hogle.
Working on an EQIP grant, the SWCD project provided a 24-diameter pipe with earthen embankments, diversions, water and sediment control basins to stop the drainage of sand and soil into Dewart Lake.
A couple years ago, an 8-inch rainfall caused sand to wash down ravines and form a sand bar in the lake.
The SWCD project includes a dam and drainage that slows the flow into the lake and prevents further erosion and restores wetlands.
The Dewart Lake Protection Association received a grant to do a diagnostic study of the Lake. With less than 4,000 feet of watershed, the 560-plus acre lake is home to more than 500 families.
The congressman toured several sites in three counties Wednesday, including Elkhart and LaGrange, making several stops along the way.
Camp Logan opened in 1929, is owned and operated by the Limberlost Girl Scout Council and is open to groups other than the Girl Scouts who would like to use the facilities.
