Editor, Times-Union: The waters of Silver Lake will soon be facing additional contamination due to two projects in the immediate area. This comes after the Silver Lake Conservation Association worked with area farmers, Soil & Water Conservation and the IDNR through LARE Grants to make this lake one of the best fishing lakes in the county. Their efforts are about to be undermined by so-called “progress” and an addition of a Confined Feeding Operation in the immediate area.
First, let it be known that the town board of Silver Lake was awarded a grant to “upgrade” its storm water drainage system and construction has already began. During the “study” phase, the engineering firm hired suggested that a retention/sedimentation pond be installed during phase one. Reason being the main part of town and Ind. 15’s storm water would be directed into the main inlet channel of Silver Lake. All contaminants from autos, sand, gravel, trash and yard fertilizers will be flowing into the main inlet. A retention/sedimentation area would reduce what entered the lake.
The lake association was approached by the town board asking to use our 8.3-acre tract lying between Ind. 14 and the lake for the retention pond.
Before giving approval for the pond, the association contacted a representative from the county Soil & Water Conservation District/IDNR for their opinion. In doing so we were told the area in question was considered a “natural wetland” and could not be used for the town’s purposes. We “assumed” another area would be considered and left it at that. That seems to have been a big mistake! It seems rather than opting for another solution, those involved chose to run all storm water directly into the Morrett Ditch, which is the main inlet to Silver Lake.
The channel already has sedimentation over 4 feet deep from several years of the town’s storm water. Water depth goes from zero to approximately 18 inches in this channel. In some places the water level is 8 to 10 inches from the top of our seawalls. With the new system, water will flow at a much quicker rate, thus possibly flooding out properties in this area. Plus adding even more sedimentation and contaminants.
The other problem is the building of yet another confined feeding operation nearby. The run-off from this operation carrying manure, chemicals and such is being directed into the Leffle Ditch, which enters the northern section of Silver Lake.
IDEM couldn’t care less about the lake. As long as “their” rules are followed, they think we should be fine. It only takes a one-time accident, or an operator ignoring the “rules” and not getting caught in time to totally ruin this lake.
It falls onto the shoulders of a very small lake association and lake property owners to correct the problems “they” have caused in the past and now into the future, as well as the CAFO being built.
We as an organization can not do it alone. All Silver Lake area residents, lake property owners and anyone else that uses Silver Lake for any type recreation needs to join forces to seek a solution to the problem. If you use Silver Lake in any manor, you may want to enjoy it a bit more often for now. If everyone does not join together, including the town board both present and future, in the next two to three years Silver Lake will be unusable, much like it was in the late ’60s or early ’70s. Enjoy it while you can.
Questions and or comments can be directed to the association’s website at www.silverlakeconservation.com
Jim Walker Past President, Silver Lake Conservation Association Silver Lake, via e-mail
