CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday members of the Curwensville Lake Authority gave the Clearfield County Commissioners an update on the 2009 season at the Curwensville Lake and Recreation Area.
CLA Chairman Jim Kling started by saying that when the authority was formed, there were many obstacles and difficulties for the CLA to overcome, but that overall, the lake had a successful year. He praised the staff at the lake for their hard work on the grounds and in the office.
“We have a good staff this year and we hope it continues next year,” said Kling. “Everyone contributed an awful lot.”
Kling also noted that the season would not have been as successful without the volunteer efforts carried out at the lake.
“We’re looking forward to another successful year,” said Kling.
“We want to congratulate you on the fact you did this with limited funding and time to get ready,” said Commissioner Mark McCracken.
The CLA was formed in January. Members of the board held their first meeting in February.
Solicitor Kim Kesner, who also serves as the CLA’s solicitor, commended the commissioners for the people they selected to the board. He also pointed out that the public may not realize that what’s provided for them (the public) at the lake is done with under $150,000.
The lake also has about $58,000 left from this year to put toward equipment/facility repairs/upgrades. CLA Treasurer Chuck Guarino said the CLA operated the lake with a tight budget this year.
Guarino also discussed a possible revenue source for the lake. He said that in a discussion with the Army Corps. of Engineers, whom the county leases the lake grounds from, CLA members learned that selective timber harvesting may be possible. Guarino said that to that end, a forest management plan would have to be conducted, as would an Environmental and Cultural Study. In a letter to the Army Corps. Guarino said the CLA believes that selective timber harvesting over time would improve the health of the forest and provide greater revenue for infrastructure and facilities improvements on the lake grounds.