Okoboji Protective Association

Fall, 2004

President's Message

Dear OPA Members,

How whimsical it can be. Spring was a blustery, moody temptress. Summer issued in reluctantly, flirted with us for only a brief while, and left like a burglar, stealing the mirth of the equinox. September left us soggy and surprised. This, the 29th of October, is eerily balmy. And tomorrow the wind will rip hard from the northwest, bringing ducks and the taste of impending winter. Ah, the fickleness of nature. How unpredictable and lovely.

I have been covering the tragic dock barge story for almost a week now, and after five excruciating days of probing West Lake Okoboji, the body of 12-year old Collin Helmers lies still unfound in the blue-green depths. The extraordinary volunteer corps at Gull Point State Park is exhausted, physically and mentally. We can only imagine how profound is the grief experienced by the family. Such times put everything into perspective.

It points out, however, just how deadly the open water season has been on our area lakes, and in particular West Lake Okoboji. Let us embrace our own Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council – which has worked closely with the OPA in many regards – and work hard to promote the credos that will help safeguard our water. In retrospect – had common sense and fundamental water safety principles been practiced – it seems that many of the tragedies that occur on the lakes are preventable. The Water Safety Council – with OPA endorsement – can take a strong lead in establishing those tenets.

Our season of OPA meetings was fun and productive. Several guest speakers made the gatherings even more interesting. Jeff McClenathan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spoke about the history of the Big Spirit Lake spillway and Lower Gar outlet projects. Rick Leopold of the Iowa Environmental Council – of which the OPA is a member – spoke passionately about the importance of lobbying at the statehouse and working with legislators on environmental efforts. Bob Vernon of the Dickinson County Taxpayers Association talked about impact fees and ways that municipalities and the county can share services. Tory Christensen spoke about his "Head of the Lakes" prairie restoration project in the Triboji area. Thanks to all of these speakers and others who enhanced our season of meetings.

I was grateful to be involved with an array of clean water efforts over the last several months that illustrate this community's dedication to preserving our natural resources. As a member of the development committee of the Friends of Lakeside Lab, I had the privilege to chair this summer's annual golf classic at Brooks Golf Club. The event – which netted over $30,000 for Friends – received remarkable support from our citizenry. As secretary of the Dickinson County Water Quality Commission, I watched proudly as the board recently awarded another $137,000 in funding for clean water projects. Taken with the matching grant funds generated by these applications, literally millions of dollars are targeted for watershed and urban development enhancements.

I am hopeful that the OPA will continue – as we did last year with effective lobbying in Des Moines for invasive species and other environmental legislation – to be a player at the statehouse level.

We will soon concentrate – with a strong committee in place – on an OPA membership drive, inviting everyone lakeside and beyond to become involved in protecting our uncommon natural resources well into the future. As I am perpetually buoyed by the uplifting unity of our community, I hope more supporters will embrace the spirit of the OPA.

Everyone . . . delight in autumn, in winter, in the Holidays.

Thanks for your support,

Greg Drees