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Lake County Delays New Herman Campground on Environmental Concerns

Last updated on 2014.11.20

So, would any of my conservative friends care to run an EPA critique against the Lake County Commission? If I were a local Kristi Noem or John Thune, I'd be bleating about the Lake County Commission's delay of a commercial development on Lake Herman for what sound pretty much like environmental concerns.

At its Tuesday meeting, the Lake County Commission heard Terry and Bev Timmer's request for a conditional use permit to turn the old Dirks Resort into a campground. The site, on Lake Herman's secluded south bay, would make a lovely camping location. It's within easy hiking and mountain-biking distance of the south end of the Lake Herman State Park recreation trail. Given how fast the state park campground fills up, it would likely have no trouble drawing customers. It would also have one notable advantage over its main camping competition, Prairie Village: campers at Dirks Resort would enjoy lake access.

Ah, but there's a sticking point. Dirks Resort happens to sit in the only residential area on that part of the lake. Adjoining property owners worry that lake access for the campground will bring lots of traffic and noise to the area—more ruckus, apparently than the mere existence of up to 123 campsites back away from the water. Heck, I sometimes wonder if the folks down on that side of the lake are giving me a wary glance when I ride my bike over their fun dipsy-doodle access road (I try to pedal quietly); a horde of summertime swimmers and campers would really shake up the neighborhood.

If landowners object to the lake access, Timmers could close off the lake access, but it seems that action would torpedo the campground's business prospects. If I hauled my gear to a lakeside campground, could see the water from my tent, but was told the shoreline was off limits, I'd be torqued. The Prairie Village campsites are much farther up from the water, but guests can stroll a quarter mile down to the west gate and enjoy the Ikes' lake access right across the road. Having a Lake Herman campground without easy lake access doesn't sound viable.

Commissioner Chris Giles said he is "a little more concerned about the sewage, percolation tests, holding tank, the water permit." As Lake Herman Sanitary District chief, I can say that Bev Timmer has contacted me about the regulations on such matters and is looking into the proper wastewater options for the property. Timmers haven't submitted any system designs yet (that will come when/if the conditional use permit is approved), but given my knowledge of the area, I can say the low-lying land and tight space in the area do present valid concerns for the proper disposal of the excretions of a couple hundred campers a stone's throw from water's edge each weekend.

These concerns about aquatic and aural pollution led the Lake County Commission to vote 4–1 to delay action for four weeks. According to KJAM, Commissioner Bohl dissented: "Bohl said the Timmers had already been delayed quite a bit with the county's Planning commission and they have made attempts to meet the commission's requirements."

Attempts? Come now, Dan, even you remember Yoda's admonition in The Empire Strikes Back: "Do or do not. There is no try." I'd like to be assured that they've met the legal requirements, not just that they've tried.

There's money to be made at Lake Herman... but my fair lake remains home to a lot of folks who prefer their peace and quiet to economic development. And the Lake County Commission, for now at least, is backing that sentiment, one that can't help reminding us of the regulation-hating rhetoric our GOP leaders throw at the federal government.

5 Comments

  1. Dan Bohl 2012.04.20

    Cory,
    I voted in favor of the campground only because I knew they had a good idea, was the last commissioner to vote (and already knew that there were four votes in favor of tabling the motion), and did not want the Timmers to become so discouraged that they simply gave up on their plan ------- so now you understand that I was not just making an arbitrary and emotion-driven decision. Frankly, I think that the best plan would involve leaving the beach and the boat access out, building just one third of the total campground now, and using that south area (that adjoins the campground area and doesn't split the present cabins) for a beach access. I believe the residents and their lawyer would go along with such a plan.

  2. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.04.21

    Commissioner Bohl, thank you for that comment! All readers appreciate the larger-than-sound-bite perspective on your vote. I appreciate that your nod to the "attempts" made so far indicate a faith in the parties involved to reach a code-compliant plan rather than a desire to give the developers a pass.

    But from the business perspective, is the campground viable without beach and boat access?

  3. Dan Bohl 2012.04.22

    Adjoining to the property that I would hope that they would develop is 300 feet of lake front which, they claimed during the hearing, could be developed into a beach. Seems like a no-brainer to me, if that's true. They wiil supply a beach, avoid the possible liability of a boat dock, and keep the residents relatively happy, all at the same time. Their lawyer anyway indicated that there might not be an objection to such a plan ---- hooray!!

  4. caheidelberger Post author | 2012.04.22

    And if a new campground takes off on Lake Herman, perhaps we'll see a new paved road out that direction... or maybe even some incentive for the county to build the Lake Herman Bike Loop!

  5. Dan Bohl 2012.04.23

    I know you're being optimistic, and so am I.

Comments are closed.