Property Owners' Association of Deep Creek Lake

  Refuting Unfounded Claims

  

 

 

 

August 7,2014

Folks,

 

I have received emails and direct questions from several members about the content of this FoDCL letter with the talking points sent to property owners on the lake by the Friends of Deep Creek Lake (FoDCL) that pertains to desired dredging of DCL and the impact on certain property values from sediment as well as "invasive grasses". As I did not receive the letter myself and was not aware of the origin of its content, I contacted Garrett County Officials and furnished them a copy of the letter in an attempt to determine if the letter's content was factual.  The portion of the letter that appeared to be of greatest concern to those who contacted me was that which described significant reductions in property values. 

 

On August 7, 2014, I was provided with the following statement regarding the FoDCL letter:


 

Statement from Mike Koch, Executive Director

Garrett County Community Planning and Development

 

Recent communications from the Friends of Deep Creek Lake inaccurately referenced and misrepresented the analysis completed by the Office of Economic Development. Furthermore, based on the other content in these communication materials, it seems clear that the misrepresentation was purposefully done in an attempt to bolster FODCL fundraising efforts and animate public opinion regarding the urgency of one specific sediment mitigation approach being considered: cove dredging.  Specifically, their communication stated:

 

"Your lake property values are worth about 40% less than you think, according to analysis done by Garrett County. You have at least 25% loss in value as direct result of being in a sediment impacted cove and another 15% loss due to invasive grasses."

 

Here are the facts:  In the summer of 2013, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) contacted the Economic Development Office seeking analytical support to assess the economic impact associated with various sediment mitigation alternatives then being considered by the DNR.  Among other things, this analysis sought to quantify the potential long-term impact to property values in targeted coves of Deep Creek Lake should sediment mitigating action not be taken. This analysis leveraged aggregate data from the Garrett County Tax Office and created a range of hypothetical value changes based on diminished lake and recreational access. This analysis made no attempt to assess current values, nor did it make any assessment of value changes for specific coves, specific properties, or specific property attributes.   Further, the analysis did not include any assessment of value impacts - long or short term - associated with "invasive grasses." And lastly, by exclusion the FODCL communication fails to acknowledge the complexities associated with the analysis; it makes no mention of the negative impacts - economic and other - that might indeed accompany cove dredging.


 
And, while not part of this analysis, the FODCL communication's reference to property owners' loss of "about 20% in property valuation with the last triennial tax assessment" is false and does not reflect actual data as tracked by the County's Department of Finance.

 

The Office of Economic Development is keenly aware of the economic contribution of Deep Creek Lake and the properties that lie within its watershed. Likewise, it is keenly aware of the potential negative impacts to that economic contribution that may occur if the various impacts of lake aging are not addressed. We support the DNRs efforts to work first to slow and if possible halt this aging process through preventative action. And whatever the course of action determined, we believe that disciplined, careful analysis, and effective partnership must govern the relationships between stakeholders. We endeavor to remain a productive contributor to that partnership of stakeholders and respectfully call for the issuance of an errata statement from the FODCL board of directors."

 

I would like to add for the benefit of our members that should anyone have questions about the current assessed value of their property, they may contact the Department of Taxation, Maryland Assessment and Taxation Office at 301-334-1950.

 

Dredging  

 

On the topic of dredging, I would like to point out that as with many other subjects, it is best to fully understand all facets before making a decision as to what is best in your case.  While dredging may appear to be an easy solution to the issue of accumulated sediment, there are certain negative consequences as well as planned mitigation efforts that should be understood and considered before a decision is reached.  

 

Both the Sediment Study Presentation given at the March 2014 PRB meeting and the complete Sediment Study are posted on the POA website and can be accessed by clicking on the highlighted words.  I should also state that the POA will likely not take a position on whether dredging is good or bad for the lake due to the differing opinions on the topic among members based in large part on where they live.  What I do believe is that all property owners interested in the topic should become as knowledgeable on the subject as possible.

 

Lastly, I would like to mention that at the PRB meeting on Monday, August 4th, David Myerberg, Chairman of the PRB, advised that he intends to insure that the PRB performs a thorough and objective review of the Sediment Study report.  Although he has not decided exactly what the form of the review will take, it should begin in the next two to three months.  More to follow.

 

Watershed Management Plan

 

I would like to mention the Watershed Management Plan and the process used to get to a plan briefly as it certainly received some attention in the July 31st edition of The Republican.  What the Steering Committee has produced at this point is the first-ever draft of a plan for the Deep Creek Watershed.  Those of us who served on the Steering Committee welcome all comments from the public as they will be considered in the final plan that is to be presented to the Commissioners and the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.

 

This plan will be a foundational first step on a path forward and contains a variety of tasks to be completed in short, mid, and long term timeframes for the betterment of the watershed.  DNR has worked with and supported the County staffed Steering Committee providing guidance on the development of the plan and has sought to provide its best perspective on next steps.

  

The plan does not contain everything that everyone wanted because with any process like this, compromise is critical to getting the plan completed.  However, relationships and partnerships have been forged that previously did not exist but will now make implementation of the plan easier and allow for new issues to be thoroughly addressed in the future.  I am proud to say the POA has played a significant role in the development of this plan through involvement of many of its members and will benefit for years to come from partnering in this effort.

 

Please come to the public meeting on Saturday, August 9th at the WISP in Yurt G to learn more and provide your written comments concerning the plan. Coffee will be available at 9:30 AM and the meeting begins at 10:00 AM.

 

You are also encouraged to attend the POA General Membership Meeting the following Saturday, August 16 at Garrett 8 Cinema with coffee at 8:00 AM and the meeting at 8:30 AM.

 

Thanks very much for your continuing support to your POA!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob Hoffmann

President

   

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