Mark Twain Lake, Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle Lake, and Rend Lake - Impacted By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cutbacks.
By MVP Outdoors, Special to the Pekin Times (03/03/08)

Four lake projects operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, are announcing reduced recreation service levels this summer.  Flat-to-declining budgets are dictating reductions at Mark Twain Lake in Missouri., and Shelbyville, Carlyle and Rend Lakes in Illinois.

Even after reducing services, Corps managers point out that they will start the 2008 recreation season with 92 percent of campgrounds open until after the July 4th weekend, 85 percent until after Labor Day weekend and 75 percent will remain open until the season’s end.  Similar figures are cited for beaches, picnic shelters and boat ramp lanes.  In addition, the four lakes offer state park facilities that are not affected by the Corps budget reductions.          

The heaviest impacts are being felt at two Corps Lakes.  At Carlyle Lake, some campgrounds and facilities will open on schedule but close early.  At Rend Lake, South Marcum Campground and the North Sandusky and North Marcum Day Use Areas will be closed all season.          

Lake Shelbyville and Mark Twain Lake will operate all of their campgrounds on a normal seasonal schedule but, as at all four of the lakes, services will be reduced for visitors.          

Reductions will include less frequent mowing, refuse pickup and facility cleaning.  In addition, Visitor Centers will operate on weekends only, when demand is at its highest.  Corps officials also acknowledge that support to some activities and events will have to be curtailed this year.
          
The following are impacted areas at Rend Lake:

• The South Marcum campground, as well as the Dale Miller Youth area, will remain closed until October 1, 2008.  The South Marcum Boat Ramp and picnic area will be open throughout the entire season.
• The Gun Creek Campground will open 1 April – Nov 23 at a reduced service level for camping opportunities on the east side of Rend Lake.
• The North Marcum Day Use area, which includes the North Marcum Beach, Shelters 7 and 8, and the North Marcum Boat Ramp, will remain closed all year.
• The North Sandusky Picnic area and lake access which includes Shelters 3, 4, and 5 will remain closed until October 1, 2008.
• The North Sandusky campground and boat ramp will be open to the public April 1 thru October 31, 2008 at a reduced service level.
• The South Sandusky Campground will open 1 April at a reduced service level thru Oct. 31st.
• The South Sandusky Beach will open two weeks later in May (open May 15) and Close 2 weeks earlier in September (close Sept 16.)  Shelters 1 and 2 at the beach are available for rent throughout this time frame.

The Rend Lake Visitor Center’s days of operation will be Saturday and Sunday only, from April 4 – May 18 and August 17 – October 26, 2008.  Beginning May 18 and continuing thru August 17 the Visitor Center will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Hours of operation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  There will be no Environmental Science Series or Sunset Series of Programs (Saturday educational programs and Saturday evening musical programs) scheduled for the Visitor Center during the 2008 recreation season.

Persons having camping reservations at areas that are impacted by these park closures will be notified by the National Recreation Reservation Service regarding the reservation cancellations and a refund will be issued for fees paid.   

At Carlyle Lake, all recreation areas and campgrounds will open as scheduled, however some operating seasons will require adjustment. Dam West, Boulder, and McNair Campgrounds will open April 1, April 15 and May 1 respectively, with all three closing September 2, following the Labor Day holiday. Coles Creek Campground will open May 1 and close July 7, following the Fourth of July holiday. The Dam East Spillway Campground and the Eldon Hazlet State Park operating dates will be unaffected—they are open year-round.

The entire Coles Creek Recreation Area, including the campground, beach, day use area, boat ramp and the Lotus Group Use Area, will operate through the 4th of July weekend, closing on July 7th. For boat launching, alternatives include Boulder Recreation area on the east side of the lake, Dam East Boat Ramp and Dam West Boat Ramp on the southern part of the lake, and Keyesport Recreation Area and Eldon Hazlet State Park boat ramps on the west side of the lake. The Dam West, McNair and Keyesport beaches will remain open through Labor Day.

Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest entries due March 15, 2008

The study of waterfowl can be a powerful motivational tool for learning, especially now as ducks and geese start to make their annual migratory trek northward through Illinois.  Students are encouraged to use their natural affinity for wildlife to participate in the 2008 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest.

Sponsored in Illinois by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), the program teaches about conservation, waterfowl and wetlands while incorporating scientific and fine arts skills.  The contest is open to students in grades K – 12.  Participating students develop and submit a piece of artwork representative of a waterfowl species in its natural environment while they learn about its life. The entry must be suitable to fit a stamp format and conform to all contest rules.

To download the entry form and regulations, visit the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest website at http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/EntryPacket.htm.  Some new rules have been incorporated this year, so participants should read and follow directions carefully.  The packet also contains materials for teachers, including lessons and activities for use in the classroom.   

Illinois will select winners in four categories: grades 10-12; grades 7-9; grades 4-6; and grades K-3.  Three first, second and third place winners are selected in each age group, along with several honorable mention designations.  Prizes are awarded to the winners.  All participants receive a certificate.  Students from public, private, and home schools, as well as private art studios are welcome to enter.

The Illinois “Best of Show” winning artwork will be submitted to the national Junior Duck Stamp contest. The national winning entry is used on the Junior Duck Stamp for that year.
What is a Junior Duck Stamp? It is a pictorial stamp produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize conservation efforts of young people and support environmental and conservation education programs in the United States. The stamps are sold by the U.S. Postal Service and Amplex Corporation for $5 each.  Illinois students have produced two of the national winning entries so far.  All proceeds from the sale of the stamps are used to fund environmental education programs, award the students for their work, and to market the Junior Duck Stamp program.

Entries for the Illinois contest must be postmarked by March 15, 2008, and should be mailed to the IDNR Division of Education, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov or 217-524-4126.
  
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