LAKE POINSETT MANAGEMENT PLAN

COMMENT 1  Why isn’t the DOT involved in the team? With the concerns with traffic and the number of DOT projects planned in the next couple of years, we need their involvement. 

PANEL RESPONSE

• It is difficult for an individual person to have influence with governmental agencies. However, with all three of the boards coming together, we can speak as a unified group. 
• We will take the transportation-related issues to the DOT as we work on the Management Plan, and we will involve them on issues that affect their work in the area. 

COMMENT 2  DANR said this is the most heavily monitored lake in South Dakota. What are the long-term trends in water quality? Have things like completing two-thirds of the sanitary sewer improved the quality of Lake Poinsett?

PANEL RESPONSE

• Current water quality is stable, perhaps with slight improvements. There have not been significant changes in the water quality. We need to implement wholistic improvements in the entire watershed and take a comprehensive approach. 
• Rick Smith was the former watershed manager, but that effort has fallen away. DANR is now working on targeted projects for the entire watershed and this work needs to continue.
• DANR has done 3 or 4 rounds of water quality testing. There is also an active volunteer monitoring project that supplements DANR’s testing. 
• This year, Lake Poinsett received a huge influx of water from the watershed due to the higher rainfall. We will need to look at the entire watershed to improve the water quality. We cannot look at simply at Lake Poinsett in isolation.

COMMENT 3  I have been a resident since 1996 and owned three different properties around the lake – one that was too low, one that was too high, and the current property is just right! I have several issues I would like to speak about:

+  We need better representation with the counties; I do not feel the counties care enough about the residents around the lake. 

+  Did the survey look at the difference in answers between occasional residents and long-term residents?

PANEL RESPONSE

• The team has looked at some of the responses from temporary vs long-term residents and there were no significant differences in the answers that we noted. 

+  We own rental property near our residence. We have set limits on the number of people that can stay, and we are able to enforce these requirements since we live nearby. A long-distance property owner cannot do that effectively.

+  My family uses lights to fish at night. It is a beautiful experience to be on the water at night. People need to understand fishing on the water at night and should take a ride with someone that does that to better understand the experience. 

+  Some people, especially new residents, want the lake to look like a swimming pool. They need to be educated about what to expect from a natural lake. 

+  The property values have increased significantly based on nearby properties selling for a million dollars. My property taxes have increased 60% since 2020. This will force local residents to sell, and we will not be able to afford to return to the lake. 

PANEL RESPONSE

• It’s up to us to be involved. If you do not like what is going on – get involved. They need to hear our voices. 
• In the Management Plan, we will have actions that individual homeowners can take as well as what our local, state, and federal agencies can do to help. It will be important to educate people and the work we are doing, developing the plan, helps with that education.
• We will have short-term and long-term actions detailed in the Management Plan.

COMMENT 4  The survey was great, and we encouraged everyone to take it. It would be a good idea to re-do the survey every few years.

COMMENT 5  Talk to the area realtors about why people are buying and selling homes at Lake Poinsett. This may provide some insight into how the demographics around the lake are changing. 

COMMENT 6  There needs to be education on how important the sewer system is, what the plan is moving forward, and how it is funded. 

PANEL RESPONSE

• The primary issue for the Sanitary District finishing the sewer system is the cost. The past system was built with grants and loans, but there are not many grant funds available now. The District continues to apply for grants as they become available. With the loans, they must be repaid, which raises the sewer use fees.
• Right now, the Sanitary District is focusing on maintenance of the existing system. Portions of the system are getting older and need maintenance to continue functioning effectively. 

COMMENT 7  Are there any proposals to expand the study or put more money into the study?

PANEL RESPONSE

• We have talked about doing a broader survey to surrounding communities. We feel it is important to reach out as they are recreational users of the lake, and we will need their buy-in to look at a broader watershed solution. 
• This needs to be an ongoing process of action and assessment. We have a list of priorities to begin addressing and we will need to re-evaluate and expand beyond just Lake Poinsett as we go forward. 

COMMENT 8  How involved have the townships and counties been to this point? 

PANEL RESPONSE

•  We reached out to the counties and townships and invited them to participate in the team. They did not want to be involved at this point but asked to be kept informed of the progress.
• We hope to engage with the counties and townships as part of the solutions to concerns that are within their authority to address.

COMMENT 9  How can we educate and engage the newer or younger homeowners to be part of this work on the lake?

COMMENT 10  We need to complete the study and work on the issues that have been raised.

PANEL RESPONSE

• “Said perfectly”
• o We may not be able to do everything that needs to be done without further study in the future.

COMMENT 11  We need the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to work on these issues, especially with the agricultural runoff. 

PANEL RESPONSE

• DANR agrees; but this is not the only project or priority for the Department. The “squeaky wheel” often gets the attention. 
• Maybe one of the suggestions for the study would be to have a watershed coordinator just for Lake Poinsett.
• DANR assesses waterbodies and identifies priorities. If there is a vested interest in the area to work on projects, DANR will consider that when making decisions on priorities and funding. 
• GF&P takes a similar approach. They appreciate knowing what recreational interests there are. GF&P is currently working on the possibility of a pickle ball court in the Recreation Area.