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Welcome to the home of Friends of Lake Hefner!
We are dedicated to Lake Hefner. This includes the lake, trails and surrounding greenbelt.
Lake Hefner is home to over 35 organized groups and used regularly by thousands of individuals.
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November 1, 2011
The proposal to put oil wells on the south shore of Lake Hefner was once again on the agenda at the Water Trust meeting today. Although not present at the meeting the geologist and the drilling company are reportedly engaged in ongoing discussions with the utilities staff in an effort to find an acceptable location for the wells.
I requested permission to speak before the Trust and after thanking them for allowing the Friends and our member citizenry the opportunity to express opinions and concerns about this project I was asked several questions by trust members that led me to believe that the Trust is still very interested in seeing these wells drilled and that the south shore location is not yet off of the table.
I have been in contact with personal friends that have many decades in the oil and gas well business and they have all said that the potential liability of drilling so close to the water supply reservoir is not even remotely offset by the potential returns from these wells. Marsha Slaughter (Utilities Manager) was asked by Councilman and Trust member Pat Ryan if the well could be drilled at the south shore site with relative certainty that the reservoir would not be harmed and she answered in the affirmative.
The Friends of Lake Hefner has to be non-political and our place is to express the stated desires of our member constituency. We are advocates for the lake as a recreational area and our credo is information and communication. Under those guidelines we the elected officers and spokespeople of the Friends will continue to serve you but be advised that in these efforts we walk a fine line and ultimately you must work to protect your own.
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For Your Information: The Board Of Adjustment hears requests for zoning variances and meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:30 pm in the Council Chambers on the third floor of the Municipal Building (City Hall) at 200 North Walker Avenue. The City Municipal Code grants the Board of Adjustment the authority to hear and rule on zoning requests pertaining to subsurface mining, and the production and transportation of oil and gas. Their meeting agendas are available at http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx and should be posted at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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Don’t forget the Board of Directors meeting Tuesday, November 15th at 7:00 pm at Keel Hall. Everyone is welcome and there will be opportunities for open comments and questions. There may be snacks but please don’t bring your left-over Halloween candy because I have issues in the will power department. The Board will be electing the Executive Committee for the upcoming year and remember, you do not have to be present to win!!
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November 1, 2011
Re: Water Usage
If you have been keeping track we have seriously depleted the top water of Lake Hefner. This won't affect our lawn watering or showering or flushing or just plain drinking but it does affect our recreation. The lake can be down fifteen feet and that has an enormous impact on using it for recreation but there is still plenty of water for municipal and industrial uses and we now have the added strain on our raw water supply to keep the Oklahoma River full. As long as the City can supply treated water they are doing their job but it is up to us to conserve water however we can to aid our recreational water. The drought looks like it will last at least until late Spring 2012 so please conserve water to preserve water recreation! Thanks!
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| OKLAHOMA FACING DROUGHT OF DUST BOWL PROPORTIONS
The drought conditions during the four months following Thanksgiving 2010 were the driest period in the 90 years that weather data in Oklahoma has been recorded.
Yes drier than the great Dust Bowl!
Calendar year 2011 is not quite as bad with only fourty-four percent of the state being the driest in recorded history. The state as a whole is in the second driest period since 1921 but only thanks to decent rainfall in the eastern one-third of the state. If that part of the state is removed from the equation we are in the grip of a disasterous drought.
The Drought Prediction Map from the Oklahoma Mesonet Agweather Site doesn't have any good news for the forseeable future either. I'm going to give up on my poor dried out vegetable and herb gardens at home, try and save the roses and concentrate on saving the trees we have planted at Lake Hefner.
Watch this webpage for watering times, volunteer to help all you can and thank you all for what you do to make this city a decent place to live.
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Click on the map to enlarge
Will we have another Dust Bowl? Probably not unless the drought continues for years; but it makes you wonder about the fact that OKC has lost 40% of its trees in the last 30 years!
We could sure use that shade about now.
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| Photo courtesy of Dale Birchett |
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Next FoLH Meeting Notice
Tuesday, October 18th is the Annual Members
Meeting for the Friends of Lake Hefner
As always our meetings are open to anyone who cares to attend
Additional information about Friends of Lake Hefner can be found HERE.
And you can get updates and join us on Facebook!
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM
in Keel Hall on the west side of Lake Hefner
Map to Keel Hall.
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What are we doing?
Tree Restoration
Planting and care of 240 trees on the east shore.
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Bio-Diversity
Documenting the plants and animals in and around the lake.
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Trail Safety
Sign, sign - everywhere a sign!
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Your donation to Friends of Lake Hefner, a 501(c)(3) organization, is tax deductible. Donations help us preserve the lake and surrounding greenbelt for future generations.
Please make a secure donation using PAYPAL. THANK YOU!
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