PETITION TO OLDHAM COUNTY FISCAL COURT  & OLDHAM COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORITY

Concerned residents, along with families who recreate at Harmony Lake and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, ask for more time to understand what is at stake and to evaluate other viable options.

  DATED JULY 14, 2021

RE: JTL Study of HARMONY LAKE & Dam Area

SPECIFIC REQUESTS:

A)    This petition requests that Oldham County (OC) Fiscal Court and Oldham County Environmental Authority address the concerns below and consider the environmental, economic, and quality of life issues in their final plans for Harmony Lake and Dam and surrounding land owned by Oldham County.

B)    Further, we request that Oldham County set a meeting with Harmony Lake Preservation Association to include surrounding HOA Boards, The City of Goshen along with decision-makers from the state to discuss an additional extension of time to explore additional viable and complete solutions.

PUBLIC CONCERNS: At the public meeting on June 22, 2021, the three options presented by the Oldham County Environmental Authority did not address:

1)    Should the dam be changed or removed, how will the increased stormwater from the 475+ acres that flow into the lake be managed and with what funding?

2)    What is the potential negative impact to wildlife and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, a public charity visited by 50,000+ visitors per year, a sanctuary for animals, flora and fauna?  This is critical since Creasey Mahan borders and is directly downstream from the lake and dam.

3)    What is the expected reduction in property values of homes around the lake?

4)    What is the impact to residents in adjacent subdivisions and the City of Goshen?

5)    What will happen to the three homes identified as being in the flood zone and High Hazard Dam Zone?

6)    If the decision is to have the dam breached, the public needs to see the detailed plans for moving the sewer line, adding a pump station, removing debris, and reworking/restoring the area. Who or what department(s) will maintain the new water feature, overflow, spillway, culverts, and long-term issues? Who or what department(s) will directly work with contiguous property owners?

7)    Who or what county department(s) will be responsible for long-term maintenance and flooding issues?

STATEMENT: The first public meeting on this issue was held on June 22, 2021, while the engineering report by JTL had been completed in 2019. The deadline to submit a solution to the Department of Water is “at the end of August (2021),” stated Horace Harrod.

Concerned residents, along with families who recreate at Harmony Lake and Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, ask for more time to understand what is at stake and to evaluate other viable options.

Harmony Lake Preservation Association   

City of Goshen

Goshen Hills

Lakeview Estates I

Lakeview Estates II

Settlers Point

Trails End

Please respond in writing with your decision and mail to:

Harmony Lake Preservation Association Board of Directors (HLPA) 

Attn:  Vicki Asher

1229 Hollendale Way

Goshen, KY 40026-9543

Harmonylake.pa@gmail.com