I was there until a little after 6:00 pm. I ( my thoughts now ) is that the meeting(s) are to make it look like we, who want the ramp, got a chance to voice our opinion but in the long run it's a done deal. But perhaps after I left maybe something or someone was able to come up with a answer to keep the ramp. There has been a lot of planning, design and how much money they have to do all this ahead of us really knowing what was going on until now so I don't see them giving it up.
My questions are who is going to maintain it year round and at who's expense. Home in the summer for transients, and I'm sure all events planned outside there will always have perfect weather! The parking lot is a nightly party spot for the young with plenty of trash every morning to be picked up. I know the Bismarck PD could put in their 2 cents worth on what goes on there at night so is there going to be security there all the time?
So the ramp is removed lets say. This group claims we have lots of other ramps to use within 20 miles of Bismarck. I live really close to this ramp but now I get to try to get in a Fox or travel up to Misty Waters or Hoge which both are sand bar blocked and most of the time non useable. So now I travel north and use Steckle Boat landing which is slightly out of my way! Ok lets go south, Sibley Park has a ramp! Whoops, it's in the park which has certain hours only plus it's usually blocked to the river as well. Ok, rifle range ramp! Last time I looked that was closed. Dessert ramp which now I have to travel miles upstream to fish in my favorite spots in town where I want to fish.
I could go on about access to the river but I know the majority of you know what it is to get out there. Parking in the ramps we have now has been and always will be a problem. You have truck/trailer parking areas so when you launch and pull up to park, oh look! Here's a parking spot only to find a car, motorcycle, pickup parked in trailer parking taking the space away for a sportsman. Gawg I hate that! I have also seen fist fights at Fox of people trying to get in or even trying to load out! Gets pretty wild at times. Oh and I just love the ones who wait until they back in and decide to load the boat while in the ramp with all their gear, kids, dogs, cooler, etc. etc. I know you seen it too!
Their design also shows how they plan on putting a sand beach where the ramp is now and to the south, pretty much like it is now but also along the rocks from the ramp all the way north to the Interstate bridge they want to put down sand so one can pull up to the shore with your pontoon or boat. Well good luck with that! The main current runs along there with 20 to 30 foot depth and strong current so going to be a lot of trucks hauling sand!
Maybe there still is a chance to stop it all! I wonder if they had research the area for the "Piping Plover or Lease Tern"! Aren't those birds under the endangered species act! I know I have seen them running on the beach there!
I plan on attending tomorrow meeting. I had to leave tonight's meeting early so I don't know what happen after I left. Hope to see you all at tomorrow's meeting.
