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Highlands Today

Commission Battles With Lake Denton Quandary Again

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: October 7, 2008

SEBRING - Highlands County commissioners may take action today to begin discussion on the final decision on the public-access issue at Lake Denton, regarded as one of the most attractive freshwater scuba-diving sites in the state.

Commissioners will officially receive the recommendation of the Lake Denton Citizens Advisory Committee to close public access to this lake, famed for its exceptionally clear water.

In a 4-1 vote on Sept. 12, after meeting almost monthly for a year, the committee recommended that the county's 40-foot-wide access road into the lake be closed and the land be given back to the property owners, or their heir, who donated it to the county as a public roadway decades ago.

To consider that action, the commissioners would have to hold a public hearing, according to Vicki Pontius, director of the county's parks and recreation department.

"We can't do that (close public access) without a public hearing, it's required by law," Pontius said. She also said the public hearing would have to be scheduled at least 30 days in advance, so the hearing would be held in November.

If the commissioners do schedule the public hearing, it appears certain they will hear arguments for and against closing the county's public access to this popular lake.

Since the advisory committee voted to recommend closing access five weeks ago, Pontius said, "I have received many phone calls, with people being opposed to it (closing access)," she said.

The advisory committee recommended that with only 40 feet of public land along the Lake Denton shoreline, the county simply doesn't have the resources to provide safe access to this lake. The county's road to the lake was used as a boat ramp as well as lake access for scuba divers.

"I think we've explored a lot of different avenues but we really haven't come up with anything that's solving the problems there," Pontius said.

If they chose to do so, the commissioners could get a second opinion on whether public access to Lake Denton could be provided and managed effectively and safely. Commissioners could request the county's Department of Natural Resources to study the issue and make a recommendation.

Erin McCarta, the county's assistant to the lakes manager, attended many of the advisory committee meetings and was there Sept. 2 when the recommendation to close public access was adopted.

McCarta told the advisory committee the Natural Resources department would probably oppose that recommendation.

"It is not our mission to give up public access to lakes," she told the advisory committee.

On Monday, McCarta said the Natural Resources department would study the public-access question at Lake Denton, but only if directed to do so by the county commissioners.

"In the way we work here, we have to be given a directive to do it," McCarta said.

At one of the advisory committee's meetings, McCarta brought management plans for lakes around the country done by city, county or regional government agencies. She showed them as an example of what could be done.

"There would have to be some specific plan put in place to ensure that people can use it (Lake Denton) and use it safely," McCarta said. She also said the natural resources department would have to work with the parks and recreation department on any plan to reopen public access to this lake.

"It can't be just us," McCarta said. "It would have to be working together with the parks and recreation department."

Jack Richie, a member of the advisory committee, said that while the committee couldn't find a practical way to restore public access at Lake Denton, he would welcome finding a way to do so.

"Positively," he said Monday, "I would be most happy if we don't need to close it."

Terry Burkholder, a scuba diving instructor, was the lone member of the advisory committee who voted against permanently closing public access to Lake Denton.
Scuba divers have access to the lake by paying a $10 fee to the Orange Blossom Baptist Association Camp, right next to the county's public access ramp, which has been closed since Sept. 2.

The county commissioners closed the public access roadway to the lake in mid September 2007 due to complaints about offensive behavior by large crowds at the lake and illegal parking along Lake Denton Drive that made it hard for homeowners to get into or out of their homes.

Commissioners reopened the lake at the beginning of summer on a restricted basis, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with a $25 fee for scuba divers to use the county's roadway for public access. Only three divers paid the fee, while many used the adjacent church camp.

Public access was closed again the day after Labor Day.

Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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