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Improvements planned for Agate Lake Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Litter, vandalism and deterioration are some of the problems at Agate Lake that will be addressed in a 10-year management plan developed by the federal Bureau of Reclamation and Jackson County. The plan calls for improved water quality, installation of rest rooms, a boat ramp and parking areas and the building of multiple-use trails. By Paul Fattig WHITE CITY � After suffering for years from degradation and vandalism, Agate Lake will receive some much-needed improvements thanks to a plan developed by the federal Bureau of Reclamation and Jackson County. The 10-year plan is designed to enhance natural resources while improving recreational opportunities at the 212-acre irrigation reservoir, located off Highway 140 about 11 miles northeast of Medford. The reservoir is fed by Dry Creek. The plan calls for creating environmentally friendly trails, building rest rooms and removing some remote dirt roads whose use degrades the environment. Public comments over the past 18 months helped guide the bureau in developing the plan, said Chuck Korson, a bureau natural resources specialist. "Almost all the comments we received were supportive of some development, as long as we didn�t compromise the natural resources," he said. "But this 10-year plan only provides a framework," he added. "At the end of the period, we will take a look at the plan to see if it achieved what we hoped it would." The plan has the backing of Jackson County officials. The county signed a 50-year lease with the bureau in 1968 to administer the lake for recreational activity. "The lake has potential, and we would like to take advantage of that," said Paul Korbulic, Jackson County Parks director. "There�s recreational opportunity � fishing, swimming and hiking � but also a lot of deterioration. "We�d like to gain some control over that," he added. The management plan is needed to halt abuse such as littering and vandalism while stopping resource degradation, according to both county and bureau officials. In spring 1995, the park at Agate Lake was closed and gated to overnight visitors because of illegal garbage dumping, drug use, vandalism and underage drinking. Yet the small lake, built in 1966 by the bureau to store water for the Rogue River Irrigation District, has been a popular spot for crappie anglers, bird watchers and canoers. While the county parks department controls recreation at the lake, the Jackson County Sheriff�s Department handles law enforcement. The lake�s warmwater fisheries are managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. In the plan that will be phased in over 10 years, more than 17,000 feet of unpaved multiple-use trails closed to motor vehicles will be built around the lake. Other projects include closing off all but about 2 miles of the 10 miles of roads for off-road vehicles in the area, building a boat ramp and installing parking areas. One of the first steps in the plan is to improve water quality, Korson said, noting that ODFW will conduct fishery habitat improvement projects early next year. "We�ll be doing things as money is available," he said. Funding is expected to come from a variety of state and federal sources. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.