Dam project could hike tourism dollars

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER
Millions of tourism dollars would be added to the Marion County economy by a planned expansion and modernization of Cottonwood Point at Marion Reservoir, say lake officials.


The facility is only keeping up with 40 percent of the demand for its use, according to estimates at the reservoir.


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Tulsa District has approved completion of 90 percent of the planning for the $4 million project. It would then be on hold pending funding for construction that could be obtained in any one of three different ways, said Terry Holt, lake manager at Marion Reservoir.


He said funding could come through the Corps’ Recreation Area Modernization Program (RAMP) under special Congressional appropriation designed to upgrade or modernize Corps facilities. RAMP funds are awarded in a competitive selection process that could involve a total of 453 Corps parks in 43 states.


The Cottonwood Point project has passed the first hurdle with planning approval. Holt said considerations include the current condition of the recreation area, visitation and revenue, the impact on the local economy, proposed modernization cost, projected organizational and management savings, and-an important point for local people to be aware of-the evidence of public involvement.


He said the project also could be funded by an add-on bill through Rep. Jerry Moran’s office, or, more slowly, over a longer period of time through funds generated at the reservoir.


Holt explained that the public involvement is necessary no matter how the expansion is funded.


“We don’t operate the reservoir in a vacuum,” he said. “The public needs to know what is going on. We can’t legally go out to campaign or lobby for anything. But we are charged with reporting to the public what conditions are.”


He feels assured that most Marion County residents realize that the reservoir is the largest single tourist attraction the county has.


Holt said the Cottonwood Point plans would add 60 campsites with full-utility hookup; convert 25 existing sites to full-utility hookup; complete three shower facilities; add 25 separate day-use sites; add a beach area with change-house, playground, and amphitheater complex; add three modern odor-free vault toilets; add one group-camp shelter; add two additional trailer sanitary dump stations; take into consideration persons with disabilities; change gravel roads into hard-surface roadways; and increase security lighting.


Cottonwood Point now has 60 complete campsites and 25 day sites designed to be used for such activities as boating.


Holt said reservoir personnel now turn away as many campers on holidays as they find space for at Cottonwood Point. The park, built in 1968, has 100 percent occupancy rate on weekends, and an average 80 percent occupancy rate throughout the recreation season.


He pointed out that 40 percent of Kansas’ population-1.05 million people-live within 100 miles of Marion Reservoir, and that 50,000 persons among them are registered boaters.


Projections developed by Holt and other Corps workers at the reservoir show that the number of visitors should increase from 390,000 the year Cottonwood Point is expanded to 670,000 three years after the project is completed, based on the number of those who attempt to come there now.


Direct revenue increases would go from $100,000 to $194,000 three years after construction, with day-use revenue going from $3,600 to $9,000, and camping revenue going from $96,000 to $185,000.


The economic impact for the area would show total reservoir tourist spending going from $2.84 million to $3.98 million. Direct sales would go from $1.86 million to $2.64 million with total sales, including a multiplier effect, going from $3.09 million to $4.33 million.


Jobs directly generated would go from 62 to 87 with total jobs, including a multiplier effect, going from 83 to 116.


The income effect was estimated for direct income to go from $970,000 to $1.36 million, and for total income, including a multiplier effect, to go from $1.63 million to $2.28 million.


Holt said the Corps has gone two years without asking Congress for RAMP funding. He believes the Cottonwood Point project is a good candidate for RAMP, but added that approval of the plan is some assurance the project will be completed

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