New Boat Launch Considered Near Gus Rich Point

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah. June 4, 2014.  A new boat launch site by Gus Rich Point is being discussed by  Garden City mayor John Spuhler and City Public Works director, Travis Hobbs.  Hobbs was concerned that launching around the lake off the beach is now illegal due to HB 333 and if the lake goes down, most boats would not be able to launch at current launch places.    It has been since the 1980’s  that the last ramp was built.  In the whole area there is one boat ramp and that is the marina. 

Hobbs proposes putting a launch point in between Garden City and Laketown which extends into the deeper part of the lake.    Hobbs feels that the State might fund a new launch pad.  Spuhler said this would be a help to a public safety issue, when the winds come up everyone heads for the Marina. Often they are too far away and need to be rescued.   This would create a launch site to get to on the south side. 

This beach from Gus Rich to Rendezvous is hard to manage, so this launch ramp facility  would provide parking and launching from a safe point.   Hobbs presented a  conceptual plan to the commissioners  and will talk to the Laketown Council as well before presenting it to the State.  There would be a fee for parking which would generate revenue.  Spuhler suggested there be spaces for restaurants and boat rental shops which would also provide extra revenue.  There are no wetlands in the proposed area. 

Cox said that the next step is talking to the state. Hobbs estimates that it will cost $2-3 million.  The marina expansion which is still needed would be $25 million because it is larger and it will have boat slips. This proposal is for a launch site only, but built out with the idea that it would work during very low lake levels.  Hobbs said State Parks should manage it as it would be a money maker.  Adding rock will increase fisheries.  This is also closer to the “rock pile” fishing pile. 

Tom Weston asked about the east side of the lake.  Hobbs said that if this one makes money it could fund a launch spot on the east side. The east side has two launch sites now.  The Rendezvous launch Is not usable when the lake is low.  The launch point at the Marina is a bottle neck.  If someone doesn’t know how to back into the launch at the marina they can use up two or three lanes.

Tom Weston said he likes the concept. “Could we set up a meeting with the DNR, State Lands, State Parks, UDOT,legislators and other affected organizations to get their input.  Then plans need to be drawn to get exact costs and look for partners.” He said.

Mayor Spuhler said that  Garden City would be willing to pay for  a couple of thousand dollars to get more details to get costs tied down so that presentations will be more concise.  Across the highway there is land available for even more parking. Hobbs will get letters of support from the Bear Lake Regional Commission and business owners and HOA boards.   This would also allow an inspection site for quagga mussels  at a single point.   Spuhler said it would disperse the traffic in the summer.  Cox said there is planning money available, he could check with those agencies to see what kind of a study will need to be done .  Norm Weston said that Rich County should support the conceptual idea and asked that the Regional Commission be involved in looking for planning monies.