Lake Access - The Issue Continues

To All COLA LO Members,

This week the ongoing saga of public access  to Oswego Lake continues in the press and in the efforts of the Hoffman Administration.    A recent article in the LO Review outlines a group now convening to look at public access to the lake as part of the comprehensive plan.   The article can be found at:  Lake Access Group and details the deliberations and process.  

A second article by a local law professor appeared today in the review claiming a position that the Lake is public property and calling access by private property owners "monopolization" End Monopolization.  

Per the Lake Access Article:

"The work group is made up of four volunteers from the comprehensive plan citizen advisory committee. They will analyze public input received so far on the lake access issue and consider whether it fits within the comprehensive plan update or would be part of a different process.

City neighborhood planner Sarah Selden stressed that the group’s purpose is not to consider whether to provide lake access to the public, but instead to look at whether that question should be considered during work on the comprehensive plan.

Recommendations are expected at an upcoming meeting of the entire citizen advisory committee.

The work group will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Lake Oswego City Hall, 380 A Ave. "

The Lake Corp has stated its position that the lake is private.    Many in the community are now questioning if this direction and priority is another poorly directed attempt by the current administration to set up a legal battle which will cost taxpayers millions.  

Online blog comments overwhelmingly are supporting private ownership of the lake and can be seen in the comments to the above article.    Any legal battle would cost both the city of lake oswego and the Lake Corp dearly in terms of fees and only be a further distraction from the services needed within the community.    This is causing to ask about the real priorities of those involved.  

Please notify all members, contacts, and friends.