Newly Formed Geist Watershed Alliance Seeks Community Support

 The month of November saw the formation of a new citizen-based organization in the local community – the Geist Watershed Alliance. Similar to the GUO’s establishment to prevent annexation by Fishers, this new organization has sprung out of residents’ concerns and their ability to take effective action. In this case, citizens are concerned about the health of the reservoir.

At its inaugural meeting on November 14th, a multitude of local homeowners assembled for the purpose of drafting an action plan and taking on various roles to prevent another toxic algal bloom in the lake. What resulted from the meeting was a solid plan which can make a profound impact on the reservoir’s future, but it will require the assistance of many more citizens who are willing to get involved. It will also require some improved lawn care and household maintenance practices by all residents living immediately around the lake. In the coming months, the group will begin educational and outreach programs to help homeowners know what they can do.

According to Dave Sylvester, one of the alliance’s founding members, the organization expects to have its formal non-profit status established by the end of this year. Thereafter, they will be in the position to begin applying for several grants available to assist communities in restoring and protecting their watershed. They also hope to begin other types of fundraising efforts so that they can hire a professional watershed management consultant to develop the necessary technical projects and oversee some of the other more specialized issues. At present, they have been receiving some guidance from at least one consultant and are already working with advisors from the state and IUPUI.

Another founding member of the alliance, Scott Rodgers, explains that they ultimately envision the organization to be exactly what it is called – an ‘alliance’ consisting of links between all local watershed groups within the greater watershed region, including the Upper White River and Fall Creek districts.

“We don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel when some of these other groups have already done much of the preliminary work,” stated Rodgers. “We can all work together to help each other accomplish our joint objectives.”

As metaphorically described by Dave Sylvester, “The previously-achieved results in the upper watershed can trickle downstream to our area within the greater watershed.”

Meanwhile, the Geist Watershed Alliance needs help from individuals who would be willing to invest a few hours or more during the coming months to help get the ball rolling. Several different committees have been formed which need your help. Everyone in the community is invited to attend the meetings to see how things are shaping up, and anyone with an interest in helping to improve the lake can participate by joining one of the committees.

The next two meetings scheduled are:
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
7:00 PM at Geist Clubhouse
12549 Old Stone Drive

For More Information, contact:
Gail McDowell 317-507-3555 gmcdowell@c21rg.net
Scott Rogers 317-826-9551 scott@scottr.com
Dave Sylvester 317-418-5576 davemsyl@aol.com