Representative Mike Bost hosted a roundtable meeting with local outdoors enthusiasts on Friday. The main focus of his presentation was to talk about the work being done at Little Grassy Lake. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a draw down of the lake late last year. They were already working with the US Army Corps of Engineers to study the Little Grassy Dam. But as they began to look at the dam they decided to remove the water due to safety concerns.
Representative Bost took a tour of the Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge so that he could see the work happening at Little Grassy Lake. Bost toured the tunnel where the valve and pipe were built for the spillway. He also received an update on the work being done. He has found out that the erosion under the spillway can be repaired. However, the valve and drainage pipe are not able to be repaired and replacement will be difficult.
He says it's going to be a long process that will affect many people who use the lake. It's one that he wants to make sure that they get right. The timeline could possibly be at least 7 years to complete the project.
Bost expects to see an informational meeting in the next few months to provide an update.
