Fleming Fishing Pond Update

[BoardMaster]

Fleming Fishing Pond Update

Phase 1 of the fishing pond is underway. With funding finally in place the Town of Fleming is ready to accept bids for excavation and construction of the two acre pond to be located northeast of town. Ben Swigle, says that construction should begin in mid September. Swigle is Fish Biologist for the Department of Wildlife (DOW) who helped Town Clerk, Kim Harms write the grant that would pay for the majority of the fishing pond. Currently, the Town of Fleming is accepting bids from excavating companies. The Town has set a bid deadline of September 1, 2009 at which point the council will then vote on which bid to accept.

The pond is expected to carry a depth of 12 feet for 25 percent of the pond with a maximum of 16 to 18 feet and shoreline depth of four to five feet with a grade of one foot for every three horizontal feet.

The Fishing is Fun program is a statewide cooperative effort to improve Colorado's fishing assets. The cooperative is really a three-way partnership between local communities, Federal Restoration Act funds and the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
To date, Fishing is Fun projects have totaled more than $17 million with projects ranging from $1000 to $400,000. Successful projects in the past include a two unit vault restroom 'at Yuma Fishing Pond, a seven acre reservoir within Lake County's Hayden Meadow Recreation area as well as new fishing access in Milliken, Brush and Craig.

Colorado Division of Wildlife estimates that more than $700 million is spent each year on sport fishing. Fishing is Fun generates monies from excise taxes collected on purchases of fishing equipment, boats, motor boat and vehicle fuels which DOW touts as a User Pays - User Benefits program.

What's next for Fleming? Once the council votes on a bid and construction begins the hard task really begins...naming the new fishing pond. The Town of Fleming would like your help in determining what to name the pond. Submit your suggestions by September 30th, 2009 to Town Hall, PO Box 468, Fleming. CO, 80728.