There is hope in and around Council Grove that an exemption can be issued to let Council Grove Reservoir fill open positions and thus stay open for the summer.
There is also still significant concern for what happens in case the exemption request isn’t granted.
Speaking with a group of about 20 business owners and local government leaders, US Senator Jerry Moran said the lake plays a vital role in the Council Grove economy — making it a priority to ensure the reservoir’s four open staff positions are all filled soon.
There had been some conversation about the lake’s operation status over the last month, but the situation came into sharper focus after a social media post by the Council Grove Marina earlier this week indicating the lake may well close by May 15 due to open positions and a federal hiring freeze. Despite money available to handle the hires of a permanent ranger and three seasonal staffers, the reservoir is stuck because all four positions were open before the hiring freeze went into effect.
Moran indicated he has been working with the Army Corps of Engineers on the issues at hand because it manages the lake, but recently he learned any decision about an exemption will come from the Department of Defense, which oversees Army affairs including the Corps of Engineers.
Council Grove Marina co-owner Ginger Taunton says people enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the lake.
That enjoyment is an economic driver for the immediate Council Grove area. With over 220 camping spots normally available and an estimated one million visitors to the lake every summer, the marina says the lake generates almost $9 million in annual visitor spending. Marina co-owner Lori Cansler envisions a significant hit to that economy if there is an extended closure.
 
9 pm Friday:
Seeking a hiring exemption that will keep Council Grove Reservoir open throughout the summer, US Senator Jerry Moran visited the lake marina Friday to update residents and business owners.
There had been some conversation about the lake’s operation status over the last month, but the situation came into sharper focus after a social media post by the Council Grove Marina earlier this week indicating the lake may well close by May 15 due to open positions and a federal hiring freeze, this causing a significant negative impact for the lake and Council Grove businesses.
Moran says the underlying issue is the lake’s previous permanent ranger left the job, and the position was open when the hiring freeze went into effect. The freeze also affects the three seasonal positions, which were also open — meaning none of the positions can be filled unless an exemption is granted.
Moran tells KVOE News the Council Grove Reservoir situation appears to be unique among Kansas reservoirs managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, including John Redmond and Fall River operated by the Tulsa District and Melvern Lake operated by the Kansas City District, simply because of the timing of the open jobs and the hiring freeze.
Moran says a decision about an exemption rests with the Department of Defense, which oversees Army affairs including the Corps of Engineers, the lake’s management. Moran also says an exemption request was submitted three weeks ago with no action. Residents at the marina meeting also suggested an automatic exemption because Corps of Engineers staffers are considered emergency responders; Moran says he will research that avenue. Moran also says he may speak with the White House if there is either no action or a request is denied.
With over 220 camping spots normally available and an estimated one million visitors to the lake every summer, the marina says the lake generates almost $9 million in annual visitor spending for the immediate Council Grove area.
