Dear Editor,

I’m writing this letter to say that I strongly disapprove of the proposed destruction of Pond Lick Lake by the breaching of the dam.

If the State proceeds with their plans, we as a people who enjoy such beauty will never again be able to experience the fragile beauty of the Autumn’s Asters as they grow on the lake’s edge or breathe the air above the dancing morning mists as the sun revives the lake’s surface. You might say these things happen on other lakes also; but take time to look more closely. That little lake is a unique ecosystem that can’t be exactly duplicated . It’s community of plants and animals; and its own special beauty has developed slowly thru the years in a way that only God’s hand can paint thru the natural processes He has put in place. No two places are the same or ever could be. This little lake is uniquely beautiful and has developed its own special charm thru many years as the world has changed around it. Now the changes of the world and how the state wants now to greatly accelerate the harvest of the trees and minerals of our precious legacy, the state forests, are catching up to the little gem on Forest Road 1 about 2 miles from Rt 125. Because of economic reasons, the state may decide to breach the dam of this little lake because it had not been updated according to their standards many years ago when the other forest lakes were being modified.

I would wonder if their study of a possible dam collapse during an extreme water run-off, considered that the 2 mile relatively wide hollow with fields and side hollows could possibly dissipate and disperse the water flow before it be of any danger to the 2 houses near the point where Pond Lick runs into Turkey Creek at Rt 125. If the dam, which according to the state shows no leakage or signs of danger at this time, would need an update should it not be partly funded from the huge amount of money that results from the sale of “our” forest trees, which has increased 3-4 times just this year. Shouldn’t some of that money be used to save the unique little lake called Pond Lick?

The lake can not defend itself, only we the people who have enjoyed this precious body of water nestled deep in the endangered Shawnee Forest can be a voice to protect it from the economies of the world around it. And maybe our children’s children can enjoy a peaceful evening fishing or just strolling along the lake’s edge as we listen to the Bullfrog chorus in the cattails near the dam.

Jon Srofe,

Friendship, Ohio