People who enjoy a local public fishing lake are concerned about its future.

Lake Shenandoah, in Rockingham County is experiencing problems with sediment and excess nutrients.

One solution is to turn areas of the lake into wetlands, but Kathy Moran, from the Lake Shenandoah Preservation Association, says that's not what the community wants.

Moran says, "The community embraced the concept of a public lake for the purpose of angler use, for the purpose of recreational boating use, not as a wetland."

Officials from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries say a wetland is their best option for the long term.

Larry Mohn says, "If we're going to improve the lake water quality and the lake fishery, it's probably the only feasible way to do it."

However, before they make any moves, there are several things to consider.

Mohn says, "We have to determine both with the sportsmen who use the lake and the people that live around the lake and the people at county whether we are ever going to proceed down that road or not."

Neighbors who built in the area because of the lake are concerned how the possible wetland would affect their views.

Frank Campbell says, "If you take an acre of wetland at this end of the lake, then that pretty much takes away the view of the lake. I just think a lot of people would be very unhappy about that."

Moran thinks wetlands are not the only option.

She says, "I think turning it into a wetland is really essentially saying what is our low cost method, not what is our best solution."

She feels working together can provide hope for the future of Lake Shenandoah

Moran says, "We hope to serve as a liaison to work with the state to come up with the solutions to provide whatever means of funding that might need to come about to get this job done."

No plans are in place at this time to put in a wetland. Even if one were put in now, it would take three years to make it function properly.

For more information on how to get involved in Lake Shenandoah preservation, contact:

Eric Pisk
540-421-8009
Acting President
P.O. Box 1510
Harrisonburg, VA 22803