TOPEKA — For a second time, members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a measure to create Lehigh Portland State Park on Monday afternoon. 
The committee revisited the issue after “a lot of unanswered questions” surfaced after the initial vote on Feb. 20, said Rep. Ken Rahjes, chair of the committee.
At the top of the list was the accusation that the quarry’s water is contaminated.
Not so, said Randy Carlson, director of the Bureau of Environmental Remediation for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Carlson said samples of the water from both the lake and adjacent streams were tested March 9 and that “we didn’t see concentrations of contaminants that were of a health concern.”
Sediment samples taken from nearby stream beds were also considered safe, Carlson said, noting the two smelter sites of 100 years ago were more than a mile away.
When Brad Loveless, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, was asked whether he would eat fish caught in the abandoned quarry, he replied, “I would definitely eat them.”
The scope and funding of the project was also further described.
Linda Lanterman, director of Kansas State Parks, pegged the state’s investment at $7.7 million. Features would include five fishing docks, four restroom buildings placed around the lake and trails, about 50 campsites, seven “floating” cabins positioned in the water and six regular cabins, two RV campgrounds, a visitor center, a splash park and playground and continued development of the more than 200 acres of surrounding trails.
The campground and recreation areas would include water, sewer and electricity.
The venue would also become a site for special events and activities, said Lanterman, including educational programs. Both a site manager that’s certified in law enforcement and a ranger will be stationed at the park. Seasonal rangers, typically tapped from the local community, will also be on hand.
Lanterman has her eye on 100% of the funding coming from $30 million in SPRINT funds, an offshoot of SPARK (Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas), which were federal funds distributed to states in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPRINT stands for State Park Revitalization and Investment in Notable Tourism. The funds were approved in December. Grant requests opened Tuesday, March 14, making for a small window of opportunity.
“If we can get in, those funds will provide the bulk of the campground work we want to develop here in the next year or two,” said Lanterman, explaining the urgency of the project’s approval.
If that bid falls short, Lanterman said she’ll pursue grant funding as she has done for the development of other recreational areas.
The state park system is self-funded through its entrance and camping fees.
