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Developers explain plans for Gull Lake campground

Developers behind a private campground on Gull Lake hope to have the marshmallows roasting at their sites by next summer.

Developers behind a private campground on Gull Lake hope to have the marshmallows roasting at their sites by next summer.

Eagle’s Nest on Gull Lake will feature 20 campground spots that will be owned by a shareholder group. It is to be located on vacant land on the east side of the lake between Degraff’s RV Resort and Wilson’s Beach campground. Only two spots are still up for grabs.

Developer Tim Gibbs updated Lacombe County council on his proposal on Thursday. County approval is needed to rezone the property from agriculture land to recreation district.

Provincial approvals will also be needed for the wastewater system, which drew a number of questions from councillors who sought assurance lake water quality would not be at risk.

Randy Gibson, a landscape architect working for the developer, said the system that will be used will produce treated water that will go into the ground through a drip irrigation system.

“There is no worry of contamination because the water going into the ground is cleaner than the lake water,” Gibson said.

There will also be a large buffer, of at least 200 metres, between the water disposal field and the lake. There will be setbacks of more than 30 metres from campsites.

A 30-metre setback is also in place from the lake’s high water mark to provide environmental protection.

“One of the big things here is we’re not going to be looking at any disturbances to the shoreline,” he said.

Gibbs said following the meeting that developers are trying to maintain the area’s scenic appeal.

“We don’t want to develop it as a trailer park. We want to keep it as natural as possible.”

The next step for the project is to give the public an opportunity to see the proposal. An open house is expected to take place as early as February.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com