Jackson Jambalaya

It was a busy day at the Reservoir yesterday, as the Parks Committee for PRVWSD tackled alcohol permits, user fees for special events, and camping on the river. Campers will be required to obtain permits if they wish to camp upriver. The district will probably charge more money next year for events such as Pepsi Pops and the Dragon Boat Regatta. The district will also look to crack down on alcohol use at these events, although an alcohol permit can be purchased. The video is posted below.





The Parks Committee of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District met yesterday and recommended the board make several changes to policies regarding camping, fees for special events, and permits for alcohol use.

PRVWSD officials have complained for years about the presence of tarps, tents, and other structures that seem to grow more permanent in nature. The district wants to make such things more temporary (and prevent claims for adverse possession.*) and recreational. The committee made the following recommendations to the board of directors for camping above Highway 43:

*No permanent ground cover or structures are allowed. Tarps or similar materials can not be suspended from permanent structures or poles.
*Any primitive camping above Highway 43 must be done within sight of the Pearl River or Barnett Lake.
*All camping on district property not within district campgrounds must be primitive camping.
*Primitive camping is camping without modern conveniences such as running water or electrical "systems".
*Generators can be used but must comply with district regulations on noise and be removed at the end of the camping trip.
*No alterations to landscape may be made although grass-cutting is allowed. Cutting brush and trees are not.
*Campers must call the district office at 601-829-2751 to get a permit number and display the number on the campsite. Campers may call the control tower at 601-992-2703 after hours to get the number. Campers must provide a cell number, number of campers, location, and duration of stay.

The committee also discussed charging additional fees for special events. The district currently charges a special event fee of $1,000 for large events such as Pepsi Pops and the Dragon Boat Regatta. Executive Director John Sigman told the committee the district should start charging a fee of $500 per day for if the renting organization uses the park on days other than the special event for clean-up and set-up.

The Madison County Chamber of Commerce objected to the increased fees. MCCC operates the Dragon Boat Regatta. Former chamber president Chuck Gautier said the regatta finally earned a meager profit last year and the new fees would place the event back in the red. Mr. Sigman said the use of the by the chamber before and after the race denied the use of the park to those wanting to use it. Any new fees will not apply to events scheduled for this spring. The board must vote on any new regulations Thursday. Such proposals must be submitted via the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Act. The board must have a thirty day period for public comments. The board will then have to approve the measure after the public comment period. It will not be adopted for ninety days.

The board also discussed approving a permit for a September festival for the Latin American Businessman's Association. The group asked for a permit to sell alcohol. Concern was expressed over the size of the actual area where alcohol would be allowed. A proposal to allow a "beer garden" over an area that was 50% of Lake Trace Park was shot down as growing from a "garden" to a "crop". A LABA representative said over 2,000 attended the festival last year as the festival was held at another location. Committee members debated whether to allow two separate beer gardens, allow alcohol in only 20% or 10% of the park, and other options. The committee voted to recommend allowing alcohol sales and use within an area that is 20% of the park and direct staff to work with LABA on its implementation. This policy will be in effect for only this event if adopted by the board as the committee is going to review the current policy of issuing alcohol permits.

*Yes, lawyers, there can not be an adverse possession claim on government property. Having some fun.

Kingfish note: Watch the video at: Notice how Mr. Guatier throws his past executive director under the bus at 23:00. Classy. What was also interesting was several district officials said the district may start enforcing the no-glass policy at special events such as Pepsi Pops. Apparently other groups are wanting to use the park for special events and they think it is not fair to um, not enforce the policy at one event while enforcing it at others. They said the sponsoring organizations could purchase alcohol permits. Let us hope the District does not kill any gooses. Not Canadian geeses, more of the golden egg variety.