Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008

Williams responsible for holding back encroachment on public land

by Clarke Davis

Stopping the encroachment of private use of public property will be the primary responsibility of Ryan Williams, 22, the newest Corps of Engineers employee at Perry Lake.

There’s a boundary line around the lake and the federal land set aside for flood control marked by yellow stakes and permanent monuments.

This land belongs to the people and is not for the private use of adjoining land owners, Williams explained.

“Private use stops at the boundary line,” Williams said. “You can’t build on it, cut a tree, plant a garden, mow, or make a trail.”

But it appears people do all of these things. He began his duties over a month ago and has walked about 15 miles of the perimeter in the southern area finding at least 25 encroachments.

The violations he found include an acre of ground being farmed and trees being cut for firewood.

Trails and paths are also common. “If you destroy vegetation, it’s a trail,” he said.

Williams photographs and documents the encroachment and, when possible, talks to the adjacent landowner while he’s on the site.

“Most of the problems are minor and easy to remedy,” he said.

If he can’t talk to someone, he mails a letter along with the government’s policies and asks the person to cease doing whatever it is they are doing. They are given so many days to correct the problem before he follows up.

Williams said the policies are backed up by the force of law and citations are handled through the federal courts.

Williams is a Plainville native who graduated from Fort Hays State University last May with a degree in biology and wildlife management. He has experience working for the Corps at Wilson Lake during summers the past three years.

Besides the shore management program, his duties include security, overseeing the dam instrumentation, and serving as a park ranger.