Apex and Wake County Leaders on Environmental Awareness Tour of Lake

Apex and Wake County elected officials and staff were invited to another in our series of Environmental Awareness Pontoon Boat Tours on October 12th. Over the last several years, we’ve hosted Durham County and City, Chatham County, the Town of Cary and members of Jordan Lake One Water Association. In the photo from left to right in top row are: Audra Killingsworth, Apex Town Councilor; Brett Gantt, Apex Town Councilor; Bill Jensen, past Apex Town Councilor; Sig Hutchinson, Chair of Wake County’s Board of Commissioners; Drew Havens, Apex Town Manager; Marty Stone, Apex Assistant Town Manager. In lower row are: Fran DiGiano, Clean Jordan Lake; Kim Sirk, Clean Jordan Lake; Sig Hutchinson’s wife; and Nicole Dozier, Apex Town Councilor /Mayor Pro Tem.

Participants were able to experience first-hand the lake’s natural beauty, punctuated by the sight of a bald eagle soaring overhead against a blue sky. They also could appreciate the lake’s importance as a recreational resource on this beautiful day with many boats darting about. Randy Johnson, owner of Jordan Lake Journeys operated the pontoon boat. He gave insightful commentary on the lake’s multipurpose design, including supply of drinking water to communities in Wake and Chatham County. Fran DiGiano and Kim Sirk talked about Clean Jordan Lake’s mission of removing of trash and preventing its recurrence. They explained its importance for protection of natural beauty, health of wildlife habitats, safety of recreational users and water quality.

A lively exchange of ideas ensued on how Clean Jordan Lake could raise public awareness. Among these were 1) pursue grants from town and county governments to attract more youth from the Triangle to the lake for a program to introduce them to water sports, community service and environmental education; 2) extend invitations to our Environmental Awareness Pontoon Boat Tours to state legislators; and 3) meet with Apex's Environmental Committee to explore ways to cooperate further.