Fuji fishing pond held up by negotiations with state

Construction of an urban fishing pond at Fuji Park has been stalled while city and state wildlife officials work out legal details of a contract to allow the state to provide $250,000 for the project.

"The city's trying to make sure everybody understands what the commitments are, and what the risks are, if any," said Verne Krahn, city parks planner. "We're just going through the process of trying to make sure everybody's comfortable."

Nevada Department of Wildlife endorsed the project and awarded Carson City the total cost to build it using Question 1 funding. The city is not required to contribute money for the project.

Nevada voters approved Question 1 in 2002 authorizing the state to issue general obligation bonds for up to $200 million to protect, preserve, and obtain the benefits of opens space and natural resources.

The Fuji Park Pond effort was spearheaded by Kevin "CK" Baily of Carson, president of the Carson Fly Fishing Club.

Carson's ownership of 6 percent of water rights from Clear Creek, which runs through the park, will be used to fill the 15-foot deep, year-round pond. The pond will be stocked with rainbow and brown trout by the state.

The project includes a disabled-accessible trail around the pond and along the bank of the creek.

The process to legally receive the money needed for the project will delay it until at least 2005 or 2006, Krahn said.

"I had hoped we'd be a lot further along in this process than we are now," Krahn said. "I can't project a date out at this point. We still have to go back to board, then we have to go through a state process for the contract and then transfer money back and forth. None of this is a deal killer by any means."

Parks and recreation staff are expecting to present the contract to city supervisors at a board's meeting April 1.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.