HomeMy WebLinkAboutL. Bean Some observations about Clark's River Front Campground and Resort. The
moneyman, Dr. Korb lost so much money on his investment he has been trying to get
sympathy for his bad judgment.
In 1995 the County issued a permit for a private campground and accessory
buildings such as boat docks, marinas and sheds. Specifically prohibited in the floodway
are structures intended for human habitation. What did Dr. Korb build? A conference
room, a kitchen, a saloon, sleeping rooms and a store.
April 17th 1996 Dr. Korb was notified by the County Flood Plains Administrator,
Tom Kelly, "Remember, food service, sewage disposal, solid waste etc. need approval
from the Dept. of Environmental quality and the County Health Dept. R.V. parks are
considered to be subdivisions. You better check with Cal Cumin from the Laurel
Planning Office on this issue." Did Dr. Korb comply? NO! Kelly went on to say, "Don't
mess with the bed or bank of the rivers without going through the 310 process.
Dr. Korb was notified in 1999 by the Corp of Engineers that the fill used to try to
build up the land was illegal. In 2001 The Corps wrote Dr. Korb and stated, "Our records
indicate that you have initiated work prior to issuance of a permit for this or any other
bank stabilization work."
In his letter dated April 19, 2001, Jim Kraft, the present Flood Plain
Administrator, stated that he visited the campground to follow up on two major
complaints. One, that someone was living at the campground and two, that there was fuel
stored at the campground. He verified that both complaints were valid; and violations of
the County Floodplain regulations. He concluded his letter by stating, "The fuel tank
must be removed by May 15th, 2001. If not the variance will not be allowed, and the
entire matter will be sent to the County Attorney for prosecution. Was the tank removed
by May 15th? NO! Was the entire mat/er turned over to the County Attorney? NO! Did
the Yellowstone County Commissioners grant Dr. Korb his variance to allow someone to
live in the floodway? YES!
July 1, 2002, Cal Cumin, Laurel's Planning Director notified Dr. Korb that a retail
establishment at the campground was a zoning violation. As usual when caught breaking
the laws that the rest of us abide, the good Doctor wrote a whining letter to Laurel's
Mayor. "Please tell us how you are going to deal with the problem Mr. Cumin has
created?", he asked in his July 17~h, 2002 letter. Dr. Korb seems to be badly confused.
The cause of his problem is he broke the law. (Again) The result is he is angry when
he's made accountable for his own behavior.
Now Dr. Korb is requesting to have water and sewer facilities in the floodway. To
serve what? The private R.V. campground that was permitted? It doesn't exist. Do you
suppose the system might be designed to serve the illegal habitable buildings that do
exist?
Will the County Floodplain Administrator give his approval to allow this project?
PROBABLY NOT! Will the Commissioners back him? Or will they grant Dr. Korb
another variance from the regulations?
Write them, call them, urge them to rule in favor of the health of the river and in
public interests. Not in favor of the moneyman's wallet.
AUG - 9 2902
CITY OF LAUREL