The project started in late 1998 when the club approached Bob Cowdell of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources with the idea. It looked like work would get going in the late summer of 1999, but delays moved it back to early winter. The December, 1999, weather was relatively mild when Kevin Lund, Ray Schelble and the DWR’s Bob Cowdell dug the footings and the trenches for the plumbing and electric, but that soon changed. On Saturday, December 4, the concrete was poured in the fog on what was probably the coldest weekend of the entire winter, with temperatures in the single digits. The shelter was erected in the fog the next weekend, then they called it a winter. Come April, 2000, members painted the shelter, then completed the table, ductwork, plumbing and electric on yet another trip.

Almost half the RMA membership participated in the project, donating 244 hours (not including travel time). Work performed by RMA members included: electrical work; plumbing; concrete forming, pouring and finishing; shelter assembly; table installation; duct work; painting and; general labor such as digging, hauling, cutting and other jobs.

Three people accounted for over half the RMA hours in the project. Rick Laub planned, got the materials for and installed the electrical system and helped out in other areas. Jack-of-all-trades Kevin Lund played a major role in just about every other phase of the project. Ray Schelble coordinated the project with the DWR and also participated in the entire project. Other RMAs who participated include Rick Clark, Keith Dallin, Glen Leon, Don Martin, Jim Morkin, Vickie O’Farrell, Terry Opheikens, Jerry Pendleton, Lee Potter, Mike Thurston, George Walker and John Wooldridge.

This project could not have been completed without the efforts of the DWR’s Bob Cowdell, RMA’s Conservationist of the Year for 1999. Bob arranged the funding, planned the project, installed the vault, acquired the supplies, tools and materials, and supervised the work. Throughout the project he demonstrated his considerable knowledge of and expertise in all phases of construction. He also worked side-by-side with RMA members through the whole thing.

Pat Jerome and the other park rangers at Yuba State Park enthusiastically supported the project. Pat provided a couple of excellent lunches for the workers, and he and the other rangers helped out in a variety of ways.

RMA can be proud of a job well done. Now it’s time to go down and clean some fish.

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