Bass Pro and Okeechobee any news?

[Rick H]

My father in-law and I were talking and it came up. He's in Lakeport but doesn't get out much any more.

Haven't heard much on this venture in a while. Latest I could find was March of 2019.

[Rick H]

1 Week and 171 views so I guess we can assume there is no new news other than what has been listed as of March of 2019.

[hogzilla]

None that I can find and nobody out there can tell you anything either.

[stevebrownfnr]

Bass Pro Tour?

[Rick H]

Bass Pro Tour?

New Store on the lake

[hogzilla]

New Store on the lake

Not a store, a resort.

[Rick H]

Not a store, a resort.

Yeah in short store but they say store with resort. If it happens.

[Groma]

Okeechobee County gives Bass Pro a year extension
Apr 12th, 2019 · by Katrina Elsken · Comments: 0
The Okeechobee County commissioners have approved an extension to the Okee-Tantie contract to give Bass Pro another year to make a final decision.

The action came at the April 11 commission meeting in the Historic Okeechobee County Courthouse.

As discussed briefly at the last commission meeting, Big Cedar LLC (the company that operates Bass Pro’s resorts), has requested a one-year extension to the base option period. This would extend the option term until April 16, 2020.

Both Bass Pro and Big Cedar LLC were founded by Johnny Morris.

Over the past two weeks, Okeechobee County Attorney John Cassels worked with the Big Cedar attorney to finesse the details of the contract amendment.

ohn Cassels said Johnny Morris already signed a copy of the document so that it could be executed immediately if the county commission approved it.

The Big Cedar plans for Okee-Tantie include dredging a channel for a new marina, which would be for the exclusive use of the resort guests. The existing boat ramps and marina would remain open to public use.

Such dredging will require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Bass Pro/Big Cedar wants to delay their final decision about Okee-Tantie until they obtain the needed permit from the corps.

“We are going to help you with that permit,” County Commissioner Terry Burroughs assured the Big Cedar attorney at the meeting.

Items already completed in the Okee-Tantie project include surveying the property, completing Phase 1 environmental study, development of a site plan and researching of all necessary local, state and federal permits required.

Items still to be completed (with time estimates), shared at the last commission meeting include:
• Investigation of structure cut and fill analysis (one month);
• Ecological study (estimated to take three months);
• Wetland delineation (three months);
• Expanded environmental impact report (six months);
• Prepare U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application (six months);
• Environmental Resources Permit Application (12-15 months);
• Consumptive Use Assessment (12-15 months);
• FDEP wastewater permitting (12-15 months);
• FDOT Access Management Permit, site zoning (12-15 months);
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting (12-15 months);
• Final site plan development (12-15 months);
• Overall permitting, management and logistics (12-15 months);
• Site development construction drawings (12-15 months).

[gambler1]

Ya makes a lot of sense to build a big resort on a lake that the state has all but killed everything due to overspraying with toxic poison chemicals and turned into a mudhole

[Gamblerman65]

All this political environmental BS listed above and they are destroying the lake everyday with the spraying. I am surprised JM would build a resort or anything else there due to the condition of the lake..

[LewStulePH.D.]

All this political environmental BS listed above and they are destroying the lake everyday with the spraying. I am surprised JM would build a resort or anything else there due to the condition of the lake..

You ever think that through?? Maybe He is paying for it to clear it out? Or the thought of a 'possible resort' leads the County/State clean it up for Him.. Especially the last sentence.

[Gamblerman65]

I can see where he would want them to clean up the area where the resort is but I can't understand him building a resort on a lake that is getting this much bad publicity. Maybe I am missing something.

[ScottOz]

I don't think He (Johnny) is doing this. He has nothing to gain from them killing all the other lakes in Florida. Istokpoga, Kissimmee, Wlak in Water. Ect.....

[LewStulePH.D.]

I can see where he would want them to clean up the area where the resort is but I can't understand him building a resort on a lake that is getting this much bad publicity. Maybe I am missing something.

Then perhaps the State is nuking the snot out it to insure that Mr. Morris does indeed build the resort.. See what I mean?

[gambler1]

I don’t follow the logic here. I mean we’re not building a Casino in the middle of the Nevada desert with tons of revenue coming in.
Getting it built does not justify destroying your assets.

[cwilt]

I think if they build a resort in Okee tantie it will be the nails in the coffin for the lake!

[Gamblerman65]

The Seminole Indians from years ago would be taking some scalps if they could see their lake now..

[Rick H]

I think if they build a resort in Okee tantie it will be the nails in the coffin for the lake!

Okay so why do you think that?

[cwilt]

So let me start...

1. Over fishing...The weed spraying cant support a healthy population of bass. I was just there for the Gambler tourney and "my holes" that i have fished for years are a wasteland. Coot bay is not a bay anymore, just open water. Monkey box is just a mud box now. Been to the hay fields lately?
2. Over crowding...The areas not affected by spraying or new emerging Hydrilla/pads will be swamped with boats. I have seen it already at the north end 15 ish boats fishing a hydrilla patch 25 × 50 ft... Just to the east of harney pond canal entrance. The lake already fishes small. Add more boats, yea lets do that.
3. Small town atmosphere. Umm not anymore. The lake towns are all small and that is part of the allure. Mom and pop tackle stores will dry up due to progress and big box stores.

Lastly if the ACOE and FWC dont get their head out of their a55es the lake and BPS will loose big time!

[atta]

I really dislike Johnny Morris and bass pro. I do EVERYTHING in my power to avoid his store and his product. I wouldn’t stay in his resort if it was 20 bucks a night!! Fast Break & Okeechobee Fishing HQ will have my business.