Sutton’s Landing to get new boat ramp

LEESBURG — Work is under way to construct a new boat ramp at Sutton’s Landing in Lee County.

Lee officials and residents honored one of their most cherished sons last year, dedicating a new park and boat landing off U.S. Highway 19 along the Kinchafoonee Creek to Marine Lance Cpl. Steven “Big Steve” Sutton, who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan nearly six years ago.

Since then, the park has become one of the area’s most popular fishing, kayaking and boating spots. So popular, in fact, that county commissioners began talking about building a new boat ramp several months ago.

In November, the commission entered into a project agreement regarding the new ramp. The ramp will be built by the Army Corps of Engineers and managed and maintained by the state Department of Natural Resources.

DNR is paying for the project with money from a federal program called the Dingell-Johnson Act.

Under a unique partnership, the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which oversees and implements the Dingell-Johnson Act, asks for the cooperative efforts of state and federal wildlife agencies, the fishing tackle industry, anglers and boaters. What started as an excise tax on fishing equipment was used to help fund U.S. efforts during World War II. Then, in 1950, it was redirected thanks to the efforts of outdoor enthusiasts Rep. John Dingell of Michigan and Sen. Edwin Johnson of Colorado.

While the original act has been amended several times, it is still commonly referred to as the Dingell-Johnson Act.

The power behind the act comes from anglers and boaters. The excise taxes placed on fishing tackle, electric motors, import duties on boats and a motorboat fuel tax on gasoline are collected and placed in a trust fund in the Department of the Treasury in Washington. Monies deposited in this fund are subsequently available for sport fish management activities.

Under the Dingell-Johnson Act, program funds are matched with state funds, which are generated through the sale of fishing licenses.

The program requires that funds be spent on sport fishing- and boating-related activities. Some of the programs and projects currently funded include Fisheries Bureau staff of the Department of Wildlife water testing and restocking, state hatcheries and fish production, programs and fishing tournaments designed to introduce children to fish and fishing through fishing rodeo programs, and youth fishing day camps.

Farm pond owners also benefit by receiving technical guidance from fisheries staff on how to better manage their ponds. Boat ramps, courtesy piers, fish cleaning stations and comfort stations on public waters throughout the state are also built using program funds.

Heavy equipment is currently parked on location at Sutton’s Landing.

The new ramp project, which got under way a few weeks ago, is expected to resume once the rain subsides and workers get back on duty after the first of the year.

“We are excited about what is happening out at Sutton’s Landing,” said Lee County Co-Manager Christi Dockery.

“On any given weekend you will find dozens of residents and boaters out at Sutton’s Landing,” Commissioner Rick Muggridge told his colleagues at a recent County Commission meeting.

In a phone interview, Muggridge said he is excited to see all that is happening in relation to Lee County recreation.

Earlier this month, county commissioners agreed to purchase a 100-acre tract of land off the bypass in Leesburg. Intentions are to develop that land into a comprehensive recreation complex that could include an agriculture center, a multipurpose building and/or arena, and a marina. The land backs up to the Kinchafoonee Creek.

Muggridge, who has consistently advocated for water sports, said he is pleased to see recreation that utilizes the county’s abundant natural resources.

“We are making great strides to broaden our vision and to provide more recreation opportunities that will appeal to as many people as possible,” he said.