"It didn't fit within the area within the environmental assessment," Barati said, adding that the ongoing back-and-forth review was typical of the resubmittal process.
A complete revised plan will be resubmitted in the next few weeks, MYCA chairman Manzoor Ali said. As part of the lease negotiations, MYCA was advised to contact county staff regarding traffic counts and other issues as well as the DNR for environmental issues, he said.
"We are making substantial progress regarding understanding with the Corp of Engineers," Ali said. "They are really cooperative and nice."
Ali said raising money and possible communication with residents living near the site cannot start until the lease is finalized. The goal of the proposed camp is to have it managed by Muslim staff but open to children of all faiths. He said plans are to do background checks on all the campers.
"We will be having educational programs and outreach programs," Ali said. "In the summer, people can enjoy picnics and other outdoor activities, and in the winter, we will be involved in seminars and presentations and conferences."[Can you say indoctrination camp.............]
Winter activities might be open to public use, depending on the Corps' direction, Ali said.
The original camp proposal, submitted in 1999, included a 17,500-square-foot central lodge, 12 tent camping platforms and 10 cabins, a 75-foot-tall tower and plans to construct a beach. The revised plans showed a 50 percent reduction in designs, a stipulation given to the group by the Corps.