This was back in 2007.
http://www.dailytribune.net/articles/2007/06/06/news/01.txtAn untrained eye would think nothing of the hundreds of tree stumps barely protruding from the calm waters in Lake Bob Sandlin's Monticello Cove.
From the lake's shoreline, the stumps - which once provided fish with food and cover - are visible if someone knows what to look for. That's not the case for boats approaching the shallow fishermen's haven, where the stumps often served as a precaution.
In February of this year, Joe Don Setina allegedly took it upon himself to trespass onto the dry lakebed and into Lake Bob Sandlin, both owned by the Titus County Fresh Water Supply District, to cut down hundreds of trees across nearly 40 acres of the cove, located just west of the Monticello Lake dam on Lake Bob Sandlin.
He surrendered to the Camp County Sheriff's Office last month, was arrested, and charged with the first degree felony of criminal mischief.
Monetary damage to the lake is estimated at more than $200,000 according to a complaint filed by Texas Ranger Steve Boyd.
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But damage to the fishing habitat, District Executive Director Tommy Spruill said, is irreversible.
"This can't be repaired. There's no repairing something like this," Spruill said. "Once it's gone, it's gone."
Three-quarters of the trees surrounding the cove were cut. One side was left in its natural state.
The district learned of the cut trees in February after a man, who had just visited the cove, reported the damage.
Questions are now floating as abundantly as the sawed-off trees across the cove.
When were the trees cut down and how did Setina allegedly manage to saw hundreds of trees down to the stump, while in the water, without being seen?
The other question - why?
Attempts to reach Setina were unsuccessful.
But perhaps the biggest question is what will be the long-term damage to the lake?
The trees served several purposes, many providing their own ecosystem to fish. The cove, for several decades, has been left in its natural state to provide structure and food for smaller fish.
"The little fish, especially, have to be around structure to survive long enough to become big fish," Spruill said. "And of course, the big fish go into areas like that to spawn and lay their eggs. It takes all kinds of terrain within a lake to have a proper lake ecosystem."
The ongoing drought has caused the lake level to drop more than seven feet below normal. At normal levels, the trees would have protruded anywhere from a few inches to up to 10 feet above the water.
Now, when levels return to normal, the stumps are expected to be submerged in the lake.
Even more of a current concern is the fact that the dead trees were left floating in the cove.
Although Spruill cannot comment on the ongoing investigation, he did say the cove has been closed due to safety concerns. The floating timber could cause problems to boat motors and people.
The trees, Spruill added, also acted as a wave bumper.
Erosion, one of the biggest enemies of lakes, sends sedimentation into the main lake and overtime works to fill up the lake.
The stumps acted as a bumper for wave action.
"In that particular cove it would have less effect than in some areas, but there's always some wave action up in there when the wind is blowing right," Spruill said.
He noted Setina did not have permission to cut down the trees.
"It's like if I go down to Dellwood Park and decide to cut me some firewood. What do you think the city's going to do?" he asked.
Spruill expects to have high resolution aerial photographs of the cove this week to better see damage.
The district is also talking with environmental representatives to conduct studies.
"The effect on lake will be for several years," he said.
District Attorney Charles Bailey will present the charge to Titus County grand jurors later this month. If indicted, Setina faces five to 99 years, or life in prison
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