Alcova Reservoir was not on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Natrona County Commission on Tuesday, but it sure was on their minds.

Which means it's on the minds of a lot of people who enjoy the lake and have leases at its trailer park, marina, cabins, and boat and ski clubs.

"We're the ones in charge of managing that property," commissioner Jon Campbell said.

"We're hearing from the public," Campbell said. "We've received several hundred correspondences so far."

Campbell and the other commissioners raised the topic after a short meeting of service awards for county employees, paying bills, approval of a contract with GSG Architectural Services, a temporary malt liquor permit and a few other items.

While a winter storm hammered the county with strong winds, snow and subzero temperatures, commissioners recognized summer fun looms on the horizon at central Wyoming's own Margaritaville, 40 miles west of Casper.

"April isn't far off," Campbell said.

So the commissioners don't have much time to read letters and field phone calls about what will happen with a lottery system for determining what trailer owners may be able to lease what trailer spaces, he said.

Trailer owners also have written letters about the market value appraisals that affect how much they pay in fees to the county for the privilege of setting up their homes-away-from home that overlook the lake, Campbell said.

Commissioner Terry Wingerter said some people are upset they cannot get access to their trailers during the winter months to check for vandalism.

Commissioner Barb Peryam has heard from trailer owners who wonder whether they can change the configurations of their decks and whether they can store their boats on their trailer lots, she said.

Peryam and other commissioners want to meet with John Lawson, Wyoming area manager of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

The bureau owns the reservoir and some of the surrounding land. The bureau has an agreement letting Natrona County manage this federal land and the private uses on it, including the marina, trailer park, cabins, and boat and ski clubs.

The county applies lease fees from these users to develop the other amenities at the reservoir such as beaches and picnic areas. The bureau also requires the county to enforce safety and fire codes.

The commissioners want to invite Lawson to a work session on Jan. 29 and make sure their management of the Alcova Reservoir conforms to the demands of the Bureau of Reclamation.

Reach Tom Morton at (307) 266-0592, or at Tom.Morton@trib.com.