Not on our lake you won’t.

Having spent $100,000 on a consultant’s report touting the development potential of Clinton and other Kansas lakes, state officials came to Lawrence on Wednesday to talk about their study.

But they were greeted by some in a crowd who told them that development at Clinton Lake would be a bad idea.

“By promoting residential and resort development on reservoirs, the state is promoting one of the least scenic land uses on one of the most scenic,” said Jeff Head, of Manhattan, who sails at Clinton Lake.

The traveling road show of state officials from the Kansas Water Office and Department of Commerce had been in Ozawkie on Tuesday talking about the development potential of Perry Lake.

There, residents mostly complained that the officials were doing too little to spark lakeside growth.

But that reaction contrasted sharply with what the officials heard when they got to Lawrence.

Some at the meeting at Lawrence Public Library complained about the study’s finding that Clinton Lake could support a large hotel. They said a big, new hotel could disrupt the aesthetics of the public land by spawning urban sprawl.

The state agencies commissioned the study, which concluded that Clinton Lake could potentially also support homes, a 40-room spa resort, more marina slips and a possible 18-hole golf course. The retiring baby-boom generation could be counted on to make use of the new development, the consultants found.

But those at the meeting also discussed a failed attempt in 2001 by a development company that sought public funds to help build a hotel and conference center at Clinton Lake.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns the reservoir and all the other Kansas lakes involved in the study.

Ken Grotewiel, assistant director for the Kansas Water Office, also outlined the state Water Authority’s recommendations for the lakes. In addition to encouraging development, the authority’s recommendations call for reducing sedimentation at the reservoirs and ensuring that development doesn’t degrade the lakes while preserving public access.

The study also recommended creating a group representing several state agencies to work locally with private and public entities to support lake development efforts.

Grotewiel said the study was only meant to aid local governments and groups.

“It’s better to be in front of something rather than coming in to pick up the pieces later,” he said.

Ray Hammarlund, of the Kansas Commerce Department, said the study showed that housing in three of the six potential sites at Clinton Lake would need public sewer hook-ups because the soil could not support a septic system.

Glenn Alexander, who lives in west Lawrence near Clinton Lake, said he believed it was a good preliminary study that attempted to show how natural resources and public land could be protected while also pursuing economic development.

“I think there’s a way to do it where everybody can be reasonably happy,” he said.

Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention & Visitors Bureau, said development at Clinton Lake is not a new idea and has always been touchy for some.

“I’ve always thought we are in a perfect place from the market standpoint if it proves to be true. Whether or not we have the will to do it, that’s questionable,” she said.