MOUTARDIER Some of the states first improvements to Nolin Lake State Park will begin Tuesday when dirt is broken for a $2 million campground, according to the state Department of Parks. The state took over the former Brier Creek campgrounds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1996.These are the first major improvements we are undertaking at the park, said Bob Bender, the departments deputy commissioner. Parks Commissioner Kenny Rapier and Tourism Secretary Ann Latta will join Rep. Dottie Sims, D-Horse Cave, and Sen. Richie Sanders, R-Franklin, at the groundbreaking at 11 a.m.Smith Contractors of Lawrenceburg will build the facilities, which should take 10 to 12 months to complete, Bender said. Hopefully, we will be ready by the spring 2001, and we will definitely be ready for campers by the Memorial Day holiday, he said. Since the states takeover in 1996, park operations have been bare-boned with a staff of Ranger Pete Clemmons, one other full-time employee and some seasonal help. The $2 million will fund construction of 32 campsites with picnic tables and sewer hookups. Three of the 600-square-foot campsites will be handicapped accessible. A sewage treatment facility also will be built to handle campsite waste and that generated from a bathhouse and laundry facility that will be constructed, he said. Also included in the plan is construction of a registration booth and road improvements. The parks budget also contains funding for two more employees and a study to determine the feasibility of building a lodge. At a cost of $65,000, Barren River Area Development District will orchestrate the feasibility study in time for the 2002 General Assembly session. I have attended two meetings with BRADD (staff) and University of Kentucky (representatives), and I think they have a game plan to move forward on that study, Bender said. The resolution that authorized that study said a report would need to be ready by September (2001) and I think they will probably be ahead of schedule on that.