According to preliminary results of a Lake Lanier regional economic impact study commissioned by the 1071 Coalition, visitation to the area dropped by nearly 800,000 in-season visitors from 2007 to 2008. It was during this period when lake levels fell 17 feet below full pool, and the fiscal year (the 12-month period ending on September 30) - though hit by high gas prices - was largely unaffected by the recession, according to the study.

"Most of us were not surprised to hear about the 800,000 visitor drop, since we felt its impact with our declining businesses in 2008," said Alex Laidlaw, 1071 Coalition President and Vice President of Westrec Marinas. "However, we are still learning, and anxiously await more data coming from the study that will paint the picture of just what the visitor decline means in terms of not only the economy of our businesses around the lake, but the economy of the region as a whole."

On Jan. 19, the coalition's Board of Directors heard from representatives of the Bleakly Advisory Group who are studying the impact of Lake Lanier's low levels in recent years due to the last drought, the longest and most severe over the 25 years measured. Other data from the preliminary results include:

• Total visits were down 13.1 percent in FY09 compared to FY00.
• An estimate by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding a decline in boating visits is confirmed by a drop in concession income earned by marinas from FY07 to FY08 - a decrease of more than $400,000.
• Lake Lanier visitors spent $180.3 million in the region (30 mile radius) in 2006, day visitors accounting for nearly 96 percent of total visits and 86 percent of total visitor spending.

The economic impact study is expected to be complete by early spring of this year.

Please renew your membership and support the 1071 Coalition
Since the 1071 Coalition was launched in September 2008, we have made great strides in inserting our priorities of the health and prosperity of Lake Lanier into the dialogue of ongoing water issues that will have an impact for years to come. With your financial support, we have had presence in the news media and in the boardrooms where important water policy discussions are being held. In all these discussions, we remain focused on our mission of advocating for science-based, updated management practices of Lake Lanier. Please consider renewing your membership to the 1071 Coalition today. We are making progress towards all our objectives, but need your support to continue.