lakelanierorg

• May 18  – Annual Lake Lanier Association membership meeting
• May 24 - 8th Annual Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament
• June 21 – Lake Lanier Association Political Forum

Clyde Morris, the attorney for the Lake Lanier Association, along with the attorneys for the State, metro Atlanta water supply providers, and Gwinnett County, has filed what we expect to be our last brief in Phase 2 of the Tri-State Water Rights Litigation.

This brief responded to arguments raised by Florida, Alabama, and other parties regarding the Corps’ operation of the ACF facilities.  At issue is the Revised Interim Operations Plan (RIOP), which was implemented by the Corps in response to pressure from Florida and which heavily impacted Lake Lanier water levels in late 2007.  Florida invoked the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to force the Corps to maintain higher flows during drought for the protection of several threatened and endangered species in the Apalachicola River. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a 225-page Biological Opinion stating that the RIOP would not result in illegal harm to the species under the ESA, but also imposed certain requirements on flows that the Association has objected to because they will unnecessarily deplete Lake Lanier.  The Association is seeking to have Judge Magnuson rule that the ESA does not require the Corps to provide the high flows that Florida demands.  We expect a ruling in the next few months.

Read the full brief filed by the Lake Lanier Association here.

The Lake Lanier Association and the other Georgia Parties filed their second brief in Phase 2 last Wednesday, February 10.

The brief focused on arguments that had been raised by opposing parties, primarily Florida, in the first round.  In essence, Florida had attacked the Biological Opinion, issued by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which found neither jeopardy to the species protected by the Endangered Species Act nor adverse impact to their critical habitats.  Florida argued that the Service’s findings were incorrect and that Corps operations and the Biological Opinion violated the ESA.  The Association and the other Georgia Parties argued that the Service correctly found no jeopardy or adverse impact, and that any prohibited take of protected animals was the result of drought and natural causes, which are beyond the control of the Corps.

There remains one more round of briefs, culminating on March 3, following which we expect Judge Magnuson to schedule oral argument prior to ruling on the issues in Phase 2.

Annual Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament

May 24, 2010 at Legacy on Lanier Golf Club, Lake Lanier Islands

Plan now for a fun day of golf at the beautiful new Legacy on Lanier golf course.  Enjoy stunning views of Lake Lanier and play a course designed to appeal to golfers of all levels.

Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament Registration Levels

• Individual Player  $150
• Foursome $600
• Corporate Sponsor $1,000
  • Signage on Tee box, four players, name on event banner and listing on Web site and in newsletter
• Sign Sponsor  $400
  • Signage on Tee box, name on event banner and listing on Web site and in newsletter

Download the 2010 Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament Registration Form

Tournament Program for the 2010 Lake Lanier Golf Tournament

• 10:00 a.m. Registration
• 10:30 a.m. Range Opens
• 11:30 a.m. Shot Gun Start
• 4:30 p.m. Appreciation Reception and Awards
  • Awards:  Low Gross, Low Net, Runner-up Net and Ladies’ Net

Entry Fee for the Lake Lanier Association 2010 Tournament includes

• Entrance Fee to Lake Lanier Islands
• Continental breakfast
• Cart Rental
• Green Fees
• Appreciation Barbeque Reception/Awards
• Goody bags
• Chance to win great raffle prizes

Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament Sponsorship Opportunities

Corporate $1000 for the Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament

• Signage on Tee Box
• Four Players
• Name on Event Banner
• Listing on Web site and in Newsletter

Hole Sponsor $400 for the Lake Lanier Association Golf Tournament

• Signage on Tee Box
• Name on Event Banner
• Listing on Web site and in Newsletter

The Lake Lanier Association will hold its annual membership meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at the Lakeview Center, 2057 Dawson Forest Rd., E, Dawsonville.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 pm with a light refreshments followed by the program from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm. The association’s Board of Directors will update the membership on the association’s current activities and events.

Our guest speaker will be Major General Todd T. Semonite, Commander, South Atlantic Division, US Army Corps of Engineers.  Candidates for federal office will address their views on specific issues regarding Lake Lanier.  These candidates will be for the senatorial seat in this year’s election (Senator Johnny Isakson) and for Congressional District 7 (Represenative John Linder) and District 9 (Representative Nathan Deal).

The meeting is open to all association members, and non-members interested in preserving Lake Lanier.  More details to come.

Last week, the Lake Lanier Association sent letters to the state legislators listed below urging them to protect Lake Lanier from Florida and Alabama's legal attacks on recreation as an authorized purpose of the lake, and to support raising the lake level to 1073.  The letter is below:

As the Georgia legislature begins its session this month, the members of the Lake Lanier Association (LLA) ask for your help in protecting Georgia’s finest natural resource. As the Tri-States water wars litigation and negotiations move forward, we ask that the Georgia State Senators and State House Representatives protect Lake Lanier from the substantial and persistent Florida and Alabama attacks.

In addition to the highly publicized July 2009 ruling against Georgia regarding water supply authorization for Lanier, Judge Magnuson decided to not make a decision recreation as an authorized purpose of Lake Lanier. While the US Army Corps of Engineers has managed the Lake for recreation for 50+ years, and has been federally funded by congress for that activity through the budget process, Florida and Alabama contend that Lanier was not authorized for recreational purposes. Lanier contributes $1 – $2 billion to the North Georgia economy. Major water level draw downs (i.e. the 2007- 2008 drought) negatively affect that economic engine. We hope that Georgia will pass a resolution that supports a US Congressional authorization for recreation on Lake Lanier as an official purpose.

One of Governor Perdue’s initiatives as part of his task force on water alternatives is to investigate additional reservoirs in Georgia for water supply. For the past 3 years, LLA and the Georgia legislature have been driving for a 2 foot increase in the full pool level of Lanier (from 1071 to 1073 feet above sea level), thereby creating a new 26 – 27 billion gallon reservoir for the state (larger than Lake Seminole). This could be accomplished rapidly and implemented for modest costs. A resolution passed in the Georgia legislature in 2007 called for investigation into the possibility of 1073 as a strategy for additional water supply in the State. We ask that the Georgia legislature again pass a resolution that encourages the US Congress and the Corps to implement 1073 as “normal pool” water level for Lake Lanier.

Thank you in advance for your support of Lake Lanier and the economy of North Georgia.

Sincerely, V. M. Perry, Jr. Executive Vice President, LLA Lake Lanier Association Executive Summary

Copies of the letter were also sent to our federal lawmakers, Governor Perdue and Corps officials:

• Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle
• Speaker David Ralston
• Senator Lee Hawkins
• Representative Amos Amerson
• Representative Mark Burkhalter
• Representative Mark Hamilton
• Representative Tom Knox
• Representative James Mills
• Representative Bobby Reese
• Representative Carl Rogers
• Senator Jack Murphy
• Senator David Shafer
• Senartor Chip Pearson