In the Lake Lanier Association's ongoing efforts to keep our lake clean and full, on October 26, 2007 the association submitted a Memorandum of Law to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, in support of the motion of the State of Georgia for Preliminary Injunction against the severe withdrawals from Lake Lanier by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

The Lake Lanier Association summarized its position as follows:

No basis in fact or law for the Corps' Interim Operating Plan's requirement of a 5,000 cubic feet per second flow at the Chattahoochee gauge, and that the flow should be reduced;

The Endangered Species act does not require more than the natural flow of the ACF to protect the mussels and sturgeon identified as being at risk.

The Corps is required to protect and balance all purposes for the construction of its facilities in the ACF as identified in their 1930's study and has not supported some of the purposes by increasing Lake Lanier's discharge in excess of its natural inflow.

The Lake Lanier Association also addresses the impact of the excessive releases on residents, businesses and boaters on Lake Lanier and included as an exhibit a copy of a study of Lake Lanier's economic impact of recreation as evaluated in a 2001 Marine Trade Association of Metro Atlanta (MTAMA) Study.

The entire Memorandum of Law is on the association's web site, www.lakelanier.org and accessible from the home page.

The Lake Lanier Association's board of directors continues to monitor this situation and will act in its ongoing efforts to protect Lake Lanier and represent the rights of its members.

Updates

More than 1300 volunteers, including hundreds of Boy and Girl Scouts, turned out on September 29 for the Lake Lanier Association's 19 th Annual Shore Sweep. The volunteers collected 42 tons of trash and Styrofoam at 14 sites around Lake Lanier.

The volunteers combed Lake Lanier's shoreline for five hours from 8 a.m . until 1 p.m. The most Styrofoam was collected this year by a concerted effort in Dawson County. Volunteers scouted out Styrofoam and other large objects on the shoreline in advance and organized groups to retrieve it and take it by boat to War Hill Park . The association thanks all sponsors, donors and especially the volunteers for their dedication and efforts.

The Lake Lanier 50th Anniversary cookbooks have arrived, and you can order yours in time for the holidays! Compiled by the Lake Lanier Association, the cookbook was originally started in 2005, and now has over 200 great recipes including your boating and picnic favorites and recipes from area restaurants. To order your cookbook, please go to our web site, http://www.lakelanier.org/ev_lla_cookbook.php

ANYONE REQUESTING OFFICIAL COMMENTS FROM THE LAKE LANIER ASSOCATION IS ASKED TO PLEASE CONTACT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING BOARD MEMBERS:

Jackie Joseph, President
Val Perry, Executive Vice President
Vicki Barnhorst, Executive Director

All can be reached by emailing lakeinfo@lakelanier.org

Learn more about the water quality issues facing Lake Lanier.