As you may have read, on July 9 a delegation of Georgia legislators met in DC with the Undersecretary of the Army to discuss Lake Lanier lake levels and the Corps' management of the lake. The Lake Lanier Association provided a presentation to the legislators who used it to form the basis of their discussions.

On July 16, members of the Lake Lanier board of directors organized a meeting with Brigadier General Schroedel with the Corps to discuss Lanier management. Representing the association were Jackie Joseph, President, Val Perry EVP, Wilton Rooks VP- Technology Programs, and Clyde Morris, LLA legal council. Also attending were John Heard, Georgia State House Representative, Gwinnett County, and Mr. Virgil Williams, Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

We began the discussion by making a short (10 – 15 minutes) presentation of our view of the Revised Interim Operating Plan's (RIOP) impact on Lake Lanier and suggested some modifications in the RIOP to help keep more water in the Lake.

The LLA is concerned that if the lakes south of Buford Dam (West Point and Walter F.George) become very low and the Flint River becomes low, that the Corps will again implement significant water releases from Lake Lanier and drive our level down to unacceptable levels. We feel that Lanier, with its major economic contribution to North Georgia, needs to have specific rules for water releases in order to maintain a reasonable level for water supply and recreation. We also suggested that for long range planning that this RIOP not be included in the Corps' new ACF water control plan. More details on these issues can be read in the July issue of our newsletter, Lanier Outlook.