Article by Chris Lovelady

The facilities inspection program is designed to correct and prevent unsightly private facilities along the shoreline of Lake Lanier on public lands. This program will be rolled out over the next several years as we renew dock permits and conduct inspections.

As you know, all permitted facilities must be operated, used and maintained by the permit holder in a safe, healthful condition at all times.

In addition, at the time of permit renewal, change of ownership or at the discretion of the Corps of Engineers' Operations Manager, all permittees will be required to contract the services of a corps-trained inspector to conduct an inspection. The inspector must be a candidate- or higher-level inspector who has passed all written exams and continues to meet the requirements for either the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI).

The job of the inspector is to report on the current condition of any structures on the shoreline and public lands to ensure that the site is in compliance with the permit conditions, the Shoreline Management Plan and the Code of Federal Regulations.

The inspectors will complete a Corps of Engineers inspection report for the permit holder that details any deficiencies noted. The inspector will work with the permit holder to assure that any deficiencies are corrected before issuing the final certification needed before the permit can be reissued.

The goal is to work with the permit holders in improving unsightly or unsafe facilities while addressing the possible long-term affects on the preservation of the lakes shoreline. We are also working to assure that all facilities are in compliance with the written permits and resolve any variances that have not been approved.

Once an inspection has been done and deficiencies have been cited, the permit holder is required to make the corrections in a reasonable amount of time. If no action is taken, the permit will not be renewed and the unauthorized facilities must be removed from public property.

The final determination of compliance or noncompliance will rest with the Operations Manager or his designee who may require a second opinion from another inspector 

It's important to note that the costs of these inspections will be born by the permit holder. Additionally, any costs associated with the submission of full application package, including certifications, will also be the responsibility of the permit holder.

The Corps of Engineers will work with inspectors, offering the required training sessions at the corps' Operations Managers Office. Inspectors will be trained to perform these facility inspections and will be familiar with the corps requirements, boundary identification and permit conditions.

If a permit holder decides to replace an existing dock, he or she must request an appointment with a ranger to discuss the size and location. Once the approval has been given to build the replacement structure and the existing structure has been removed, the permit holder may install the facility anytime within the five-year permit period.

The Corps of Engineers is interested in working with property owners adjacent to public lands around Lake Lanier. Complete information is posted here.

In 2004, the US Army Corps of Engineers published a new Environmental Impact Statement and Shoreline Management Plan outlining their policies.  The following Corps articles from Lakeside News are reprinted here with the kind permission of Lakeside Publishing.