For Immediate Release:  

May 15, 2012

 Corps Suspends Permits and pursues Water Safey at Lake Lanier 

 Park Rangers at Lake Lanier are preparing for another busy recreation season while the water level at Lake Lanier continues to decline as drought conditions persist throught the southeast. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will curtail some of its operations.

 On May 20, 2012, USACE will suspend evaluations of permit requests for new private docks received under the lottery system and requests for upgrades to existing private docks. This action is in response to a number of serious boating accidents and water-related deaths on Lake Lanier this year. USACE is refocusing all available park ranger staff to promote water safety through one-on-one contact with lake visitors.

 “We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but it is important to be able to shift available staff to assist project visitors during the peak recreation season. We expect that we will need all available park rangers until some point after the Labor Day Holiday period,” said Lisa Coghlan, Deputy Public Affairs Officer.

 For additional information contact USACE at 770-945-9531.