Shoreline Management Plan Survey

The SMP is the official document the Corps follows in many of its operations on Lake Lanier. It contains the rules that govern whether you can have a dock, what size and configuration and placement you must adhere to for that dock, and many of the details about how you must maintain the dock. But it goes way beyond that – it also governs what you can and can’t do to the shoreline itself, such as whether you can install steps to your dock, what types of shrubberies you’re allowed to plant, whether you can remove standing or fallen trees from the Corps land adjacent to your property, and what penalties the Corps can impose if you violate those rules (like revoking your dock permit for cutting down trees on Corps property without a permit).

Until now, those of us who are regulated by the SMP have had little or no input into the rules. Well, LLA is going to change that. We are going to solicit your input and present to the Corps a comprehensive report of recommended changes. And then we’re going to advocate for those changes – because getting the U. S. Army to change its rules is rarely accomplished just by asking politely.

The survey is open now, accepting feedback until September 1st through an online system that will facilitate our tabulating all the suggestions and counting how many people are in favor of each. And yes, only LLA members will be able to submit their input.