Over 250 members and guests attended the LHA annual meeting on October 19. In one of the best attended meetings in years, attendees heard a number of informative presentations on a variety of important subjects.
Over 250 members and guests attended the LHA annual meeting on October 19. In one of the best attended meetings in years, attendees heard a number of informative presentations on a variety of important subjects.
LHA President Joe Brenner started the meeting by presenting the first ever LHA Recognition Awards. George Rogers, Special Member Award winner, was recognized for his exceptional contribution to the 2006 lake clean-up effort. Wayne Gaskins received the LHA Emeritus Member Award for his 14 years of distinguished service to LHA. Mike Massey received the LHA Service Award for his visionary leadership of LHA.
President Brenner and various members of the LHA Board of Directors gave brief presentations about LHA activities recently completed or currently ongoing. Of significance were the efforts regarding the ongoing PCB reduction efforts discussed by Larry Dyck, Chairman of the Technical Committee, Joe Brenner’s review of LHA involvement in the GA Basin Advisory Council for the Savannah River watershed and the Legislative Committee’s efforts to monitor and respond to water related legislation in both GA and SC.
The new LHA navigation brochure was also announced and copies were available to all attendees. This brochure has already received very positive acceptance by the Hartwell Lake boating community for its ability to assist boaters in navigating the lake as well as providing other important information and emergency phone numbers for those in need. Thanks to LHA Director Dan Ray for this document.
Virgil Hobbs, Corps Operation Manager for Hartwell Lake, discussed highlights and primary revisions of the new Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) for the lake area as well as major revisions to the Savannah River Basin (SRB) Drought Plan. Both new plans are found on the LHA and/or the Corps websites. Members are urged to review both. There are many revisions that will affect Hartwell Lake permit holders – particularly with the SMP. Virgil also indicated that at the current amount of rainfall the lake level will continue to drop. Members can check the water projections on the Corps website.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Mr. Dean Moss, member of Governor Sanford’s South Carolina Savannah River Basin Advisory Council and General Manager of the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority. The Savannah River council was formed last year at the same time as a similar Georgia council formed by Georgia’s Governor Purdue. The purpose is for the two state agencies to study the issues and concerns as well as current and future needs of the Savannah River Basin water and work to develop a mutual agreement for future water allocation. Mr. Moss indicated that the main goal of both councils is to reach an agreement on future Savannah River water allocation for the two states. Mr. Moss explained that the initial challenge for both councils is that both states first need to resolve issues of salt water intrusion in the Savannah, GA, and Hilton Head, SC, areas as well as agreeing on how to decide on Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations as well. A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of specific types of pollutants that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. Mr. Moss explained each of the issues being negotiated and indicated there is still significant work to do in these areas before a fair allocation of water can be reached but that he believed good progress is being made.
The meeting ended with a question and answer period followed by awarding a number of great door prizes.