Newsletter
Currents on the Chattahoochee and Flint
Help The Hootch
Help the Hooch, the second Saturday in October, will be a time we can all help clean up our lakes. We are looking for volunteers on the lakes to coordinate the cleanup in their areas. Contact us if you would like to participate as a neighborhood coordinator.
Summer Boating
Memorial Day Weekend will kick off the beginning of the summer boating season. We look forward as we know you do to a fun and safe boating season on our lakes.
Blanton Creek Park
The summer season has finally arrived! Warm weather brings with it the opening of Blanton Creek Park on Lake Harding. Blanton Creek offers a variety of facilities to accommodate your outdoor recreation needs. In the park, visitors will find a day use picnic area, 50 full service campsites offering daily and weekly rates, a boat ramp, two pavilions available for large group outings and restroom facilities throughout the park. Blanton Creek Park will remain open for activities until September 28th. Season park passes which allow access to all day use facilities for the entire 2003 park season are only $35. For more information call 706-643-7737.
Antioch Volunteer Fire Department on the move
By now most of us have probably heard that one of our local fire stations, Antioch Volunteer Fire Department is currently in the process of raising funds and making plans to relocate due to road reconstruction. GA Power is helping this relocation by donating $5,000.00. Your help is still needed to construct the new fire station. If you would like to make a donation or find out how to become a volunteer fire fighter, please call Warren Popp at (706) 327-3363.
Forestry for Wildlife Partnership Program (FWP)
In December 2002, Georgia Power was recognized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Governor Roy Barnes for its participation in the Forestry for Wildlife Partnership Program for the 2000-2001 program year. This is the fourth year that we have been recognized for blending wildlife management with forestry management activities. Over 75,000 acres of company lands are included in this formal, comprehensive wildlife conservation partnership program.
It's Here! - Shoreline Management Guidelines
A new booklet with detailed information on our shoreline management plan, construction dimensions and the permitting process is available to all lessees and lake residents. Come by the office and pick up a copy.
The low down on the drawdowns
The Fall 2003 drawdown schedule for Lake Harding is shown below. Please remember these are target dates and may change as a result of rainfall, electricity demand, or equipment maintenance.
| October 6th | Start Down |
| October 10th | Down approx. 8ft |
| November 10th | Start Filling |
| November 14th | Lake at Full Pool |
For homeowners on Lake Harding, the Fall drawdown will be a great time for you to perform projects around your home and shoreline. Make sure that you receive approval from Georgia Power for these projects prior to beginning work. We recommend you start planning your projects now and submit your plans as soon as possible. July is not too early to submit your plans. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
*Goat Rock Lake Maintenance Drawdown*
Rock Lake will have a plant maintenance drawdown from November 3rd to November 7th. The lake will be down approximately 6 feet during this time.
Swim buoys
While swim buoys are allowed, they cannot be left unattended. These buoys are allowed for use when you or your guests are swimming. When swimmers leave the water, the buoys must be removed or relocated adjacent to the shoreline.
Swim buoys must be located within 50 feet of the shoreline and cannot interfere with the normal flow of boat traffic. Swim buoys cannot have the appearance of an enforceable buoy and must be constructed of professional grade material (no jugs, styrofoam, balls, etc.)
Two Tree Island Preservation
You may have noticed some work going on at Two Tree Island. The work is the result of several groups putting their resources together in an effort to preserve the island. We want to thank the Lake Harding Association for its contribution and we also want to express a special thanks to Scott Pinkard who initiated the project and contributed his personal time and money, and Clint Johnson who provided labor and equipment.
It is our hope that everyone coming to Lake Harding will be able to enjoy Two Tree Island for years to come.
Legal Documents
Around our lakes, we enter into different types of agreements with lessees and adjacent property owners. These agreements allow the lessees and adjacent property owners to build recreational structures such as a boathouse, dock, and seawall along the shoreline and, in the case of a lessee, a residential structure on a leased lot.
Different types of ownership around the lakes can be confusing. Maybe this will help.
Residential Lease
A residential lease is entered into between Georgia Power and the lessee for a lake lot owned in fee simple by Georgia Power. The term of the lease is 15 years.
Access Lease
An access lease is entered into between Georgia Power and the adjacent property owner where Georgia Power owns in fee simple a strip of land between the adjacent property owner and the lake. The term of the lease is 15 years.
License
A license is entered into between Georgia Power and the adjacent property owner where the adjacent property owner owns land in fee simple to the edge of the lake and Georgia Power owns rights along the shoreline. The term of the license is 15 years.
Lease Transfer Fees
Lease Transfer Fee as of January 1, 2003:
(1) Immediate family members - $250
(a) Husband to wife; Wife to husband
(b) Parent to sibling; Sibling to parent
(c) Brother to sister; Sister to brother
(2) To outside immediate family member
(a) Leases existing prior to January 1, 2003 - $1,500.00 transfer fee.
(b) Leases entered into after January 1, 2003 will contain a transfer fee of $3,000 in paragraph seven of lease.
(3) Early Renewal Fee - $250
A Vegetative What?
“Vegetative Buffer” is a term that is used on a regular basis in shoreline management, but what is it. A vegetative buffer at Georgia Power lakes is a 25 foot wide strip of land along the lakes' shorelines. Georgia Power protects this area from disturbance to protect water quality and the natural appearance of the lake.
Lessees and homeowners in Georgia please be aware that the state of Georgia has regulations that require a 25' buffer to remain undisturbed along waters of the state. Clearing of this buffer without a variance is a violation of state law.
Middle Chattahoochee Relicensing
The hydroelectric facilities of North Highland, Oliver and Goat Rock make up the Middle Chattahoochee Project. After 4 years of studies and consultation with agencies and interested stakeholders, Georgia Power filed an application with the FERC in December 2002 for a new operating license. We anticipate receiving a new license around the end of 2004. The new license may include new flow requirements and recreation enhancements.
4-wheelin Fun?
The Lake Harding drawdown will be taking place this Fall. The exposed shoreline looks like a great place for “4-WHEELIN,” But its not! The exposed shoreline is “off limits” to ATV use. Disturbing the soil around the shoreline can have a negative impact on the project resources. Safety is also a concern.
The Georgia DNR officers will be patrolling the shoreline and adjacent GPC property looking for illegal ATV use during the Fall drawdown. GPC appreciates your cooperation, respect and stewardship for the lake community.
For residential lessees
The gradual implementation of the tax assessment program to recover property tax payments will be fully realized this year. Homeowners on Georgia Power residential leased lots will be receiving a bill from the Company in June. Future assessment changes will be based upon changes in market value and/or changes in the millage rate. All annual lease bills and tax assessment bills sent to Georgia Power lessees now allows for a 60 day payment period.
