Rich Stern
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,618
- Reaction score
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Rep. Charlie Norwood of Georgia's 9th congressional district, has introduced a bill (HR 2753, link below) to have the Army Corp of Engineers cede federal lands above the full pool line of Lakes Hartwell, Russel and Strom Thurmond to the local counties.
IMO, bad idea. (In the interest of full disclosure: I own a lakeside cabin adjacent to land managed by the COE)
I have been very impressed with how the COE manages lakes. The natural beauty is preserved, inexpensive power gets generated, floods are controlled, reservoirs are maintained, and citizens enjoy many recreational opportunities. An example of a successful federal program that serves it's stated purpose and benefits millions of people. In other words, a rare success.
If the local counties in Georgia and South Carolina gain control of this land, it will become a development free-for-all. The local governments have no experience managing this land, and cannot possibly be expected to maintain the balance of interests the COE has done so well for decades. Each county will take a different approach, and the lakes will experience the impact of widely differing policies that will unpredictably impact the local economy, environment, residents and visitors.
If you think you might be impacted by this change, I urge you to read the bill and send your comments to Rep. Norwood.
Link to the proposed bill:
http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr2753.html
Link to Rep. Norwood's House web site:
http://www.house.gov/norwood/
IMO, bad idea. (In the interest of full disclosure: I own a lakeside cabin adjacent to land managed by the COE)
I have been very impressed with how the COE manages lakes. The natural beauty is preserved, inexpensive power gets generated, floods are controlled, reservoirs are maintained, and citizens enjoy many recreational opportunities. An example of a successful federal program that serves it's stated purpose and benefits millions of people. In other words, a rare success.
If the local counties in Georgia and South Carolina gain control of this land, it will become a development free-for-all. The local governments have no experience managing this land, and cannot possibly be expected to maintain the balance of interests the COE has done so well for decades. Each county will take a different approach, and the lakes will experience the impact of widely differing policies that will unpredictably impact the local economy, environment, residents and visitors.
If you think you might be impacted by this change, I urge you to read the bill and send your comments to Rep. Norwood.
Link to the proposed bill:
http://www.theorator.com/bills108/hr2753.html
Link to Rep. Norwood's House web site:
http://www.house.gov/norwood/
