Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission
Annual Report Presented to: Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Public Statement of Purpose
"The following statement is for informational purposes only. The Mountain Island
Lake Marine Commission was established through a Joint Resolution of Gaston,
Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties consistent with enabling legislation approved by the State in 1997. The Commission's authority includes all matters relating to or affecting the use of Mountain Island Lake and its shoreline to 1,000 feet from full pond level (which is 648 feet above sea level). The Commission's authority however is subject to all supervening provisions of law and may not conflict with or supersede provisions of general or special acts or regulations of State or higher government agencies promulgated under the authority of general law.
The Commission strives to preserve and protect water quality, to preserve and protect property, to preserve and protect wildlife, and to protect and promote public safety for matters relating to, 01' affecting the use of, Mountain Island Lake in the best interest of all citizens and property owners in all three counties. The
Commission will consider all matters in accordance with this purpose.
(Footnote: The above statement is read prior to opening the "Public Comment Section" of every Commission meeting and prior to opening any "Pubic Hearing".) Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission
Post Office Box 35008 • Charlotte, North Carolina 28235 Phone (704) 348-2736 • Fax (704) 347-4710 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.marinecommission.com
Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission Approved 2010 Meeting Schedule Meetings Begin at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday January 6,2010 Lincoln County Wednesday February 3, 2010 Mecklenburg County' Wednesday March 3, 2010 Gaston County Wednesday April?,2010 Lincoln County Wednesday May 5,2010 Mecklenburg County Wednesday June 2,2010 Gaston County Wednesday JuIY?,2010 Lincoln County Wednesday August 4, 2010 Mecklenburg County Wednesday September 1, 2010 Gaston County Wednesday October 6, 2010 Lincoln County Wednesday November 3,2010 Mecklenburg County . Wednesday December 1, 2010 Gaston County
All meeting dates and locations are subject to change. Questions regarding Marine Commission meeting dates and times or persons with disabilities requiring assistance should contact Annette Demeny at (704) 348-2736.
Gaston County Lincoln County Mecklenburg County
Cowan's Ford Charlotte-Mecklenburg Mount Holly City Hall Country Club Utilities (CMU) 400 East Central Ave 761 Club Drive 5100 Brookshire Blvd. Mount Holly, NC Stanley, NC Charlotte, NC MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE MARINE COMMISSION 'Veb Site: www.mal.inecommission.com
Gaston County Mecklenburg County Tim Eldridge Skip Hudspeth 503 Lakehaven Drive 11130 Johnson Davis Rd Mt. Holly, NC 28120 Huntersville, NC 28078 H: (704) 827-8077 H: (704) 875-1672 B: (704) 962-8071 M: (704) 641-2118 Email: [email protected] F: (704) 973-0088 (TelmExpires: 9/30/2012) Email: [email protected] (Telm Expires: 9/30/2012) Pam Beck (Chairman) Tim R. Bishop 405 Nivens Cove Road 12462 Preservation Pointe Drive Mount Holly, NC 28120 Charlotte, NC 28216 B: (704) 827-8351 H: (704) 394-3276 F: (704) 827-4298 B: (704) 591-1335 M: (704) 674-4228 Email: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] (Term Expires: 9130/2010) (Term Expires: 9/30/20 II) Staff Ann Danzi Annette Demeny (SecretarylTreasurer) (Executive Administrator) 513 Stonewater Bay Lane Post Office Box 35008 Mount Holly, NC 28120 1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 450 H: (704) 820-0891 Charlotte, NC 28235-5008 E-mail: [email protected] B: (704) 348-2736 (Term Expires: 9/30/2010) F: (704) 347-4710 M: (980) 241-1759 Lincoln County E-mail: [email protected] Craig R. Wyant, RLAlSWS 1960 Chapman-Wyant Lane Chris Clark, Lincolnton, NC 28092 (Legal Counsel) B : (704) 240-0793 Tillman Wright, PLLC Email: [email protected] 11325 N. Community House Rd (Term Expires 9/30/2012) Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28277 Mecklenburg COllnty B: (704) 837-0055 Alice Battle F: (704) 644-8967 (Vice Chairman) E-mail: [email protected] 2227 Coral Valley Road Charlotte, NC 28214 H: (704) 392-5361 M: (704) 617-7186 E-mail: [email protected] (Term Expires: 9/30/2011)
Revised October 2009 { 'I Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission
OPERATIONAL PLAN
Submitted by:
Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission Operational Plan Subcommittee
• Vice-Chairman Daniel DuVall • Commissioner Ann Danzi • Commissioner Gregory L. Shelton
Approved 8/13/2005 • Published 9/612005 ) INDEX PAGE HEADING
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMMISSION 3
PUBLIC STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 7
PURPOSE I - Water Quality 8 Ii II PURPOSE II - Wildlife 9 II i ~ PURPOSE III - Property 10 li I, PURPOSE IV - Safety 12 I' I POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 13 I GENERAL BUSINESS & ADMINISTRATION 17
BUDGET & FINANCE 19
SPREADSHEET FOR ANNUAL BUDGET (Attachment A)
COMMISSION OFFICIAL DUTIES (Attachment B)
ONGOING PROJECTS (Attachment C)
• 2 Brief History of Mountain Island Lake and the Commission
Mountain Island Lake was formed in 1924 with the construction of Mountain
Island Dam. The Lake, which forms part of the Catawba River chain, Is located below
Lake Norman and above Lake Wylie. Although it has a surface area of 3,281 acres and a shore line distance of 61 miles, less than two thirds of the Lake's acreage is usable by I power boats and most power assisted sail boats for cruising. The Lake is approximately
14 miles long. Mountain Island Lake is the third smallest lake of all of the lakes along the 200 miles of the Catawba River basin and is located just 20 minutes from 'T Square," I the center of Uptown Charlotte. The Lake has over 4,000 acres of protected land plus
Latta Park Nature Preserve, a major City park, is located on the lake as well.
Providing a dependable water supply for Mount Holly, Gastonia and Charlotte
Mecklenburg, North Carolina for over forty years, Mountain Island. Lake currently
provides drinking water to 800,000 water connections which serves an estimated
1,200,000 million people daily. This number is going to increase to over 1,500,000 in the
near future.
The Lake supports Duke Power's Rlverbend Steam Station by cooling the water that drives the turbines. While it is also a major source of recreational boating, fishing and wildlife protection, the Lake's primary value to the communities of Lincoln, Gaston and Mecklenburg counties is to provide drinking water.
The Lake is the most regulated lake on the Catawba River. No commercial . services are allowed. There are as of July 15, 2005 an estimated 4,000 homes located on the lake and there are approved plans for 380 new homes.
3 IIt I II The Commission was created in 1997 pursuant to enabling legislation passed by I i the North Carolina General Assembly. The legislation enabled Mecklenburg, Gaston /'I and Lincoln Counties to create the Commission, by joint resolution, to address safety II and environmental issues on the Lake. i Counties appoint the seven marine commissioners, three each from Mecklenburg I and Gaston and one from Lincoln, who serve three year terms. Currently, the commissioners serve on a volunteer basis and receive no compensation. The II Commission employs an Executive Director to provide administrative and staff support I and Commission Counsel to provide legal advice. Currently the three counties provide most of the Marine Commission funding.
The Commission's enabling legislation grants the Commission jurisdiction within
1,000 feet of the full pond elevation contour of the Lake. Commissioners may pass regulations affecting the use of the Lake that is subject to all supervening provisions of law and may not conflict with or supersede provisions of general or special acts or regulations of State or other higher governmental a.gencies promulgated under the authority of general law.
The Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission is considered a unit of local government. Its monthly business meetings are open to the public. The Commission is guided by its Statement of Purpose and Basic Operating Plan.
4 Why is Mountain Island Lake So Important?
Mountain Island Lake is an irreplaceable natural resource that is essential
for sustaining livable communities in our region. The Lake serves as the raw
drinking water supply for over 800,000 connections in both Gaston and
Mecklenburg Counties, including the cities of Charlotte, Gastonia and Mount
Holly, as well as the towns of Dallas, Ranlo, McAdenville, Cramerton, Lowell and
Stanley, North Carolina and Clover, South Carolina.
An average of 103 million gallons of water a day (mgd) is pumped from three (3) intake structures located on the lake operated by the cities of Charlotte,
Gastonia and Mount Holly. Plans are to increas~ the rate of water withdrawal from the Lake in the future as the population of Gaston and Mecklenburg
Counties continues to increase. In addition to its vital importance as a drinking water supply reservoir, the Lake also serves as a major recreational area for our region and provides habitat for a variety of unique and even endangered species of flora and fauna.
Currently Mountain Island Lake has excellent water quality; however, as the area around the Lake continues to develop, the sources of water pollUtion will increase as will the potential for negative water quality impacts. Currently, 24% of the Lake's 69 square mile watershed has been developed and 13.4% of the land is publicly owned and will not be developed, which leaves 62.6% or approximately 43 square miles of watershed area currently open to development in Lincoln, Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties. The manner in which this land is
5 () developed and .the effectiveness of future efforts to control pollution sources will determine whether excellent water quality conditions can be maintained, which is
essential for the continued use of the Lake as a drinking water supply and
important recreational and wildlife area. I
It is our responsibility to protect those using the Lake, balance the needs I of growth and protect this resource to the betterment of our health and
environment. The most effective way of accomplishing these goals is through I
education and regional partnerships with all stakeholders.
)
!I ,f' II
III • i II 6 I I i Ii 'i fi I' I ------"----'- ,
Public Statement of Purpose
"The following statement is for informational purposes only. The Mountain
Island Lake Marine Commission was established through a Joint Resolution of
Gaston, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Counties consistent with enabling legislation
approved by the State in 1997. The Commission's authority includes all matters
relating to or affecting the use of Mountain Island Lake and its shoreline to 1,000 feet from the full pond level (which is 648 feet above sea level). The
Commission's authority however is subject to all supervening provisions of law and may not conflict with or supersede provisions of general or special acts or regulations of State or higher government agencies promulgated under the I t authority of general law. I The Commission strives to preserve and protect water quality, to preserve I i l., and protect property, to preserve and protect wildlife, and to· protect and promote I public safety for matters relating to, or affecting the use of, Mountain Island Lake I in the best interest of all citizens and property owners in all three counties. The
Commission will consider all matters in accordance with this purpose."
(Footnote: The above stat~ment is read prior to opening the 'Public Comment Section" of every Commission meeting and prior to opening any "Public Hearing. ")
7 Statement of Purpose I • Preserve and Protect Water Quality - To ensure Mountain Island Lake is able to continue to supply drinking water to the hundreds of thousands of
people who depend on the lake annually, which is achieved primarily by
. evaluating reports concerning environmental monitoring and responding, as is
deemed necessary, to potential opportunities and problems. The Commission
may initiate action to capitalize on opportunities or alleviate problems relating to
water quality.
The Commission works with other groups, organizations and/or
stakeholders to address water quality, including, but not limited to:
Mecklenburg Board of County Gaston Board of County Commissioners Commissioners I Lincoln Board of County Lake Norman Marine Commission • Commissioners Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Gaston County Sheriff
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Lincoln County Sheriff Commission Mecklenburg County Land Use and Mecklenburg County Parks and Environmental Services Recreation
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Charlotte Engineering and Property Department Management
Mountain Island Lake Cove keepers Duke Power
Lake Wylie Marine Commission
'f il • II 8 I il I' ) ! j Statement of Purpose II Protect and Promote Public Safety - Determine the need for, I
install and ensure maintenance of safety markers on the water such as I navigational buoys, no wake buoys and danger buoys. Off the lake present I - general lake safety information, promote boating safety, and work with NC
legislature to obtain responsible boating regulations. This is achieved primarily by
general monitoring, responding to changing conditions, working with
stakeholders, and educating the public.
The Commission works with other groups, organizations and/or stakeholders to address public safety, including, but not limited to: I Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Gaston County Sheriff ( North Carolina Wildlife Resources Lincoln County Sheriff • Commission Mecklenburg County Parks and Mecklenburg County Land Use and Recreation Environmental Services
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Charlotte Engineering and Property Department Management f i Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers United States Coastguard Auxiliary I Lighthouse Service f,
• 9 Statement of Purpose III
Preserve and Protect Property - There are four types of property on Mountain Island Lake:
(a) Hundreds of acres of protected woodland covered by thousands of old forest trees which provide enormous tree canopy. This tree canopy is the first line of defense for clean water.
(b) Hundreds of acres that make up the residential areas on the lake.
(c) Hundreds of acres that may be developed in the future.
(d) Hundreds of acres that are declared flood plain areas.
Currently, neither Duke Power nor any other authority permits .commercial properties such as marinas, gas docks or restaurants on the Lake.
Protection of property is achieved primarily by evaluating reports on environmental monitoring and working with and educating stakeholders, particularly on storm water treatment and erosion control. The Commission also fosters conservation and works to increase the amount of land set aside.in protected conservancy.
l, il ,;1
10 The Commission works with other groups, organizations and/or stakeholders to preserve and protect property, including, but not limited to:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. Gaston County Sheriff
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Lincoln County Sheriff Commission
Mecklenburg County Parks and Mecklenburg County Land Use and Recreation Environmental Services
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Charlotte Engineering and Property Department Management
Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Duke Power
Lake Wylie Marine Commission Lake Norman Marine Commission
11 I, Statement of Purpose IV I I Preserve and Protect Wildlife· To provide necessary environment IIi for the wildlife of the air, land and water to continue to prosper and provide area II
residents the golden opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habit. A healthy 11 I, aquatic and wildlife population is the primary score card for water quality. This is
achieved primarily by evaluating reports on environmental monitoring and
responding as is deemed necessary to potential opportunities and problems. The
Commission may initiate action to capitalize on opportunities or alleviate
problems relating to wildlife.
The Commission works with other groups, organizations and/or stakeholders to address issues relating to wildlife. Some of the groups that support the Commission under this purpose include, but are not limited to: .
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers Commission
Mecklenburg County Parks and Mecklenburg County Land Use and
Recreation Environmental Services I
Charlotte Engineering and Property I Management I ,I I I
Ii
12 . Powers of the Commission ·l 1. Jurisdiction. The Commission's jurisdiction includes Mountain
Island Lake and the area within Gaston, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties lying
within 1,000 feet of the full pond elevation contour of Mountain Island Lake.
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 77-70,77.
2. Regulatory Authority. The General Assembly defined the
Commission's power broadly to "make regulations applicable to Mountain Island
Lake and its shoreline area concerning all matters relating to or affecting the use
of Mountain Island Lake." N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-77(a). However, the Commission
may not make regulations that conflict with or supersede provisions of general or
special acts or regulations of State agencies promulgated under the authority of
general law. N.C. Gen. Stat. §77-77(a). Thus, the Commission should consider,
among others, the regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Resources
before making new regulations. [In theory, the Commission may exercise
authority relating to matters governed by other local governmental bodies, such
as zoning.] However, the Commission should exercise its authority judiciously ,.. and avoid unnecessary conflicts with other agencies or boards.
13 3. Authorized Actions. The Commission is expressly authorized by
the General Assembly and by the three counties to undertake the following 'j
actions and activities:
(a) Hire permanent or temporary staff (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-75(a)(1));
(b) Contract for property or seryices with State or federal agencies,
private persons, firms, corporations, or others
(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 77-75(a)(2) - (4));
(c) Lease, rent, or purchase office space (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-
75(a)(5»;
(d) Lease, rent, or purchase furniture, boats, vehicles, firearms,
uniforms or other supplies necessary or desirable
(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-75(a)(5»;
(e) Acquire docks, navigation aids, markers, signs, notices, and other
items (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-75(a)(6»; and
(f) Hire special officers to patrol and enforce the laws on Mountain
Island Lake and its shoreline area. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-78(b);
Joint Resolution, ~ 7).
4. Procedure for Enacting Regulations. In order to enact a new
regulation, the Commission must: :1 \i (a) Publish notice of a public hearing in a newspaper of general II j circulation in the three counties; if . ,il (b) Publish the notice at least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing; i I • and 'I 14 f
(c) Conduct a public hearing.
In lieu of or in addition to passing regulations supplementary to State law
and regulations concerning the operation of vessels on Mountain Island Lake, the
Commission may, after public notice, request that the Wildlife Commission pass
local regulations on this subject in accordance with the procedure established by
appropriate State law.
5. Effective Date of Regulations. The regulations of the Commission
take effect upon passage or upon dates set forth in the regulations. However,
the new regulation may not be enforced unless adequate notice of the regulation
has been posted in or on Mountain Island Lake or its shoreline area. If the
regulation affects only a particular location, notice may be by a sign, uniform
waterway marker, posted notice, or other such method. If the regulation applies
generally to Mountain Island Lake or its shoreline area, notice must be posted in f at least three different places throughout the area and it must be printed in a ! newspaper of general circulation in the three counties. N. C. Gen. Stat. § 77- J
77(c).
6. Publication of Regulations. A copy of each regulation must be filed by the Commission with the following persons:
(a) Secretary of State;
(b) The clerks of Superior Court of Gaston, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg
Gounties; and
(c) The Executive Director of the Wildlife Commission.
7. Penalties for Violating Regulations. The violation of any regulation
15 I of the Commission commanding or prohibiting an act constitutes a Class 3 misdemeanor. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 77-77(b).
8. Existing Regulations. Resolutions. and Other Acts. As of August 1, , [I 2004, the regulations or resolutions or other acts approved by the Commission include the following: II ! (a) Resolution Requesting the Local Governments with Zoning ,II Authority on Mountain Island Lake Adopt Additional Water Quality
Measures (Oct. 2, 2002);
(b) Regulations Prohibiting the Possession of Grass Carp on Mountain
Island Lake. (Oct. 2, 2002);
(c) Motor Boating and Personal Watercraft Safety and Educational
Regulations. (Apr. 4, 2001);
(d) Mountain Island Lake Lake Buoy Interlocal Agreement. (Aug. 18,
2004); and
(e) Administrative Rules of the Mountain Island Lake Marine
Commission.
16 I ..... General Business and Administration
This section outlines the number and level of tasks needed to support the Marine
Commission in performing its' annual tasks. The Commission is an official
agency and must therefore comply with state reporting regulations. The
Commission strives for accountability, effectiveness and efficiency. The cost of
each must be determined for the budget.
(a) Meetings
(b) Agendas
(c) Minutes
(d) Record Filing
(e) Communications and notices to Commissioners
(f) Communications and notices to groups and the general public " (g) General Accounting and Budget management tasks. (h) Review of current governing documents and by laws.
(i) Media Relations
(j) Management of Vendor/Contract Services
(k) Orientation of new Commissioners
Copy of the Base Operational Plan
Orientation packages
Tour of the lake
Website
17 (I) Research for answers to internal and external questions and
situations.
(m) Job descriptions of the Chairman Vice Chairman· Secretary-
Treasurer, Commissioners and Executive Director ( see Attachment
B).
(n) Develop and maintain MILMC web site.
18 J
Budget and Finance I
On this page the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commissioners will identify and determine the annual operating budget needed to accomplish the annual base tasks of the Marine Commission. This page will also outline how a new task, expanded task or a decrease in a task or dollars will be budgeted or affect the budget. This section in tum will guide the Mountain Island Marine Commissioners as to what is considered priority in the budget and how tasks will be increased or decreased by the outcome of the final budget.
(a) Budget outline, heading and categories.( See attachment A);
(b) Budget priorities - The first four budget priority Items are the four
statements of purpose and the tasks that must be preformed to
accomplish these purposes. The remaining budget priorities Vlill be
determined by the level of support needed to successfully accomplish
other tasks as directed by the marine commission;
(c) . General Accounting - payables, collections;
(d) New Tasks will be added as an individual line item once they have been
approlled by the Commission;
(e) Increases line items will be entered as an individual line item immediately
below the original line item once they have been approved by the
commission allowing individual line item to be monitored; and
(f) Decreases in the budget will need an entry of explanation about the
decrease and must be approved by the commisSion.
19 ---=-~-==--".
ATTACHMENT A Maunu,," !.!.nd Man"" CommisSion Ca:;h Flow Report TOTAL&' J~ly ~"Il"'~ Ul" 11.GIlI year MOIIUI BUDGET Moo:l ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SO.OO ~0.00 $0.00 SMO $0.00 To a...ool STATEMENT OF PURPOSE PROJECT EXPENSE PRESeRVE AND PROTECT WATER OUALITY $0.00 50.00 $0.00 SO.OO ",00 HydrlUa • Or."" Carp $0.00 $0.0<1 so.oo so 00 SO.OO SO.OO SO.DD SO.OO PRESERVE AND PROTECT W1LDUFE $.0.00 $0.00 $0.00 W,O{) SO.OO SO.DO SO.OO So.oO $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 "'.00 0.00% PRESERVE ANe PROTC.CT PROPERTY SO,OO SO.OO $0.00 $0,00 $0.00 SO.OO $0.00 $0.00 SO.OO $0.00 50.00 SO.OO SO,OO $0,00 PRES(;RVE PROTECT II. PROMOTE pUIlUC SAFar\' $0.00 SO.OO $0.00 SO.OO $003.70 $0.00 ~, SO.oo SC-OO :>45:1.10 $0.00 SO.oo ".00 S1~0.00 so.OO .. SO.OO $0.00 $(1.00 SO.OO $0.00 SO,OO $0.00 $0.00 ~O.OO SO.OO .OM SO.OO $0.00 SO.OO "'00 alu. Fin AWard SO.OO $0.00 ..... $0.00 SOOO $0.00 $0.00 SO.OO SO.OO ".00 SO.OO S1oo.00 $100.00 SO.OO SPECIAL PROJECTS $0.00 $0,00 SO.OO so.oo SO.OO SO.OO SMO SO.OO so.oo $0.00 SO.oO $0.00 11.00% SPECiAl PROO~ "" stl,OO stl,QO so.oo so.oo $O.~O SO.OO SO.OO $0.00 SO.OO SO.OO SO.OO $0.00 "'... PURJ>O~ PROJECT EXl"eN5E TOTAL SO.QO SO.OO $453.70 SO.OO 50.00 S150.00 $0.00 SO,OO SO.OO $0.00 S100.00 $703.70 SO.OO (S70J.70) GENERAL nUSlNESS & ADMIN t!XpfNSt:. ,... so.oo " SO.OO SO.OO $0.00 "' ".00 SO.OO so.oo $0.00 SO.CO SO.OO ~o.oo 0.011% ... " ... $0.00 $0.00 0.00% &rIl TOTAL IOXPfN3f $200 52.1Xl $7,700.;1;1 $4,11413 SO.OO SO.OO $150.00 $0.00 SO.oo $0.00 50.00 S100.00 S12,577 4~ TOTAL INCOME; S100,57 SQS7 512,996,11 SO.OO SO.oo SO 00 $OOD SO.OO SO.OO sO.oo SO.OO SO.OO $13,09731 $32,553,69 NET INCOME $00.57 ($1.43) $5,2at1.M l$4.714.13) SO.OO SO,OO ($150.00) 50.00 so,OO SO.OO $0.00 ($\00.00) SoI19.a5 ($45,231.15) Attachment B Official Duties Chainnan. The Chairman shall preside over all meetings of the Commission and shall execute other duties and euthority as otherwise set out in the joint ordinance creating the Commission or these Bylaws or in Resolutions of the Commission. The Chairman shall also have authority to execute such instruments, contracts or other documents in the name of the Commission, as herein set out or as otherwise authorized. In general, he or she shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chairman and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Commission from time to time. Vice Chainnan. The Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman when the Chairman is absent or unavailable for the performance of his or her duties. In addition, the Vice Chairman shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the I Chairman shall prescribe. The Vice Chairman shall also act as custodian of the r Commission's Base Operating Plan and attachments. Secretary-Treasurer. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep accurate records of the acts and proceedings of all meetings of the Commission. He or she shall give all notices required by law and by these Bylaws. The Secretary-Treasurer shall have general char~ie and custody of the records and of the Commission, and he or she shall affix the corporate seal to any lawfully executed instrument requiring it. He or she shall have general charge and custody of the records of the Commission, shall sign such ,-. co __ .. _' __ -__ .-c,>-_,--' instruments as may require his or her signature, and, in general, shall perform all duties I . incident to the office of Secretary-Treasurer and such other duties as may be assigned I by the Chairman. As Treasurer, he or she shall have custody of all funds belonging to the Commission and shall receive, deposit and disburse the same under the direction of the Commission. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of the finances of the Commission in books especially provided for that purpose; and he or she shall cause a yearly audit to be made and a true statement of its assets and liabilities as of the close of each fiscal year and of the results of its operations for such fiscal year to issue. Commissioner. The Commissioners shall work in the best interest of Mountain Island Lake as members of the Commission, guided by the Statement of Purpose, the enabling legislation, the joint resolution of the three counties, and the Base Operating Plan. Commission Counsel. The Commission's Counsel is responsible for reviewing the legal aspects of the Marine Commission's work. Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for the administrative I I i implementation of the marine commission including: planning monthly meetings, i insuring regulatory and financial compliance, researching and reporting to the commission on issues as directed by the commission. Duties Include: I ! Plan and coordinate up to 12 monthly meetings, 2 joint meetings and special work sessions. I Training sessions for new marine commissioners. Maintain the Commission's website I Maintain the official records of the Marine Commission Represent the Marine Commission at specific projects and functions as directed I I I by chairman and/or commission. Serve as liaison between the Marine Commission and agencies such as Duke Power, N. C. Wildlife and local law enforcement agencies as directed by I chairman and/or commission. i j Receive and timely respond to calls from the public on a variety of lake related issues and inform the Commission of those issues and provide the callers with I the names of the commissioners in their counties. . Coordinate the installation of No Wake Zone& Directional Buoys. I Consult with and Coordinate through the Secretaryri"reasurer all billing~ invoices, reports and financing accounting. Coordinate with legal council. Other tasks and efforts as directed by the chairman and/or commission. 'Mounfain 9sfanlt.ak 'Marine Commission ACCOMPLISHMENTS ENVIRONMENTAL AQUATIC WEED MANAGEMENT - Duke Energy and the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission (MILMC) were approved to stock herbivorous sterile Asian Grass Carp to control the invasive aquatic plant Hydrilla, in Mountain Island Lake. Stocking of 500 Carp took place in spring 2009. Before the addition of significant numbers of grass carp into Mountain Island Lake in 2002, there were approximately 1000 acres of hydrilla infestation in the lake. Due to the aggressive reproductively strategy of this invasive plant by producing numerous rhizome tubers 2 to 6 inches deep in the bottom sediments, there remains today 1000 acres of potential hydrilla re-growth in the lake. Hydrilla tubers can lay dormant and protected in the soil for long periods of time, up to 10 years. Because Mountain Island Lake provides most of the drinking water supply for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Gastonia region, as well as cooling water for Riverbend Electrical generating station, continuous grass carp pressure is required to suppress potential re-growth of this plant from the extensive existing tuber bank in the bottom sediments. Typically, 25% to 35% of the sterile carp die each year. At the current rate of stocking, there is a calculated gradual annual reduction of the grass carp population in the lake. By 2012 to 2015 the goal is to have approximately 500 - 1000 grass carp in the lake continuously. This prudent strategy reasonably protects not only the drinking water supply and power reduction intakes mentioned, but also the public health, recreational, esthetic and wildlife value of the lake. Mountain ?sfanl f'.ah Marine Commission BIG SWEEP -Working together with volunteers, the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, Covekeepers, the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commissioners, and Duke Energy, 1.5 tons of trash was cleared from the shores and waters of Mountain Island Lake. Big Sweep is held annually in October to clean up trash and debris from our valuable water source. Besides the usual collection of bottles and cans, the cleanup crew also gathered a baby stroller, four barbeque grills, tires, clothing, batteries, butane fuel containers, and gas cans. BLUE FIN AWARD - The annual Blue Fin Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that goes above and beyond to make Mountain Island Lake a cleaner and safer place for us all. The 2009 Blue Fin Award recipient was Sergeant Charles McCants with the Gaston County Police Department. Sgt. McCants, through his proactive command and directives, has had a positive impact on Mountain Island Lake. He identified a language barrier within the Hispanic community and resolved this by translating the No Trespassing brochures into Spanish. He also proactively addressed the parking problems at the Riverbend Access Area. Sgt. McCants is supportive of the Gaston County Marine Unit and responsive to the concerns of the marine commission. Mountain 9sftmlt.ak Marine Commission PUBLIC SAFETY Buoy INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE - There are an estimated 145 buoys on Mountain Island Lake. These include No Wake Zone and Danger buoys approved by the MILMC, Duke Energy and NC Wildlife. Until July, 2009, the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department contracted with the Commission to install and maintain approved MILMC buoys. Recent county budget cuts shifted this duty to the MILMC, making the Commission solely responsible for the installation and constant maintenance of buoys. Public Safety is a priority on Mountain Island Lake, and navigation aids protect the safety of boaters. No Wake buoys also minimize shoreline erosion. Floatation Citation Program - Coordinating with Marine Law Enforcement agencies to support the Floatation Citation Program on Mountain Island Lake. This program was designed to reward children with a "coupon" for a free ice cream, drink, etc. from local businesses (i.e. Chick-fil-A) when children are spotted wearing their safety vests while on the lake. POST BOATING SAFETY RULES - Arranging with Duke Energy to post lake regulations on kiosks at area boat accesses. Mountain 9sfancf1'.ah Marine Commission BOATING SAFETY COURSES - Partnering with North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation to host the North Carolina Wildlife Boating Safety Course in Mount Holly. A new law will go into effect on May 1, 2010 requiring all vessel operators under the age of 26 to have completed the boating safety Education Course. The Commission is publicizing the new law and promoting the Boating Safety Course for all boaters. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT I MISCELLANEOUS JOINT MARINE COMMISSION MEETING - A joint marine commission meeting is scheduled annually with the Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie, and Lake Norman Marine Commissions. The purpose of this meeting is to bring together the three commissions to discuss issues on the Catawba River and offer ideas and/or solutions. The 2009 meeting was hosted by the Lake Wylie Marine Commission. Speakers included Amy Pickle, Senior Attorney with the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy at Duke University, and David Merryman, Catawba Riverkeeper. The 2010 annual meeting will be hosted by the Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission. ORGANIZATION INVOLVEMENT: • CATAWBA WATEREE BI-STATE COMMISSION • QUALITY OF NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION (QNRC) • REGIONAL STORMWATER PARTNERSHIP • NC WILDLIFE STEWARDS • CATAWBA RIVERKEEPER FOUNDATION