President's Letter
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Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017 President’s Letter It is hard to believe that summer is over Earl Patton, Jr. who tragically lost his life in and it is fall once again. It seems that it was the 2011 tornado. The Patton Family only yesterday that the Lake Burton sky was expressed their appreciation to LBCA for lighted by brilliant fireworks for the 4th of honoring their loved one in such a special July, and now our lake is lighted by brilliant way. A debt of gratitude is owed to Andy colors of beautiful fall leaves. Anderson who so tirelessly worked to There were many happenings create this beautiful park for our enjoyment. sponsored by your Lake Burton Civic Please see the article by Lin Goen, Lake Janis Stapleton, Association in the spring and summer of Burton Park Chairperson, in this LBCA President 2017. The Lake Burton Clean-Up Day was newsletter. held on May 5. A huge thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers that came out on such a cold spring day. It is amazing how much trash was pulled out of the lake in various locations along the shoreline. Also, appreciation is extended to Georgia Power Company for their assistance in the cleanup, and to Waterfall Club for inviting the volunteers to lunch. Your help is always needed for our lake clean-up event. Don’t miss out on this great day of fun! Our 2017 LBCA Golf Tournament The LBCA Annual Meeting was held at was a huge success! Many thanks to Fred’s Shed on June 10. Six newly elected board members that represent you were Chairman, Ron Majors, his committee, and introduced along with 2 reelected officers. Waterfall Club for creating such a great day I personally thank all of the directors, of golf. For complete coverage on the officers and former presidents for their tournament, see Ron’s article in this service to LBCA. For a complete newsletter. introduction of our new directors, please The total solar eclipse on August 21 see the article in this newsletter. If you was truly amazing! The Rabun County would like to serve as an LBCA board Tourism Development Authority should be member, please notify Rhonda Roberge at [email protected] or myself. We will be happy commended on the “OutASight Eclipse Lake Burton Civic Association to talk to you about great opportunities for Festival” that was held at Rabun Gap- [email protected] Nacoochee School. LBCA was one of the www.lbca.net service. 706-782-4904 On July 2, 2018, the cabin at the Lake festival sponsors. This is a portion of your Post Office Box 1988 Burton Park was dedicated in memory of dues at work. Continued on next page Clayton, GA 30525-0050 Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017 President’s Letter Continued from previous page SAVE THE DATE!!! The 2018 that all profit realized from the LBCA continued support of him and his LBCA Tour of Homes will be held on Tour of Homes continues to improve team. He is especially appreciative of Saturday, June 23, 2018. Chairperson, the capabilities of the three volunteer the funding for the “Ride Along Leigh Welch and the Tour of Homes fire departments that protect your lake Program.” This program provides for Committee are already hard at work to property. a Rabun County Deputy to ride in the make sure that the 2018 home tour is Lake Burton will celebrate its boat, and assist the rangers as they very successful and enjoyable for our Centennial in 2020. The lake was patrol the lake. Also, the program guests. Leigh will be happy to sign you completely filled on August 18, 1920. provides for the red, green, and white up as a volunteer for one of the homes. LBCA member, Mike Maffett, has glow sticks that are given to boaters Contact her at [email protected]. volunteered to work on a history that do not have operating navi- Also, Ranny Whitney, Flotation project about Lake Burton and is gational lights, as well as for the new Brigade Chairman, and Cannon looking for volunteers to assist in blue lights for the patrol boat. Rhoads, Chairman-In-Training, are collecting historical data. Contact We hope that each of you will ready to sign up those willing to drive Mike at [email protected] to offer continue to support the LBCA with their boats. Or, if you cannot drive your assistance. A committee has your membership and will remember your boat that day, perhaps, you would been formed to plan the 100 year to pay your 2018 dues. allow a responsible boat driver to celebration of Lake Burton. Perhaps, Please be sure to read all of the captain your boat. Many pontoon or you would like to serve on this deck boats are needed to transport articles and updates in this newsletter committee and be a part of this great those attending to the homes. Email to keep you informed on the celebration. Ranny at [email protected]. happenings on Lake Burton. Please give consideration to volun- Great news! According to DNR teering and supporting this very Ranger First Class, Chad Chambers, important fund-raiser! It requires 2018 was another safe boating season many volunteers to staff this special on Lake Burton. Chad expressed event. We need your help! Remember appreciation to the LBCA for our Janis Stapleton Fire Station Update The shell for the new Fire Station #10, Lakes, has been completed. The new location for station #3, Persimmon/Tallulah has been secured and site planning is currently underway. Stay posted for further updates. Drawdown Schedule For 2017-18 November 1, 2017 – Begin drawdown to 7 feet below normal pool February 1, 2018 – Begin refilling March 1, 2018 – Back to within 5 feet of normal pool Garden Club The Lake Burton Garden Club has a Facebook page. Learn more about the garden club and enjoy the photos they’ve uploaded at: www.facebook.com/lakeburtongardenclub. Lake Burton November 2017 Civic Association Water Quality and Evironmental Report by Bill Russell Each quarter we try to update our origin. The key is doing what we can sentation from not only the lakes but readers as to any pertinent issues to reduce (and ideally eliminate) any also the Forestry Service and GPC. concerning our water quality and the man-made exacerbation of the Many of you probably know I am the environment in general. Most of our problem. The increased frequency TRWC Water Quality Task Force articles are aimed at providing tips on and quantity of rainfall this year has Leader as well as our Water Quality how to prepare for the upcoming seemingly greatly increased the and Environmental Chair. I can tell seasonal change or provide updates on turbidity of the streams and rivers you first hand that the TRWC is a very current issues. In this article, I will try flowing into the lake. Dick’s Creek dedicated team that never lets up. I to do a little of both. and Timpson Creek have both seen an invite you to visit the website at With the lake having remained increase in the size of shallow deltas www.tallulahriverwatershed.com or full pool for the past two years and the encroaching further into the main contact me personally to learn more increased frequency and amount of channels. Wildcat, Moccasin, and about what we do and how you can get rainfall, two demons have haunted Tallulah creeks have also not escaped involved. us…aquatic plant growth and the silt demon. As stated, much of In closing, GPC has assured me silt/sediment intrusion. this is a natural occurrence as a that there will be a draw down this year Thankfully, with the help of of about 7 to 8 feet. This should your eyes and the Georgia Power do a lot to beat back some of the Company (GPC) environmental native species of aquatic plants team, we have managed to quickly we see in primarily shallow water identify, treat, and monitor and coves. It should also give all aquatic plant growth. The folks of us a chance to address our sea in our land management office walls and waterfront areas. along with the GPC Environ- Please take the time this winter to mental Department in Atlanta do what you can to shore up your have done an excellent job sea walls with rip rap at the keeping in check what could have foundations, adding mortar been an explosive season. We all where it is missing, and owe them a great deal of thanks backfilling the lot side of your for their diligence which goes, for wall where needed. A little the most part, un-noticed but is “Rip rap” stacked against a seawall foundation. so effective. Their ability to maintenance now will save you a identify plants, knowing what to treat “watershed” is just that…it takes lot of money later. I encourage and what not, goes way beyond most whatever “sheds” off with the water as you to go to the LBCA website and of our expertise. With that said, I it runs off the ridges and through the look back at previous articles on this want to continue to encourage all of valleys to the lake. Unfortunately, it is and other topics to help you prepare you not to attempt treatment or often accelerated by off road vehicle for the winter and spring ahead. As removal of plants yourself as that traffic, poor storm water runoff always, thanks to each of you for doing could cause more harm than good.