VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NEW COLONEL

I was very hopeful that Colonel Tickner would take what we've learned from recent droughts and massive rains and improve the way our lakes are managed.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that changes are desperately needed.  But to our disappointment the Corps is stubbornly refusing to make the changes needed.  Instead they hold to the drought plan that has caused so much devastation to our recreational infrastructure over the past decade.

What makes this even more frustrating is that the changes needed for vast improvement are simple and would be easy to do.  We've mentioned these before but since the Corps doesn't seem to be listening let me repeat what they are:

• Limit the winter draw down to 2' instead of 4'
• Follow the same approach used in flood control of adjusting flows as necessary to keep lake level drops to a minimum.
• Since we know that environmental and water quality needs are met at 3600cfs, do not hesitate to drop release rates to 3600 as needed to hold lake level.

All that is needed to keep away from the devastating damage to recreation of the past decade is to prevent lake levels from dropping more than 8'.  The measures outlined would have accomplished this over the past decade and would serve as a major improvement to our drought plan.

This is a two sided problem.  I've listed what the Corps needs to do.  But there are two sides to this equation.  We need to make sure during the upcoming elections that we put some people in office that will get lake stakeholders a significant voice in how the lakes are managed.  For example Gary Gerrard has indicated his willingness to help.  Be sure you support him and others like him.

Jon Clerry, spokesman for Save Our Lakes Now

RESPONSE TO RECENT BALANCING THE BASIN CONCERNING WINTER DRAWDOWN

I was delighted to read in the latest issue of Balancing the Basin how the Corps is addressing our request for a 2' drawdown this winter.  It is obvious they are listening to some of the concerns being expressed by Lake Stakeholders concerning the drought plan.  That is definitely a step in the right direction and it is greatly appreciated.  However we still have a long way to go before we are going to get proper balance in the decision process concerning our drought plan.  For example, concerning the 2' drawdown, they could just as easily gone the other way and used a 2' drawdown now with a future study to determine if an increase in flood storage capacity over what was used in the past might be warranted.  Personally I doubt seriously if there has been so much change since the 4' rule was put in place that we now need the equivalent of 8'.  But I am not part of the decision process.

The problem lies in who is making the decisions and who is interpreting the data. For example if the British parliament had been the group making all the decisions for the American colonies we would still be under British rule.  Our founding fathers expressed the same concern we have here.  They were concerned about taxation without representation.  We are concerned with management of our lakes without lake stakeholders having proper representation.  Had lake stakeholders been involved in this decision there would be at least two major differences in the way it is being handled.

1. we would not have waited so long before doing something whether it be a study or change the drawdown.  The request to go to a 2' draw down was made over a year ago.  Why are we just now getting around to a study?
2. we would have brought to the table the logic that not going to 2' is like changing the old plan to 8' with the obvious suggestion that we hold at the equivalent of the original 4' drawdown until a study is completed.

We need someone who can get us representation at the decision table and that representation needs to be a person or persons with a significant stake in the recreational infrastructure around our lakes.  A yes man who is excited to be involved with Corps meetings is not what we need.  We also need congressional help that would insist on such a set up. 

Following is a copy of an email Jerry Clontz recently received from Gary Gerrard who is running for congress from the 10th district in Georgia.  He sounds like someone who could finally make this happen.  Regardless of whether you live in the Georgia 10th district or not you should look at possibly helping Gary with a contribution so we can finally get someone in office who will help us get this mess fixed.

Email sent to Jerry Clontz from Gary Gerrard on 10/9/13

In response to your question about what I would do if elected to Congress for your membership, I would be as unaccepting of deliberate misinformation and stalling on your issues as I was on the Corps' attempt to prevent my campaign event at the Soap Creek Marina.  I would insist on being heard and getting timely, responsive and thoughtful answers to how the lake is managed.  The Corps is required by statute to include consideration of your interests in managing the lakes, and I would insist that the Corps do so.

jon clerry spokesman for save our lakes now

 

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

In the latest Balancing the Basin Colonel Tickner addresses the issue of winter drawdowns.  He, I'm sure, is genuine in his effort to do what is right.  While it is obvious the NOAA has been heard from, it is equally obvious there was no representation from Lake Stakeholders in this decision. Had Lake Stakeholders (ones who are actively involved in the huge Recreation Infrastructure around our lakes) been involved, there would have been a much different dialogue.

I do not doubt that Colonel Tickner has the best of intentions but the road to failure is paved with good intentions.  What is missing from the discussion is that following the existing guide lines has led to horrible consequences 3 times in the past 10 years. Also missing is consideration for the fact that we now have 3 lakes collecting winter runoff instead of just Lake Thurmond such that a 2' drawdown now is virtually identical to the 4' set in the original guidelines.

Another disturbing undertone in the message from Colonel Tickner is his plan to make no changes in the drought plan which has failed us miserably.  We understand the logic of doing more studies to understand the system better.  But we also recognize that the Corps needs to factor in the lessons of the past 3 droughts and improve on release rates as well as back off on the drawdown.  While studies are needed to truly optimize the system, existing experience is more than sufficient to permit numerous changes that would better protect our recreational infrastructure.

All I can say is we need for all Lake Stakeholders to continue to bombard your congressmen and the Corps with a request to recognize the increased lake storage capacity for run off and decrease the draw down accordingly.  And we need to demand that experience learned from recent droughts be applied to make improvements to our drought plan. 

Jon Clerry, Spokesman for Save Our Lakes Now