logan martin lake protection association
TRANSCRIPT
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The Alabama Scenic River Trail is 631 miles of blueway stretching from Cedar Bluff at the Georgia state line to Mobile Bay. Come to the March 17 LMLPA Meeting to learn more!
LMLPA Spring Meeting Thursday, March 17, 2011 Pell City Civic Center 6:00 PM
Guest Speakers: Bud Kitchin, LMLPA: Annual Lake Cleanup Fred Couch: Alabama Scenic River Trail Eric Housh: LMLPA Website
Logan Martin Lake Protection Association DEDICATED TO GUARDING LOGAN MARTIN LAKE WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY
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Board of Directors
Charles Alexander, 205.884.6952
Johnny Beavers, 256.268.0855
Jim Bentley, 205.587.5260
Ralph Bradford, 205.763.0107
Debbie Cearley, 205.338.5353
Rudy Davidson,205.967.4834
Diane DeShazer, 205.884.4705
Dick Franke, 256.268.1445
Don Greer, 205.525.4651
Bill Hays, 205.338.2449
Eric Housh, 205.884.8341
Dana Hooper, 205.884.8894
Bud Kitchin, 205.763.0098
Ann Moore, 205.763.2113
Al Read, 205.338.9515
Mike Riley, 205.525.5309
Ted Seay, 205.338.1963
Andy Smith, 205.884.1113
Board of Directors, Cont’d
Randy Smith, 205.369.0006
Isabella Trussell, 205.884.4169
Carol Wheelock, 205.563.9510
Jerry Woods, 205.525.5533
Bud Kitchin, 205.763.0098
Don Greer, 205.525.4651
Education
Ann Moore, 205.763.2113
Ted Seay, 205.338.1963
Water Festival
Diane DeShazer, 205.884.4705
Website
Eric Housh, 205.884.8341
Jerry Woods, 205.525.5533
Dick Franke, 256.268.1445
Isabella Trussell, 205.884.4169
Mike Riley, 205.525.5309
Water Waves
A Publication by Logan Martin
Lake Protection Association
President, Andy Smith
Vice President, Mike Riley
Secretary, Debbie Cearley
Treasurer, Charles Alexander
Member at Large for
Executive Committee, Don
Greer
Committee Chairpersons
Water Quality
Isabella Trussell, 205.884.4169
Debbie Cearley, 205.338.5353
Newsletter
Eric Housh, 205.884.8341
Randy Smith, 205.369.0006
Membership
Carol Wheelock, 205.563.9510
Hospitality
Al Read, 205.338.9515
Finance
Charles Alexander, 205.884.6952
Bill Hays, 205.338.2449
Government Affairs
Rudy Davidson,205.967.4834
Strategic Planning
Don Greer, 205.525.4651
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Message from the Vice President… This is our initial newsletter for 2011, and you will notice we have made
many changes in our approach in recruiting new members and getting
information out to everyone. The one constant is that our lake still provides
all of us with many pleasures, from the peacefulness of looking out across
the calm waters to boating, skiing, fishing and other recreation endeavors.
The satisfaction and pleasures we derive from our lake, however, can come
at a price. We are approaching the time when we must return the favor for
what the lake has given us.
It has been a year since we have last cleaned the lake shoreline. The debris that has collected along the shoreline is
taking a toll by detracting from the lake's beauty, causing harm to fish and wildlife, and decreasing the lake's capacity to
provide safe water for enjoyment. Just as we have done in previous years, we send out a call for volunteers to help
make the lake well again. Each year as the call goes forward volunteers respond in ever increasing numbers. We all
realize that without the support of volunteers we cannot be successful. We can all be very proud of ourselves and for
one another for the outstanding manner in which we rally around this cause.
Over the last few months a number of people have been extremely active with updating the website and getting out
important information to our members. Bud Kitchin and his committee have spent numerous hours in preparing for the
annual clean-up. The clean-up will occur from March 26th through April 2nd and will conclude with a Picnic at Lakeside
Landing at 12 noon. I would like to commend Bud for all of the hard work he has done over the past few years in making
the Renew the Rivers Campaign for Logan Martin a huge success. If you would like to participate contact Bud or anyone
of his site captains.
This year we also had made our way into the 21st century by updating our website with the latest information that can
be available. We set up a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/protectloganmartin for up to date information that can
be shared on a social network. We implemented PayPal to make it easier for members to join and renew online. In
addition, paid members will receive a vinyl decal which they can display on their car or boat, showing pride in their
commitment to protect the lake. All this is possible due to the hard work of Eric Housh our webmaster, graphic
designer, newsletter writer and good guy all around. Do yourself a favor and visit www.lmlpa.org and be astounded
with the information that you will find.
There are many upcoming events in which LMLPA will have a major presents, such as the Pell City Block Party held
June 3rd downtown Pell City and the Logan Martin Lake Fair and Boat Show held at the Horizons on weekend of June 3rd.
If anyone would like to volunteer to be part of these events contact any of your Board Members. We are exploring more
events to be involved in, and welcome suggestions.
Isabella Trussell, Dick Franke , and I have been hard at work in visiting local governments and civic organizations
drumming up support of our proposed “Wetlands Project”. This is going to be an outstanding educational venture for
LMLPA.
And finally, we will be having a General Meeting at the Pell City Civic Center on March 17th at 6:00 pm, please make a
point on being there. Our planned agenda should be of interest to everyone who attends.
Mike Riley
Vice President, Logan Martin Lake Protection Association
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Wetlands Education Project Update The Logan Martin Lake Protection Association is laying the groundwork for a wetlands boardwalk for recreation and educational uses. The quality of life for the lake is not just about keeping the lake clean, but about the value of preserving natural habitats. The plan is to install a 70-foot walkway out into a natural wetlands area that sits towards the entrance of Lakeside Park in Pell City. Permits and architectural prep work have been submitted recently as well as the layout for the boardwalk and the surrounding area. A 360-degree view of the wetlands will be offered from the 12-foot platform at the end of the platform, which will be handicapped-accessible. One of the most difficult things will be to construct the platform so as not to destroy the wetlands, so we will use handheld equipment and possibly small Bobcat (tractors). For waterfowl, duck boxes and nesting platforms will be constructed near the site. Ospreys, which normally nest in that area will be provided platforms on raised poles to allow them to build their homes. Alabama Power, which controls lake levels, recommended the osprey platforms be relocated to an area away from the existing beaver dam. The beaver dams are removed on regular basis by demolition and we did not want to disturb the ospreys. The pilings will be installed by hand and will be of materials that are not appealing to the beavers. The material used on the walkway will be a composite that will last longer than conventional wood walkways. The material can last 30 years and will be heavier than water, so if lake levels rise, the boardwalk will remain intact.
One of the educational outreaches the LMLPA plans for the site is the listing of the names of indigenous plants on both the boardwalk and attached to the plants themselves. That way a visitor will not have to read a sign on the railing of the boardwalk and then hunt to find vegetation that might be dormant, depending on the time of year. The project is expected to cost around $25,000 in total with additional costs for the signage. Representatives from LMLPA have been giving presentations to civic groups to gain support for funding and work in the area. Isabella Trussell, who is in charge of the water quality testing for LMLPA, has spearheaded this project along with Dick Franke, a retired Southern Company Engineer. Mr. Franke has designed the boardwalk and is instrumental in getting the correct paperwork for submission by the City of Pell City. Along with Ms. Trussell and Mr. Franke, Mike Riley, the LMLPA Vice President, has accompanied them on presentations to express the importance of this project. Construction is expected to begin late next year when the lake levels lower for the winter months.
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Citizen Water Monitor Volunteers Needed
Want to become an LMLPA water monitor? If you can distinguish colors and follow a recipe, even the basic monitoring
is easy. We especially need more basic monitors to maintain established sites. You can sign up for basic monitoring or
bacteriological monitoring at any LMLPA meeting. For more information or to get your name on the list for the next
training sessions, call Isabella Trussell at (205) 884-4169 or email her at [email protected] with the subject line: water
monitor. You will be notified when the dates of the next training sessions have been determined.
Citizen Water Monitor Training Programs
With 18 sites on the lake or in tributaries, LMLPA always needs more monitors! We are trained at no cost by Alabama
Water Watch, located at Auburn University, for two types of water monitoring that are EPA approved:
1. Basic monitoring for temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, pH
2. Bacteriological monitoring for E. coli bacteria
Basic Monitoring Information: What you should know
You need to take an Initial training session. The next one is April 30 in Cropwell.
You have to take a recertification session of 2 hours every year.
We monitor the lake monthly on a regular schedule.
It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to administer the water quality tests.
We test on existing sites along Logan Martin Lake. Your travel time to the testing site depends on where you
live.
The Next Basic Monitoring Training Session
When: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. B 4:00 p.m.
Where: 207 Blue Springs Trail, Cropwell, AL
Bring a sack lunch, drinks will be provided
Wear shoes that can get wet and a hat, sunscreen & bug spray as needed
Bacteriological Monitoring Notes:
To be certified for bacteriological monitoring, you must
take an initial training session about 3 hours in
length.
We monitor monthly on a regular schedule and
after rain events.
It takes about 10 minutes to administer the test
at the site, less than 1 hour to read results 36-48
hours later.
We test on existing sites along Logan Martin
Lake. Your travel time to the testing site
depends on where you live.
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What’s in Your Water?
The theme for the 2011 St. Clair County Water Festival prompts the county’s fourth graders to consider the quality of the water that they drink. A poster contest, part of every water festival’s activities, asked them to illustrate their thoughts on the question “What‘s In Your Water?”. Judging the entries, water festival committee members found it obvious that the youngsters are quite aware water contains the good and the bad. Some students pictured aquatic creatures--fish, a seahorse, a frog-- living happily in healthy bodies of water. Others imagined bottles of pure, clear water contrasted with dark, polluted water. Some drew pleasant natural scenes full of sunshine. Ugly trash littered darkened waterways in a number of poster entries. The winner, for us, showed the earth sustained in a drop of water. The tenth annual St. Clair County Water Festival takes place April 12. Every fourth grader in the county (they number about 1100) will learn how he/she can act responsibly to protect this precious resource. Hands-on activities will demonstrate the water cycle, the importance of water to all life, and the interdependence of plants, wildlife, soil and water. The emphasis is on the effect of human actions on water and all nature. The Water Festival targets fourth graders because, one, they are mature enough to understand the concepts of water conservation--as indicated by their poster drawings--and, two, they are still young enough to form their own value system. LMLPA has provided volunteers and financial support to the St. Clair event since its inception in 2001. That’s approximately 11,000 informed individuals to help our mission--taking care of Lake Logan Martin Lake.
LMLPA Gets Website Makeover, Facebook Page
In early 2011, www.LMLPA.org underwent a massive facelift. The goal was
to make the mage more informative, more relevant, and more useful for
our members and potential members. Now, you can find great information
there, as well as cool new functionality that allows you to volunteer online,
pay your dues online, and subscribe to LMLPA news updates. We welcome
news and photo submissions for the site. You can send photos and article
suggestions to [email protected] .
Also, we created a Facebook Fan Page to keep you informed. Visit and
“Like” www.facebook.com/protectloganmartin to get in the loop on
Facebook. This is also a great place for fans to share pictures, videos, and
thoughts with each other as we mobilize and attract fellow lake guardians.
What:
The 2011 St. Clair County Water
Festival
When:
April 12
Who:
All 4th Graders in St. Clair County
Why:
To teach our future generations
how to act responsibly to protect
this precious resource.
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Lake Cleanup The Annual Logan Martin Lake Cleanup will take place between March 26 and April 2, 2011. We depend on volunteers to
make this effort a success. This year, we’ve made it easy for you to volunteer at www.lmlpa.org (look for the Renew Our
Rivers Logo on the Right Hand Side).
Also don’t forget the Celebration Picnic April 2 at Lakeside Landing Park! This is a fun time where we get together and
celebrate our efforts in keeping Logan Martin pristine. For more information, visit www.lmlpa.org/lake-cleanup
Keep Track of Logan Martin Lake Conditions
Thinking of doing pier/shoreline work?
Get a Permit! All activity within the boundary of the Neely Henry and Logan Martin hydroelectric reservoirs must be pre-approved and permitted by Alabama Power Company. Alabama Power Company owns the pool property of these reservoirs and in some areas has additional property rights along the shoreline. The fee for a Lakeshore Use Permit is $250.00. To apply for a fee call regional coordinator Dennis Trammell at 205.472.0481 or fax to 205.472.0482. You can see the full guidelines on the LMLPA website or at http://www.alabamapower.com/lakes/pdfs/neelyhenry_loganmartin_guidelines.pdf.
New for 2011 – LMLPA Member Stickers!
LMLPA Financial Statement Summary 7/17/09 – 2/15/11 Bank Balance Checkbook Balance 06/30/2009 $6009.28 07/16/09 $2,815.18 Note: $3000.00 transferred to savings leaving $3009.28 +Income from dues and $2000.00 transfer from savings $10,150.00 - Expenses $10,355.77 + Wetlands Project of $2,155.46 = $12,511.23 Bank Balance Checkbook balance 01/31/2011 $523.55 02/15/2011 $454.69
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