LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION
Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – March 5, 2008
Lake Gaston Baptist Church – 9:30 AM First
Wednesday
Mission: To identify lake issues affecting our members
and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.
Location: Lake Gaston Baptist Church
Littleton, North Carolina
Convened: 9:30 AM by President John Cataldo
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by
the President
Inspirational Reading: Moment
of silence
Visitor Introductions: Press:
Judith Forest, Littleton Observer, Della Batts, Lake Gaston Gazette.
Dominion: Joe Peterson. Warren County: Bill LaMonte, Judith
Forrest, Don Vandegrift, Ron Skow, Jim Jong, Joe Chaney; Brunswick
County: Wally Sayko, Harold Carawen; Henrico: Bruce Parizo,
Susan Finger, Wayne Hogge; Mecklenburg County: Jerry Burgdorfer,
Jim O’Brien, Fred Taylor, Jo Taylor, Joyce Lindenmuth;.
Director Attendance:
Present -- John Boyle, Bill Bryant, Barbara Burgdorfer, John
Cataldo, Patrick Dempsey, Pete Deschenes, Ralph Domach, David Duxbury,
Doug Hughes, Larry Jolly, Fred Kneisel, Bill Lindenmuth, Jack Saunders,
John Slaton, Lenny Turner, Vernon Wilson. Absent – Calvin
DeShields, Joanna Fross, Joee Hoxter, Laura Kolb.
Guest Speaker: Northhampton
Director Larry Jolly introduced Gene Adesso, Vice President, Roanoke
River Basin Association (RRBA). Gene gave a power point
presentation regarding Inter-Basin Water Transfers. He has been
actively involved in the Roanoke River Basin system monitoring, and the
RRBA has been actively opposing interbasin transfers. Gene lives in
Raleigh, and is also a Lake Gaston resident. He stated that “there is a
serious threat of interbasin transfers.” Of major concern to the RRBA
is the City of Raleigh, which has had exceptional drought in 2007/2008,
and due to rapid growth, it is projected that the demand for water in
Raleigh will exceed available supply. The City of Raleigh has asked for
a study of a pipeline from Kerr Lake (in which Durham may also be
involved). However, there is no plan in place at this time for a
pipeline from Raleigh to Kerr. RRBA is concerned about the lack of
planning for drought and water restrictions that are not consistent in
the Triangle towns as well as the watershed areas. Kerr and Gaston were
created for 3 purposes: flood control, power generation and recreation.
The RRBA advocates watershed management that incorporates a system-wide
plan. This will be difficult to develop with two different states
involved, and RRBA says that it is the only group advocating “sharing
the pain” while maintaining “quantity and quality.” RRBA recommends
vigilance in monitoring Raleigh’s governmental planning and looks to LGA
and Dominion for support in their effort.
Secretary’s Report: Joyce
Lindenmuth presented the minutes for Joee Hoxter.
The February 6, 2008 minutes were approved as corrected
and are on file.
Treasurer’s Report: Bill
Lindenmuth
The February financial report was properly approved and
is on file.
Safety: Jack Saunders (Chair)
The committee did not meet in February. However, the
committee continues to work to define EMT boundaries. Jack, Pete
Deschenes, Senator Ed Jones, and Fred Harris, Acting Director of the NC
Wildlife Commission are working on a North Carolina Safe Boating
Alliance meeting to be composed of 13-15 organizations. They are
waiting for NC Representative Wray to set up a meeting in Raleigh.
Planning & Development: Jack
Saunders (Chair)
Primary focus is to continue discussions regarding
recommendations the LGA would support for adoption by the five counties
bordering Lake Gaston. The mapping project is moving along, but not as
swiftly as projected due to Patrick’s job demands. They discussed
recommendations for new, single-family dwellings and new subdivisions.
The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our
web page.
Nominating Committee: No
report for this month
Lake Environment: Vernon
Wilson (Rotating Chair)
A test of the pager emergency alert system was
successful. The contract for weed treatment for 2008 was not awarded at
the Weed Council meeting. The Stakeholders Committee continue the
lakewide vegetation survey. There is a re-vegetation effort with
non-invasive plant life (the fenced-in areas on the lake are test
sites). The Virginia Tech report on carp reports trapping 29 tagged
carp, but only 8 tags were operational. Lyngbya is spreading, samples
have been sent to Clemson. Lyngbya is easily controllable. Two areas
will be test sites for treatment protocols. Tuber studies are being
conducted—it is believed that it takes 5 years of treatment to eradicate
99% of the tubers. Bill Lindenmuth reported that Gaston Lake levels
have been below guide during the last week and an email advisory was
sent out that levels had been below 198.5. Bill read Jim Thornton’s
(Dominion) response to his email. Bill reported the lower levels were
an unusual occurrence as the lake has been at an average of 199.7 over
the past year and that the levels were within Dominion’s allowable
operating perameters. There is not a way to know when lake levels will
be lower than normal, and boating safety becomes a concern with the
lowered lake level. A discussion followed regarding inviting Jim
Thornton to an LGA meeting. Pete Deschenes moved that John Cataldo, as
President of LGA, contact Terry Brown at Dominion. Barbara Burgdorfer
seconded the motion and the motion carried.
The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our
web page.
Membership: David Duxbury
(Chair)
There has been a 12% loss of members. Moira has prepared
a letter to the Chamber. Ads have been placed in newspapers with a
sign-up tear-off, and two memberships were received as a result of
that. Membership goals are not being met. Directors and members are
urged to be active in soliciting memberships in their neighborhoods.
The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our
web page.
Government Relations: Larry
Jolly (Chair)
The April speaker will be a UNC Professor of Public Law.
Directors are attending Supervisor’s and Planning Board meetings for the
five counties. Easton’s Ferry Crossing boat slips have been approved by
FERC. They may be appealed. LGA’s input was recognized. Setback
requirements are being studied. LGA opposed the change from 100 feet.
Political forums are being planned for April 5, 12, 19 in North
Carolina. Warren County reassessment is in progress. December 2008
will be official notification. March 17th 1:30 NHC Board of
Commissioners.
The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our
web page.
Executive Director: Moira
Underwood
Reminder letters have gone out for members who have not
renewed. There were 103 renewals in February.
The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our
web page.
Old Business: No old business
New Business:
Jack Saunders: April 26th LEM training, place
to be announced.
The meeting was properly adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
Joyce Lindenmuth, for Joee Hoxter, Secretary
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