Workshops to offer information on Hartwell Lake’s proposed shoreline management, take suggestions from the public

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The public can offer opinions and gain information on the proposed new shoreline management plan for Hartwell Lake during three upcoming workshops sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. The Corps will hold public workshops in three communities March 21-23.

The shoreline management plan provides guidance and information for Corps managers and the public on managing the reservoir’s shoreline and adjacent public lands and waters controlled by the project. The SMP defines what actions adjacent landowners can take to change or improve the shoreline.

“Typically people use the shoreline management plan to apply for a dock permit or to seek permission to remove underbrush along the shore,” said Sandy Campbell, natural resources manager at the Hartwell Project. “It also describes the procedures to add electricity and water to a dock or build a walk or path to the dock.” The Hartwell Project allows more types of permitted activities and facilities and has more shoreline open to use than any other Corps of Engineers project in the nation. “As a result, we are not considering changes to shoreline allocations during this review,” she said.

The Corps last revised the plan in 2007.

In an effort to involve as many of the Hartwell Project users as possible, Corps officials will hold the public workshops at various locations close to project users. These come and go workshops will allow the public to discuss specific issues one-on-one with Corps representatives and to provide their concerns, ideas and opinions related to the Hartwell Project SMP. There will be no formal presentation at any of the meetings.

Participants may arrive at any time during the workshops. For additional information, participants may contact Zach Harkness, toll-free, at 888-893-0678, ext. 310 or email the project office at cesas-op-h@usace.army.mil.