Just a friendly reminder that updated boat permits are required in order to boat on Lake Lure. Boat permits are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued from January 1 thru December 31st.  For fee information, click here.

 

Tractor Trailer Traffic on 64/74A Update

You may have recently read that a decision rendered by the Attorney General has reopened Routes Highway 64 and Highway 64/74A to semi-trailer traffic along the 64 and 64/74A Corridor.  The Town of Lake Lure Town Council recently passed a Resolution opposing this decision, and cited concerns for the health and safety of vehicular traffic in the Resolution.  There also was overwhelming opposition from local residents and property owners. As a result of the outcry, the North Carolina Department of Transportation recently conducted a study utilizing a 53' tractor trailer. They videotaped the tractor trailer navigating the windy curves, and after seeing the obvious safety hazards for tractor trailer traffic utilizing this corridor, have recommended that the 64 and 64/74A corridor be removed as an approved truck route effective May 1st. Kudos to all of you that have called or e-mailed the Department of Transportation and Attorney General's Office.

 

Sewer System Update

 

 

SOC

The Town of Lake Lure is operating under a Special Order of Consent on our sewer system effective August 1, 2007. This SOC between the Town of Lake Lure and NCDENR is agreement for the Town to make certain improvements to the sewer plant to ensure that we are meeting the testing standards set forth in our NPDES permit.  One of the terms of the SOC is that the Town could only add 4800 gallons of connection to the system until the SOC is lifted.  The Town has allocated the 4800 gallons and are currently unable to allow new connections to the sewer system. Those of you that have been paying a monthly sewer availability fee will not be billed for this fee while the SOC is in affect. The Town of Lake Lure Town Council agreed to waive this fee while the SOC is in affect as a result of the flow restrictions dictated in the SOC.

 

 

Plant Improvements Update

The Town of Lake Lure entered into an agreement with Dellinger Inc. to complete certain improvements as required by the SOC to the sewer plant.  This agreement was signed October 26, 2006.  Work was completed, however, the equipment did not function as it was designed. The Town met with Dellinger, and the Town agreed to clean out the basin and the sludge tank, as well as remove several trees to ensure that there was no debris affecting the operation of the equipment. The Town completed our part, and Dellinger came onsite on April 9th to begin testing the operation of the equipment. The equipment was functioning for the first few days, however, the Town has been experiencing difficulties with the equipment, and are working with the manufacturer to correct the problems. If the equipment is not corrected immediately, the Town will pursue other avenues of repair for the plant.

 

 

Golf Course News

The Town of Lake Lure Municipal Golf Course is thriving! The greens are looking great, and membership has increased dramatically. We currently have 144 members. We are also holding a weekly Captain's Choice Golf Tournament every Friday at 5:30 p.m. (weather permitting of course). We recently had 24 people attend the last Captain's Choice. The cost is $9.75 for 9 holes for non-members, plus $6.00 cash into the pot. Come and enjoy some camaraderie and great golf!  Call 625-4472 for more information.

 

Dredging Update

The contractor for the Town of Lake Lure recently completed dredging of the lake harbor, as well as dredging in the Laurel Landing Cove. The contractor is currently dredging in the river.

 

Update from the Lake Operations Administrator

Dredging started this year in the Marina Bay for the dock-building project, and now has moved to the river portion. Lake Norman Dredging has placed a barge on the lake to be able to dredge in Laurel Landing Cove. This barge will also be here for any Lake Lure lakefront property owners that are interested in shoreline stabilization with the use of riprap. Anyone interested should contact me at (828) 625-9983 x 128 or loa@townoflakelure.com. This shoreline stabilization is covered by the GP-30 Permit. The dredging is expected to be complete in mid May, with the exception of riprap. I would like to let everyone know that I have already begun patrolling the lake on weekends and weekdays along with the Lake Lure Police Department and the NC Wildlife. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for all boaters, fishermen, swimmers, and property owners alike. Feel free to stop and talk, ask questions or tell stories when you see me on the lake. I look forward to getting to know you. If you have a problem or concern, please don’t hesitate to call or come by my office or boat and I will be glad to help in any way possible.

 

Lake Advisory Board Update

If you've already picked up your 2008 boat permits, you'll have noticed some changes in the stickers. The colors and symbols have been redesigned for visual impact and to enable enforcement officials to validate from afar that a boat is properly permitted. Additionally, two stickers are now issued- one for each side of the boat.

Plans are underway to construct additional day-use boat docks between the beach and the marina, for use by boaters wishing to make a foray into Lake Lure or Chimney Rock. To relieve congestion at the marina ramp, visitors will now be able to launch canoes or kayaks from the ramp near the ABC Store.

The fireboat was instrumental in fighting a fire in the Lake Lure Village Resort in February.

In March, the Town Council approved a set of recommended housekeeping amendments to the Lake Structures Regulations. The regulations now specify that boat lift canopies are roofs and, as such, prohibited for use in marinas and cluster mooring facilities (except for the town marina). Additionally, language was added that exempts town-owned lake structures from the design standards, but requires design review by the Lake Advisory Board and approval from the town council.

 

 

Self-Protection Class

Police Chief Eric Hester is organizing a ladies self-protection class to be held on Tuesday, May 20th at the Municipal Hall. The class runs from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The class will include classroom and hands-on training. Attendance is limited to 20. Please contact Chief Hester at ChiefHester@townoflakelure.com if you are interested in attending the class, but hurry because slots are filling up fast. Priority for the class will be given to ladies in the Hickory Nut Gorge area.

 

Time To Renew Municipal Beer and Wine Permit

Just a reminder that June 30th is the deadline to renew beer and wine permits. Please mark your calendar to come and see Anita Taylor in June to pick-up your application. If you have any questions, please call Anita at (828) 625-9983 Ext. 106 or e-mail her at personnel@townoflakelure.com.

 

Lake Lure Beach and Water Works Update

The admission fee for the beach and water works remains the same as last year. Adults are $8.00, Seniors (62+) are $7.00, children 3-15 ($6.00), children (under 3) are FREE. Residents of Lake Lure are FREE with an official North Carolina Identification Card or Drivers License showing a Lake Lure address. Click HERE for more information.

 

Development Update from Erosion Control Officer

Blue Heron Point

In January, the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors completed their investigation of the engineer whose seal was affixed to the development’s design documents [if you recall from our Winter 2007 issue, the erosion problems encountered were attributed mainly to the use of faulty survey data to develop the road plans]. The Board reported that they approved the Review Committee’s recommendation to issue the engineer “...a reprimand and levy a civil penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000). The action was for affixing his seal to inadequate design documents, failing to protect the public [21-56.0701(b)], and failing to comply with state regulations applying to a project to protect the public [21-56.0701(b)].” Blue Heron Point has completed the installation of the roads, which have been inspected/approved by McGill and Associates (with the exception of some clean up work after the water lines are installed). The sewer and water systems are being installed at this time. Clint Calhoun, the town’s Erosion Control Officer, visits the site once or twice a month at this point as everything has been stabilized and there have been no complaints. The developers were approved for a reduction in the amount of the performance bond from $5,270,500.00 to $1,008,850 due to installation of a portion of the infrastructure. The new reduced bond amount has a one year deadline for completion, and reflects 1.25 times the cost of the water, sewer systems, and the shoulder clean up on the interior road. The developer is projecting to complete the remaining infrastructure within the next few months.

Firefly Cove

The Town has been monitoring Firefly Cove pretty closely with site visits about once a week. There have been some turbidity issues which were reported resolved since Clint’s last inspection. He will continue to monitor this site as well as the Upper Fifty, which had a Stop Work Order put on it due tosedimentation in a water course.

Lago Vista

The development that the town is receiving the most calls about right now is the one behind the Lake Lure Inn. The site looks dramatic (it's ahuge cut into the mountain), however the developer is following all the rules currently in place (remember, we do not have a steep slope ordinance, whichwould limit the size cut that can be made on slopes over a certain grade). The developer is following their plan which is a solid design (everything was field verified), are staying within their clearing limits, and have so far not had any sedimentation issues. Clint visits the site about twice a week to get updates and do inspections because of the size of the cut. According to Clint, their sediment control measures are adequately sized and have handled the heavy rains that we have had recently without any issues. The developer is hoping to have the open section completely graded and hydroseeded before moving around the hill with the road.

 

Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad Update

Preparations are well underway for the fourth annual Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad. This year's festival is September 4th-7th. The Olympiad continues to gain regional exposure. For the first time in the history of the BMW Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, the Olympiad will join 52 charities selected to sell tickets to the nationally televised tournament, May 15-18 at Thorn Blade Club, The Carolina Country Club and Bright's Creek Golf Club. South Carolina Charities, the managing arm for the charitable aspect of the tournament, matches every $25 ticket sold with a $25 contribution to the selected charities. In addition to complimentary parking and shuttle service, a $25 ticket grants access to all four days of the tournament. The Olympiad is also recruiting volunteers for the tournament. For tickets, contact Kay Dittmer at kaydittmer@bellsouth.net, or to volunteer, contact Bob Keith at pnbkeith@bellsouth.net.

The Olympiad has also been selected as a "Top 20 Event" by The Southeast Tourism Society, STS. Events from 10 states were vying for inclusion on the list. For more information on Top 20 Events or the Southeast Tourism Society, visit www.southeasttourism.com.

For an events list and more information, visit www.hickorynutolympiad.com or call 828-429-9011. Online registration begins July 1, 2008. Tickets are $5 for standard events or $10 for unlimited standard events. Additional rates apply for anchor events, such as the Race to the Rock or the Triathlon. We look forward to seeing a great turnout of spectators and participants in this charitable event.

 

Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program

The UBRWPP is dedicated to the conservation and protection of soil and water resources in the communities of the Upper Broad River Watershed. The program was formed in 1999 by community members-local citizens and professional organizations- that were concerned with the severe environmental and economic impacts of sedimentation. The committee recognizes that each year, several thousand tons of sediment continues to be deposited into the streams and tributaries that make up the Upper Broad River watershed. This sediment degrades the water quality of our trout streams and lakes, impairs aquatic life, reduces individual’s property values and inflates the cost of removal. Through grant support from sources such as NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, NC’s Section 319 Non-Point Source Program, and Rutherford Counties the UBRWPP has provided assistance for numerous property owners and partners throughout the watershed region to reduce the impacts of erosion.

 One of the most effective tools the UBRWPP has in reducing the amount of sedimentation in the watershed is our Cost Share Program. The UBRWPP provides on-site technical assistance to landowners by identifying erosion sources, creates a site specific stream restoration plan with erosion control measures, and works in conjunction with a contractor that is selected by the landowner to oversee proper installation of the bio-engineering techniques that prevent further damage to the stream bank. The Cost Share Program allows participating landowners to receive payment up to 90% of the average cost of repairing their eroding hill slopes, stream banks, roads, and ditches. The UBRWPP has provided cost share funds for sixty projects within the watershed.

The Upper Broad River Watershed Protection Program (UBRWPP) is seeking interest among Lake Lure homeowners that have bare, exposed banks in need of erosion stabilization. These steep slopes along driveways and cut slopes are difficult to establish vegetation due to their size and steepness. Bare slopes contribute a significant amount of sediment to the lake during storm events (keep in mind this sediment is what we have to dredge out of the lake!). The establishment of vegetation in order to stabilize steep slopes is possible through hydroseeding. Hydroseeding is a process that allows machines to mix together seed, water, fertilizer, tackifier (glue), and mulch to create a slurry mixture. The slurry is sprayed on the slopes with a high pressure hose. When the slurry dries, it creates a crust over the ground, protecting the area from erosion. Grasses will germinate within a matter of days and result in a stabilized, vegetated bank.

The UBRWPP is seeking landowners that would be interested in having their banks hydroseeded as part of our cost share initiative. Mobilization costs for hydroseeders to vegetate one small bank are prohibitive, therefore we are would like to schedule multiple projects within a 2-3 day period during late April to mid May. We would like to ask interested landowners to contact our office. If there is enough interest garnered this spring then we will schedule a three day period for seeding (dependent on weather). The costs for seeding slopes less than ¼ acre will range from $400-425 depending on number of participants. The UBRWPP would reimburse landowners $270 once the contractor has received payment from the landowner. This program DRASTICALLY reduces the costs to landowners for vegetating their bare banks and reduces sediment in the lake. Please contact Jennifer Beck by April 22 at (828) 625-9983 ext 123 or watershed@carolinamountain.org to express interest or visit our website at www.upperbroadriver.org for more information on the UBRWPP Program.