MOBILE, Ala. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District announced today shoreline management changes. This change impacts property owners on USACE projects throughout the Southeast. It brings shoreline management regulations into compliance with federal law. The laws directing the construction of the dams and reservoirs – laws dating to the 1940s – never authorized irrigation, in any amount, as a project purpose.
“The new rules now forbid the use of reservoir water for irrigation. This impacts all property owners who have a permit to pump water from the reservoirs for their lawns and gardens and other uses. Water may still be pumped from the reservoirs to wash permitted docks and boats moored at docks so long as the water falls back into the reservoir. This new restriction brings shoreline management into compliance with federal law,” said Parker.
Shoreline use rules became effective Jan. 1, 2016 and will apply to Allatoona Lake, Lake Sidney Lanier, Lake Seminole, Walter F. George Lake and West Point Lake. The changes will impact property owners adjacent to Mobile District reservoirs. Updates change the use of water from the reservoirs for private use and how property owners complete application forms for a Shoreline Use Permit (SUP) and license.
“USACE projects in the Mobile District have multiple purposes which include flood risk reduction, water supply, water quality, wildlife management, recreation, hydropower and navigation. Congress did not include irrigation,” said Lisa Parker, Deputy Public Affairs.
For more information, please contact the Allatoona Office at 678-721-6700, The Lake Lanier Office at 770-945-9531, the Lake Seminole Office at 229-662-2001, the Walter F. George Office at 229-768-2516 or the West Point Office at 706-645-2937.
Release no. 16-002