An Eye on Lake Martin's Future STORY BY BETSY ILER & HARRY DENEGRE
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labama State Rep. Ed Oliver (Dist. 81) addressed development issues at the Lake Martin Homeowners and Boat Owners Association annual meeting, held at First Baptist Church in Dadeville on June 11. Increased growth over recent years, especially after people flocked to the lake during the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised questions about infrastructure and lifestyle, as well as traffic patterns and boating laws. “We’re wanting to get ahead on Lake Martin before it becomes Lake Lanier,” Oliver said after the meeting. “Fortunately, we’re not starting from scratch. EDA, ALDOT, ADEM and others – we all have worked on plans for these things, so we’re working together to address these issues.” With an economic downturn on the horizon, Oliver said, it’s hard to know how the lake economy will react. “The lake area is enjoying a robust economy right now, but with inflation the way it is, it may be difficult for people to think about building. We may see a drop in tourism. There’s been no drop-off so far, but we don’t know what the economy is going to be,” he said. While the need exists for a corridor along state Route 49, funds may not be available to build a road, so Oliver said officials are looking at plans for managing development in both economic scenarios – a boom or a bust. The same is true for sewage, water and lake laws, he noted. 36 LAKE
In matters of lake laws, including proximity limits and licensed driving requirements, Oliver said, legislators are working with Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol to craft laws that are enforceable. “One of the reasons the 200-foot proximity bill did not pass a while back was that the marine police said it was difficult to enforce. It was too subjective. We’ll be trying again with another bill, and I will be a sponsor on it,” he said. “We also have some issue with licensing. The way it is now, if you live in Alabama, you have to have a license to operate a boat, but someone who doesn’t live here doesn’t have to. That needs to be addressed, along with other safety and quality of life issues at the lake.” Some 100 HOBO members turned out for the breakfast, which was provided by Renfroe’s Market in Dadeville. The 2022-2024 board includes Wallace Jones, Judy Heinzen, Jerry Purcell, William Haynes, Ann Campbell, Bill Walker, Brad Copeland and Chris Searcy, as well as president Harry DeNegre. HOBOs is in the process of a membership drive and urges anyone who owns a lake home or a boat to join the association, which advocates for the lake and sponsors safety events, including a boating license class and citation-free inspections. Visit the website at lakemartinhobos.com or the Facebook page for more information.
JULY 2022
