we had a very productive meeting and today I will comment only on a few Items discussed and voted on.
1- Alabama Water Watch would like to have more e-coli testing on Smith Lake.
2-Advocacy will particapate at Fawn this year, explaining how and why water is tested on Smith Lake. Last year there were approximately, 300, 5th grade students, during 2 days of workshops.
3-We are planning to put up signs on all the different tributaries on Smith Lake in Winston County. This will allow you to tell a friend where you live and he can come to your house. This will allow strangers to boat on Smith Lake, know where they are on the lake and not get lost.
4-There will be a slough cleanup in Winston County on Saturday October 24th. Alabama power is furnishing all bags for this cleanup. There will be dumpsters at several locations "undecided yet". There will be a notice later telling where the dumsters will be and where to pick up the bags. Boy Scouts can recieve badges for helping with Smith Lake Cleanups. We need your boat, if you don't have a boat, we still need your help. For more information 256-747-4422
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
jellyfish
Freshwater Jellyfish in Smith Lake
Posted: 24 Aug 2009 06:12 AM PDT
Kathy Potocsnak called me recently about a mystery organism that she'd found near her boat dock on Smith Lake. Since I couldn't recognize it from a verbal description, she brought one to the office. I made some photos and sent them to Rusty Wright, Extension Fisheries Specialist. Here's his response:"Yep that is a freshwater jellyfish. I usually get 1-2 calls a year confirming the presence of these critters in our lakes and ponds. I think many times I'm settling a bet! "Freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbyi, is a non-native species originally from Asia. It is now common virtually globally. They eat small zooplankton but there is no evidence that they do any damage to our ecosystems. People see them most often from clear lakes, pools, and reservoirs: however they are also in more cloudy turbid water as well it is just that we can't see them as well in those systems. "It is an interesting critter!"Here's a link to the U. S. Geological Survey's web page about these jellyfish.This jellyfish was actively swimming around in the jar. It swim throught the water for a few seconds, then it would pause and just float. After I made these photos, Kathy took the jellyfish back to the lake.Thanks to Rusty for the identification of the photos, and to Kathy for bringing the freshwater jellyfish to our office.
Posted: 24 Aug 2009 06:12 AM PDT
Kathy Potocsnak called me recently about a mystery organism that she'd found near her boat dock on Smith Lake. Since I couldn't recognize it from a verbal description, she brought one to the office. I made some photos and sent them to Rusty Wright, Extension Fisheries Specialist. Here's his response:"Yep that is a freshwater jellyfish. I usually get 1-2 calls a year confirming the presence of these critters in our lakes and ponds. I think many times I'm settling a bet! "Freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbyi, is a non-native species originally from Asia. It is now common virtually globally. They eat small zooplankton but there is no evidence that they do any damage to our ecosystems. People see them most often from clear lakes, pools, and reservoirs: however they are also in more cloudy turbid water as well it is just that we can't see them as well in those systems. "It is an interesting critter!"Here's a link to the U. S. Geological Survey's web page about these jellyfish.This jellyfish was actively swimming around in the jar. It swim throught the water for a few seconds, then it would pause and just float. After I made these photos, Kathy took the jellyfish back to the lake.Thanks to Rusty for the identification of the photos, and to Kathy for bringing the freshwater jellyfish to our office.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Clean Water Act
The government is currently planning/discussing making a major change to this ACT. This change has already been passed forward from the "committee" and is now in the hands of congress. This major change is to designate the Corp Of Engineers and E.P.A. to oversee the waters in all the watersheds in the United States. This I think would be a disaster!!! Currently the Corp Of Engineers oversee all navigable waters in the United States. They currently do not have money enough to maintain/dredge the waterways they are now responsible for. E.P.A. is also short of money and manpower, way behind on issuing permits, which can be extremely expensive.We need both the EPA and the Corp of Engineers to continue there present responsibilities but we do not need more government regulations and control of our everyday life and land. Should anyone want me to explain how this would be a disaster I will be happy to do so._________________
Should you not want this change to the Clean Water Act call your Senators and Congressman and tell them I do not want the Corp Of Engineers and EPA overseeing all watersheds in the U.S. Leave it like it was.
President of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.
Member of Bankhead National Forest liaison panel
Member of Winston County Natural Resource Council.
Should you not want this change to the Clean Water Act call your Senators and Congressman and tell them I do not want the Corp Of Engineers and EPA overseeing all watersheds in the U.S. Leave it like it was.
President of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc.
Member of Bankhead National Forest liaison panel
Member of Winston County Natural Resource Council.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
flood insurance
Summary of a conversation between LaVerne Matheson, President, Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc., and Janice Mitchell, FEMA
Re: Flood Insurance
770-220-5441/Atlanta Georgia
The following is information as I understood it in my conversation with Janice Mitchell on Thursday, August 13, 2009:
1) There probably has never been a 100 year flood plain map completed on Lewis Smith Lake. When the lake was built in the early sixties there was no National Flood Insurance; thus, no map was required.
2) Where no 100 year flood plain map has ever existed, all “dark shaded” areas on the new flood zone maps are considered to be in class A (the most expensive flood insurance class). This would require all lenders to request flood insurance prior to the acquisition of any federally backed mortgage (and probably bank mortgages on a home or building, as well) regardless of the elevation of the property. In order to contest the requirement for flood insurance on the property, the property owner must obtain a new elevation survey, plus supply additional data, then request a reevaluation of FEMA’S data on the property. When the evaluation is completed, the owner will be notified of the findings, and whether flood insurance will be required. Even if FEMA rules that you do not need flood insurance for your mortgage, the lender can review the flood map, note that your property is in the “dark shaded” area and then the LENDER can require flood insurance before a closing. FEMA can do nothing about the lender’s request for flood insurance, but because your property is now in class X, your insurance should be less costly.
3-The expense of making any change to the flood insurance for Smith Lake would have to borne by Winston County, and would very costly for a hydrology engineer. FEMA might accept the new elevation maps from the engineer, but would it change the flood insurance requirement or the cost of flood insurance?
4-From my conversation with Janice Mitchell the best solution is to have your lot, development or property resurveyed, ascertain the correct elevation on your property and then ask for a reevaluation.
Janice Mitchell will discuss your problem with you and explain what might be best for you and what is required for a reevaluation of your property. JUST GIVE JANICE A CALL!!!!
Re: Flood Insurance
770-220-5441/Atlanta Georgia
The following is information as I understood it in my conversation with Janice Mitchell on Thursday, August 13, 2009:
1) There probably has never been a 100 year flood plain map completed on Lewis Smith Lake. When the lake was built in the early sixties there was no National Flood Insurance; thus, no map was required.
2) Where no 100 year flood plain map has ever existed, all “dark shaded” areas on the new flood zone maps are considered to be in class A (the most expensive flood insurance class). This would require all lenders to request flood insurance prior to the acquisition of any federally backed mortgage (and probably bank mortgages on a home or building, as well) regardless of the elevation of the property. In order to contest the requirement for flood insurance on the property, the property owner must obtain a new elevation survey, plus supply additional data, then request a reevaluation of FEMA’S data on the property. When the evaluation is completed, the owner will be notified of the findings, and whether flood insurance will be required. Even if FEMA rules that you do not need flood insurance for your mortgage, the lender can review the flood map, note that your property is in the “dark shaded” area and then the LENDER can require flood insurance before a closing. FEMA can do nothing about the lender’s request for flood insurance, but because your property is now in class X, your insurance should be less costly.
3-The expense of making any change to the flood insurance for Smith Lake would have to borne by Winston County, and would very costly for a hydrology engineer. FEMA might accept the new elevation maps from the engineer, but would it change the flood insurance requirement or the cost of flood insurance?
4-From my conversation with Janice Mitchell the best solution is to have your lot, development or property resurveyed, ascertain the correct elevation on your property and then ask for a reevaluation.
Janice Mitchell will discuss your problem with you and explain what might be best for you and what is required for a reevaluation of your property. JUST GIVE JANICE A CALL!!!!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
membership form
WINSTON COUNTY SMITH LAKE ADVOCACY, INC.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Mission Statement: The mission of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy is to preserve and protect the environmental quality of Lewis Smith Lake and its tributaries through education of the public and the promotion and implementation of sound environmental practices.
Name____________________________________________ (Please print)
Mailing Address_____________________________________
______________________________________
Phone______________________________________
Email address_______________________________ (all notices and information will be sent to your email address unless you specify phone or US mail)
Dues enclosed_________ ($10 per household or business per year; $100 lifetime) Make check payable to “WCSLAI”
Mail check and form to: Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc. P. O. Box 435 Arley, AL 35541
2009 Board of Directors
Linda Atkinson
Larry Barkey
Bob Beatty
Kitty Chance
Mary Ann Crunk
Paul Gillette
Tom Grubbs
Barry Johnson
Burt Jones
Judy Lambert
LaVerne Matheson
Dennis Quinn
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Mission Statement: The mission of Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy is to preserve and protect the environmental quality of Lewis Smith Lake and its tributaries through education of the public and the promotion and implementation of sound environmental practices.
Name____________________________________________ (Please print)
Mailing Address_____________________________________
______________________________________
Phone______________________________________
Email address_______________________________ (all notices and information will be sent to your email address unless you specify phone or US mail)
Dues enclosed_________ ($10 per household or business per year; $100 lifetime) Make check payable to “WCSLAI”
Mail check and form to: Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy, Inc. P. O. Box 435 Arley, AL 35541
2009 Board of Directors
Linda Atkinson
Larry Barkey
Bob Beatty
Kitty Chance
Mary Ann Crunk
Paul Gillette
Tom Grubbs
Barry Johnson
Burt Jones
Judy Lambert
LaVerne Matheson
Dennis Quinn
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Watershed progress
Mona Scruggs a graduate student at Auburn is going to assist us in completing a watershed power point program that we will be showing to high school students who are in science,biology or FFA classes. This power point program will explain to these students the importance of taking care of the watershed by showing pictures of improper use and care of the watershed but also a better or correct way to manage property in the watershed. The pictures for this power point program will all be taken in Winston County. We want all associations,civic clubs etc. to know that we will be delighted to show this program to your group. This program will be completed this year.
We are trying to make everyone aware that if we do not take care of the watershed, that supplies all the water for Smith Lake, that Smith Lake will become polluted in future years
There is currently an application for a small grant being prepared and sent to EPA and Adem. This grant will allow us to complete the Power Point program and also study the watershed for Rock Creek only.
Rock Creek was put on the 303D list in 1996 which means it has some pollution. When the study of Rock Creek is completed, should we decide to go fotward, there would be public meetings, a very detailed plan of how we would correct the problems that have or are contributing to the pollution problems on Rock Creek, and then a large grant would be applied for.
I have been assured that this will be a local project and there will be no new regulations of any kind applied to any property existing in this watershed, from acquiring a government grant.
Should you have any quetions about these plans please call me 256 -747- 4422 or Mike Henshaw your county extension agent 205-489-5376
We are trying to make everyone aware that if we do not take care of the watershed, that supplies all the water for Smith Lake, that Smith Lake will become polluted in future years
There is currently an application for a small grant being prepared and sent to EPA and Adem. This grant will allow us to complete the Power Point program and also study the watershed for Rock Creek only.
Rock Creek was put on the 303D list in 1996 which means it has some pollution. When the study of Rock Creek is completed, should we decide to go fotward, there would be public meetings, a very detailed plan of how we would correct the problems that have or are contributing to the pollution problems on Rock Creek, and then a large grant would be applied for.
I have been assured that this will be a local project and there will be no new regulations of any kind applied to any property existing in this watershed, from acquiring a government grant.
Should you have any quetions about these plans please call me 256 -747- 4422 or Mike Henshaw your county extension agent 205-489-5376
Monday, July 13, 2009
Advocacy News
We had a board meeting on July 8th at 10 A.M. at Traders and Farmers Bank in Arley.
Some of the Items discussed:
The June Clean-up on Clear Creek , removed 11 truck loads of styrofoam plus a dumpster of trash.
There are 18 test sites on the lake in Winston Co. currently, 16 active sites are being tested every month.
We will have Al. Powers coloring books"1500" ready for all students, kindergarden through 3rd grade in Winston Co. this summer.
We will have 2 directors explaining why and how we test water, at the Fawn program in October.
Saturday October 24th we are going to have a 1 day clean-up of all sloughs in Smith Lake in Winston County
We now have a Graduate student from Auburn who will assist us developing a watershed power point program for us to present at High Schools and other local organization. We are also considering a watershed program for the Rock Creek Watershed.
We have a committee studing putting signage up on Smith Lake in Winston County at the mouth of all tributatries,helping visiting boaters and local boaters to know where they are on the lake.
These are a few of the projects that "The Advocacy" is currently working on. Do you want to see Smith Lake continue to be clean and beautiful. Join "The Advocacy" and help us keep Smith Lake as it is now, forever!!!!
Some of the Items discussed:
The June Clean-up on Clear Creek , removed 11 truck loads of styrofoam plus a dumpster of trash.
There are 18 test sites on the lake in Winston Co. currently, 16 active sites are being tested every month.
We will have Al. Powers coloring books"1500" ready for all students, kindergarden through 3rd grade in Winston Co. this summer.
We will have 2 directors explaining why and how we test water, at the Fawn program in October.
Saturday October 24th we are going to have a 1 day clean-up of all sloughs in Smith Lake in Winston County
We now have a Graduate student from Auburn who will assist us developing a watershed power point program for us to present at High Schools and other local organization. We are also considering a watershed program for the Rock Creek Watershed.
We have a committee studing putting signage up on Smith Lake in Winston County at the mouth of all tributatries,helping visiting boaters and local boaters to know where they are on the lake.
These are a few of the projects that "The Advocacy" is currently working on. Do you want to see Smith Lake continue to be clean and beautiful. Join "The Advocacy" and help us keep Smith Lake as it is now, forever!!!!
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