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Name:
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lakefun
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Subject:
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Article in the Daily Home
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Date:
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3/22/2006 7:54:10 PM
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How did this go from a ban on house boats to a ban on 26 foot 11 inch boats. Sorry for the long post but everyone needs to be aware of this crap.
AREA NEWS
Alabama Power addresses land deal in houseboat ban controversy
By David Atchison
03-21-2006
An Alabama Power Company spokesperson said Monday the company was involved in talks about a Randolph County multi-million dollar development proposed along Lake Harris in Wedowee, but it didn’t initiate the discussions. The proposed plush resort community development was the spark for a controversial bill banning houseboats on nine, and eventually 11, Alabama lakes that had the company’s support. Developers told officials in Alabama they would not consider Harris if houseboats were not restricted. But, Alabama Power spokesperson Carrie Kurlander said, "we did not solicit that meeting with the developer. "We did not spearhead anything," she said, adding that Alabama Power officials meet with developers all the time about proposed developments of company land. "There's not something big behind the scene." Alabama Power owns about 10,000 acres along Lake Harris, also known as Lake Wedowee, she said. Matt Hooton, president of Randolph Properties Inc., owns significant acreage there as well. Hooton said Friday the proposed resort community development is like nothing Alabama has ever seen. "It could change the perception and complexion of this part of Alabama." He would not confirm last week whether Alabama Power land was needed for the development, but he did say his company did not own enough land for an economic development project of this magnitude. Kurlander said Alabama Power has little land on the Clay County side of Lake Harris and most of its developable land is along the Randolph County side of the lake. Any use of Alabama Power developable land on Harris, or any other lake, could entail the lease or sale of its land. Alabama Power has about 3,500 acres along Lake Harris, which could be developed. The other 6,500 acres Alabama Power owns along the lake is dedicated to public use under the company's federal hydroelectric development license for the east Alabama lake impoundment. Kurlander said the land designated for public use could incorporate things like walking or hiking nature trails for the public. Hooton said the large resort community development could provide 10,000 jobs over a 10-year period, and lawmakers said they proposed the ban in part because of the potential there. Developers requested the ban before they would come to Harris. Sen. Gerald Dial, D-Lineville, who represents Randolph County, sponsored the bill to outright ban houseboats on nine Alabama lakes, including Logan Martin. Rep. Richard Laird, D-Roanoke, who also represents Randolph County, introduced a companion bill in the House. Both bills made it out of committees and onto action calendars in both houses within days. The legislation was on the fast track until opposition slowed the pace last week before the Legislature recessed for spring break. Dial said Georgia developers wanted assurances that restrictions were in place before moving forward with the development on Lake Harris. Willard Bowers, vice president of environmental affairs for Alabama Power, said efforts to develop legislation restricting houseboats began at the request of stakeholders at Lake Harris. He said there were stakeholders on Lake Martin that wanted to be included in the legislation. Bowers said he told stakeholders from both lakes that Alabama Power did not want restrictions for just the two lakes and would only support legislation if all Alabama Power lakes without locks were included in the legislation. Because of strong opposition to the original bill, a substitute bill surfaced last week. Eleven instead of nine lakes are included in the proposed substitute legislation. Those lakes include Logan Martin, Martin, Harris, Jordan, Lay, Mitchell, Neely Henry, Smith, Thurlow, Weiss and Yates lakes. The new proposal would "grandfather" existing houseboats but would eventually phase out all houseboats on the 11 lakes. The new bill would exempt sailboats but prohibit boats longer than 26 feet, 11 inches in length and capable of speeds in excess of 60 mph. Bowers said Alabama Power supports the substitute bill.
About David Atchison
David Atchison is a staff writer for The Daily Home.
Contact David Atchison
Phone: E-mail: 205-884-3400 news@dailyhome.com
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