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| Name: |
waterph
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/16/2007 8:20:31 AM
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I have just read an article in The Decatur Daily that dicscussed the delay by FERC in granting the 50 year relicense to Alabama Power for Smith Lake. The article by the writer Bayne Hughes stated and I quote "Alabama Power seeks a 50 year license. The power company uses Smith Lake to regulate the Warrior River's water levels and cool the water for use at its downstream steam plant". This is an argument that has been noted by writers to this forum, by SLISA, and apparently is not denied by representatives by Alabama Power.
The article also quotes Jared Key, President of SLISA that "he would resign as SLISA president if McCrary could prove that a cooling tower at the Gorgas Steam Plant wouldn't solve Smith Lake's problems." Mr. McCrary as CEO of Alabama Power, could silence the charges by SLISA if he would address this allegation by Mr. Key. In a matter of days, Alabam Power could issue a statement, based on factual data, that the Gorgas Steam Plant is not dependent on the cooler waters from Smith Lake and cooling towers are not an issue. If the writer for The Decatur Daily and Mr. Key are inaccurate in their descrription of the major issue between SLISA and Alabama Power, a retraction would be appropriate from the newspaper and Mr. Key should resign from SLISA. It is imperative that the truth surface concerning the dependence on Gorgas for cool water from Smith Lake. Conversely, if Alabama elects not to address this accusation, doubts will continue as to why major shifts in water level in non draught years are necessary for Smith Lake.
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| Name: |
Fred
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/18/2007 9:15:22 PM
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Hmmmmm, I didn't know of such an issue..... Are you one of the unlucky folks that bought "seasonal" property and paid premium for it?
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| Name: |
MartynMart
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/19/2007 12:32:15 PM
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There have been a lot of condescending remarks on this forum about lots with "seasonal water" yet most of the lots with "deep, year round water" require the agility of a mountain goat or an ability to rapel to be able to reach the boat dock when the water is low. In other words, access to the docks of these "deep, year round water" lots is seasonal also.
When water levels fluctuate as much as they do, it affects everybody in one way or another. The Smith Lake of the 21st Century is not the same lake it was in the 20th Century. As recently as five or ten years ago, Alabama Power could keep the fisherman of Smith Lake happy as long the water levels did not adversely affect the spawning season. Today, millions of dollars are pouring in to the Smith Lake area to create vacation and year round homes. You can't expect these new home owners to be content with the answer that Alabama Power has "always" drastically lowered the lake levels before the summer season is over. Just because it has always been done that way doesn't mean that things can't change.
But, the problem does not get solved just by complaining (whining some would say). If the need for a cooling tower is the problem, everyone needs to work together with Alabama to help solve the problem. Since the demands are being driven primarily by the new development on the lake, I would suggest that the developers place a surcharge on new developments with that surcharge to go to Alabama Power to help pay for the cooling tower.
When a developer builds in a subdivision that requires curbs, gutters and sidewalks, that cost gets passed on to the buyer. In my view, the cooling tower surcharge would fall into the same category. The current high price of houses and condos does not seem to be a deterrent to sales so a few extra thousand dollars should not be a problem. In fact, if the cooling tower would help to stabilize the lake's water level, the value of everyone's property would increase.
I'm sure that there are several approaches that can be taken to stabilize water levels. My suggestion is just an attempt to point out one approach to solving the problem. My point is that we need to spend our energies in trying to work with Alabama Power to make things better. Accusations, finger pointing, and threatening to resign from a position don't accomplish anything positive. Without Alabama Power, we wouldn't have this beautiful lake. So, thank you Alabama Power.
As the nature of the lake has changed from an undeveloped, fishing lake to an ever busier, recreation lake we just need to work together to make the Smith Lake of the 21st Century a fun place for ourselves, our children, and generations to come. I am confident that we can do that.
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| Name: |
waterph
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/19/2007 12:47:09 PM
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MartyMart
Well said!
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| Name: |
waterph
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/19/2007 12:48:19 PM
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MartynMart
My error in the spelling. Sorry!
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| Name: |
Fred
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/20/2007 10:24:23 AM
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Martyn,
You let the cat out of the bag... Now we all know why the snivelers continue to rant about water levels.... It's called a BANK ACCOUNT and the incessant need to make it grow.
"Since the demands are being driven primarily by the new development on the lake"
What is bothersome to me and my family, is that we do NOT want a Birmingham on water. Wilderness is one of the biggest drivers for people wanting to be on the lake. Development should be managed by the natural resources that us lake lovers came here for NOT by some greedy tycoon padding his wallet. The fact that the lake fluctuates keeps the lake in check and prevents every Tom, Dick and Harry with money form swallowing up the limited shoreline and turning the lake into an investment check for one's retirement.
SLISA obviously has hidden agendas. If it were all about a cooling tower and lake levels then why all the whining and cheap shots at APCO and not actually trying to solve the problem with thier $25 / head membership fee?
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 9:19:55 AM
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You made the comment "Let the Cat out of the bag". O.K. I am here now. Thanks for setting me free. Hello you all.
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| Name: |
Blazer
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 1:47:38 PM
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Welcome Cat Boat.
Are you the same Cat Boat from Martin?
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 1:53:10 PM
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Yes, same one. I figured I would practice my social skills. Do you frequent the Martin board?
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| Name: |
Blazer
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 4:06:42 PM
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It has been a while, but I do out to the Martin site ocasionally.
At one time, I was lurking on the site fairly consistently. It is the most acitve of all of the USwater sites and has good participation.
For Smith Lake (where we are located) I use this site and the smithlakecommunity.com site. Both are really good sites for info.
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 6:01:19 PM
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I have a friend on Smith Lake. His name is Robert Nelems. He has invited me to visit Smith Lake on several occasions. I think I will take him up on it next summer. Thanks for your welcome.
Steve
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| Name: |
bamabouie
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| Subject: |
Decatur Daily Article
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Date:
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9/21/2007 6:20:54 PM
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Robert is a good friend to have on Smith Lake!
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
True......
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Date:
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9/21/2007 8:18:46 PM
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Robert is good friend to have when you file suit against the State of Alabama as well.
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| Name: |
slisasucks
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| Subject: |
THIS IS COMEDY
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Date:
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4/2/2008 11:23:43 PM
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Man, I just read this thread and it's COMEDY... Who cares if Jared resigns from SLISA? Who's Jared? Is he the president of SLISA? How much money does SLISA generate? Do they supply a service? Do they have a product? Oh wait, isn't Jared the Fat Guy that lost all that weight on the SubWay Diet? So he's an actor? That really makes sense now...
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