Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 1:01:02 PM

This is no April Fool's. A friend of mine tipped me off that he read on FERC's site that they agree with AL Power's recommendation on both the higher winter level and the conditional full pool!!!

their words:

"the final EIS recommends adopting Alabama Power's proposal to raise the winter flood pool by three feet and to implement a conditional fall extension of the summer flood control curve elevation from September 1 to October 15.  "

see this link: FERC

Am I reading this wrong? If I am I apologize. But, I don't think so.

Yee haw!!!!!!!!

Name:	weagle74 -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 1:16:47 PM

HALLELUJAH! That is outstanding! 

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 2:26:58 PM

Love it.  In the recommendations as I understand (skimmed) them the conditional fall draw down is expected to occur only once every three years.  I also spotted a FERC recommendation that seawall construction be curtailed.

Name:	Little Gray -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 2:41:58 PM

Oh my goodness! I can't believe it...this is AWESOME! I was so afraid that the EPA would not agree with Alabama Power's recommendations, especially after hearing some pretty harrowing stories involving the EPA. 

It would stand to reason that no one in the Lake Martin community would want to do anything to compromise the integrity of the lake, it's wildlife or our property values. However, common sense and reason seem to be scarce in Washington in years of late. But I must say that today at least, I have renewed hope and am SO happy to hear this wonderful news! 

Looking forward to another great season at Lake Martin!

Name:	papatoon869 -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 3:13:49 PM

This is GREAT news - thanks for sharing

Name:	lakeweekends -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 3:57:01 PM

Yee Haw.....................................

Is this effective this year  ie imediatley.

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Email from APC
Date:	4/2/2015 4:05:12 PM

Lake Martin Stakeholders:

Today, FERC staff released the attached Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the relicensing of the Martin Dam Project. In it, FERC recommends adopting Alabama Power’s proposal to raise the winter lake elevation by three feet and to provide for a conditional fall extension of the summer pool level in years when water is available. This is a reversal from the Draft EIS, which recommended not approving our winter pool and fall extension proposals.

We are extremely pleased with this outcome and greatly appreciate all the support and hard work of our stakeholders during this process. FERC staff was very helpful as we worked to develop the additional studies and information for it to reconsider our proposal. The participation of the Lake Martin community during the FERC public meeting was overwhelming and made clear the importance of this issue.

We look forward to receiving a new license for Lake Martin in the near future. Thank you.

Jim

James F. Crew

Manager, Hydro Services

Southern Company Generation

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	John C.
Date:	4/2/2015 4:24:49 PM

Got your Voice App. Works great and will be used frequently.. Thanks

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	John C.
Date:	4/2/2015 4:53:59 PM

thanks so much! I am still building out the info on it, especially on the "Fun" Section. So I hope it is useful. I plan to post it here, hopefully it will be ok since it's free. I planned to roll it out tomorrow but this huge news with the water level pushed it out of me!

Name:	PTClakefan -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 4:57:48 PM

I thought the recommendation for reducing the new winter level of 484" to the old 481' is recommended in the final Environmental Impact Statement to be every 6 years.  Did I misread this?

Section 5.2.1 Page 169: "Lower the resivor elevation to at least 481 feet every 6 years to facilitate seawall and boat dock construction and mainenance and other activities benefiting from lower lake levels."

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 6:56:37 PM

"Friends With Low Places"

Blame is all on John C
He let out a plea
And we swarmed your FERCing affair
He let us all know
Wanted each one to show
More Martin folks
Than you thought You'd see there

And we saw the surprise
And the fear in your eyes
When John took his turn to speak,
"I'm telling you
That we won't be through
'Til the pool stays up a few weeks"

'Cause we've got friends with low places
Where the water downs
And the beach chases the crowds away
But we'll be ok
Smiles will be big on all our faces
Seven foot drop would be like an oasis
For all our friends with low places

Well, we may be wrong
And our plan not belong
But then, we speak as we're free
Everything would be right
We'd be proud of our fight
To winter at four eighty three

Hey, we didn’t mean
To cause a big scene
Just give us a seven foot drop
Full pool thru October
Means much to the vendor
And still protect the farm crop

'Cause we've got friends with low places
Where the water downs
And the beach chases the crowds away
But we'll be ok
Smiles will be big on all our faces
Seven foot drop would be like an oasis
For all our friends with low places

Name:	Mack -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/2/2015 8:11:38 PM

Only LNG could come up with a lilt so quickly, and good match with music. Good stuff Milton/../,.,

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/3/2015 8:22:45 AM

It's a rerun, Mack.  Did it after the big meeting in Alex City.

Name:	Aardvark -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/4/2015 12:34:28 AM

I still want to see it go down about 50 feet at least once, just to see what I can see.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Believe Me NO you don't
Date:	4/4/2015 3:18:34 PM

Why not?

Name:	Aardvark -	Reply
Subject:	Believe Me NO you don't
Date:	4/5/2015 10:20:11 PM

I liked exploring the areas uncovered by the '07 drought, and I would like to see what is further out.  I have a jonboat, so I can explore places at extreme low levels few other lake people will ever see.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	FERC approves higher winter water!!
Date:	4/6/2015 7:35:08 AM

 ha!!! still love that one. It is pretty amazing that FERC reversed their course on this, thanks to a lot of work by a lot of folks!!!

Name:	Lakewood -	Reply
Subject:	Believe Me NO you don't
Date:	4/8/2015 4:00:47 PM

I've been coming to the lake for 60-plus years now. When I was a kid we loved exploring the land exposed during the winter, and we used to find all sorts of domestic animal bones, household and farm tools and implements (most totally rusted, some almost fossilized) and lots of cheap household china, lots of it intact. I still walk the shore now and again but we don't find anything anymore except a little bit of contemporary junk, fishing tackle, and such. The shoreline has been picked over!