Message from the President, Herb Burnham

In case you haven’t heard, 2012 is the 50^th anniversary of Hartwell Lake and promises to be filled with related events and activities. The Lake Hartwell Association has been working with the Corps of Engineers and the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance over the past year to ensure that the history of this beautiful and valuable resource is told and celebrated. Beginning with this newsletter we will do our best to keep our members informed so they may actively participate. Knowing and appreciating history is always important and it helps us better understand opportunities and plan for the challenges of the future.

This is also a special year because it is an election year and it is our elected state and federal representatives that speak on our behalf regarding the funding of lake issues, such as water management studies for the Savannah River Basin. For example, phase 2 of the Comprehensive Basin Study has been on hold since 2006 due to lack of state funding. This is the phase of the study that, based on what was learned from droughts of record, will determine what changes are needed to better manage flows during drought conditions. (See related article on page 3 of the 2012 Winter Newsletter.) With Lake Hartwell Association’s encouragement, several of our representatives are now actively exploring the possibility of having some of the revenues created by electrical power generation in the basin ($60 million annually) returned to the two states. Currently the revenues go into the General Fund in Washington. In the case of the Hartwell Project, it amounts to approximately $20 million a year. This has been the case for, you guessed it, 50 years. Since the water belongs to the citizens of South Carolina and Georgia, you would think it only fair that a reasonable share be returned to them to be reinvested in this most valuable resource.

In another article on page 4 of the newsletter, you will read about an exciting new approach to the management of water… The Intelligent River®. The Clemson University team that has been working on this idea for years has been awarded a $3 million grant to begin installing and testing instruments that will collect and transmit data related to water quality and quantity in the basin. This could eventually result in the 300+ miles of the Savannah River Basin becoming the most automated anywhere. The resources needed to reach that point will be huge, yet, well worth it because it promises the potential of applying best science, common sense and decades of experience to the real-time management of our precious water. Here, too, funding will be critical.

The issues noted above are only two examples of where our elected representatives will need to work harder for funds to ensure our region continues to have an adequate supply of clean water. The first is an opportunity to solve a more immediate problem. The second is an opportunity to be part of something new, unique and state of the art. Imagine the positive impact that could have on our water quality and lake levels and, in turn, the region’s economy.

As members of a well-established and recognized grassroots organization, each having a personal interest in our lake’s future, we can contribute by helping our association grow and become an even more effective voice at the state and federal levels. In the Fall Newsletter I challenged each of you to recruit at least one new member over the next 6 months. Many of you already have and the Association thanks you! Now that you know how easy it is and how good it feels, keep recruiting… we have room for everyone. For those who have not, please give it your best shot and let’s build our collective strength “for the sake of the lake”. PS: If you don’t see the businesses you deal with on the Business Partners listed on page 15 in the 2012 Winter newsletter, invite them to join. If they are on the list, be sure to thank them for their support during your next visit.

Finally, I and the Board of Directors want to extend best wishes to all of our fellow Lake Hartwell Association members and their families for a healthy, happy, and safe 2012!