For many years local civic leaders and elected officials tried to convince TVA to maintain higher water levels in Lake Nottely during the summer and fall recreation period without any success. On October 14, 1991 a local group of concerned citizens headed by Dick Bell convened an organizational meeting at the Union County Civic Center to form the Lake Nottely Improvement Association.

The Mission Statement was three fold - to act as an organization dedicated to the improvement of Lake Nottely, to act as an informal group, working on behalf of all Lake Nottely users, to convey our concerns to the authorities governing the lake and its watershed. These concerns would include, but not be limited to, the following:

Lake Levels
Water Quality
Fishing Quality
Recreational Enhancements
Boating Safety
Economic Development

and to act as a clearinghouse for all information pertaining to Lake Nottely.

During the October 14, 1991 public meeting (which was attended by 45 people), Roy Caudell, nominating chair, presented a slate of officers. These officers were elected by those present.

Dick Bell - President
Bob Keyser - 1st  Vice President
Don Breslin - 2nd Vice President
Charles Smith - Treasurer
Sandy Bell - Secretary
Bill Parker - at large
Jim McAfee - at large
Joe Satterfield - at large
Gerald Ippolito - at large

On November 18, 1991 a set of by-laws was adopted and a motion to incorporate the association was passed. Committees were set up for:

Boating Safety
Lake Levels
Economic Development
Recreation
Fishing & Water Quality

Although not listed as a committee, the first lake shore clean up was held on March 21, 1992 and two shore clean ups are held each year with special clean ups when needed. Committees haven been formed and eliminated as the needs of the association have required. Many activities have been sponsored by the LNIA such as educational meetings with speakers from TVA, the U.S. Forestry Service, Georgia DNR and Elected Officials.

Field trips are held each year to places of interest such as TVA dams and power houses, The Tennessee Aquarium, to name a few. Social activities for the members are conducted throughout the year. The LNIA has maintained an awareness of any issues that may impact Lake Nottely either positively or negatively. When boat traffic and speed became a concern, the LNIA worked to get a GA DNR officer assigned to the lake instead of having to share one with several other lakes. The LNIA bought boating regulation signs and helped the GA DNR install them at all public boat ramps on Lake Nottely.

The LNIA's biggest challenge was to launch a massive letter writing campaign to our Washington officials to get them to convince TVA to keep the water at reasonable levels all year. The members responded with such enthusiasms that our elected officials and TVA knew the Lake Nottely Improvement Association was committed to seeing this happen. The LNIA has been a very active organization with great participation by its membership.

There are 5 at large members of the board who are elected for 2 year terms.

Writer: Glen Boland, Past President, who's tireless effort will always be appreciated.
Editor: Lyndon Sidelinger