Member Survey

What should the LNIA Priorities be next year:
- The response rankings are from HIGH (being a 5) to LOW (being a 1) and NO (being a
0) if you are apposed to the proposed item.

- IRS 501(c)3 Charitable Organization status (to allow tax deductible
contributions)
This will allow LNIA members to make tax deductible contribution to the organization. We
would also plan on making sure the membership dues are also tax deductible. The
biggest reason for doing this is to allow the LNIA to apply for grants to help pay for major
improvement projects to and for Lake Nottely and the watershed. E.g. Shoreline and
River Bank stabilization projects, vegetation establishment projects, navigation projects,
public docks for Poteete Creek boat ramp, etc. With out this status, it will not be possible
for the LNIA to have any hope of getting these types of grant requests considered, more  
the less approved.
- Partnerships w/ Fed, State, Local Agencies
To make sure the LNIA continues to strengthen its relationship and involvement with
agencies such as the TVA, US Forest Service, GA Forestry Commission, Union County,
GA Department of Natural Resources.
- Fish Attractors
To participate in the installation of both natural (e.g. Christmas trees) and artificial
permanent fish attractors (e.g. pvc and plastic based structures). Also, fund the purchase
of additional permanent fish attractors if deemed necessary.
- Fish Stocking Programs
To support and possibly help fund fish stockings of both game (primarily) and non-game
species.
- Brook Trout restoration project on Coosa Creek
To restore / introduce native Brook Trout (habitat and range competition endangered) to
upper portions of Coosa Creek. These creek sections would be above a natural barrier to
protect the "bookies" from the rainbow trout which feed on them and compete for the
same food sources.
- Blueback Herring (invasive fish species) control
The main concern is with the largemouth bass population in Lake Nottely. The #1  Factor
#1 affecting the largemouth bass fishery is the Lowered Winter Lake Levels. Factor #2 is
largemouth bass recruitment has been adversely affected by blueback herring. The
blueback herring was introduced into Lake Nottely and many other regional reservoirs
around the late 90's (1997). One issue is that the adult blueback herring and recently
hatched bass fingerling's compete for a finite supply of food (plankton). This puts a strain
on the fishery from a developmental / growth perspective and makes the more
susceptible to predation. It has also been documented by the DNR that there is a
significant amount of predation by blueback herring on bass less than 2.5 cm in total
length. Potential management includes netting (catch) of blue back herring in shallows,
increased stocking of larger bass the prey on the blueback herring, adding artificial fish
shelters (e.g. Christmas trees and other permanent pvc structures to provided sheltered
areas for the young bass during the lake drawdown period (August-April). This has been
done each year since 1999 and lastly experimental stockings of largemouth bass since
2003.
- Spring Fishing Tournament
This was suggested in order to increase the awareness of the Lake Nottely fishery and
the importance of the work the Lake Nottely Improvement Association does.
- Summertime Lake Levels
We must have more water retained in the reservoir for both regional and local economic
reasons as well as stabilizing the fisheries and reducing the amount of silt introduced into
Lake Nottely.
- Shoreline Stabilization & Restoration
Because of the constant changes in the elevation of Lake Nottely, there is a massive
amount of exposed / unprotected / lifeless areas along the shoreline of Lake Nottely. Buy
stabilizing the more vulnerable areas and educating land owners, we look to improve the
water quality ratings
- TVA Cliffs Area – management and vehicle access control
This is to be done in cooperation with the TVA to reduce the amount of vehicle traffic in
remote areas which are often used for dumping trash, dressing poached deer and
disposing of their remains. By doing this, we hope to reduced the amount of time and
effort involved in cleaning up that area.
- Trash receptacles & collection at boat ramps
The thought here is to keep the trash from ever going into the lake and/or making it more
likely that lake users will bring there trash back in from the lake if there is a convenient
place to dispose of that trash. Of course, we will also have to contend with local residents
illegally dumping their trash at these locations.
- Additional LNIA sponsored Park Benches
This past year (2006) we placed a park bench with "Lake Nottely Improvement
Association" engraved in the boards to serve as both a resting and enjoyment location as
well as publicizing the LNIA and our efforts.
- Public Docks for boat launches
This is to make the Lake Nottely experience more enjoyable or less stressful for those
launching and retrieving boats from Lake Nottely. Very difficult to get in a launched boat
from the shore without getting wet!
- Publicizing the economic impact of Lake Nottely on Union County
This will require some or a lot of research to determine the impact of Lake Nottely
economically so we can better justify our projects and gain support from the local
government agencies.
- Promoting Responsible land development and zoning
With the lack of zoning in Union County, several residents have found the land values
often adversely affected by car garages / work shops being built in the middle of existing
neighborhoods (thoughtless on their part) and unmanaged destruction of so many areas
leaving only large scares upon the scenery and a building in the middle of it. This also
goes along with promoting the revitalizing of downtown Blairsville.
- Cane Creek Resort development updates
Several members have voiced concern while others would just like to know what the plans
are so we as an organization can work effectively with them as future lake users. That is
unless someone comes up with a fund raiser in which we can raise enough money to buy
the resort land and then donate it to a larger conservation group or government agency.
- Law Enforcement and patrols on Lake Nottely
To support the current law enforcement efforts, while at the same time looking for ways to
make the lake safer for everyone's enjoyment.
- American Chestnut recovery program (GA Extension Lab)
The North Georgia Mountain Extension Lab just south of Blairsville is doing (or looking
into) doing lab work to reintroduce cross pollinated chestnut trees (15/16th American
Chestnut) in to the south mountain forests.
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid control program – fatal to Hemlocks (Young Harris
Beetle Lab)
Dr. Paul Arnold (Professor of Biology & YHC Beetle-rearing Coordinator) says it best! "As
the adelgid “front” travels further westward and southward, we hope that Young Harris
College can continue to contribute to the biopredatory efforts to control the decline of
hemlock populations in North Georgia along this front.  The efforts of our volunteer
workforce have been admirable, and I congratulate our students and community people
who have passionately worked toward that goal.  Although we do not know if our efforts
will pay off in reducing the onslaught of HWA, we at least can know that we tried our best
and we hope to continue this project in that same spirit.  We are also delighted that the
University of Georgia lab is already pushing ahead with its efforts and has received
funding to help its operation.  I continue to encourage everybody to continue to support
their efforts of beetle-rearing and research, since their larger facilities and deep expertise
will be at the forefront of this problem and will be able to impact it in greater ways than we
can.  Lastly, as always, I express my deepest thanks to Jim Wentworth and the rest of the
folks at the US Forest Service Brasstown District for spending many, many hours
releasing beetles and setting up clip cages.  I know their workload has increased greatly
as a result of this project, and I am forever in their debt!"
Once again, thank you to all who have helped with this project in any way.  Hopefully our
efforts will in some small way help in the preservation of our Eastern & Carolina
Hemlocks."  The LNIA is looking to support them in any way possible.
- Southern Pine Beetle control
This will mostly entail supporting the USFS in falling dead trees and removing the amount
of fuel in the event of a forest fire.
- LNIA Watershed Conservation Scholarship (Union County High School)
This is to increase the awareness of the LNIA while recognizing an individual graduating
senior who has made significant contributions to the preservation of the Lake Nottely
Watershed.
- Expanding the LNIA Website as a Communication and Information source
The Internet is a wonderful medium on which to place our content to make it easily
accessible when anyone would like to learn more about the LNIA and Lake Nottely and its
watershed.
- LNIA Membership Decals
To make our organization and logo more visible within the community while also given
members a means to proudly display their involvement if they chose to do so. We are
looking to do this in both adhesive decals (3x5 ovals and 8x10 oval auto tags).
- Change dues from $15 per year to $20 for 1 year, $30 for 2 years and $40 for 3
years
We would like to create an incentive for members to pay for multiple years to help reduce
the amount of booking that the LNIA Treasurer must do each year during membership
renewal. This is our primary focus and we do not anticipate this to affect the economic
stability of the LNIA in either direction.
- Other:
Always up for other suggestions or ideas.