Articles & News
A Simple Way to Show Your Love of Lake Martin
Published: 05.16.2019
It’s easy to marvel at Lake Martin’s beauty. When we have visitors, their most common comment is, “This place is gorgeous,” and their most common question is, “Why do you ever leave?”
Lake Martin does that to people. Whether you seek intense activity or full serenity, you can find it here. But we must be reminded that Lake Martin’s beauty, safety, and protection don’t just happen.
It’s a concerted effort. Yet much of what you love about Lake Martin is under constant threat in 3 big ways.
3 Things that Threaten Your Lake Daily
First, trash collects and lines the shores. It also blows through neighborhoods on the way to the lake. Someone must collect and discard it. In fact, that ‘someone’ collected 20 tons of Lake Martin garbage last year alone.
Next, hazard buoys help you and your family avoid hitting a submerged rock at speed. They save boats and lives each summer. But someone must identify the hazards and install the buoys. That ‘someone’ has installed 440 so far, including 80+ lighted buoys for ‘round-the-clock protection.
Most importantly, having a full lake during summer is not a coincidence. Other states, developers, and agencies regularly lobby to redirect our water for their purposes. Someone must read the bills, attend the meetings and keep a vigilant watch over this issue. That ‘someone’ has been doing this almost constantly… since 1978.
Who’s this Mysterious Someone and How Can You Help Them?
Lake Martin Resource Association has been the hands and feet of all the above and more. And, they depend solely on membership dues to continue their mission. Russell Lands considers LMRA among our real lake-loving friends who prove their commitment through:
- Regular Trash Drives and clean ups. From a volunteer army of devoted helpers and a dedicated ‘Trash Barge,’ this work gets done so you can enjoy the lake.
- The incredible Hazard Buoy Program. These are not installed by our superb Marine Police force. They have other duties! This is purely from LMRA’s member dues.
- The ongoing “Water Wars.” LMRA keeps an eagle-eye on this so you don’t have to. The battle is long, and it never sleeps. Fortunately, neither does LMRA.
LMRA is vitally important to Lake Martin and operates fully from member dues and donations. Nearly every dollar goes to something that benefits us all. Won’t you please join?
Their annual Membership Drive is going on NOW to help support these valuable causes. They are unpaid volunteers with hearts, minds, and hands devoted to protecting Lake Martin. Please prove you care by joining here.
Thank you for joining and thank you to LMRA! Become a member today. We all benefit when you do!
Annual Meeting June 1
Members and prospective members are also invited to LMRA’s Annual Meeting on June 1 at Kowaliga Restaurant. Get updates on LMRA programs and hear from local leaders about fun events around Lake Martin. For more information, contact John Thompson at [email protected].