By the time you read this, the new bathrooms at the beach should be nearing completion (if not finished), and the pavilion should also be well underway. If you were at the annual meeting in January you will remember that the membership approved the construction of a bathroom facility with separate men's and women's restrooms to improve our beach facilities. The membership also approved the construction of a 17' x 22' open-air pavilion on the condition that the BLHA board raised the funds for the pavilion outside the normal operating budget. I'm pleased to report that the fundraising efforts were overwhelmingly successful, and that over $12,000 dollars was raised to fund not only the pavilion, but also some nice landscaping to accompany it. Please join me in thanking David Lee, our VP & Director of Grounds Maintenance, for his tireless work on these projects. The permitting process and the sheer number of permits from various agencies that he was required to obtain bordered on the ridiculous. At times it seemed as though he was trying to get approval for a nuclear power plant! David and his wife Ellen also took the lead with the pavilion fund raising efforts. Please thank and congratulate them on their successful effort.

While I'm on the topic of fund raising, you know that everyone was asked at the beginning of the year to donate additional funds for our silt removal project. At that time we expected to be removing silt this year, but as the city's plans for the dam repair have progressed, we have realized that our silt removal effort will most likely take place in 2011. This does not diminish the fact that we have raised over $11,000 in "additional funds" for our silt fund. With the budgeted amount of $12,500 coming from the SLAT portion of everyone's dues ($50 per member) we will have increased our silt fund more than $23,000 this year! While this is a fantastic accomplishment, please understand that our silt removal project remains somewhat under-funded. We are continuing to plan the silt removal project and a couple of key points are worth mentioning:

• We have obtained quotes from two consulting firms who may be able to help us with the permitting process required to move the silt from the shallow coves to the deeper areas of the lake (while it is drained). We are not certain that we can get the required approvals but – if it is possible – it will undoubtedly be the most cost effective solution. The average amount of difference in the depth of the lake in the deep end will be less than a foot even if we are allowed to move all of the unwanted silt to this area.
• Access to each affected cove is critical to a cost effective silt removal program. If you live on a cove where silt is a problem, you are encouraged to work with your neighbors and BLHA to identify an access point with the least environmental and cosmetic impact. We would rather spend most of our limited silt removal funds on actual silt removal, and minimize any restoration expenses where possible.

In addition to our efforts to extend the beach and the boat ramp to the new temporary water line, BLHA has taken an important step toward maintenance of the lake level at the mandated 10' below full pool. This is the "safe level" mandated by Safe Dams of Georgia. Unfortunately for the users of the lake – the city's only requirement was to hold the level at or below that point, and they were not interested in keeping the level very constant. We watched the lake drop more than 12' in late April and realized that we had several problems. Our extended boat ramp was no longer deep enough, our new sand at the beach did not reach the shoreline, and many lakefront residents were having trouble keeping their boats afloat. We have worked with the city to have better siphon equipment installed AND to have our own BLHA personnel trained on the operation of the siphon valves. I'm pleased to report that the BLHA is now in charge of maintaining the water level (as much as mortals can be) and assure you that we will continue to be vigilant to ensure that the lake remains at the required 10' below full pool level.

Lastly, our membership numbers trail our goal of 250 members by more than a few families. Several of you have been members for years but for one reason or another have chosen not to take an active role this year. I urge you to reconsider. Yes, the lake is down but as mentioned above we are planning to hold it as close to the 10' mark as possible (weather permitting). We've expanded the beach, and are continuing to work on the swimming area. We're building the bathrooms and the pavilion. In short, the lake still has a lot to offer you, and the BLHA needs your support now more than ever. Don't be a fair-weather friend, please reconsider your decision and renew your membership now. See the instructions on the back page of this newsletter, go online at www.BerkeleyLake.com, or contact our Membership Director, Phil Johnson. Join the BLHA for 2010. We need your continued support. Thanks!