11 Jan December 2022
SMLA Online
Smith Mountain Lake Association’s Website Improvements
The 1st phase of our efforts to improve our website has been completed. The following is a portion of what you will see when going to our webpage at: www.smlassociation.org. Please take some time to have a look on our website.
Phases 2-3 of our online improvement efforts will focus on enhanced membership experience for families and business partners, a new database, email tools, and water quality dashboards.
SMLA Membership Update
During our November SMLA Board of Directors meeting our membership committee reported that SMLA has reversed the trend of declining membership. Membership has grown from a projected low of 700 members to our current level of 990 plus. Our membership recruitment activities will continue as a core focus for 2023 and will include:
- A strategic event involving our Water Safety and Lake Quality Councils
- Increase membership though targeted direct mailing and SMLA information materials; spring, summer and fall
- Emphasis on school and community education awareness and materials
- Development of a model property owners association agreement
- Expansion of our network neighborhood
- Working closely with the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce, SMLRCC
- Further develop and increase our SMLA fundraising efforts
- Host a SMLRCC Business After Hours event
- Hold another great volunteer appreciate Oktoberfest event
- Sponsor an SMLA “Lake Days” event in June
Lake Quality Council
Keeping Smith Mountain Lake Clean and Safe
The SMLA Board of Directors voted to reestablish a former technical council at their October meeting. The newly formed Lake Quality Council, formerly the Lake Council, will consolidate the science and technology arms of the SMLA. Multi-disciplinary collaboration will be the name of the game for the Lake Quality Council which will meet once a month. Representatives of the following subcommittees will join forces in this endeavor: Water Quality Monitoring, Submerged Aquatic Vegetation, Buffer Landscaping, Habitat, Invasive Species, Save our Streams, Debris, and Vessel Pump Out. Setting short- and long-term goals, the Lake Quality Council will be reaching out to various stakeholders and scientific experts to guide and advise technical programs as the SMLA continues to protect the water quality and safety of Smith Mountain Lake.
Western Virginia Water Authority
GenX Update
On June 15, 2022, the EPA issued a new lifetime health advisory for HFPO-DA of 10 parts per trillion (ppt). While there is no Virginia or federal regulatory limits for HFPO-DA, only advisories, the Authority increased the frequency of testing for this compound at Spring Hollow and has adapted the use of granular activated carbon, considered the most viable treatment option, as a treatment technique. Roger also reported they have found the source.
Water Safety Council
New VDWR boating regulations around the lake are:
- Move over regulation similar to motor vehicles 200ft, No wake near blue lights
- Motorized Personal Hydrofoils must be registered.
- Fire Extinguishers 5B, 10B, 20B must be carried on boats model year 2018 or newer and expire after 12 years.
Wishing All of You a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
My hope is that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
As we close this year at SMLA I want to thank our BOD and all of you, our membership, for your contributions and involvement in keeping Smith Mountain Lake Clean and Safe and Beautiful. Without you SMLA would not exist as the Jewel of the Blue Ridge.
You still have a few days left to save $25 off your next membership renewal and offer a first year membership price of $25 to a friend. That offer ends on December 14th due to our database rework.
May you enjoy the season of love, patience, compassion and kindness which always seems to increase during the Christmas Holidays.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Bill Butterfield