Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1029341
"Almost in slow motion," Smith saw his beloved getaway slip deeper and deeper into the waters. Estimating the island's current dimensions at about 150 feet long, 50 feet wide, Smith said the island used to be about four times larger. Erosion was taking a heavy toll. Saving beloved boating spot for generations to come A phone call from Smith in June to Alabama Power's Rob Coyne changed the future of School Bus Island. Coyne, team leader at the Ragland Shoreline Office for Logan Martin and Neely Henry lakes, agreed with Smith that residents and lake visitors have enjoyed using School Bus Island for recreation for many years. "Our Shoreline Management Team works to protect and enhance the environmental, scenic, cultural and recreation values of Alabama Power lakes," Coyne said. "We understand the historical and recreational importance of the island to the Logan Martin Lake community." Coyne and other Shoreline Management team members worked with Fred Casey, owner of Tradesman Co. in Pell City, to stabilize the banks of the island. Casey's company works on lake properties throughout the state, constructing seawalls, boathouses, piers, docks and other lake structures. For Casey, who has lived on the Pell City side of Logan Martin Lake for 14 years, the campaign to restore the island was personal. "I wanted to see the work done right," he said. "It's just a pleasure to do this work. It's almost like not working because I enjoy it so much." Coyne asked that the work be completed by July 4, if possible, to allow lake residents to enjoy using the island for the holiday. Tradesman Co. placed a mini-excavator on the island. Smith's next-door neighbor William Mann was also excited to see the project move forward. Casey and Tradesman Co. stored riprap on Mann's land before they installed the materials around the island. Casey and his team installed about 225 tons of riprap – stones about 6 inches to 10 inches long – to shore up the banks of the island. Workers created a beach area, leaving a small inlet to allow boats to anchor offshore. ey completed the work, which began in mid-June, by June 27. 18 | 2018 Vol: 3