SHORELINES

15 a p c s hor e l i n e s.c om | 2015 Vol :2 and visitors," says Matt Bowden, Alabama Power vice president of Environmental Affairs. Once FERC issues a new license for Lake Martin, Alabama Power can move forward on managing the reservoir using the new lake level guidelines. The new license is expected to extend between 30 and 50 years. John Thompson, president of the Lake Martin Resource Association, says it's not an exaggeration to think the potential for higher water is one of the most significant developments on Lake Martin since the formation of the lake itself. "This is not just a positive thing for Lake Martin, it's a positive thing for Eclectic, Alex City, Dadeville and all of the communities around here," Thompson says. Thompson says he hopes Labor Day becomes just another busy holiday weekend on the lake and not the official end of the lake season at Lake Martin. "It's like a giant exodus when Labor Day comes," Thompson says. "Businesses around here mark that day on their calendars as the day things slow down." Thompson says one manager of a large grocery store in a nearby city said he had to start laying off employees in September each year because the lake season was over even though the weather remains nice well into the fall. That should change, he says. "The extended summer pool will be outstanding," Thompson says. "People will stay on the lake for six more weeks, come here to watch football on the weekends, have parties and enjoy the water longer." Quality of life is an important component in economic development, but McClellan says Lake Martin touches industries beyond recreation. "A longer lake season is a benefit to the real estate industry," he says. "I know Russell Lands, which still owns a large amount of property in this area, is excited about the higher water levels." Like in the water, there are ripples of the economic variety on the land. "Property sales help the construction industry and then you have to buy things to go into those new lake homes," McClellan says. "It starts with the water, but it doesn't end there." Coley says there is still a need for property owners to regularly repair and maintain docks and sea walls. Now the window for that will obviously be smaller and require more planning and adjusting. "On the whole, however, the trade- off is much greater for property owners with the extended season," he says. "The way I see it, water is like calorie- free ice cream – the more the better." As a Realtor, Coley says his job will be a little easier. "It makes the lake more marketable throughout the year," he says. "We are truly blessed to have a treasure like Lake Martin as our backyard." — MICHAEL TOMBER LIN For more information about the new FERC recommendations, visit apcshorelines.com. Above: Photo by Billy Brown — Raising the winter lake level will extend the summer pool and give more time for recreation on Lake Martin. Centerfold: Photo by Billy Brown — The Smith sisters enjoy an afternoon on Lake Martin.

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