Debris Removal

 

• Don't be a part of the problem – do not put any debris or litter into the lake
• Do be a part of the solution - clean up any debris or litter that you can. Many residents do this diligently – week after week, year after year.  
• Marine debris can last a long time.  Let's keep Smith Mountain Lake safe and beautiful.  Do your part to prevent trash from becoming marine debris.  For more information, visit the following link to "Marine Debris from Land and Sea" South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• Participate in cleanup efforts such as the annual lake-wide event, "Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake". The 2010 Event is scheduled for May 1, 2010.
• Stay committed and actively involved in doing your part to keep Smith Mountain Lake clean, throughout the year.

Are there areas of debris that are too much for you and your neighbors to handle? If so, please notify the Tri-County Lake Administrative Commission (TLAC) of the situation. Our responsibilities in regard to debris at the lake include:

• Representing a point of contact for lake related debris issues.
• Coordinating with AEP for the use of their Skimmer when it is working on the lake. We assist by securing an offload site for the Skimmer's use and by providing the crew with any information we have gathered about specific areas of debris accumulation nearby.
• Occasionally, TLAC will administer a special debris project approved by our Board of Directors. Four special projects have been completed in the past eight years, ranging in cost from $50,000 to $125,000 each.
• TLAC provides for the dumpsters and landfill fees associated with the removal of the debris by the Skimmer and our special projects.
• In certain situations, TLAC may find it necessary to direct debris calls to another agency that carries a particular responsibility (e.g. an item creating a navigation hazard, or a potentially hazardous waste item).

TLAC will assist when possible, but residents should be aware that our responsibility does not include sending someone out to clean up debris as soon as a call is received.  When immediate removal of the debris is desired, residents may wish to consider the option of hiring a contractor to remove the debris for them.