Please take a moment and remember that the Restore Woodlake Committee (RWL) is a sanctioned subcommittee of your Property Owners’ Association (POA).  There continues to be confusion by many in the community - do not accept what you may have been told or read on a blog site - or some alternative that is unrealistc.  Our primary mission is to work every possible avenue to restore our lake & dam, and to see our property values return.  We coordinate daily with your POA.  No monies have ever been used by the RWL from residents’ assessments paid to the POA; all the RWL funds expended have come from donations.  The RWL is not affiliated, nor teamed, with any commercial enterprise, including WLCC Corp, WLCC Real Estate Corp, or Woodlake CC LLC.

Review the RWL Charter under https://www.restorewoodlake.com/committee/committee-charter/

RWLC Update 18 Jan 2021

ALLISON LETTER 22 MAY 2020

County Accepts Grant to Demolish Homes Damaged by Hurricane Florence

Often the question arises as to the dollar amount owed to Moore County by Woodlake affiliated companies and personnel for back taxes.  Note that Moore County is one of twenty counties in NC (100 counties in NC) that do not require back real estate taxes to be paid at the time land is transfered to another party.  Currently (Jan 2021), WLCCC owes ~$400K in back taxes.

Prepping the existing lakebed - suitable for water impoundment, a.k.a., the “lake” bottom

C. Jones – 01/20/2020

Background:

• The authorities for restoring the WL dam and lake are:
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) office in Raleigh – granted a dam rebuild permit to DEQ – expires in March, 2022.  A one-year extension is likely, with additional extensions as progress is made in the dam rebuild process, e.g., an initial design and hydrologic study completion – both accomplished.  The Restore Woodlake Committee (RWLC) is working to get the extensions.
  • The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) office in Raleigh – the dam design approval authority and water impoundment approval authority.  DEQ has verbally agreed to transfer the USACE dam rebuild permit to a WL entity when the dam is ready to be rebuilt.  RWLC continues to keep its DEQ contacts active, e.g., Shane Cook.
• The liabilities of plant/tree/shrub growth on the earthen portion of the dam and the lakebed:
  • On the earthen portion of the dam – the roots of the flora jeopardize the integrity of the dam’s structure by creating voids and pathways for water intrusion and erosion – can lead to a dam failure.  We have cut the flora on the earthen portion of the dam and need to keep it cut – ongoing.
  • On the lakebed – if the flora is left unchecked, its growth will present a number of problems:
    • Make the prep of the lakebed to impound water significantly more difficult and expensive.
    • If the flora gets mature enough, it could be recategorized as a “forest” – that means no water impoundment; and thus, no lake.
• Current lakebed flora control options:
  • Cut the bulk of the flora, mainly trees and large shrubs down via “hand-labor.”
  • Initiate progressive “controlled burns” to eliminate the flora.
  • A combination of the two is what the RWLC is perusing.
    • Challenges – permitting – based in inquiries and research, not a significant problem.
    • Safety – would use a N.C. licensed and insured contractor(s).
      • Would conduct a “proof-of-concept” controlled burn to establish an effective and safe process.
      • Controlled burns will be done progressively – not in one big effort.
      • Smoke control – will be some, but will only burn on no/low wind days.
    • Cost – a significant challenge.  We will seek help from the WL population and possibly some grant $$.
    • This would not be just a “one-time” effort, as some species of trees and plants, will regenerate after a fire – witness Fort Bragg controlled burns.
• The controlled burn approval process:
  • The RWLC; then, the POA Board; then, a townhall meeting to get owner-resident feedback – if approved, a funding effort would begin.
  • Once funding was in place, securing the permitting authorities’ approval would follow.
  • The controlled burn schedule would be published and controlled burns would begin.  Based on weather and other conditions, the controlled burns could be conducted periodically for a year.
• NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – we just described a process, not a decision!

The Restore Woodlake Committee

Here are four pictures of the earthen dam (before and after shots) illustrating the foilage that was cut and defoiliated.

This group of slides was taken by neighbor Tom Earnhardt on 8 Sep 2019, while flying his drone around the lakebed and pool.  Some close shots illustrate the breach and just how our lakebed looks after almost three years with zero water.

The below slide show of the current state of the lakebed was taken by Cheryl Morgan, Woodlake resident, pilot, photographer, freefall expert (you got to love those folks), and good neighbor.  Cheryl was able to capture these photos on the evening of 30 Aug 2019.  Please note the active stream beds fed by Cranes Creek and Cypress Creek, as well as the vegitation lining the earthen dam.  Thank you Cheryl. 

Engineering Study Results

A TAB HAS BEEN ADDED ENTITLED "SCHNABEL ENGINEERING STUDY."  PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THE LOWER PART OF THAT PAGE IS AN UPDATE FROM THE RWLC DISCUSSING THE STUDY, OPTIONS, AND OPINIONS OF THE CURRENT SITUATION OF LAKE SURF AND THE DAM.

Lake Townsend (Greensboro) Labyrinth Dam & Spillway Under Construction

State Lawmakers Approve Woodlake Referendum Bill

Letters to the Community from Mr. Keith Allison

Press Release from Senator Tom McInnis.  This issue has been worked for over a year with our elected representatives.  Also below is a copy of the proposed bill - Senate Bill 190; and the initial House Bill 281 (Sponsored by Jamie Boles & Allen McNeill)

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