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.  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/

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.  The below is provided for your information.

Latest Musings from Charlie Jones

Some Thoughts on Woodlake

As I was sitting at my home office desk trying to avoid working on my 2019 taxes and deleting all the unsolicited and unwanted political e-mails, when my idle stare turned to the lakebed.  its dreary, cold “face” stared back, entreating me to embrace its rather somber appearance.  On this cold, wet day, it would be easy to let the down-side of my Woodlake situation take over and figuratively and literally “dampen” my spirit.  Then, I saw a Bald Eagle fly by with its breakfast firmly in the grasp of its talons.  I reflected on this for a moment and realized that this beautiful bird had made the most of what the majority of us would see as an uninviting and tragic lake situation.

I sense that the Woodlake community may be in a collective “funk,” because the club, lake, and golf courses have not been quickly resurrected.  OK, I got it, but in a world and time where not everything goes as we would like, it’s useful to look past the obvious shortcomings and take heart that some things are actually improving.

I’ll admit that there are some in our community, when faced with a “glass half-full or half-empty” situation would choose to break the glass.  The way to counter that is to show we are a reasonably united community and the improvements we make will benefit all.  The website critics, who rarely offer a positive solution or volunteer for anything are a small minority, and will eventually move or get tired of griping.  As we reinvigorate our community’s activities and amenities, the ranks of the naysayers will diminish.

The ownership of Woodlake is currently at a 50-50 percent ownership stalemate.  Mr. Allison is working with his 50% to resolve this situation.  In the meantime, the property and facilities he’s leased are being made available to the community.  Keep in mind, neither of the 50-50% owners are deriving any income from their Woodlake holdings, so any costs are paid for “out-of-pocket.”  Since Steiner has essentially abandoned Woodlake, it falls to Allison to deal with virtually any Woodlake cost out of his personal “pocket.”

The void of any active club management or amenities is being filled, at least in part, by the Woodlake community itself.  The pool opening provided the cornerstone of this effort - thanks Lou!  Its 2019 success ensured that the pool will again be a center of this summer’s activities.  The pool begat the food trucks, the new basketball court, and other pool related activities and amenities.  The 19^th Hole facility, such as it may be, is now available for POA activities.  Plans to potentially resurrect other aspects of 19^th Hole uses are being explored.

We have made progress on the admittedly long process of restoring the lake; albeit, progress not visible to most.  Thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Restore Woodlake Committee and its many contributors, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dam rebuild permit has been extended to March of 2023.  We have a preliminary design for a replacement dam spillway, the required hydrology work has been completed, and we have an authoritative cost estimate - $8.5M.  OK, neither I nor you can write a valid check for that amount, but now when we speak with Federal, State, and local government officials, we’re no longer guessing at the rebuild cost.

The level of volunteerism continues to increase, witness the recent repair of the fence along Mclaughlin Rd. to the Woodlake entrance, the lakebed and earthen dam clear-cutting, the trash pick-up along SR690, the mowing of the golf course and other community areas, the almost daily trash pick-up along community roads, neighbors helping neighbors, community focused philanthropical activities by the Lions and Woodlake Women’s Clubs, and countless other small but important efforts by community volunteers.

I encourage you to volunteer for something positive in the community.  If you’re not able or willing to use a chain-saw or perform manual labor, try something like delivering “meals-on-wheels,” picking up the trash on your street, or come to a POA meeting to hear first-hand what’s going on, ask questions, and meet some of your neighbors.  If you’re renting, you can increase your quality of life by becoming an active member of this community and participating in its many activities - there’s a lot going on, but it won’t come knocking on your door, it will take a little effort on the part of everyone.

What’s the “water-level” in your “glass”?

            Charlie Jones

Quick RWL Committee Update

As we continue to find a way to rebuild the dam and refill the lake, we’re working to do the things we can currently control – for example, a couple of important things we are currently doing:

1. Working to get the USACE dam rebuild permit extended past March of 2022.  We think that’s doable.

2. Addressing the issue of plants & trees growing on the lakebed.

Left unchecked, their growth will present a number of problems:

A. It will make the prep of the lakebed to impound water significantly more difficult and expensive; and,

B. If the flora gets mature enough, it could be recategorized as a “forest” – that means no water impoundment; and thus, no lake.

So, we are looking into how to do that safely and effectively:

After considerable research, we believe a combination of clear-cutting and spot-application of controlled burns is the way to go.  Controlled burning this lakebed would be a long process, since it follows the clear-cut activity, and “burn windows” are infrequent due to smoke and wind considerations, and, obviously, the flora has to be relatively dry.

In pursuit of our research, we met with Jesse Wimberley: Head of the Sandhills Controlled Burn Association.  He agrees with our clear-cut and burn approach.

The community approval process for the clear-cut and burn approach will include the RWLC; then, the POA Board; then, a townhall meeting to get owner-resident feedback – if approved, a funding effort would begin.

Then to meet legal requirements for controlled burning at WL we’d get a County permit, a licensed and insured “burn” contractor, and authorization by the Chairman of the WLCCC Board of Directors – Mr. Allison.

Let me emphasize, NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – I just described a process, not a decision!

How can you help?  If you are able, when the lake dries, cut the pines near your docks and shorelines.

Cutting the small pines and large bushes is essential.  The most effective approach is to cut them as close to the base as possible.

A follow-on meeting will occur with Walter Thomas (forester and resident) to discuss a clearing and a burn plan, as well as potential costs for crews to clear-cut areas.  The plan will also sequence the work.

Let me emphasize one more time, NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE – I just described a process, not a decision!

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

Letter to the Community from Mr. Keith Allison

Latest The Pilot Articles

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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