Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville said he was encouraged after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced they would reassess a fee increase for dock and land-based facility permits along federal waterway shorelines, including Lakes Lanier and Hartwell.
In June, the Corps planned to increase the fees in the South Atlantic Division, but now will delay the implementation of an increase until a national review of the shoreline management program fees is conducted.
“I’m very encouraged that the Corps took our concerns seriously and made the decision to hold off on increasing permit fees. Residents of the Ninth District living on or near Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell—and those throughout the southeast living near Corps waterways—will no longer be hit with significant and unexpected fee increases come January.
“I want to thank Major General Holland for meeting with me today to discuss my concerns and explore ways in which the Corps could accomplish their intended goal without placing an undue burden on individuals and families living throughout the southeast. I look forward to continuing to engage with the Corps as they study this issue.”
Collins made his comments Monday.
The revised fee schedule would have gone into effect in January of 2020. It proposed increasing new dock or facility permits from $400 to $835 and re-issue permits from $175 to $835.
Collins sent a letter a week later to the Corps requesting more information on the anticipated cost increases and sent an additional letter in late August requesting a more complete explanation on the expected cost increases.
