Another Northeast Georgia legislator is speaking out in reaction to a recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decision to close boat ramps and parks on Lake Lanier.
The corps initially announced on Wednesday, May 21 that it would close 21 of the 51 public boat access parks on Lanier due to staffing shortfalls. That number was reduced to 11 after pushback from state and U.S. legislators.
Georgia State House District 100 Representative David Clark of Buford, however, said he is still unhappy with that number. Clark's district includes the southeastern portion of Lanier in the Buford and Flowery Branch areas.
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to temporarily close 11 public beaches, boat ramps and parks around Lake Lanier is unacceptable," Clark said in a statement released Friday, May 23.
Clark said he will seek ways for the state or local governments to take over management of the parks from the corps to prevent future closures.
"I will introduce legislation to study the feasibility of the State of Georgia - alongside local governments - taking over management of these vital recreational areas," Clark said. "We will not allow unelected bureaucrats in Washington to restrict access to what belongs to the people of Georgia."
The parks that remain closed as of Saturday, May 24 are listed below:
- Burton Mill Park (Yacht Club Road, Flowery Branch)
- Keith Bridge Park (Old Keith Bridge Road, Gainesville)
- Little Hall Park (Little Hall Road, Gainesville)
- Little River Park (Little River Park Road, Gainesville)
- Long Hollow Park (Bryant Road, Gainesville)
- Mountain View Park (N. Cove Road, Gainesville)
- Old Federal Day Use Park (G.C. Crow Road, Flowery Branch)
- Robinson Park (Robinson Road, Gainesville)
- Two Mile Creek Park (Bethel Road, Gainesville)
- Van Pugh North Park (Gaines Ferry Road, Flowery Branch)
- Van Pugh South Park (Gaines Ferry Road, Flowery Branch)
