The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun accepting comment on two proposals for the development of the 62-acre site.
The controversy was sparked about two years ago by plans by the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta to locate a youth camp there. In the face of strong opposition, Forsyth County came up with its own plan - for recreation and education purposes.
The YMCA proposal includes plans for an $18 million private youth camp, which would include two 500-seat amphitheaters, dining hall, outdoor pool and permanent cabins, among other features.
Forsyth County wants to divide the park into four areas: a campground for recreational vehicles, general day-use area, an environmental education area for students at local schools to study and a boat docking area.
It is up to the Corps to decide which project to pursue.
No matter which proposal the Corps chooses, about 25 acres of the park would remain unleased and would continue in its current undeveloped state.
Because of federal budget cuts, the Corps has been forced to close some of its parks. It has proposed turning over management of some of them to local governments or non-profit groups.
Copies of the environmental assessment, which include details of each proposal, are available for review at the Corps' Lake Sidney Lanier Project Office, located at 1050 Buford Dam Road in Buford.
The assessment is also available online at http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/pd/Pd1.htm.
Comments will be accepted until Feb. 19.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206173