For eight years, Lake of the Woods boards of directors have tried to find ways to avoid modifying their dam.
In 2001, the General Assembly passed a bill requiring the Soil and Water Commission and the Dam Safety Commission to review regulations relating to the safety of all Virginia dams.
In 2006, the House of Delegates passed a bill requiring revision of the body of regulations and dam definitions of the Dam Safety Commission. In January 2009, LOW received a two-year conditional operation and maintenance certificate. LOW agreed to improve the spillway at the main dam.
Gov. Kaine added an amendment to his fiscal 2010 budget to make "cost-effective financing available" for modification of the LOW dam. LOW will receive a grant of $1 million, distributed during 2009 and 2010.
The estimated time to complete the project is 18 months. Therefore, it is imperative that construction begin immediately.
In order to fulfill the LOW January 2009 promise to improve the spillway, the board of directors passed a resolution that requires a $1,200 special assessment for LOW members to cover costs and allow LOW to remain debt-free.
There are three payment plans. (1) Members can pay the full amount by Dec. 1. (2) They can pay $600 in December and the remaining $600 in June 2010. (3) They can pay $400 in December, June, and August 2010.
No one has to pay the full $1,200 assessment by Dec. 1. Those with special needs may consult the general manager or treasurer for assistance with payments.
LOW should be grateful to the commonwealth for financial assistance, and certainly to the current board of directors for biting the bullet to comply with the state regulations, as well as their goals for keeping the annual assessment as steady as possible through financial arrangements that will keep the community debt-free.
Betty Tabor and Suzie Takacs
Orange