Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 18 comments | Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
County aims to clean up Lay Lake
Published Thursday, July 2, 2009
A trip to a popular spot on Lay Lake will reveal that many locals don’t get the point when it comes to littering — or that they simply don’t care.
The Point, located just north of the boat launch, has become more of an illegal dump site than the scenic campsite it was intended to be. But county leaders are trying to change that.
“It’s been open to the public, and they haven’t been taking care of it,” Commissioner Allen Caton said. “After the weekend, you can spend all of Monday and Tuesday just cleaning up.”
The property, owned by Alabama Power and leased by the county, offers primitive camping on a first-come, first-served basis.
But when Caton went to inspect the site recently, he found broken beer bottles, used baby diapers and tons of other trash littering the landscape.
“It was really bad,” County Litter Control Agent Libby Ratliff said.
Ratliff and a crew removed four truckloads of trash consisting mainly of broken glass from bottles. She also said there was evidence of people defecating in the lake and on the property, and evidence of campfires.
After the cleanup, the county road department cleared the site of brush to further improve its appearance.
“It’s not really a legal burning place or a place to camp because there are no restroom facilities,” Ratliff said. “It’s going to take the respect of the people to take their trash and take what they bring back with them.”
Caton plans to look into stimulus funding for site improvements. The only way the county could justify such a project right now, however, would be through a grant that would not require matching funds.
He indicated he would like to see The Point possibly become like Higgins Ferry Park on neighboring Lake Mitchell.
“There are a lot of good things that could be done to it. (Park Ranger) Frank (Atkinson) has got Higgins Ferry Park making good money, and this one could do the same,” Caton said.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by gkeys (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The property, owned by Alabama Power and leased by the county, offers primitive camping on a first-come, first-served basis."....“It’s not really a legal burning place or a place to camp because there are no restroom facilities,”
Say what?
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 3, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a shame to punish the law-abider's, but in order for the idiots who do litter and deface our natural resources, this spot ought to be "Posted No Trespassing" and keep an eye out. Prosecute violators to the fullest extent of the law. This ideal needs to apply to all the idiots that don't give a rip about the world we live in. So-called "justice" is just too lenient on offenders.
Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes it is a shame that people can't pickup after themselves and we all have to suffer because of it.
While they are enforcing this they need to stop the swimmers at the boat launch, somebody is going to get killed. The swimmers are suppose to be on the other side but I've seen many times while trying to get your boat in the water, having to watch out for little kids that are swimming right next to the boat because the parents don't make them move away from the launch when a boat enters.
I swam at the river as a kid, my parents didn't have the money for a boat but we never ever swam where we could get hit by a boat and we definately never swam while a boat was trying to get into the water at the launch.
Posted by heyitsme (anonymous) on July 4, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And my kids wonder why i don't want them swimming down there... i have told them (because i grew up living on the river) that the river is nasty and i ALWAYS got sick after swimming in it... yeah, people defacating in it WILL make you sick... helloooo!?!?!?!!!
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr, like kw says, we all know about your accident, as we all know about kw's achievements and adventures, because we are all reminded of these things on a regular basis. I am sorry that happened to you and am I glad you survived. Now, let's let the past be and get moving ahead, ok?
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on July 5, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
kw, I imagine the thrashers and sap suckers wuz wunderin' what a grey whale was doin' inland, also. DOH!
Posted by ATC1962 (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I concur, it is a shame people leave such a mess behind and ruin the area for those who want to enjoy. Has been awhile since I visitied the Flat lands on Lay but remember well, the mess folks left behind. What a shame. possibly because there is no one there to police the area like there is on Mitchell. Yesterday afternoon the Water Rescue Boat was very visible at the public launch on Mitchell. The area was full. Maybe what Lay needs is a full time person living in the vacinity of the launch. Clean the area up and make it an enjoyable place to visit. Am certain the local full time residents in that area on Lay would appreciate.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I haven't been to the river around Chilton County in about 3 years now, but, the last time I was, we swam, and fished (ate the fish too) and it was great.
I grew up swimming and eating the fish out of the coosa river lakes around here and have never gotten sick or had any trouble getting my swimsuits clean. I wish I had a place on the river now. I really miss it.
I wish everyone would do their part in keeping it clean.
Posted by eagle1 (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I doubt that was an apology from Graves, Dr. However, if you wish to take it that way, so be it. Hm! Oh, and what does your accident have to do with littering? Is that pertinent? You wore a white bathing suit on the river? DUH! Sorry, my caboose must have got loose on my train of thought. You're right.
Posted by cheeta (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
KW: Man! Do they ever need a new format! Or new people to seek out and report on the happenings. There is much going on around the area and there has not been a new entry in this pub for a week it seems. In fact, there is more up to date and interesting information being provided by the responders to the sparse articles. I think we are all starved for some in depth,and experienced, observations and reporting.
Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on July 5, 2009 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Maybe what Lay needs is a full time person living in the vacinity of the launch. Clean the area up and make it an enjoyable place to visit. " - Best Joke I have heard in a long tyme. LMAO !!!! May be he/she could follow them home and wipe their butts too. I have used this launch for years and it is the worst that i have ever seen it. If the county leases this property, why not let the vistors to our county jail have a day at the lake - picking up trash. They may even try moving the trash bin (across from road to pineview)closer to the ramp.
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 12:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Went there this afternoon. Someone stuck a bag of trash to a sign on a tree saying "Please Do not litter"
Posted by getbizi (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!. The only thing that's changed about the paper in 3 days is the date. I know the economy has effected the Clanton Ad., they have even laid some people off, but they are going to have to print something. Run the " BIGFOOT SPOTTED ON LAY LAKE" story.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The best thing about the CA online version is the comments!
I like hearing about what's going on in the County. If I had time I would look for news to report to them for the paper.
I think some pictures of our more scenic places around the county would be nice too. I have some pretty nice pictures of the point that I took in September of 2007. It didn't look very trashed then. That's the last time I saw it.
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be nice if the Clanton Adv. online, could have a set up where readers could contribute pictures, and videos, kind of like the WSFA Website has.
Posted by cheeta (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
KITTY; Yes,we all desire to read more about the events and happenings in our county. Not a fraction is being provided in these days.Citizen input is most likely ignored, We need investigative reporting in local governmental activities that affect all our everyday lives- the tax offices,the county commission,interviews and accountability of ones who make decisions . The hard questions are no longer out there and do not show up in print. The person on the street does not have the access or means of ditributing the vital information that a seasoned and aggressive news rerporter can have. We need to know much more than just car wrecks,street pavings, and peach parades.
Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah...pick just about any 2 commenters and give them jobs, and i guarantee you'll get a constant supply of news :-/
Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on July 6, 2009 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm already gainfully employed and I have no journalism experience. However, it WOULD be kinda fun to try.
Yeah, I know, PrAaHe. You were being sarcastic.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)