The Alabama Rivers Alliance is currently writing comments on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing of Lake Martin. The project boundaries extend from Lake Martin all the way to the Montgomery Waterworks, which includes the whitewater section that contains Tallassee Falls, and will affect the way that Alabama Power is required to operate its dams in that section.

We have heard that ...this is a terrific section to paddle and that many in the paddling community would like to see recreational releases on this section of the river. Unfortunately, there have not been any comments directly from paddlers or paddling clubs included in the comments on the relicensing. We want to have feedback from the paddling community included, and would like to encourage you to send your comments to the Alabama Rivers Alliance so that we can compile them and submit them to Ms. Bose with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. You may also send your comments directly to her at the address below.

Here's what your comments should include:

information that you have about paddlers' history of use of this section of the river
any problems that you have encountered with the current schedule of release (have you gotten stuck on the river at night because releases started late, had your campsite flooded because releases caused water to rise quickly, etc?)
your suggestions for how you'd like to see Alabama Power operate their dams (what days and hours you'd like to see releases and at what levels)
any other suggestions you have for improving recreation in this section by making it better, more reliable, and safer
Feel free to spread this message along any paddlers you know who would like to have their thoughts heard. Any interested parties may email or mail their comments to me at email address kshaddix@alabamarivers.org or the address in my signature below.

We hope to have comments compiled and ready to submit by Tuesday, May 8, 2012, so please don't delay!See More