We have upgraded our ability to easily and quickly send group emails to the membership and at less cost. The old way is no longer supported by the service provider and limited group emails to 300-400 emails once an hour. Sending out the Bulletin or a high water level email was a 5+ hour adventure and if connectivity was lost, we'd have to start again.
Mailchimp is a US company and if you don't recognize the name, you most certainly recognize Intuit which owns Mailchimp. LCAC and the Chamber both use Mailchimp.
This issue of the Bulletin will be our first use of Mailchimp. Please bear with us as we learn this new platform. Special kudos to Bev for making this happen.
Dominion Energy (VEPCO) owns Lake Gaston. They built the man-made impoundment in 1963.From the Lake Gaston Dam and Kerr Dam there is 35 miles of water and around 400 miles of shoreline.The lake has roughly 20,300 surface acres of water.
Dominion runs the hydroelectric project under a license agreement issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Dominion developed a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). They use SMP to uphold the project, for public access and enjoyment of the Lake, and to protect the Lake’s environmental integrity. The following Construction and Use Procedures, developed and approved by the FERC, went into effect May 2022 with few changes, most existed since 1998. These same rules apply to the Roanoke Rapids Lake as well.
Dominion started buying land for the lake in the 1960’s. They bought acres and acres of farmland along the Roanoke River. The impoundment known as Lake Gaston has a project boundary, often referred to as “the high-water mark”, but Dominion recognizes it as the project boundary. At the Lake Gaston Dam the project boundary is 204 feet above mean sea level and graduates to 217 feet at Kerr Dam. Dominion owns all the land within the project boundary with few exceptions.I tell my clients, no one owns waterfront property on Lake Gaston except Dominion.The only way to tell where your property ends, and Dominion’s property starts is to get a survey.
The two classifications of Lake Gaston shoreline are: 1.) The General Development Areas. Those portions of the shoreline subdivided and platted before May 31, 1998. Or which certain development will have little or no negative impact on the environment. 2.) Special Management Areas. Those portions of the shoreline with importance which warrants special protection. Their subdivided categories are: Limited Use, Sensitive and Undevelopable. View the areas at https://www.dominionenergy.com/lakes-and-recreation/lake-gaston-and-roanoke-rapids-lake-nc/construction-and-use-procedures. The maps, listed by county, found at the bottom of that webpage.
Dominion needs a permit and approval for all activity on their property. Structures over the extension line are not allowed. Also not allowed; structures closer than15 feet from another structure. The property extension lines may be adjusted by Dominion, these lines are imaginary lines on Dominion’s property. The best way to apply for a boathouse permit is to first, get a survey, then have a boathouse builder visit the property and complete drawings. Then the permit application, with drawings and a check for $600, goes to Dominion Power. Boathouse companies can advise you on what type and size structure Dominion will approve. When it comes to placement of a structure; Dominion Energy, at its sole discretion, holds authority and their decision is final.
Allowable in the General Development Area: one structure per lot, limited in size to the footprint of 1,250 square feet. An A-Roof or Sundeck, limited to no more than 16 feet above the water surface (200 feet MSL). You may clear a 12-foot path to the boathouse for use during construction. You must replant 6 feet of that pathway. Boathouses should be 15 feet inside both extension lines unless otherwise approved by Dominion. Trimming trees and bushes from 2 ½ feet high up to 20 feet to improve your view, with an approved permit.
Allowable In the Limited Use Area: one structure per lot, limited in size to the footprint of 1,250 sq ft. An A-Roof or Sundeck, limited to no more than16 feet above the water surface (200 feet MSL). You may clear a 6 ft path to the boathouse. Boathouses should be 15 feet inside both extension lines unless otherwise approved by Dominion.
Not allowed in the Limited Use Area: removal of trees or vegetation.
Not allowed In the Sensitive and Undevelopable Area: no structures or removal of trees or vegetation.
Property ownersmay maintain their structures, boathouses, piers, bulkheads, riprap, etc. without a permit as long as 50% or less of the structure needs repair / maintenance. More than 50% destroyed it needs removal. Rebuilding is allowed if within current regulations and a new permit obtained. Dominion does not allow new bulkheads but will allow maintenance of the existing one. Rip-rap stone is used to protect the shoreline, a permit is needed for that.
Vegetation is not only trees and shrubs on Dominion land, but it also includes aquatic plants like; willow weed, cat tails, arrowhead, and such. I get many questions about willow weed. The Dominion’s license agreement with FERC, says willow weed is a protected species, you cannot remove willow weed from the shoreline around the lake. Nor can you spray chemicals into the lake to kill aquatic weeds. The environment and wildlife in and around Lake Gaston benefit from the aquatic weeds. Remember, Dominion owns the lake and allows us to use it.
Dominion allows dredging and stump removal during certain months only, for ingress and egress of boat traffic. Dredging is not allowed to make the water deeper at your boathouse.
When a property with a structure on Dominion’s property changes ownership, that structure permit must be transferred into the new owner(s) name.This requires a new Construction and Use Agreement to be filled out completely and submitted with proof of new ownership (a new deed or closing statement), drawings, etc and transfer fee.A transfer package can be obtained by calling the Dominion office or have your REALTOR or closing attorney handle for you.
Prohibited structures and activities on Dominion Energy property are (but not limited to) the following: fences, walls, utility sheds, swimming pools, sand beaches (no sand can be brought in from an outside source), individual boat ramps, animal shelters, satellite dishes, septic tanks or drain fields, structures for human habitation shall not be on Dominion property. No discharges from any sources are allowed into the lake waters. Irrigation pumps on the boathouse are allowed if permitted, submersible pumps my not be used in Lake Gaston.
Grandfather structures are a pier, boat slip, dock, boathouse, bulkhead or riprap that was built according to the terms of a license agreement issued by Dominion.Subject to the license agreement, the Grandfather Structure may remain upon Dominion’s property for its useful life so long as the structure remains in compliance with the size requirements and other building specifications set forth in the construction procedures in effect at the time it was built.
A permit to build a structure is valid for 12 months and construction must be completed within that period. A previously approved permit where a structure has not been built, is not Grandfathered.
Boathouses may have an enclosed storage area not to exceed 100 sq ft and shall be located no further than 10 feet from the back of the structure (landside). However, structures either located on Dominion property or over the lake water, shall not be used for human habitation nor shall be equipped with household fixtures such as sinks, showers, flush toilets, etc.
In summary, Dominion Energy owns Lake Gaston and anything we do on their land we must get their permission. The Dominion office is located at 100 Oakwood Ave in Roanoke Rapids, NC at the Roanoke Rapids Lake Dam. Their phone number is 252-535-6161. I wrote this article based on my understanding of the information presented by Dominion Energy and contained on their website. Always refer to the website for complete and up to date information. https://www.dominionenergy.com/lakes-and-recreation/lake-gaston-and-roanoke-rapids-lake-nc/construction-use-and-procedures
Barney Watson is Owner / REALTOR of Lake Gaston Real Estate LLC and a Director for the Roanoke Valley Lake Gaston Board of REALTORS®. His cell is 252-532-3274, email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and website is www.lakegastonrealestate.com.
This is always a popular meeting. We've invited the wildlife officers from NC and VA to give us an update on lake happenings. We have been through two busy holiday weekends. Curious what happened, whose been naughty and nice. Plenty of time for questions.
Meeting starts at 9:30, August 3 at the Lake Gaston Church (across from Subway off of NC 903).
Open to the public and no reservations are required but suggest you arrive early. On deck for September is the Annual 5 County Sheriff's Update.
In October we will have representatives from Dominion Energy.
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a Special Called Meeting on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Commissioners’ Boardroom located in the JW Faison Building, 9495 Highway 305 in Jackson, North Carolina. The purpose of this Special Called Meeting is to convene a regular session of the Board of Commissioners.
This the 24th day of June, 2022.
Itia K. Robertson
Interim Clerk to the Board
AGENDA
The Northampton County Board of Commissioners will meet on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 6:00 pm, Board of Commissioners meeting room, 9495 NC-305 Hwy Jackson, N.C. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct public business as indicated on the following agenda. Please note this agenda is subject to change at the discretion of the Board.
Mission Statement: To serve the public with honesty and integrity, to help provide essential services through an equitable, efficient, and effective use of the County’s resources, and to be accountable to the citizens of our county.
Vision Statement: A place where all people thrive, and businesses grow and prosper; and where government services to its citizens are provided at the highest level of excellence.
TAB DESCRIPTION
1 Call to Order
2 Approval of Agenda for June 29, 2022
In accordance with the Rules of Procedures adopted by this Board and Section 153A-44 of the North Carolina General Statutes, it is the duty of every member present to vote on all matters coming before the Board, unless there is a conflict of interest as determined by the Board or by law. Does any Board member have a conflict of interest with respect to any agenda item coming before the Board today? If so, please identify the conflict and the Board will consider the matter.
