Introduces HR 1013

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) today introduced legislation designating public recreation as an authorized priority in the overall management of federal lakes. Deal's legislation, known as the "National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001," specifically requires agencies managing federal lakes to "pursue strategies for enhancing recreational experiences."

"I am excited about the provisions of this bill," Deal stated. "Across Georgia and the United States, recreation has not been treated as a priority at our lakes, despite the fact that they host 900 million visitors every year. Federal lakes also generate billions of dollars in recreation-related revenue across the country. My legislation will provide greater opportunities for the millions who swim, fish, boat, ski, and sail the waters of federally-managed lakes. The federal government needs to take responsibility for making recreation at our lakes a greater concern in their management." Deal stated.

In part, Deal's efforts stem from a 1996 directive in which Congress asked the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture and the Army to conduct a review of the nation's federally-managed, man-made lakes to determine current and future recreation opportunities. The study pinpointed current problems, but also recommended several specific paths to improvement contained in Deal's bill.

Deal went on to state that "the legislation will establish a National Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program where innovative practices and partnerships will be established, underscoring the legitimacy of recreation as a project purpose for federal water projects. It will define recreation on all federal lakes as an authorized purpose, and mandate that such use will be treated as an equal priority when decisions such as lake draw-downs are made for navigation and power supply. The bill does not alter other project purposes, including flood control, hydro power generation, municipal and agricultural water supplies, and navigation. It simply ensures that recreation is given authorized equivalency."

Deal's legislation will directly affect recreational users in the Ninth Congressional District on Lakes Lanier, Chatuge, Nottley, Blue Ridge, Allatoona, Hartwell, and Carter's Lake.

"I know that many residents and visitors are frustrated and disappointed when recreation is unavailable because water levels are too low for the activities that we enjoy on our lakes. I will not stop fighting until lake management decisions are made with recreational users in mind," Deal concluded.