Safety Patrols a Welcome Sight

Did you notice the increased patrol presence on the lake this July 4th? We certainly did and have to say "thank you" to the Coast Guard auxiliary and the Louisa County Sheriff's Department for being out there in a visible way.

This is new for the Sheriff's deparment thanks to addition of three jet-ski's to their patrol, one donated by Anna Point Marina. For the first time in a long time, we didn't go a day without seeing someone having a "chat" with local water patrols.

As much as that might be a pain for the jet-skier without his vest or the boat operator who's clearly had a few too many beers, this noticeable water presence will make Lake Anna safer for all of us and for that we again say "thanks".

WCAV did a story on the holiday patrols and you can watch it here.

So Much Lake News...So Little Time

OK...I have to make a full confession. I have violated one of the most important rules about blogging, DO IT. Between Spring Break, work and all of this really awful weather limiting our lake time , writing on the blog has been certainly been ignored in recent weeks. So, consider this a massive catch-up alright?

The Central Virginian reported this week on the lake's newest commercial development, Lake Anna Island. I personally was very excited about the original plans to bring another (desperately needed) lakefront restaurant to Lake Anna and the other commercial proposed for the building. But the developers were really run through the zoning/public 'outrage' gauntlet and I give them credit for coming up with this final incarnation. Apparently, the first phase is ready to begin...

"According to B.J. Blount, a partner in the development company BBCR, the necessary permits are in hand and the group is ready to begin leasing the first of 100 permanent covered docks that will be part of the project. Once the first 50 have been purchased, Blount said, construction on the piers will start, a process he hopes will occur within the next couple of months."

The North Anna power plant received it's annual safety review from the NRC. The Freelance Star reported:

"The NRC concluded that North Anna operated safely with all inspection findings in the green category. That means there was very low safety significance, and at levels requiring no additional NRC oversight. As a result, the NRC plans to conduct only routine baseline inspections at the plant for the rest of this year. Safety is an issue at North Anna because Dominion has applied for an NRC permit that could lead to the construction of up to two more reactors at the site."

And we've got to talk about the passage of new boating safety rules by the Virginia Assembly. As a boater, I say bring them on. I'm tired of sharing the water with people who haven't got the faintest idea about the rules of the 'road' or how to share the waves.

But that's a conversation for another day.