Town of Lake Lure Special Town Council Meeting/Community Forum Summary 3/18/25 

Town Council Meeting Summary Sign

The Town of Lake Lure held a Special Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, 3/18/25. 

I. Welcome

Mayor Carol Pritchett introduced the following attendees and welcomed the 200 community members who were in attendance for the meeting. 

  • Drew Christy, Director of NC GROW
  • Jenine Stevenson, NC Emergency Management
  • Dwayne Collins, NC Emergency Management
  • George Minges, United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
  • Edith Vinson-Maitlandt, FEMA
  • Darla Dickerson, FEMA
  • Daniel Dubé, FEMA
  • Todd Hoose, FEMA
  • Abby Causey, United Way of Rutherford County

  031835 Town Council at Community Forum      3/18/25 Community Forum

II. Consolidation of Lake Lure Fire Department and Fairfield Fire Department

Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster was presented with a $50,000 donation from the United Way of Rutherford County to purchase a heart monitor for the Fire Department. Chief Waycaster advised that the Lake Lure Fire Department was consolidating with the Fairfield Mountains Fire Department.  The Town is in the process of hiring full time Fire Fighters who will be working at the Fairfield Mountains Fire Department, in addition to volunteers. 

031825 United Way Check for 50K to Dustin Waycaster

III. Storm Recovery Updates:

Town Manager Olivia Stewman gave an update on the projects the Town is currently working on in terms of storm recovery efforts.

  • There are currently 37 storm recovery projects that include 80 to 90 subcategories.
  • The West End sewer project is underway and is estimated to take 4 months to complete. The delay in the start date for this project was obtaining easements from property owners.
  • The design for the landslide project on Proctor Rd. is ready and construction will begin soon.
  • The design for the permanent bridge on Boys Camp Rd. has been created and we are taking bids for the work.   
  • The restoration for the East end of Morse Park is underway. The Public Works crews have been working diligently and have done a fantastic job so far to beautify the Park. We will update the public once the Park reopens. 
  • The USACE is offering FREE debris removal for personal property and commercial businesses.  If you have not signed up, please do so as they will be here through April. This is a free service.
  • The Community Development Department has mailed letters to property owners is they have damaged Lake Structure. There has been some confusion and want to make sure everyone is aware that the purpose of the letter is to be sure property owners know that FEMA will authorize a free tear-down for these structures.  We are told this is a very rare option as a free resource. Contact the Community Development department with questions at 828-625-9983 x 135.
  • The drain valve project at the Lake Lure Dam began about 2 years ago.  It was expected to be completed in October but was damaged by the hurricane.  The project is now wrapping up. The Dam Bridge on Buffalo Shoals will be closed on 3/27/25 for testing of the valve.
  • The Town will now begin subsurface lake debris, silt, and sedimentation removal shortly.   

IV.  Updates from US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 

George Minges Emergency Operations Chief from the US Army Corp of Engineers provided an overview of the project and the work to date. 

  • Chief Minges stated that currently the USACE has cleaned up 42,000 cubic yards of debris and removed about 32,000 tons of soil in Lake Lure.  
  • Around 30,000 cubic yards of debris has been removed from the surface of Lake Lure.
  • The next phase of work will focus on sub-surface debris and silt/sedimentation removal.
  • They are currently working on the scope of work that includes contracts for the project.
  • They will begin on the West side of Lake to re-establish the entry of the waterway from the Rocky Broad River.
  • They hope to remove about 20 feet of sediment from around the perimeter of the Lake or whatever the pre-storm conditions were.
  • They will also work to address the feeder streams and down from Dam in the Broad River.
  • The Private Property Debris Removal Program is a great way to get debris removed from your private property or commercial property so be sure to sign up.
  • The team is beginning inspections for registrants and will be moving on to the clean-up next.

031825 George Minges USACE

 

  • This is great news and something the Town of Lake Lure could never do without FEMA’s support. The work will begin in the coming days and will occur throughout the summer months.  The Town is in the midst of lowering the Lake down to about 12 feet below full pond to 978 MSL in the coming days. 

  • The plan will be to complete some sewer system work completed simultaneously while the Lake is lowered. 

  • The free private property debris removal program was also discussed. Please be sure to visit this link below if you still have debris and haven’t already considered applying for this opportunity. 
    https://www.townoflakelure.com/community/page/storm-debris-after-helene-private-and-commercial-business-property-debris-removal

V.  Community Question and Answer Session

1.  Will all coves go down to the 20ft level?

Answer from USACE: No, they will go to pre-disaster condition.

2.  What is the expected timeline for the sediment removal?

Answer from USACE: We expect to complete the sediment removal end of July or early August.

3.  How will this affect the sewer system?

Answer from USACE: We are working with the Town to assure protection of the sewer. Any damages that may occur will be rectified.

4.  How is the church (Chimney Rock Baptist Church) and Graveyard on Boys Camp Rd?

Answer from Town Council: The church and graveyard are in good shape.

5.  What is the timeframe for the road through Chimney Rock? DOT keeps moving date out.

Answer from Town Council: "This is unknown at this time. NC DOT is the best resource for this information."  Visit https://drivenc.gov/ for additional details.

6.  Will the Lake be raised when sediment removal is complete?

Answer from Town Council:  This is dependent on other work that the Town plans to accomplish in conjunction with the sediment removal, such as sewer system repairs. We will want to take advantage of getting as much accomplished as possible with the Lake down.

7.  With the comprehensive plan, will there be community input?

Answer from Town Council:  Yes, there will be a couple different opportunities for input including Public Forums, Surveys, etc.

8.  How is the Town working with Chimney Rock? 

Answer from Mayor Pritchett: The Town and I work closely with Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O'Leary and the Town always keeps Chimney Rock in consideration.  

9. What is the plan on deeper areas of the Lake?

Answer from USACE: Sonar mapping has been done to show what is underneath and the plan is to get any dangerous material out from the deeper areas first.  One of the Engineers spoke advising that there are 2 types of work that will take place to remove all the debris, silt and sedimentation. 

10. What is the Army Corps Plan?

Answer from USACE: We may have to adjust plans once we get out there but we will be sure to clean up everything.

11.  Will they be open to working with Public Works for sewer safety?

Answer from USACE: Yes, we are already working in conjunction with Public Works. We are taking precautions.   

12. Do you believe the Lake is expected to be open by spring of 2026?

Answer from Town Council:  Yes, the work is extensive and we are working diligently. This year is almost impossible, but we absolutely expect to open next year.

13.  Total amount of debris/sediment to be removed?

Answer from USACE: We estimate 1 million cubic yards.

 

14. Where is the waste and debris going?

Answer from USACE: It is being taking out of Town to land fields to be disposed. The vegetative debris is at multiple locations to be reused or recycled.

15. What do we do if we have not heard anything from the PPDR program?

Answer from USACE: At this time, you do not need to do anything. They will be in contact to schedule an inspection once they get to that point. They are working in sections so, be patient. It will take some time to get to everyone.

16. Are risk assessments being done?

Answer from USACE: Yes, we are working with the Fire Departments, and Emergency Management. Also the National Guard and the State will be helping with those as well.

17. Will the River be cleaned up?

Answer from USACE: The USACE scope is limited to Lake Lure (Town) and Chimney Rock. The County is doing work and may just take some time to get to the area in question.  You may contact Rutherford County Emergency Management to follow up with them for more information. 

18. Someone advised there is a river clean scheduled for March 20.

Answer from Town Council: This is not a Town led activity so we do not have details at this time.

19. Have prevented measures been discussed?

Answer from USACE: Yes, prevented measures have been discussed and will continue to work and look to the future.

20. What is the condition of the Dam?

Answer from Town Council:  The Dam has been evaluated by Schnabel Engineers on the day of the storm and thereafter.  The Dam is stable for now.

VI. Adjournment

Mayor Pritchett thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting was adjourned.  

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