Our editorial view: Residents keeping eye on lake activities crucial

We applaud lakeside residents for watching out for Lake Wylie, the oldest lake on the Catawba River Basin, and our source for water and recreation.

In fact, the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is holding a free one-day Water Watchers training program led by Riverkeeper Sam Perkins to “empower individuals with instruction on the latest techniques, procedures, legalities and historical background to properly monitor the Catawba River Basin.” Postponed due to weather, the event has been rescheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 5 at Cabela’s in Fort Mill.

The foundation wants as many eyes as possible looking out for the lake, just as it has with the formation of Lake Wylie Covekeepers, Muddy Water Watchers and other similar groups.

On Jan. 19, we published a story “Dumping debris into Lake Wylie illegal, dangerous” after a resident submitted a photo showing large trees being dumped from a barge into the lake. We learned contractors need permission from Duke Energy to do so.

Duke Energy spokesperson Jennifer Jabon said the company is aware of the incident and an investigation is underway. The guidelines allow tree dumping of Christmas trees and small brush under docks or in deep water as fish attractors if they are properly anchored and do not pose a safety risk.

Although no agency was named in the dumping incident, residents called saying it was Edwards Grading Service. Owner Jonathan Edwards said he was contacted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. With 30 years of experience on the lake, Edwards is certain he hasn’t violated the rules saying he’s aware of the varying rules in all three counties surrounding Lake Wylie. He doesn’t deny sinking trees into the lake and says he had permission from Duke Energy, the company that manages the lake, to do so.

Edwards Grading Service has been involved in Riversweep every year since it started more than a decade ago. Riversweep is the largest cleanup effort held annually in the fall with residents, organizations and companies volunteering to pitch in for the cause organized by Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.

CD Collins, who helps plan Riversweep, calls Edwards “One of the most reputable people I’ve ever known.” He said he’ll be very surprised if he sank the trees without permission.

Edwards is being open. He came to our office to talk, provided copies of emails, and wants to clear up what could be a misunderstanding of the rules, defining what’s allowed and what isn’t. Before tainting a three decades old business on the lake, let’s find out what Duke Energy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decide on whether there was or wasn’t a failure to comply with shoreline management guidelines.

Collins said there are contractors out there who may violate the rules and know it, but there’s no one there to report it. “We need people on the lake and to follow up with us, and we’ll follow up with authorities.”

Residents are asked to identify, take pictures, video, and watch and keep vigilant. We needs eyes and ears everywhere on the lake. “Never assume someone is doing it the right way,” Collins said. Call the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation at 704-679-9494, and sign up for the March 5 event to learn more.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 10:38 AM with the headline "Our editorial view: Residents keeping eye on lake activities crucial."