TO THE EDITOR:

Clark Hill Lake is Lincoln County's most viable industry. The homes around the lake and our guests who visit fuel our economy. The last few years while the lake level has been down, every person and business in Lincolnton has suffered. Property values are down. Tourism is down. Sales tax revenue has dropped. Projects intended to be paid for with SPLOST are threatened. If sales taxes do not come back up, where will Lincoln County get the money to pay off the loans?

Lincoln County depends on the lake for our drinking water. Lincolnton has had to spend your tax money to lower the water intake because the lake is down. We are as low as we can go. If the lake drops even lower, the cost to extend those pipes will come out of your pocket. These are just a few of the issues that are caused by low lake levels.

On Tuesday, February 17, repre- sentatives of our federal elected officials will be available to listen to how low lake levels have hurt the citizens of Lincoln County. The economic impact of low water must be added to the Corps mandate and how they manage the water that belongs to the states of Georgia and South Carolina. This will take a law change in Washington DC. In the meantime, we want the current approved reduction of flows of 3100 cubic feet per second to be maintained until the lake reaches full pool. Doing this along with haulting any flow through the dam during large rain events will help get us back to full pool.

I want to thank all of you who have signed our petition. Now we need to make your voice heard loud and clear up in Washington. Plan to attend this meeting and let's work together to Save Our Lakes Now. Location and time to be announced.
Thank you!
CLAY ANTONAKOS