Hall plans to re-open boat ramps

GAINESVILLE - Hall County plans to open closed boat ramps and parks; commissioners listened to a progress report Thursday night on a proposal to get Lake Lanier's slumping water recreation economy going again.

The drought lowered the lake level and the Corps of Engineers closed the ramps and the camp grounds, like the one at Bolding Mill off Cool Springs Road in west Hall County.

Commissioner Billy Powell wants a recommendation from county staff and engineering on which ramps the county could reopen.

"What I hope will happen is we will reopen amenities to the people of Hall County and at the same time create economic stimulus for this area as well," Powell said. "It brings in people from other counties and they in turn spend money."

Assistant County Administrator Phil Sutton said staff engineers went to work on it this week.

"The engineering department has been out to investigate and they're doing some underwater measurements," Sutton said.

Powell said he also wanted to pursue the county's possible lease and re-opening of the Wahoo Creek ramp and camp ground from the Corps of Engineers, as suggested during Monday's work session by Tax Payer Association President Doug Aiken.

Aiken made the proposal to open the ramps by extending them using gravel, and then later repaving them with concrete.

"I think the gravel idea was to get them open quickly, to get them open this year while we still have a season left," Powell said. "I don't think that's a permanent solution, but if gravel can get them open quickly then we should pursue that."

Powell said there is funding available for reopening the ramp's recreation marina fund.