Can I dredge my dock or cove on a Georgia Power Lake (Burton, Seed, Rabun, Jackson, Sinclair, Oconee)?

Yes, according to www.georgiapowerlakes.com:

• “Georgia Power is authorized to permit dredging of up to 500 cubic yards per property. Greater amounts will require further approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FERC and additional agencies.
• Dredging plans must be submitted and approved before work can commence.
  • Georgia Power may exercise the option to require a certified engineer or surveyor verify the scope of the project at our sole discretion.
  • Removal of original lakebed/river bottom is prohibited. The sole purpose of dredging is to remove sedimentation/organic materials that have accumulated over time.
  • A turbidity barrier must be installed within the lake area for containment and equipment being used must work inside this barrier.
  • Silt must be either transported from site or pumped to a location off GPC property and/or project lands, or a minimum of 25′ from lake, whichever is greater. Material cannot be used to backfill seawalls or to “level up” land.
  • Silt/sediment removed must be stabilized in a way to avoid re-entry into the lake and to not to impact GPC property.
  • At Lake Jackson, it may be necessary to execute a property line agreement prior to dredging activity to establish pre- and post-dredging property rights.
  • Dredging of wetland areas or for the purpose of removing upland materials via “channeling” to create additional shoreline is strictly prohibited.
• Upon receiving a dredging permit from GPC, the permittee agrees to:
  • Abide by all government rules, laws, regulations, directives and statutes.
• Acquire all necessary governmental permits or licenses, which may include, but not be limited to, a land disturbance permit.”