Why Should I Join the LGA?

By Scooter Boham, LGA President

The Lake Gaston Association (LGA) isn’t an HOA, and it doesn’t provide direct “services” like trash pickup or other amenities. Think of it more as a regional advocacy and stewardship group for the entire lake—its value is indirect but pretty meaningful if you care about the lake long-term. 

What the Lake Gaston Association does for you

 1. Gives you a collective voice with local governments and Dominion Energy

Lake Gaston spans two states and five counties, so individual property owners have very little influence on their own.

• The LGA represents all lake property owners as one unified group
• It works with local, state, and federal agencies on policies affecting the lake
• That includes things like shoreline rules, regulations, water levels, taxes, and development
• Collaborative efforts with the Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce, LGWSC, LGWCC, and the 911 Task Force, Army Corps of Engineers, Dominion Energy, NCWRC, VAWRC, and Stakeholders

Without the LGA, your voice is basically diluted. With it, you’re part of a group that officials actually listen to.

2. The LGA protects the lake itself (water quality, noxious weeds and algae, safety, health, and well-being)

The LGA has (3) committees:

• Lake Environmental Committee (water quality, invasive plants like Hydrilla, algae control, run off)
• Community and Government Relations Committee (local and state government relations, stakeholders, community involvement and participation, volunteers)
• Membership and Volunteers Committee (membership participation, festival marketing, volunteer engagement, events)

 This directly impacts your:

• Swimming, boating, fishing, and recreational experience
• Property values
• Long-term health of the lake
• Bringing the community together
• Economic development done the right way
• Beautification and preservation of a high-quality lake
• Water quality 

3. The LGA monitors and responds to issues that affect your property

The LGA tracks and engages on things like:

• Proposed regulations or restrictions
• Development projects
• Environmental threats
• Economic Development
• Shoreline Management Plans (SMP)
• Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

The LGA researches issues and pushes for solutions and resolutions rather than leaving residents to figure it out individually. 

4. The LGA keeps you informed through its website, social media, news media, monthly membership meetings, and public announcements

They provide updates on:

• What’s happening on the lake, relative to its mission and purpose
• Policy changes
• Environmental conditions
• Ongoing projects and events

This is especially useful if:

• You’re a full-time or part-time resident
• You’re a business owner or employee on the lake or near the lake
• You don’t follow county/state meetings or local lake news closely

 5. Strength in numbers (especially for non-resident owners)

A big issue at Lake Gaston: many owners don’t live at the lake full-time and can’t vote locally

• As an individual, that means you have little political influence
• However, collectively through LGA, you are part of a recognized stakeholder group
• Brings collaborative efforts together
• Brings in diverse creativity and ideas

This is one of the biggest practical reasons the organization exists. 

So…why should YOU join?

You’ll likely see value if you:

• Care about protecting property and business value
• Want a say in regulations and lake management
• Spend a lot of time on the water (boating, swimming, fishing, recreation, entertaining)
• Own a second home and want representation locally
• Believe in long-term preservation of the lake

The cost of an LGA membership is very low ($30/year for a general membership, $15/year if you are in an HOA that joins, and $60/year for a business membership), so it’s more about supporting the cause than buying perks. 

 Joining is easy!  Just click on this link:  Become an LGA Member!