By Irene Luck – September 2025

LACA’s annual meeting was held at the North Anna Nuclear Information Center on Saturday, July 26.  The meeting allowed time for attendees to visit with various LACA committees as well as members of the board of directors and regional directors.

Leslie Anne Hammond, York River Steward and York River & Small Coastal Basin Roundtable Coordinator made a virtual presentation on the State of the York Watershed System of which Lake Anna is a component.  The full report is available on our website.

Hammond earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Longwood University and her Masters in Agriculture and life Sciences from Virginia Tech. Professionally, she has worked with agricultural producers and landowners across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula through several capacities with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the US Department of Agriculture.

Sarah Marshall, Manager of State and Local Affairs-Infrastructure Strategy for Dominion Energy, made a presentation on the Small Modular Reactor Development which Dominion is looking into for additional power generation capacity.

Marshall began her career with Dominion Energy at North Anna Power Station, supporting its nuclear operations organization. For much of her time with Dominion, she has served in the government affairs organization where her experience included supporting the company in state and local policy and existing and new generation permitting across the Commonwealth. In her current role, Marshall manages Dominion Energy’s strategic outreach for capital projects across its footprint, specializing in new generation builds supporting a just energy transition. 
Marshall earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from James Madison University and her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Clemson University.

Results of the annual election were also announced with incumbents Greg Baker, president; Willie Kelly, treasurer; Rick Hoyle, Jackson/Cuckoo Private side Regional Director; David Reichert, Brokenburg Regional Director; and Gary Cochard, Partlow Regional Director being reelected.  Bill Hariu joins the board as the Belmont Regional Director for one year completing the term of Ken Quaglio, who resigned due to relocation out of the area.

The prestigious Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award was presented to Pat and Jane Gallagher of the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services for their efforts to spearhead the establishment of the New Bridge Fire and Rescue facility.

The various committee chairs also gave brief reports of their activities during the past year, and Greg Baker presented the Wake Surfing Policy that LACA is advocating.  All the reports are available on the LACA website under each committee’s page.

irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org

By Bill Hariu – September 2025

PWC stands for personal watercraft with an emphasis on the personal. Trade name craft, such as Ski-doo® (Bombardier Recreational Products), Waverunner® (Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA), and JET SKI® (Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA) are types of PWC. PWC’s are defined as motorboats less than 16 feet in length that are powered by jet pumps, not propellers, where the people stand, kneel, or sit on, rather than inside the boat.

PWC Education Requirement

Per Virginia Law & Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) to operate a PWC on Virginia waters you must meet these requirements:

• No person under the age of 14 may operate a PWC.
• All PWC operators age 14 and older and all operators (regardless of age) of motorboats with a 10 hp or greater engine need to take a DWR certified boating safety course.
• Classroom and Internet courses that are the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved and accepted by Virginia DWR meet these requirements. Classroom courses are provided by DWR, USCG Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons. DWR’s Boat Virginia course is free of charge. The USCG Auxiliary and the US Power Squadrons may have a course fee. A Virtual Classroom course is also available. This course differs from other online courses as it is free and is led by an instructor in real time.  For course information got to the DWR web site https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/education/requirement/steps-to-requirement/
• Once you complete the course, the course completion certificate or card that is provided by the course provider is what is required to operate a vessel. 
• Have a copy of your NASBLA certificate or card with you when operating the PWC.
• The DWR challenge exam or other provisions of the Education Compliance Requirement do not meet the requirements of the age restriction law.

Safety Operation of a PWC Per VA DWR Regulations: Learn the local rules and keep your speed under control. All PWC must come to no wake speed when within 50 feet or less of piers, docks, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water and any other type of vessel, except another PWC.

PWC Registration in Virginia                                                                        A PWC that is principally used on the public waters of Virginia must be registered and titled in Virginia. You will need to apply for both a Certificate of Title and a Certificate or Number (registration) through the Virginia DWR at GoOutdoorsVirginia.com

• Obtain Your Decals and Card: The DWR will issue a Certificate of Number (a pocket-sized registration card) and validation decals for your PWC.

• Display Registration Markings: Your registration numbers must be displayed on the Bow of your vessel, and validation decals must be displayed within 6 inches of the numbers.
• Carry Your Registration:  You must sign the Certificate of Number and carry it on board Your PWC when operating it.

Restrictions on PWC Operation in Virginia                        

• Operate a PWC unless at least sixteen years of age, except any person fourteen or fifteen years of age shall be allowed to operate a personal watercraft if (i) successfully completed an approved boating safety education course and (ii) carries proof of successful completion of such course while operating a PWC.
• Upon the request of a law-enforcement officer, such person shall provide proof of having successfully completed an approved course; PWC operators will need to comply with DWR boating safety education requirement.
• Operate a PWC unless each person riding on the PWC is wearing a type I, type II, type III, or type V personal flotation device approved by the United State Coast Guard; Inflatable life jackets are prohibited.
• Failure to attach the lanyard to his person, clothing, or personal flotation device, if the PWC is equipped with a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch.
• Operate a PWC on the waters of the Commonwealth between sunset and sunrise.

Towing Restrictions

• Anyone being towed behind a vessel must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

• Towing time of operation with a PWC is only allowed between sunrise and sunset.
• When towing a person on water skis or a similar device, the towing PWC must have an observer in addition to the operator.
• When a PWC is towing, it must have a rear-facing observer at least 12 years old and be rated for a minimum of three people.
• It is also illegal to operate a PWC while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Operate a PWC while carrying a number of passengers more than the number for which the craft was designed by the manufacturer; or operate a PWC in excess of the slowest possible speed required to maintain steerage and headway within fifty feet of docks, piers, boathouses, boat ramps, people in the water, and vessels other than PWC.
• In Virginia, a PWC is not prohibited from towing a person with a rope less than fifty feet in length.

Reckless PWC Operation                                             

A person shall be guilty of reckless operation who operates any PWC recklessly or at a speed or in such a manner as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person, which shall include, but not be limited to:

weaving through vessels that are underway, stopped, moored or at anchor while exceeding a reasonable speed under the circumstances and traffic conditions existing at the time; following another vessel or person on water skis or similar device, crossing the path of another vessel, or jumping the wake of another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vessels and the traffic on and the condition of the waters at the time; crossing between the towing vessel and a person on water skis or other device; or steering toward an object or person and turning sharply in close proximity to such object or person in order to spray or attempt to spray the object or person with the wash or jet spray of the PWC.

 Examples of PWC Speed

The average speed of a PWC typically falls between 30-70 mph.  Factors like engine size, hull design, weight and operator experience also influence a PWC’s speed.

A PWC traveling at 40 mph typically requires 180 feet to 225 feet to come to a stop.  At 40 mph on a PWC you’re covering approximately 58.67 feet per second. That's a football field distance in 5.11 seconds.  Be alert of what you are approaching.

Understanding closing speed is crucial for maintaining a safe distance and avoiding collisions. It helps determine how quickly you need to react to avoid a potential collision accident.

Approaching another vessel head on: While operating a PWC at 40 mph a head on vessel is closing towards you at 30 mph your combined closing speed is 70 mph.  You’re covering approximately 102.67 feet per second towards each other. That’s a football field distance in 2.92 seconds to avoid the head on vessel.

Be a Safe Responsible PWC Operator

Injuries will only be avoided when the operator is educated about the craft, knows the rules of the water and can make safe decisions based on all present variables, experience and consideration of possible consequences.  The Virginia DWR encourages all potential operators to take a safe boating course prior to independent operation, especially those with limited boating experience.

Safe operation of a PWC must be a conscious decision after learning the facts. The true meaning of PWC is personal responsibility. Help make this year a personal-watercraft-safe year by not being a part of the accident or fatality picture.

Be Responsible! Be Safe! Have Fun! Or, more appropriately, to have fun, you must act responsibly and be safe.

bill.hariu@lakeannavirginia.org

By Jim Riddell, Government Affairs Specialist for the Virginia Cattlemen's Association – September 2025

Our beloved Louisa County is experiencing rapid growth, with recent estimates placing us among Virginia's fastest-growing jurisdictions. Projections suggest our population could exceed 80,000 by 2040. While growth brings new opportunities, it also presents significant challenges to our agricultural heritage and natural landscapes.

The Challenge: Balancing Growth with Conservation
Our Vision: Conserving Our Rural Way of Life
Proactive Initiatives to "Focus on Working Farms and Forestlands"

This rapid expansion is leading to the conversion of valuable farms and forestlands. From 2020 to 2025 alone, we've seen approximately 6,000 acres of working lands converted out of our 50,000 acres, impacting 432 farms. Increased population density, now at 79 people per square mile, is fragmenting commercial farm and forest areas. This makes it harder for timber and farm businesses to operate efficiently, with the Department of Forestry noting that lands with over 70 people per square mile have only a 1 in 4 chance of future timber management.

These trends, coupled with rising taxes and fluctuating commodity values, are putting immense pressure on our local farms and forests. Future growth will continue to strain our vital resources like water, food, and energy, as well as public services. However, by conserving and protecting our working farm and forest lands, we can help slow the rate of escalating costs and taxes for local government, as these lands require fewer community services.

Louisa County's Comprehensive Plan is built on three core themes:

1.  Conserve and preserve the county's rural character and way of life.

2.  Smart growth management.

3.  Protect established and future communities.

Our county's vision statement emphasizes strengthening our community by supporting agriculture and forestry, ensuring environmental stewardship, defining reasonable growth areas, and maintaining our rural charm. To secure Louisa County's future for all residents and families, we must take decisive action to conserve and protect our critical agricultural and natural resources.

To address these challenges, Louisa County is exploring and implementing several key initiatives:

Dedicated Staff: Adding a full-time position within the Community Development Department to administer crucial protection programs like Agricultural and Forestal Districts, zoning initiatives, voluntary easements, and Conditional Use Permits.

Conservation Easement Programs: Utilizing the Ag/Forestal and Rural Preservation Committee to expand conservation easement programs, including easement donations, Transfer of Development Rights, and Purchase of Development Rights. These programs can often secure matching funds from state, federal, and non-government sources.

Tax Relief for Farmers: Providing potential rebates from personal property taxes for non-registered farm-use vehicles and real estate property taxes for agricultural buildings that meet conservation standards.

Strengthening Use Value Taxation: Protecting and enhancing "Use Value Taxation" for working farms and forests, including an additional 25% real estate tax rebate for lands in the program and a 50% rebate for lands in 10-year Agricultural and Forestal Districts. This also includes allocating "roll-back tax" revenues and Forest Sustainability Funds to protection programs and requiring a three-quarters majority vote to discontinue use value taxation.

Grants for Conservation: The Ag/Forestal and Rural Preservation Committee plans to offer limited grants of $15,000 to families for conservation easement costs and $10,000 for completing registered farm/forest transition plans.

Incentivizing Investment: Annually allocating funds to match the state’s Agricultural and Forestal Industry Development Funds to encourage new investments in agriculture and forestry.

Education and Economic Development: Relocating Virginia Cooperative Extension to serve as a regional Ag and Forestal Education Center, offering training in leadership and innovative practices, and exploring a feasibility study for an ag/tourism event facility.

These initiatives underscore Louisa County's commitment to preserving its unique character and ensuring a sustainable future for its agricultural and natural resources. We encourage all residents to learn more and get involved in these vital efforts.

By Mark Debord – September 2025

Lake Anna is cherished for its endless shoreline, fishing, boating, and lakeside living. But one invasive plant threatens all of that: hydrilla. This fast-spreading aquatic species can take over shorelines, clog waterways, and change the ecosystem.

Fortunately, Lake Anna has a structured plan in place — the Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control — and you, the reader, have a role to play.

What is Hydrilla?

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) was brought to the U.S. via the aquarium trade in the 1960s. It grows fast, up to an inch per day, and spreads by fragmentation — meaning a tiny fragment broken off by a boat or rake can drift to a new area and begin a fresh infestation. Dense mats block sunlight, crowd out native plants, and reduce access for boats and recreation.

The Official Protocol: Your Guide, Your Role

Since 2015, the Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) has implemented a formal protocol to manage hydrilla on the public side of the lake. The document is titled Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control at Lake Anna, Virginia(January 2025). It’s transparent, thorough, and meant to ensure all efforts — funding, treatment, priorities — are set by clear rules.

 View the full protocol here:

Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control – LAAC (PDF) Louisa County

• Surveys & mapping of hydrilla infestations by volunteers and residents, including details like location (latitude/longitude), size (acreage), and impact. Louisa County+1

• A scoring rubric to prioritize treatment sites based on factors such as size, navigational obstruction, recreational impact, feasibility, and restoration potential. Louisa County

• Clear phases over the year: plan development (October-January), carp stocking (if approved), surveys in summer, and final herbicide treatments. Louisa County

• Rules for private homeowners, HOAs, or POAs to request treatment under private funding, with review via the same scoring and permitting system. Louisa County

• Learn to identify hydrilla using photos or descriptions (the protocol document has “look-alike” attachments to help). Louisa County

• Report sightings through the Protocol’s process. Use the Watch List / survey forms. Be precise about location and size.

• If you’re in an HOA or a private property group, consider submitting requests under the private-funding provisions in the protocol.

• Support efforts like EutroPHIX that address nutrient overload.

Here’s what the protocol covers:

Because funding and manpower are limited, requests must follow this protocol to be considered. You can’t just hire herbicide or carp arbitrarily; it needs to go through the LAAC process.

Why Hydrilla Is Getting Out of Hand

Hydrilla doesn’t thrive in a vacuum. It’s fed by too many nutrients, especially phosphorus, in the lake. Those same excess nutrients also spark harmful algal blooms (HABs) — though HABs are a different issue, they share the root cause. Reducing nutrient loads helps hurt hydrilla’s edge while improving overall water quality.

EutroPHIX & Nutrient Reduction

One way Lake Anna is fighting the nutrient problem is EutroPHIX, a treatment that safely removes excess phosphorus. By reducing the “fertilizer” hydrilla and algae depend on, EutroPHIX helps make the lake less hospitable to both invaders and blooms.

While EutroPHIX is not a hydrilla-control tool exactly, it supports the long-term goal: a healthier, balanced lake.

What You Can Do

To help manage hydrilla more effectively:

Hydrilla is invasive, persistent, and cheap to underestimate — but Lake Anna now has a clear roadmap to manage it. The Protocol for Hydrilla Management and Control is your go-to source for how treatments are chosen, how you can request action, and how the community can help. Click the link above to read the full protocol and see how you can make a difference. For more information, please see the FAQs LAAC has posted at Hydrilla at Lake Anna | Louisa County, VA.

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – August 2025

Thanks to persistent efforts by the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) and the support of our elected officials, a significant new program is launching to improve Lake Anna's water quality. The Virginia General Assembly has provided $750,000 in funding to tackle the root cause of harmful algal blooms (HABs): excess phosphorus.

The Lake Anna Advisory Committee (LAAC) will lead this five-year initiative, known as the Phosphorus Remediation Program (PRP). The primary goal is to restore the upper reservoir's ecological balance by reducing phosphorus levels below a target of 30 parts per billion. As you can see from the data visualization of phosphorus levels in the upper reservoir, many areas are well above the desired level of 30 parts per billion.

Data Visualization of Total Phosphorus Levels – June 2025 LACA and DEQ sampling
(values are measured in parts per billion)

This new program builds on successful pilot projects conducted in 2024 on the North Anna River and Terry's Run. The results from those efforts proved that new treatment methods can effectively reduce phosphorus, leading to a healthier environment for fish, plants, and recreational activities.

Based on these positive outcomes, the LAAC recently selected EutroPHIX, a division of the SePRO Corporation, from four different proposals to lead the Phosphorus Remediation Program. Their plan is a comprehensive, multi-year approach that includes:

·         Treating lake sediment in the North Anna River and Pamunkey Creek to inactivate existing phosphorus.

·         Preventing new phosphorus from entering the lake from the North Anna River watershed by injecting special binding chemicals.

·         Monitoring and planning for similar treatments in Pamunkey Creek in the future.

·         Continuous testing of the water and sediment to ensure the treatments are working effectively and safely.

This is a long-term commitment. The PRP is designed to gradually reduce phosphorus year after year, avoiding any sudden shock to the environment. While the initial year is fully funded by the state, LACA will continue to seek additional funding from state, federal, and grant sources to ensure this vital work continues. This is a major step forward in our mission to protect and preserve Lake Anna for everyone.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

By Rick Hoyle and Rick Nehrboss – August 2025

In July 2025, the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) invited 1,288 members to participate in our annual survey. We're incredibly grateful to the 523 members who responded!

While 30 invitations didn't reach their intended recipients due to invalid email addresses, and 270 members never opened the invitation or reminders, we still saw significant engagement. Of those who opened the invitation or at least one reminder, 52.8% went on to start the survey.

This year, we received fewer responses (523) compared to our 2023 survey (573), even though we sent out 68 more invitations. The survey committee has received valuable recommendations from members on how to boost participation and interest, and we'll be discussing these with the board for potential future implementation.

Survey Results Presented and Summarized

We presented the full 2025 Survey results at the LACA Annual Meeting. Recognizing that many members couldn't attend, we're providing a summary of the key findings here.

This year's survey was roughly half the length of the 2023 survey (23 questions versus 45). However, we still observed a drop-off in responses as participants progressed through the questions. For instance, the chart below illustrates the response numbers for yes/no questions ordered from the beginning to the end of the survey.

From Feedback to Action: Our Plan

The LACA Board of Directors and committee leaders are developing an Action Plan based directly on your survey input. Each question has been assigned to a committee lead or board member who will review, analyze, and summarize the results, then recommend specific actions with proposed implementation dates.

The Board will review all proposed actions for approval and implementation, monitoring progress during our monthly meetings. You can expect to hear from committee leads soon, if you haven't already, regarding their responses to survey feedback. Your input is extremely valuable, and we're committed to considering your suggestions! Thank you again to everyone who completed our survey!

Highlights from the Survey Results:

●            Water Quality: Almost 48% of respondents actively support water quality activities by volunteering for initiatives such as collecting samples, shoreline cleanups, hydrilla surveys, and shoreline plantings.
●            Environmental Preservation: Over 48% expressed interest in supporting environmental preservation efforts through donations of time or money.
●            Invasive Species: Over 40% of respondents consider invasive plant and animal species around the lake a major concern.
●            Wake Surfing Policy: Nearly 90% of respondents strongly encourage LACA to promote our new Wake Surfing Policy with LAAC, county governments, and state agencies.
●            Safety Measures: 33% of respondents recommended additional safety measures.
●            LACA Communications: Over 90% of respondents appreciate LACA E-Grams and newsletters about developments and land use.
●            Most Desired Commercial Developments:
○            Urgent Care Facility
○            Casual Restaurants
○            Free Standing Emergency Room
○            Upscale Grocery Store

Stay tuned to future newsletters, where we will delve deeper into specific questions regarding LACA activities and initiatives.

rick.hoyle@lakeannavirginia.org

rick.nehrboss@lakeannavirginia.org

By Barbara Coe and Valerie Bagby - August 2025

If you are buying or selling a home, you should know that Virginia passed a law effective July 1, 2025, on how septic system inspections are conducted during real estate transactions.  This new law includes standards for septic inspections, enhancing consumer protection and clarifying septic inspector limitations.

Here are a few informative articles with responsibilities of realtors and septic professionals:

NEW Septic System Inspection Legislation Coming July 1st - Virginia REALTORS®

Virginia Passes HB2671: Standardizing Septic Inspections — Onsite Wastewater Professionals

When working with a realtor to buy or sell a home on Septic, you should ask about the new Virginia septic inspection requirements.

A home's septic system is a critical and expensive asset of the home.  Knowing and complying with the home's septic system capabilities and limitations is equally as important for both the buyer and seller.  The last thing anyone wants when selling or purchasing a home is having costly repairs or problems with their septic system.

In Virginia, homes with septic systems should have an operation permit issued by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) that clearly states (e.g., septic system size, design capacity in gallons per day, bedroom count) what the septic system is designed to handle.  Septic professionals, realtors or yourself can obtain the operation permit (VDH septic permit) from VDH.

For home sellers, ask your realtor to order the operation permit (VDH septic permit) at the time of listing, it may spare you a headache during the sales process.

For home buyers, consider asking for the operation permit (VDH septic permit) and strongly consider your options for having a septic inspection done prior to purchasing the home.

Proper use and maintenance of septic systems are important to the environment and to Lake Anna.

This new Virginia septic law is a major step forward with many benefits for septic professionals, real estate agents, home buyers, and home sellers.

Editor's Note: This article was submitted by two LACA members that are not on the board, Valerie Bagby and Barbara Coe.  All LACA members are encouraged to submit interesting and relevant articles for consideration for publication in LACA's periodic newsletter.  If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please email your article to jd.edwards@lakeannavirginia.org

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or real estate advice. Home buyers and sellers should consult with qualified real estate professionals, septic inspectors, or legal counsel for specific guidance.

By Irene Luck – August 2025

Each year LACA presents the Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award to an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond on behalf of the Lake Anna community.  Originally known as the LACA Good Neighbor Award, the commendation has been presented at the annual meeting since 1996.  Following the death of Jack Bertron, founder of LACA, the award was renamed in 2002 to recognize his dedication to the Lake Anna community.

This year’s winners, Pat and Jane Gallagher, have made quite an impact on the Lake Anna community by spearheading the efforts to have fire and rescue services located at the lake.  And once New Bridge Station 8 was established, they didn’t sit back and relax.  They have continued to raise money for the extras for the station for the benefit of the lake residents and guests.

The Gallaghers were unable to make the annual meeting in person on Saturday, July 26 so the award was presented on Monday, July 21 at the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services board meeting.

“This award is given for those who have gone way above the call of duty,” said Greg Baker, LACA president.  “You certainly have done that.”

Harry Looney, who works closely with Pat Gallagher, spoke about the Foundation’s successful efforts.  Gallagher leads a water quality monitoring team as part of LACA’s Water Quality Committee and several of his monitoring team were also in attendance.

The initial goal of the Foundation was to raise $100,000 to assist in constructing the facility, located on New Bridge Road just north of the Food Lion shopping center.  But the foundation didn’t stop there.  The group, led by the Gallaghers, continue to raise money for the station to use to purchase extra equipment and have amassed over $700,000 in donations from their efforts.

“Just like LACA, we know when we say ‘you’ we know it’s more than just you two,” Looney said.  “But every effort needs great leadership at the top to achieve its goals and you two have been that leadership.  We congratulate you and applaud you for your efforts in this project.”

Duane Adams, Mineral District representative on the Louisa County Board of Supervisors, also attended the presentation remembering in 2019 when the Gallaghers called him to talk about the need for a fire station.  He and the fire chief at the time met with the Gallaghers and the ball got rolling.

“On behalf of the Board and me personally, since I live in this fire district, I congratulate you.  You have to have the right people in leadership to achieve something like this and you have the two right people,” he said.  “They have spent untold amounts of their time, energy and effort making this happen and getting the right people to work with them.  If we didn’t have the right people spearheading this effort back in 2019, we would probably still be looking at a dog park instead of a fire and EMS station.”

To learn more about the Gallaghers and the Foundation or to donate to their fundraising efforts, visit their website at www.newbridgerescue.com or their Facebook page at Residents for 24/7EMS @LKA.

Recent past winners of the Jack Bertron Distinguished Service Award have included Harry Looney, Chris Lee and Elk Creek Farm - the Morris and Chisholm families.  Others who have received the honor include the late Louis and Claudia Chisholm, Doug Smith, the late Del. V. Earl Dickinson, George O’Connell, Herb Distefano, Ken Remmers, James Beckley, and Rebecca Vigon.

Nominees for the award are solicitated from LACA members and board members in April with the board of directors making the final decision at their July meeting.  Nominees should be selected for their outstanding work or acts performed for the benefit of the Association members and the Lake Anna community at large with such efforts of such significance that great foresight or extensive and difficult work was demonstrated.  The work should be in accord with LACA’s mission, goals and objectives.  Nominees do not have to be members of LACA and can include agency or organization representatives that work with LACA’s committees to better the community.

Pictured left to right are: Duane Adams, Greg Baker, Pat Gallagher, Jane Gallagher and Harry Looney.

irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org

By Irene Luck - July 2025

In the past year, LACA has been working on an initiative to increase its membership to 1,000 households.  But why is that number important? Because it gives us clout.  When we speak to the local county Boards of Supervisors, the Lake Anna Advisory Committee, and our State and Federal representatives to inform them about issues affecting Lake Anna, we believe it will be helpful to be able to let them know we represent more than 1,000 households and speak on their behalf.

Many of you have been longtime members and your support is greatly appreciated but now it’s time for us to ask for your help.  Are your neighbors members?  Do they even know that LACA exists and how it serves the lake community?  Please ask your neighbors if they are members and, if not, please suggest they join by going to lakeannavirginia.org and selecting the Join Us Now button near the top of the homepage.

Unsure about how to explain why LACA is important and why membership in the organization is valuable to them? Here are some suggested topics to bring up:

When you are out enjoying the lake do you use the glossy map with the landmarks you picked up at one of the marinas to know where you are?  Those are designed and printed by LACA as part of its Emergency Services and Safety Committee.  Have you seen the yellow signs on many of the docks or islands that contain a letter [L, S, O] and a number?  Those are location signs that bring emergency services personnel to you faster in an emergency.  They can also be used if you have boat trouble.  When you call 9-1-1 and give them those references dispatchers can locate you immediately through GIS coordinates and send help both by water and land.  Have you noticed the names on the bridges?  They are also a project of LACA’s Emergency Services and Safety Committee.

The committee also supports a subcommittee known as LARG – the Lake Anna Rescue Group – which coordinates regular meetings with the Louisa, Spotsylvania and Orange counties sheriffs’ offices, dispatch centers, career and volunteer emergency services agencies as well as Dominion representatives, members of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.  They hold practice drills and ensure that all agencies working on Lake Anna can communicate effectively with each other in an emergency.

LACA is the only organization in the three-county region that monitors potential residential and commercial growth around the lake and works with developers to ensure the lake is protected and preserved.  By working at the start of the project, LACA can recommend strategies that keep the lake clean and safe including recommending ways to avoid pollutants entering the lake and protecting the shoreline.

LACA is also the only volunteer organization that tests the lake regularly for a variety of parameters and works in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality.  It lobbies other agencies for funding for Harmful Algal Bacteria [HAB] monitoring and remediation and seeks grants to help reduce impurities in the lake.

LACA volunteers track legislation on the local, state and national level and will put out notices, called e-grams, to members about upcoming meetings where issues impacting the lake are discussed or where development is seeking approval.

Your membership gives power to LACA’s voice on these topics. 

If you would like additional information, connect with us at one of our outreach events.  We will be at the Mineral Farmers Market on Saturday, July 19 and Saturday, August 16 from 8-12 p.m.  Or bring them to our annual meeting on Saturday, July 26 at the North Anna Nuclear Information Center where they can sign up as a member for as little as $25 a year.  If they are lake front property owners and sign up for a 3-year membership at $60 they can receive a free yellow dock sign.

Have more questions, reach out to us at webmaster@lakeannavirginia.org or one of our board members or regional directors through our website at www.lakeannavirginia.org. 

irene.luck@lakeannavirginia.org

By Harry Looney – July 2025

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced significant changes to its Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Recreational Advisory Protocol, effective for the current HAB season starting in April 2025. The most notable update is the removal of cyanobacteria cell counts as a primary trigger for issuing public health advisories. Moving forward, advisories will be based solely on the confirmed presence and concentration of cyanotoxins in water samples.

The VDH states that this revision, developed in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), aims to allow for more extensive and targeted monitoring of algal toxins and to align Virginia's approach with updated recommendations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

What's Changing and Why?

Previously, VDH utilized a "hybrid approach”, issuing advisories if either elevated cell counts of potentially toxigenic cyanobacteria or elevated toxin concentrations exceeded established thresholds. This conservative approach was adopted due to limited historical data on the relationship between cell densities and toxin levels.

However, after five years of data collection and analysis (2020-2024), VDH and DEQ determined that high cell counts do not always correlate with elevated toxin levels that pose a direct human health risk. Cell counts at Lake Anna have been exceeded each year since 2018 but none of the samples that were collected during this timeframe contained toxins above advisory levels. Based on these data of low toxin levels at Lake Anna and other lakes and waterbodies across the state, even when the cell counts greatly exceeded the established level of concern threshold, the VDH and DEQ decided to manage recreational advisories based on the actual presence of toxins, which are the direct cause of health concerns.

The new protocol emphasizes:

• Toxin-First Approach: Advisories will now be triggered when one or more of the four monitored cyanotoxins (microcystins, cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, saxitoxin) exceed VDH's established health thresholds.
• Increased Certainty: VDH believes this change will increase the certainty that an advisory signifies a substantial health risk from HAB toxins, rather than just the presence of a high concentration of algae cells that may or may not be producing toxins.
• Alignment with EPA: This shift is consistent with EPA's recommendations, which prioritize toxin concentrations for recreational water quality criteria.

Community Concerns and Ongoing Advocacy

While the VDH highlights the scientific basis for this change, organizations like the Lake Anna Civic Association (LACA) and the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) have expressed significant concerns. They argue that removing cell counts as a primary trigger could:

• Reduce Proactive Warnings: Potentially delay public notification, as advisories would only be issued after toxins reach harmful levels, rather than during the early stages of bloom development when cell densities are already substantial.
• Increase Exposure Risk: Expose recreational users, especially vulnerable populations like children and pets, to potentially harmful conditions before toxins are confirmed.
• Undermine Funding for Mitigation: Diminish the perceived severity of HAB problems, potentially weakening the case for continued investment in mitigation strategies aimed at reducing the underlying causes of high cell densities, such as nutrient loading.
• Lose Early Warning Capability: Cell counts are often a cost-effective and rapid indicator of potential HAB development, preceding significant increases in detectable toxin concentrations. Sole reliance on reactive toxin testing may not adequately capture the temporal dynamics of bloom development.

What This Means for Lake Users and How to Stay Informed

Despite the protocol change, VDH and DEQ emphasize that they will continue to use all available information to analyze and alert the public to bloom risks.

It remains crucial for lake users to exercise caution. VDH advises avoiding contact with any discolored water, water that has an odor, or where dead or dying animals are observed. If contact occurs, rinse the affected area with clean water.

To stay informed about HAB events and advisories in Virginia:

• Bookmark www.SwimHealthyVa.com: This VDH website is the primary source for current HAB updates and recreational advisories.
• Utilize the HAB Online Report Form: If you suspect an algal bloom or scum, report it to VDH within 24-48 hours using their online form. Geographic coordinates and a picture of the bloom are essential for accurate reporting.
• Report Health Complaints: For suspected HAB-related health complaints, call the HAB Hotline at 1-888-238-6154.

The VDH and DEQ will continue to monitor Virginia's waterways, and public cooperation in reporting suspected blooms remains a vital component of protecting recreational health.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org