Allatoona Lake Named Project Of The Year

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Allatoona Lake Project has been selected as the recipient of the 2016 Chief of Engineers Natural Resource Management Project of the Year.

The award recognizes exceptional project management with emphasis on natural resources, recreation and environmental compliance management programs.

Allatoona Lake was chosen for the award due to exceptional achievement in efficient management, public safety, outreach programs, and management effectiveness. Allatoona staff was commended for finding innovative and effective ways to manage the natural resources and public use, leadership in obtaining community participation as well as promoting employee and public safety.

Noteworthy achievements at the project included the creation of the Allatoona Lake Water Safety Task Force which involves area public safety agencies, long-term water safety partnerships with Safe Kids Cherokee County and Safe Kids Cobb County, and environmental partnerships such as the Osprey Platform Project with Georgia Power and Steel Materials Inc. and the American Chestnut Restoration Project with the American Chestnut Foundation and Berry College.

Also garnering mention was the Allatoona Lake Volunteer Program with over 51,000 volunteer hours completed last year on projects such as park hosting, water safety, facility maintenance, natural resource management, and the Great Lake Allatoona Cleanup.

“This was truly a team effort in being named project of the year,” said Lead Ranger Chris Purvis, project public awareness coordinator. “We have received exceptional support from the South Atlantic Division, Mobile District, our many partners, and the surrounding community.”

This is the second time Allatoona Lake has received the award; the last recognition was in 1983. Allatoona was chosen out of a list of 464 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects across the nation.

For more information, please contact the Allatoona Lake Project Management Office at 678-721-6700. You can also visit the project's website.

Photo 1: Allatoona Ranger Staff (left to right- Ranger Randy Flint, Lead Ranger Chris Purvis, Ranger Heather Thornton, and Ranger Rusty Simmons) accept the Project of the Year Award from South Atlantic Division Commander Brigadier General C. David Turner and Division and District USACE leadership. Credit: Mikell Moore

Photo 2: Allatoona staff during Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day in May 2016. Credit: Jess Varner

Photo 3: Partners (Cherokee County and Cobb County Safe Kids organizations, Cherokee Fire Department, Corps of Engineers Rangers) promote water safety on Allatoona. Credit: Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services

Photo 4: American Chestnut Foundation members, Allatoona Rangers, and Corps volunteers assist with a workday at the American Chestnut Restoration site. Credit: Jess Varner