With 8,000 tons of rip-rap, Project Armor is the latest shoreline stabilization initiative for the Lake Lanier Association. The group has launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for the program and is seeking donations to accomplish the goal.
“This project is supported by several counties that touch Lake Lanier – Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall – who have provided funding through a multi-year agreement with the association,” said Skip Short, chair of the LLA’s erosion and sediment control committee. “The majority of the funds are already available, and we’re asking the public – members and non-members – to donate to help us reach the funding goal for Project Armor.”
The program’s goal is to protect the shorelines of 16 designated islands with one linear mile, 5,280 feet, of rip-rap by spring 2025. The project focuses on islands and high boat traffic areas.
“The work began in October and we hope to complete it by spring 2025,” Short said.
Through a bid process, the project’s implementation partners are Martin Marietta Materials’ quarry in Forsyth County; Simpson Trucking in Gainesville that’s hauling the materials; and Gainesville’s Marine Specialties Inc. that’s handling the installation.
One of the islands being prepped for rip rap under Project Armor.
Since 2014, when the stabilization projects began, three phases of rip-rap projects have been completed: 12 islands and a little under two miles of shoreline have been protected. The largest, completed in May 2020, resulted in 6,100 linear feet of rip-rap. Focused on the Three Sisters islands chain, it included three islands near Old Federal Park and four in Three Sisters area.
“As these shoreline stabilizations continue, we will address them in finite segments to help us maximize our funding with our partners and the public,” he said. “We have the opportunity to complete one linear mile of shoreline in one fell swoop, so now is the time to donate.”
The organization plans to announce other shoreline protection programs with separate fundraising activities. These will be announced on lakelanier.org, and through member newsletters and communications.
For more information or to make a donation, visit lakelanier.org.
Editor’s Note: Did you know that a $100 donation helps install one linear foot of rip rap?
Photo: courtesy MSI
