BUFORD — After years of staffing shortages and temporary closures at parks and boat ramps around Lake Lanier, new federal legislation is poised to give local governments the tools they need to prevent such disruptions in the future.
In May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it would temporarily close 21 recreation sites at Lake Lanier and other southeastern reservoirs due to staffing shortages caused by federal hiring freezes and delayed retirements. Officials said the closures were necessary to protect public safety during the busy summer season.
The announcement triggered immediate backlash from local officials, residents and business owners, who warned that shutting down parks during peak tourism would hurt the local economy and strain public safety resources. After public outcry and legislative pressure, the Corps reduced the number of closures from 21 to 11 by late May. Still, many residents remained skeptical, fearing future disruptions without long-term solutions.
Reps. Andrew Clyde and Rich McCormick, both Republicans from Georgia, have introduced legislation to improve the management of public parks at Lake Lanier. They also secured provisions in a federal spending bill to protect the lake’s name and expand local control of recreation site operations.
The Lanier Parks Local Access Act, introduced by Clyde, would give local governments greater flexibility in managing recreation sites operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It includes provisions to prevent federal funds from being used to rename civil works projects such as Lake Lanier, which Clyde said helps preserve local identity and avoid unnecessary costs.
In an exclusive interview with the North Gwinnett Voice, Clyde said the bill isn’t just aimed at Lake Lanier but is intended to benefit Corps-managed recreation areas nationwide.
“One of the central goals of the bill is to give local governments greater flexibility in how user fees are reinvested, even at sites that do not collect fees directly,” Clyde said. “The legislation equips local governments with the tools and financial leeway needed to keep parks open, safe and properly maintained without being constrained by federal bureaucracy or outdated spending rules.”
The bill would allow revenue collected at one recreation site to be reinvested across other facilities within the same Corps-managed project, a change long requested by local leaders. Clyde said this approach incentivizes local governments to lease and manage more sites, helping to avoid future closures.
“By expanding local management of public recreation sites on Army Corps projects, I’m confident more areas will remain open, clean and safe,” he said.
The legislation also seeks to block federal funding for renaming Corps civil works projects — including Lake Lanier and Buford Dam. In early 2025, the Corps announced plans to rename both in response to a 2023 Department of Defense directive aimed at removing names associated with the Confederacy.
The proposal drew swift backlash from residents, business leaders and local officials, who argued the changes were historically inaccurate and unnecessarily disruptive. While the Corps has since paused the renaming process, Clyde said the issue still poses a threat.
“I have been a strong advocate for protecting and preserving Lake Lanier’s name for years,” Clyde said. “Misguided renaming efforts would cause needless confusion and burdensome costs for local businesses, organizations and residents. While the Army Corps initiated and subsequently paused its baseless renaming effort, addressing this concern in the appropriations process simply offers another line of defense in our fight to keep Lake Lanier’s name unchanged and save the more than $1 million in taxpayer dollars the renaming would cost.”
In addition to the standalone legislation, Clyde included report language and an amendment in the fiscal year 2026 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill to further the bill’s goals. The language directs the Corps to streamline processes for leasing and transferring site management to local governments, with an emphasis on reducing red tape and improving responsiveness to community needs.
“I know the Army Corps is in favor of the increased flexibility,” Clyde said. “And I’m hopeful that both my amendment and report language will encourage the Army Corps to further work with local partners in transferring management of park operations. Streamlining the lease approval process would make these transfers easier and more efficient for both parties.”
While the appropriations language is nonbinding, it helps shape agency priorities and guides congressional oversight. Clyde said the broader goal is to ensure federal agencies work with local stakeholders to maintain access to public lands and preserve essential recreation infrastructure.
“Staffing shortages and park closures have impacted Lake Lanier for years,” Clyde said. “These issues have inconvenienced my constituents, visitors, and small businesses in the community. I’m committed to delivering an effective solution through both authorizing legislation and the annual appropriations process so we can ensure folks can safely enjoy open, well-maintained recreation sites for years to come.”
With more than 12 million visitors each year, Lake Lanier is the most visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project in the country. Clyde said keeping the lake accessible and well-maintained is essential to North Georgia’s economy and growth.
“I believe the lake and its surrounding parks will continue attracting new residents and tourists alike, offering tremendous economic impacts for our North Georgia communities,” he said.
The Lanier Parks Local Access Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives and awaits further action. If passed, the legislation could set a national precedent for how local, state and federal agencies collaborate to protect and enhance access to federally managed recreation areas.
While inspired by challenges at Lake Lanier, Clyde emphasized that the legislation is meant to serve communities across the nation.
“The Lanier Parks Local Access Act delivers a commonsense solution to any local government managing recreation sites or facilities located at any Army Corps-operated civil works project,” he said. “Therefore, the legislation benefits these parks and surrounding communities just as it benefits Lake Lanier and North Georgia. Simply put, more Americans will be able to enjoy Army Corps sites throughout the entire country.”
