On Thursday June 26, 2025, the N.C. General Assembly ratified House Bill 23, codifying the Lake Norman Marine Commission under Article 6B Chapter 77 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The Bill, first introduced by Senators Ted Alexander and…
Thursday June 26, 2025 Lake Norman Marine Commission Update:
(Lincolnton) Today, the N.C. General Assembly ratified House Bill 23, codifying the Lake Norman Marine Commission under Article 6B Chapter 77 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The Bill, first introduced by Senators Ted Alexander and Vickie Sawyer, was the product of bipartisan teamwork with House Speaker Pro Tempore Mitchell Setzer and collaboration amongst the N.C. Senate, N.C. House of Representatives, county commissioners from Lincoln, Catawba, Mecklenburg and Iredell counties as well as Lake Norman community members at-large. Senator Sawyer, a long-time Lake Norman resident and safety champion, together with supporters of the Bill, advocated for a stronger Lake Norman Marine Commission infrastructure that focused on a holistic approach to governance and safety as well as community engagement, education and outreach.
The newly formed nine-member commission will provide a coordinated governance for Lake Norman and its shoreline area concerning all matters related to public recreation, water quality and safety. The commission will actively engage with Duke Energy, Charlotte Water, first responders, environmental experts, community members and many other stakeholder groups to create policies, programs, and actions needed to address safety, environmental and accessibility issues facing Lake Norman currently and for generations to come.
Commissioner Bud Cesena of Lincoln County has provided strong leadership in driving this mission forward. His efforts have led to a continued evolution of strategic planning for the re-established Lake Norman Marine Commission that encompasses, among other things, first responder coordination, governance infrastructure and a targeted focus on safety protocols. Commissioner Cesena is also responsible for establishing the ongoing dialogue between the counties and the community in an effort to achieve this unparalleled framework for a long-term successful marine commission. With the help of Mark Mullen, another Lincoln County Commissioner, both commissioners worked to establish the goal of creating a solid foundation for the organization that will evolve and continue to thrive.
Last week, spearheaded by County Commissioner Barbara Beatty (Catawba County), County Commissioner Cesena (Lincoln County), Elaine Powell (Mecklenburg County) and Bert Connelly (Iredell County), came together to coordinate a unified plan forward to establish a governing body that adheres to the mission of ensuring Lake Norman’s safety and safekeeping through teamwork and embraced community involvement. The county commissioners expressed additional gratitude for the contributions made by their respective county managers, Mary Furtado (Catawba County), Davin Madden (Lincoln County), Beth Milton (Iredell County) and Michael Bryant (Mecklenburg County). “Catawba County is grateful for the opportunity to work closely with Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Iredell Counties in this embraced partnership with all,” remarked Commissioner Barbara Beatty. There are future plans to launch additional Subcommittee focus groups centered on community engagement, boater and water safety education and public outreach programs. In addition, free water safety training and education will continue to be offered at the new Joshua Murray Boating, Safety, Education and Awareness Center opened last year at Blythe Landing through the coordinated efforts of Mecklenburg County and Cornelius Police Department Cpl George Brinzey. Lake Norman community member and Master Captain, Michael Hauser, together with Cpl Brinzey, launched the community outreach initiative in 2022 when both sought to advance lake safety and community collaboration efforts.
“This is tremendous news for the community and future of Lake Norman,” Mike Hauser remarked. He went on to further state, “Witnessing the collaboration between our community, county leaders and legislators to reignite a new marine commission built on pillars of safety, community engagement and meaningful impact is exactly what our Lake Norman region needed and deserves. Two and a half years ago we united over 200 stakeholders to discuss the future of Lake Norman. At that time I said, ‘Going alone has helped us achieve small wins, but going together we will change the future’ and today, I wholeheartedly reaffirm that belief.”
With the new Lake Norman Marine Commission, community members are encouraged to get involved. Cornelius Mayor, Woody Washam, a strong supporter of this Bill and community engagement leader said, “with nearly 75 miles of shoreline within our town limits, overall lake safety is a top priority. My personal thanks to Senator Vickie Sawyer and others in the NCGA for their support of new legislation to quickly establish a Lake Norman Marine Commission.”
Participating counties will formalize the new Lake Norman Marine Commission by joint resolution with coordinated work to begin immediately.
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Thursday May 8th, 2025 Lake Norman Marine Commission Update:
During the May 5th, 2025 Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting, Board members voted unanimously to withdraw from the current Lake Norman Marine Commission.
Per statute the Marine Commission dissolves if any county leaves. This does not go into effect until June 30th, 2025. The current Marine Commission should continue its normal business until then.
Law enforcement agencies will continue to patrol the lake pursuant to Joint Resolutions passed in 2015 by all counties surrounding the lake.
North Carolina Senate Bill 697 has been unanimously approved by Senators, it adds clarity and updates old session law as it pertains to the Lake Norman Marine Commission. The bill has been moving quickly and the Board anticipates the legislation could be passed in a matter of days before June 30th.
To follow the status of SB 697 please visit the North Carolina General Assembly website:
View Monday’s Lincoln County Board Meeting:
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FRIDAY, MAY 2ND, 2025 PRESS RELEASE:
(Lincolnton) The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners understands the safety and importance of an effective oversight of Lake Norman. Our lake is important to families, communities, and the environment. The lake is also a vital energy resource which plays an important role to not only Lincoln County but also the State of North Carolina. The Board of Commissioners has been dissatisfied with the current Lake Norman Marine Commission’s regulatory oversight, or failure thereof, and the Board intends to work with State legislators and community stakeholders to codify and reestablish an improved and effective Commission. We believe more can and should be done to protect watercraft users, fishing activities, families, and visitors enjoying the lake. The Commission also serves a purpose of protecting the marine life, and environmental quality on the lake. Our goal is to see a reestablished Lake Norman Marine Commission in the near future that meets the current challenges facing Lake Norman. Rest assured that dissolution of the Commission does not have an effect on the authority of law enforcement agencies, first responders and N.C. Wildlife to police the lake, and to protect those on the lake.
The Board of Commissioners will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 5th 2025, at 6:30 P.M. at the County Administration Building located at 353 North Generals Blvd., Lincolnton, NC 28092. During that meeting, there will be a discussion held regarding whether Lincoln County will withdraw from the Lake Norman Marine Commission.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
