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 effective June 30th, 2025.
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
and have mutual aid agreements to assist each other.
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.