U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – MOBILE DISTRICT
109 SAINT JOSEPH STREET, MOBILE ALABAMA 36602-3630
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TREES AT LAKE LANIER SIDNEY
rees are an important component to the ecosystem surrounding Lake Lanier. They help
stabilize stream banks and shorelines, which reduces erosion and sedimentation into the
lake. They provide food and cover for many species of wildlife. To many people they have
an aesthetic value and provide a scenic appeal to a lake that has become more and more urban.
The list of benefits from trees could go on and on. As the managing agency for Lake Lanier and
the Government land that surrounds it, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks to preserve and
protect these trees as part of a broader to conserve natural resources and environmental quality
for future generations.
However, we acknowledge that these same trees can cause concern if they become diseased,
infested with pests, or die. People who live or own property around Lake Lanier likely know this
concern firsthand, especially after going through a big storm. If you are one of the many
homeowners around Lake Lanier with these concerns, we understand that it may be difficult to
know exactly what to do or who to call about a tree on Government property, and we hope this
fact sheet helps.
Below are some common scenarios homeowners around Lake Lanier face concerning trees on
Government property. Along with each scenario are some tips that homeowners can do to either
address the concern themselves or help the Corps to respond more quickly to these concerns.
Scenario 1: There is a dead tree on Government property near my house (or dock). I’m
nervous that it may fall and hit my house (or dock). What can I do?
Specified Act Permits may be granted to homeowners to perform certain one‐time only acts of
a minor nature such as cutting down hazardous trees. Park Rangers are available to assist
homeowners to determine if a tree is hazardous and eligible for a Specified Act Permit.
How do I obtain a Specified Act Permit?
If you are a homeowner with a dock permit, you already have a Park Ranger assigned in your
area of the lake who can inspect hazardous tree concerns. You will get the quickest response
by contacting that ranger directly; either by phone or email. If you do not already have the name,
phone number, and email address for the Park Ranger in your area, contact the Shoreline
Management Help Desk at 770‐904‐3262 to obtain this information.
FACT SHEET
US Army Corps of Engineers
BUILDING STRONG ®
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U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – MOBILE DISTRICT
109 SAINT JOSEPH STREET, MOBILE ALABAMA 36602-3630
PAGE 2 OF 5
If you are a homeowner, but do not have a dock permit, these same Park Rangers can assist
you too. Contact the Shoreline Management Help Desk at 770‐904‐3262 to obtain the name,
phone number, and email address
for the Park Ranger assigned in your area.
***Keep in mind that our office can get hundreds of phone calls about hazardous trees in the
week following a large storm. Having the right contact information ahead of time reduces the
number of calls we get after storms and helps us respond to your request more quickly.
Before a Park Ranger can issue a Specified Act Permit, they must determine that the tree you
are concerned about is in fact a hazardous tree. To help them make this determination you can
do the following:
• Take two pictures of the tree you are concerned about; one close‐up picture that shows
the structural defect of the tree and one picture further away that shows the tree in relation
to the house (or dock).
• Email these pictures to the Park Ranger along with your request for a Specified Act
Permit. This prevents multiple emails back and forth asking for more information.
• If you call or email, include the following in your initial contact with the Park Ranger.
Including all of this prevents multiple calls and emails back and forth asking for more
information.
o Your name
o The address where the tree is located
o Your mailing address (if it is different from where the tree is located)
o Your dock permit number (if you have one)
▪ Remember all dock permit numbers on Lake Lanier start with a letter, followed
by five numbers. For example: A12345 or B00101
o Your email address
o A description of the tree you are concerned about. For example: a medium sized
pine tree or a large white oak.
o A description of where the tree is located on the property and how you have
marked it. For example: near the back, left corner of my house marked with pink
flagging or near my dock on the right side of my path marked with a blue ribbon.
• Mark the tree you are concerned about with some flagging tape or ribbon. Sometimes
Park Rangers cannot make a determination from the pictures and need to go look at the
tree in person. Marking the tree will help the Park Ranger quickly find the tree you are
concerned about. This also helps you; so that you do not have to be present at the
property to show the tree to the Park Ranger.
Once the Park Ranger determines that the tree is hazardous, a Specified Act Permit can be
issued.
• The permit can be mailed or emailed to the homeowner
• There is no fee for the permit
• The permit is valid for 90 days from the issue date
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – MOBILE DISTRICT
109 SAINT JOSEPH STREET, MOBILE ALABAMA 36602-3630
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• The permit allows the homeowner to cut down the hazardous tree or tree portion, but
usually does
• not allow the tree to be removed from Government property
• The permit does not allow the use of equipment on Government property
If the Park Ranger determines that the tree the homeowner is concerned about is considered
low risk it should not be removed. Low risk trees are trees or tree portions that do not have an
observable structural or other defect and do not pose a risk of falling. Clearing to obtain scenic
vistas or to establish lawns is not permitted.
Scenario 2: A tree on Government property fell across the path to my dock. What can I
do?
As a dock permit holder, a 6‐foot‐wide, meandering pedestrian pathway may be created for
access to the permitted facilities. (Please note; there are different definitions, licensing
requirements, and fees for unimproved and improved pathways. Please contact the Park Ranger
for your area before creating or changing your pathway.) Pathways must remain free of stumps,
snags and other tripping hazards.
• Take a picture of the situation for your records
• A Specified Act Permit is not needed to maintain the authorized pathway
• You may cut a 6‐foot‐wide section out of the tree to clear the pathway
• Scatter the cut portions on Government property near the fallen tree, but out of the way
of the path
• Leave the rest of the tree (the portions not in the path) laying where it fell
Scenario 3: A tree on Government property already fell. It is still on Government property,
but it is not in my path or on any permitted facility. Can I clean this up?
No. This is considered a low risk tree because it has already fallen. According to 36 CFR Part
327 – Rules and Regulations Governing Public Use of Water Resource Development Projects
Administered by the Chief of Engineers part 14(b) “Cutting or gathering of trees or parts of trees
and/or the removal of wood from project lands is prohibited without written permission of the
District Commander.”
Scenario 4: A tree from Government property already fell. It is still on Government
property, but it is in my grass mowing area. Can I clean this up?
Yes, provided that a Shoreline Use Permit has been issued to authorize the maintenance of this
grass areas. Only the authorized grass mowing area can be maintained.
• Take a picture of the situation for your records
• A Specified Act Permit is not needed to maintain the authorized grass area
• You may cut and scatter the tree in an unmaintained area of Government property near
the grass area
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – MOBILE DISTRICT
109 SAINT JOSEPH STREET, MOBILE ALABAMA 36602-3630
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• If there is not an unmaintained area nearby and you wish to remove the tree from
Government property, a Specified Act Permit must be issued following procedures
identified above.
Scenario 5: A tree from Government property already fell. Part of it is on Government
property, and part of it is on my private property. What can I do?
You do not need a Specified Act Permit to cut up and remove the portion of the tree that is on
your private property.
• Take a picture of the situation for your records
• Cut the tree at the property line
• Clean up the portion on private property, if desired
• Leave the portion of the tree on Government property laying where it fell
Will the Corps of Engineers come out and remove the tree from my private property?
Not in this scenario; unfortunately, we are unable to utilize Government resources to address
issues on private property.
Scenario 6: A tree from Government property already fell and caused damage to my
property (house, fence, dock, etc.). What can I do?
You do not need a Specified Act Permit to cut up and remove the portion of the tree that is on
your private property. However, in this situation the Corps of Engineers needs to complete an
incident report.
• Take several pictures of the situation for your records and to provide to the Corps of
Engineers
• Document the items that were damaged (be specific and thorough)
• Contact a Park Ranger following the process outline above
• If you call or email, include the following in your initial contact with the Park Ranger.
Including all of this prevents multiple calls and emails back and forth asking for more
information.
o Your name
o The address where the tree is located
o Your mailing address (if it is different from where the tree is located)
o Your dock permit number (if you have one)
▪ Remember all dock permit numbers on Lake Lanier start with a letter,
followed by five numbers. For example: A12345 or B00101
o Your email address
o A description of the tree you are concerned about. For example: a medium sized
pine tree or a large white oak.
o A description of where the tree is located on the property. For example: on the
back, left corner of my house or on my dock walkway.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – MOBILE DISTRICT
109 SAINT JOSEPH STREET, MOBILE ALABAMA 36602-3630
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• If you need to cut the tree to prevent further damage to your property, whether on
Government or private property, you can cut the tree. You do not need to wait for the Park
Ranger to come and complete the incident report. In the situation of a tree on a fence or
a house:
o Cut the tree at the property line
o Clean up the portion on private property, if desired
o Leave the portion of the tree on Government property laying where it fell
In the situation of a tree on a dock:
o Cut the tree where necessary to get it off the dock and out of the way of dock
anchor cables
o Scatter the cut portions on Government property near the fallen tree
o Leave the rest of the tree (the portions not affecting the dock) laying where it fell
Will the Corps of Engineers come out and remove the tree from my private property?
Not in this scenario; unfortunately, we are unable to utilize Government resources to address
issues on private property.
Scenario 7: A tree from Government property already fell into the lake near my dock. What
can I do?
This situation is difficult because a portion of the tree, or maybe the whole tree, is in the water.
If the tree is not negatively affecting your dock, dock cables, or boat access to the dock, because
it is most likely considered low risk it should not be removed. If it is negatively affecting your
dock, dock cables, or boat access to the dock, or because of the height of the bank it may be
considered for removal, a Specified Act Permit may be requested following the procedures
outlined above.
These are some of the common scenarios that we receive calls about for homeowners around
Lake Lanier. There are probably many scenarios involving trees that are not addressed here. If
your scenario was not addressed, or you require clarification, please contact a Park Ranger and
we will be happy to help.
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With an area of operation across Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and northern Florida, and a vast
military region that includes operations across Central and South America, the Mobile District’s award-
winning teams of engineering, construction, regulatory and emergency management professionals are
nationally recognized for their leadership in delivery of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ civil works
and military programs missions to the Nation.
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