Lake Burton Civic Association
The Lake Burton Civic Association (LBCA) is for people who love Lake Burton and the surrounding area. We are here to promote and maintain the integrity and interests of the lake and those who live here.
Our LBCA members are a dynamic group involved in a wide range of activities. They work on projects to ensure a safe environment for all, including water safety, protection, zoning, and addressing environmental issues. They are also active in voter education and registration, fundraising for local nonprofits and Volunteer Fire Departments, and fostering community within the lake and with our Rabun neighbors. Join us and be part of these impactful initiatives!
The Lake Burton Civic Association (LBCA), founded in 1968, is a community of over 2,000 members who love Lake Burton and its surroundings. We welcome every person in the Lake Burton area to join us. Our annual membership meeting, held each summer, is a platform for all members to voice their ideas and contribute to our collective efforts. We invite you to partner with us in our mission to leave Lake Burton better for the next generation!
Our History
The LBCA was formed in 1969 as the Tallulah River Civic Association (TRCA) to assist lake residents with various issues affecting them. The name was changed to the Lake Burton Civic Association, Inc. in 1974. The association became a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit civic association in 2000. As a not-for-profit civic association and not a homeowners association, the LBCA is responsible for being a good citizen in the greater Rabun County community. The LCBA currently has approximately 1,000 memberships consisting mostly of two persons each. These 2,000 individuals have an important voice in Rabun County.
The purpose of the LBCA is to promote and maintain the interests and concerns of Lake Burton area residents in identifying and resolving mutual problems regarding safety, security, county services and water quality. The LBCA provides significant support to the volunteer fire departments (VFDs) and other volunteer organizations serving the Lake Burton area, and maintains liaison with Georgia Power Company. All persons (including co-owners and family members) who own, lease or share property in the Lake Burton area are encouraged to join.
In 2000, the LBCA also formed the Lake Burton Civic Association Foundation, Inc. (LBCAF) as a supporting 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. A portion of the LBCA dues and all donations received are transferred to LBCAF. All money raised by the LBCA Tour of Homes and the Annual LBCA Golf Tournament is earmarked for the foundation in support of the Lake Burton area VFDs and other Rabun County charities.
Since its inception, LBCA and LCBAF have contributed over $2 million to support our community, including the.VFDs These contributions have made it possible to purchase equipment, supplemental insurance, and other needs not funded by Rabun County. Contributions of over $115,000 through the LBCAF made it possible to purchase the Lake Burton Fire and Rescue Boat and build the boat house on Murray Cove to house the boat and a Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Ranger boat. In addition, the LBCA has provided $82,000 for the installation of dry hydrants and standpipes in strategic locations around the lake. These dry hydrants and standpipes supply water to the VFD tank and pumper trucks responding to fires. This program is ongoing.
Along with the West Rabun Property Owners Association (WRPOA), the County Fire Committee, and the VFDs, the LCBA has worked to lower the insurance ISO ratings, reducing the annual insurance premiums by several hundred dollars each year. The LBCA was also instrumental in establishing the Wildcat VFD to provide coverage for its section of the lake.
Safety is another area to which the LCBA devotes a great deal of time and attention. LBCA has also provided funds for the purchase of equipment for use in these patrol boats. In 2012, the LBCA purchased 500 Vials of Life, in cooperation with the Rabun County Sheriff‘s Department, to contain important emergency contact and medical information to be placed in your refrigerator for use by responders in case of an emergency.
The LBCA has been involved in securing many of the improvements that contribute to the quality of life on the lake. Our association worked closely with the WRPOA and the county to install a recycling center on Laurel Lodge Road. We have worked with the county and WRPOA on road paving and maintenance. The LBCA maintains a close working relationship with the Georgia Power Land Office and co-sponsors the annual Lake Burton Cleanup Day with them.
The concerns facing us today remain much the same as those addressed by the TRCA in the early 1970‘s. They include roads, road signage, garbage disposal, lake safety, security, and fire protection.