Jordan Barela/Times-Enterprise Tired Creek Lake project consultant Will Butler discussied his recommendation for the removal of trees in the lake bed at Tuesday's Grady County Board of Commissioners meeting.  

CAIRO — The Tired Creek Lake Authority wants the trees in the lake’s bed to get the chop, but Grady County commissioners aren’t ready to pick up the axe. 

The commissioners heard the reason for the tree removal recommendation Tuesday from Will Butler, Tired Creek Lake project consultant. 

Butler made the recommendation for tree removal at the June vision meeting for the Tired Creek project. 

“This is a critical asset for this community from what I heard,” Butler said of the meeting. 

The recommendation, Butler believes, to remove the trees would increase the lot value, an estimated $4.5-$6 million increase. 

Butler compared “millions of dollars in lot value” versus “thousands on costs” for tree removal. 

“Leaving the trees in the lake changes the overall product of the lake,” he noted. 

The trees could affect views at the lake and also could dictate potential activity at Tired Creek Lake, the consultant said. 

“It’s all about the view,” Butler said. 

Vice Chairman Ray Prince, also a Lake Authority member, voted against the removal recommendation at the July 13 Lake Authority meeting. The recommendation made at the meeting was to remove the trees, following approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

“I will not vote on this until we have that letter,” Prince said. 

Grady County Administrator Carlos Tobar requested from Terry Kobs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory division project manager, if special permission was needed to cut the tree tops of the trees left standing in the lake’s beaver ponds. 

“I think the larger issue are the ones in the beaver pond,” Tobar said, noting trees in the beaver pond are not as easily accessible. 

Along with explaining the tree removal recommendation, Butler also addressed another goal is make enough money at Tired Creek Lake to pay back the approximate $25 million in bonds accumulated. 

“I want to get as many people interested in this property as I can,” Butler said. “We have one opportunity to do this lake.” 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.