The Lake Jackson Citizens' Association promotes and encourages measures concerning the health, safety, protection and betterment of the area of Lake Jackson.  The Association represents the Lake Jackson area and its residents in negotiations with public officials of Prince William County and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and with civic groups and other organizations of the area.  

The Heron newsletter is published quarterly starting in January.   On-line issues are available  at the bottom of this page.  All  area residents are encouraged to  submit information for publication in the Heron, although we nay not be able to publish  all the material we receive due to size or legal constraints.  Suggestions can be emailed to the  address below.

In February 2007, the Heron included an article from the County  that said that parking on "unimproved surfaces" (e.g. gravel or dirt) is not allowed in Prince William County.  Recognizing that this seemed a little unreasonable for our community, the LJCA has negotiated a blanket "non-conforming use" (NCU) agreement with the county for all residents of the Lake Jackson Sanitary District which allows us to park on gravel.  This will prevent each resident from having to argue their case and pay $25 for an NCU.

The Citizens' Association owns the roads, boat ramps and certain parcels of the lakebed. They also own a number of wooded lots around the lake, that were purchased a few years ago to ensure that the lots wouldn't be developed.  Occasionally, citizens wish to purchase some of these parcels from the Association for one reason or another.  To try and standardize the process that must be followed to make these requests, the LJCA Properties Committee has developed a policy statement that can be obtained here (MS Word format).  Please keep in mind however, that the LJCA is not in the business of selling land, and will not approve a sale unless there is a compelling reason in the opinion of the Executive Board and Properties Committee.  Typically, the simple desire to increase the size of an existing lot is not considered to be a compelling reason.

Last year, the County put forward a proposed  Road Maintenance Agreement that would formalize the relationship between the LJCA, the Lake Jackson Road Committee and the County.  Click here to read the most recent version of the proposed agreement.  At the December 2006 LJCA meeting, the membership voted to not take any action on the agreement until the County provided more information, specifically what benefit the community would derive from signing the agreement.  A letter was sent to the County stating this position.  At present, no additional information has been provided by the County, so no further action has been taken on the agreement. 

The Association holds full meetings the third Wednesday of every other month.  The September meeting is the annual corporation meeting, which is when elections are held for Association officers.  The board may also hold executive board meetings to discuss association business.  While the public and members are invited to attend these meetings, they are not allowed to participate.

The current LJCA board members are

            President:          Forrest Sheperd          

            Vice President:   Bill Pierce

            Past President: Richard Truax          

            Recording Secretary: Jason Curtis

            Treasurer:         Marianne Jetten                          

            Correspond Sec:   Robert Grinstead           

A single association membership is $25 per year.  A household membership (2 votes)  is $40 per year.  You must be a member of the Association to purchase a boat ramp key, which is an additional $25 per year.  Membership forms are included with the Heron. Click here to download an on-line (MS Word) version of the form. 

The boat ramp keys are required to launch boats from any of the three LJCA owned boat ramps: Big Beach (Temple Loop); Cobb Road or Lester Road.  All three of these ramps are somewhat "primative" in that they offer varying  levels of accessibility,  both in getting  a boat to the ramp and in getting a boat into (and out of) the water.  Members are strongly encouraged to investigate the boat ramps before trying to use them.  Also, there is no parking of automobiles or trailers at any of the ramps. 

Ramp locks will be changed on April 5, 2008.  To obtain a key, you will have to read and sign a key agreement (click here to download a MS Word copy), return your key from last year (if you had one) and have paid your LJCA membership and key charge (either previously by mail or at the time you pick up the key). A schedule for obtaining keys is included in this months Heron.

The following are the on-line issues of the Heron:

February 2007

May 2007

August 2007

January 2008

March 2008