Over 25,000 docks are expected to be surveyed by the end of August in Lake of the Ozarks , Missouri .  The dock inspection is in anticipation of an end of the year ban on non-encapsulated foam that was used to make many of the lake's docks.

AmerenUE Shoreline Management will be doing the survey of all docks on the lake using digital photographs to help pinpoint all docks that were not outfitted using encapsulated foam.  The deadline is the last day of December '08 for all non-encapsulated foam docks to be replaced with the new approved encapsulated docks.

So far AmerenUE says the project is going well.  They are taking digital photos of each dock that is still using non-encapsulated foam for their docks.  They are also identifying the land parcel number and documenting the geographic location of these docks.  Each dock not in compliance with the approved encapsulated foam will be posted with a reminder notice to replace their foam before the deadline date. 

We love the idea of having these docks replaced.  Currently the chunks of foam that break off the non-encapsulated foam docks are an eyesore and danger to boaters.  Since 2003, the lake's annual spring cleanup has removed over 130 tons of dock foam, debris and trash from the lakes shoreline alone.  We think this new foam replacement is a great way to help keep the lake a little cleaner.