Waterfowl Feeding Ordinance
Bedford, Pittsylvania and Franklin Counties each adopted an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of ducks and geese on Smith Mountain and Leesville Lakes. The Leesville Lake Association supported adoption of the ordinance. The ordinance is aimed at habitual feeders whose habits have affected waterfowl populations, water quality and other lake residents. It's intended largely to discourage people who feed ducks and geese in the coves where a large number of waterfowl can significantly affect water quality.

The problem began several years ago when a homeowner on Smith Mountain Lake started feeding the then-wild waterfowl. It has been a problem ever since. Over the past few years, high levels of fecal coliform bacteria have resulted in swimmer warnings for several coves on Smith Mountain Lake. The beach at Smith Mountain Lake State Park was also shut down the Friday of the 2004 Labor Day weekend, but reopened late that Saturday morning.

Animal control officers will handle most of the ordinance's enforcement. The ban applies only to waterfowl, not to songbirds.