Duke adds water
extras to re-licensing proposal
Sep 7, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
Author(s): Greg Rickabaugh
Sep. 7--Recreational enthusiasts are excited about opportunities
being proposed along the Catawba River and Lake Wylie as Duke Power
works to renew its license.
Additional fishing piers. A new campground. More restrooms and
parking. Scheduled water releases for canoeists and kayakers.
Kevin Colburn, an avid kayaker and member of the American Whitewater
river conservation group, is on the committee researching the proposals.
"It's very exciting from a recreationist's perspective, because you
work really hard for four or five years and you get to reap the benefits
for the next 40 years," he said.
Duke Power is renewing its license from the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission to operate the Catawba-Wateree Project. The original license
was in 1958, as Duke Power was building the 11th and largest reservoir
on the Catawba River: Lake Norman.
To continue operating the project, Duke Power must consider power and
other benefits such as water quality, recreation, fish and wildlife and
wildlife habitat enhancement and protection. In February 2003, Duke
Power formally initiated the re-licensing process. The final agreement
is expected to be complete in April, said Duke Power spokesman Rick
Rhodes.
Among the biggest proposals is to expand the Allison Creek access
point off S.C. 274 by 48 acres and develop an RV campground, which could
be leased to York County. It would include a bathhouse, picnic shelters
and a dump station.
New restrooms are planned at the Buster Boyd Bridge access. And a
1-acre access point for lake patrol would provide emergency access for
law enforcement and rescue officials, Rhodes said.
"If you had an accident, like a fire on a boat or a collision, this
would help the law enforcement and emergency management folks to get to
the area quicker," he said.
At Nivens Creek, Duke Power is proposing an additional parking lot
and fishing pier.
"It gives folks who don't have the means to get out to the lake a
place where they can go and fish," Rhodes said.
Soon, people who like to kayak and canoe can go to a Web page or call
a toll-free number to find times for special water releases along the
Catawba River.
Colburn said the re-licensing process is a great process for the
public.
"You get so much bang for your buck as far as the amount of water you
can put back into the river, land you can conserve and (picnic) areas
you can get built," he said.
"It's just a great way to give a lot back to the public for these
projects that have historically been ... run for power generation and
not a lot else."
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