posted Mar 7, 2013, 1:22 PM by Site Administrator
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updated Mar 7, 2013, 1:48 PM
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On 3/7/2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC), Washington D.C., published the following issuance:
Description: Notice of application accepted for filing
and soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests re: Revised Shoreline Management Plan (P-2210-207)
You can view the issuance soliciting comments below. You can view proposed changes to the Shoreline Management Plan below. |
posted Mar 2, 2013, 5:19 AM by Site Administrator
Rocky Mount, Va., Feb. 28, 2013 – Changes in how the shoreline is managed at Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes could be on the way if the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) adopts a proposal it received today by several parties.
For more than a year Appalachian Power, Bedford, Campbell, Pittsylvania and Franklin counties, the Tri-County AEP Relicensing Committee (TCRC) and local resident Bill Brush have participated in a FERC dispute resolution process to address issues related to how the shoreline is managed at the reservoirs.
“As is the case with most any settlement, not every party got everything that they wanted from this process,” said Charles Patton, Appalachian Power president and COO. “However, the parties have worked diligently over the last 14 months to try to achieve a plan that ultimately supports the best interests of the lake and the lake community, while at the same time ensuring the successful and efficient operation of the hydroelectric facility. I commend the parties for their efforts and dedication to the lake and the people who live and work around it.”
Since 2003 the land closest to the water at the reservoirs has been managed under a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) approved by the FERC, which has regulatory authority over the project. The goal of the plan is to protect the scenic, recreational and environmental qualities of the lakes. Specifically, the plan addresses subjects like marinas, boat slips, and installation of erosion controls like rip-rap and shoreline vegetation as well as guidelines on constructing or maintaining docks, among other things.
“We are pleased that the Tri-County Relicensing Committee, Appalachian Power, and the counties surrounding Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes have been able to resolve many of the difficult issues that were a part of the previously proposed SMP, and hope that all of the parties will be able to work together going forward for the benefit of our citizens and businesses," said Bob Camicia, chairman of TCRC and Franklin County supervisor.
The Smith Mountain Project boundary for Smith Mountain Lake is the 800’ topographical contour line, and for Leesville it is 620’. The shoreline management plan can be found on-line at www.smithmtn.com.
The Smith Mountain Project is a two-reservoir hydroelectric generation project that uses pumped-storage system to provide low-cost electricity for the region and, at the same time, is a driver for the surrounding area’s economy and a focal point for residential, tourism and outdoor activities.
The TCRC is comprised of the four counties, Bedford, Campbell, Franklin and Pittsylvania, in which the Smith Mountain Project, Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake, is located. Each of the four counties was very involved in the relicensing of the Project and formed the Tri-County AEP Relicensing Committee to represent and advocate local government interests.
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posted Sep 2, 2012, 12:58 PM by Site Administrator
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updated Dec 21, 2012, 6:21 AM
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Since early July SML water levels have declined from near full pond conditions to approximately 5 feet below full pond. The cause -- Mother Nature. Appalachian's license requires them to release water downstream following a predictive model approved by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality. The lack of rainfall in the basin, coupled with evaporation had resulted in a large differences between project inflows and releases.
Releases from Leesville Dam are now averaging 335cfs and inflows are near the same. Inflows (from rainfall) must increase to around 735cfs sustained for one month to allow the project to refill and raise its level by one foot. Fall months are typically not high inflow months, but inflows should begin to pick up in the late winter and early spring. Historically, the hydrology record would predict a full project prior to the end of March.
Attached please find the variance to reduce outflows to 335cfs, approved by DEQ on 20 December 2012. |
posted Mar 23, 2012, 6:48 AM by Site Administrator
To learn more about the SHORE Act (
H.R. 3663
Supporting Home Owner Rights Enforcement Act ) introduced by Virginia's Congressman Robert Hurt visit the "The SHORE Act" at POP VOX and for the US Senate bill introduced by Senator Roy Blunt (MO) (
S.1988 ) visit "The SHORE Act" at POP VOX |
posted Jan 24, 2012, 7:45 AM by Site Administrator
... As you know, the General Assembly may take up various legislation regarding uranium mining in Virginia. I have asked them not to take any action this session to allow us time to further evaluate the law and science concerning the mining of uranium, so that the legislature can make well informed policy decisions in the future. Thus, I am writing, pursuant to the authority provided in Article V, Section 8 of the Constitution of Virginia, to direct that you establish a Uranium Working Group ...
Read the entire directive attached below |
posted Sep 23, 2011, 10:54 AM by Site Administrator
Smith
Mountain Lake Association requests the Shoreline
Management Plan arbitrary limitation of structure maintenance to 50% or
less, at one time, be eliminated as it conflicts with license Article 415 and
is unenforceable because of its lack of specificity regarding the method of
calculating the percentage of maintenance and the time interval between which
separate maintenance actions can be performed.
Smith
Mountain Lake Association requests the Shoreline
Management Plan arbitrary limitation of structure maintenance to 50% or
less, at one time, be eliminated for constitutional reasons as it violates both
due process and the takings clause of the Constitution of the United States of
America.
Smith
Mountain Lake Association requests that all existing (permitted and
non-permitted) structures within the project boundary be vested in accordance
with Virginia Code § 15.2-2307. Vested
rights not impaired; nonconforming uses, as the project contains no federal
lands and is operated and partially owned by a for profit corporation operating
in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Smith
Mountain Lake Association requests the Shoreline Management Plan requirement to
register existing non-conforming structures with Appalachian Power by August
31, 2005 be eliminated because the licensee failed to properly and reasonably
notify affected property owners, failed to acknowledge the adequacy of
submitted documentation, and unreasonably required the affected property owner
to possess expert knowledge of what constituted a compliant structure.
Smith Mountain Lake Association requests that
the Commission’s Final Agency Action (See
eLibrary no. 20110826-0109), mandating that Gangplank Pointe docks and
eventually all heretofore grandfathered docks be brought in to conformance with
Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) regulations under Project No. 2210-090, which was noticed on 24 August
2011, be stayed until the Commission acts on the revision to the Shoreline
Management Plan (Docket P-2210-207).
Smith
Mountain Lake Association respectfully requests expedited review of and action
on this request in order to protect the interest of shoreline residents and
others in the Smith Mountain Lake region who would be directly affected by
resolution of these important issues on rehearing and or clarification and
would suffer substantial hardship from the immediate implementation of the
Order. Read the entire filing below |
posted Oct 20, 2010, 6:01 AM by Site Administrator
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updated Mar 28, 2012, 1:04 PM
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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE ASSOCIATION 400 Scruggs Road, Suite 2100 - Moneta, VA 24121 PROTECTING THE INVESTMENT OF SML RESIDENTS January 24, 2012 Governor Bob McDonnell P.O. Box 1475 Richmond, Virginia 23218 Dear Governor McDonnell: The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) represents 1323 member families and property owners around Smith Mountain Lake. We are a non-governmental, citizen organization representing our association’s members’ interests. We respectfully request your assistance to reopen the Vic Thomas Hatchery, formerly the Brookneal Hatchery, this year. The Vic Thomas Hatchery annually spawns and hatches millions of striped bass and stocks Smith Mountain Lake with striped bass fingerlings. The economy of the lake community is heavily dependent upon tourism drawn to Smith Mountain Lake by the lake’s reputation as a premier destination for striper fishing. Fishing guides, marinas and all other lake area businesses stand to lose a large percentage of their annual revenue without striper fry being stocked to maintain striper levels. In addition to the important role stocked striper fry play in the local economy, they are essential to maintain a balance of species in Smith Mountain Lake. The fingerling from other hatcheries proposed to be stocked in Smith Mountain Lake are hatched and raised using different methods than used at Brookneal and may have a higher mortality rate when introduced into Smith Mountain Lake. Additionally fingerlings from Vic Thomas Hatchery were sold to other states and the loss of this revenue may impact Virginia’s budget. SMLA is also concerned that there are not adequate plans to maintain stocking levels in the future. Though the existing population of striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake will help maintain a balance for 2012, stocking levels beyond 2012 are of critical concern. We understand there is an exception policy for rehiring which would enable the position at Brookneal Hatchery, vacated due to retirement, to be filled. Knowing that this is not a new position and that funding for hatcheries comes primarily from licenses and fees from boating and fishing, we urge you to fill this open position and reopen the hatchery this year. Additionally the temporary positions to run the hatchery prior to stocking need to be filled. We appreciate your consideration of this matter and look forward to your response. Sincerely, Kristina Mize, President Smith Mountain Lake Association Copy:
Mr. Robert W. Duncan, Executive Director, DGIF
Mr. Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources
Senator Mark Warner
Senator Jim Webb
Congressman Robert Hurt
Delegate Charles Poindexter
Delegate Kathy Byron
Delegate Lacey Putney
Senator Steve Newman
Senator Ralph Smith
Senator Bill Stanley
Senator Frank Ruff
Delegate Lacey Putney
Ms.Kathleen Guzi, Administrator, Bedford County
Mr.Rick Huff, Administrator, Franklin County
Mr.Dan Sleeper, Administrator, Pittsylvania County
Mr. R. David Laurrell, Administrator, Campbell County
Mr. Frank Simms, APCO
Ms. Pam Dinkle, TLAC
Mrs. Vicki Gardner, SML Chamber of Commerce
Smith Mountain Stripers Club
Mr. Doug Hughes, Lake Gaston Association
Mr. Sherwood Zimmerman, Leesville Lake Association
Mr.David Ferraro, Claytor Lake Association
File
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