HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93011_0973► 285 shoreline miles in Iredell County (Lake Norman & Lookout Shoals)
This is about one-sixth of the total shoreline for the Catawba-Wateree
Project
► In regards to water quality and the relicensing, Duke Power hopes to better
manage under the regulations already written.
► The operational requirements in the old license did not speak to water
storage, but the new license will have a ban for each reservoir. Everyone
will have to stay within a certain amount unless there is a drought.
► Projections indicate current demands for water will more than double in the
next 50 years. (The risk of running out of water in a drought is going up.)
Questions & Answers
Commissioner Robertson asked who came up with the composition for the
members on the stakeholder teams.
Lineberger said Duke Power came up with the initial state relicensing team. He
said a proposal was written, and Duke Power went to each party that had a role in the
federal regulations governing relicensing. Lineberger said input was received and
modified, plus interest forms/applications were shared with any other interested parties.
He said this was how the teams decided who would participate in the advisory groups.
Commissioner Johnson asked if the members on the advisory teams were
primarily composed of people obtaining water from the lake.
Lineberger said it was a combination of interest groups -- folks representing
adjoining properties, recreation, local government, along with a water dependent
business category, and a resource agency category.
Hart said there was wide variety of people serving: city/county officials, river
keepers, and utility directors.
Chairman Tice asked the lease term for the Stumpy Creek Park with Duke
Power.
County Manager Mashburn said it extended for 25 years.
Chairman Tice asked if shoreline management would be more restrictive in the
future.
Lineberger said yes. He said there would still be a good balance between
private/commercial uses along with protecting the general public and environment.
Commissioner Robertson said he understood (1) there was a known cost that
Duke suffered, whether it was for coal or natural gas, etc., when a gallon of water was
taken from the lake (2) people wouldn't conserve water unless there was an economic
cost to using it and (3) it was understood there was legal precedent establishing the fact
that a utility could charge money for water. He then asked the following questions.
1. Who would set the fee amounts?
2. Who would these people be accountable to?
3. Who decided where the money was to be spent, and who were they
accountable to?
4. What was the criteria?
Lineberger said Duke presented a fee proposal (trial balloon) to the water
suppliers in August of this year that would collect money from people who withdrew
water. He said the money would be placed in a fund and used for "other stuff'
(improving drought preparation, improving everyday water efficiency, and water
quality). Lineberger said the focus was never on paying the maintenance for the dams
or for recreation.