ROANOKE, 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.

Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is a unit of American Electric Power, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, which delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in 11 states. AEP ranks among the nation’s largest generators of electricity, owning nearly 38,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the U.S. AEP also owns the nation’s largest electricity transmission system, a nearly 39,000-mile network that includes more 765 kilovolt extra-high voltage transmission lines than all other U.S. transmission systems combined.

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