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Southeast Action Alert: Duke Power Launches Hydropower Relicensing Studies
posted January 8, 2001
On January 12, 2001, Duke Power (formerly Nantahala Power and Light) will host a Relicensing Open
House from 10 am until 2 pm at their office in Franklin, NC. This is a time for stakeholders
(Agencies, NGO's, general public, etc.) to meet with Duke Power to discuss Study Plan
development.
Duke is currently in the process of relicensing hydropower projects on the main stem, West Fork and East Fork of the Tuckasegee River and as well as the Nantahala hydroelectric project on the Nantahala River. In each case, Duke operates a series of reservoirs, canals and powerhouses that ultimately dewater the natural river channel for significant distances. Some of these dewatered sections contain whitewater opportunities such as the Cascades section of the Nantahala.
American Whitewater filed written comments in June, 2000 on Duke's First Stage Consultation Package requesting Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies on a number of reaches similar to what was conducted on the Cheoah River in North Carolina in July, 2000. The next step in the relicensing process is to develop detailed study plans. Duke has prematurely decided to limit Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies to specific reaches rather than all the reaches dewatered by their project operations. American Whitewater would like members of the paddling community to voice their support for Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies on all dewatered reaches of the East and West Forks of the Tuckaseegee as well as below Dillsboro Dam and on the Nantahala Cascades section. Furthermore, Duke should rely on American Whitewater's expertise in designing the Whitewater Controlled Flow Study. American Whitewater is looking for key people in the southeast paddling community to volunteer in this relicense proceedings.
If you are unable to attend the open house in person you can register your comments at the Duke Relicensing website http://www.nantahalapower.com/relicensing/hydro.htm.
For more information or to volunteer for one of these projects contact John Gangemi, Conservation Director. 406-837-3155 or email: <jgangemi@digisys.net>.
Duke is currently in the process of relicensing hydropower projects on the main stem, West Fork and East Fork of the Tuckasegee River and as well as the Nantahala hydroelectric project on the Nantahala River. In each case, Duke operates a series of reservoirs, canals and powerhouses that ultimately dewater the natural river channel for significant distances. Some of these dewatered sections contain whitewater opportunities such as the Cascades section of the Nantahala.
American Whitewater filed written comments in June, 2000 on Duke's First Stage Consultation Package requesting Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies on a number of reaches similar to what was conducted on the Cheoah River in North Carolina in July, 2000. The next step in the relicensing process is to develop detailed study plans. Duke has prematurely decided to limit Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies to specific reaches rather than all the reaches dewatered by their project operations. American Whitewater would like members of the paddling community to voice their support for Whitewater Controlled Flow Studies on all dewatered reaches of the East and West Forks of the Tuckaseegee as well as below Dillsboro Dam and on the Nantahala Cascades section. Furthermore, Duke should rely on American Whitewater's expertise in designing the Whitewater Controlled Flow Study. American Whitewater is looking for key people in the southeast paddling community to volunteer in this relicense proceedings.
If you are unable to attend the open house in person you can register your comments at the Duke Relicensing website http://www.nantahalapower.com/relicensing/hydro.htm.
For more information or to volunteer for one of these projects contact John Gangemi, Conservation Director. 406-837-3155 or email: <jgangemi@digisys.net>.