The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued the Final Environmental Analysis documents last week for the dams on the Nantahala and Tuckasegee rivers, located in Western North Carolina. The analysis documents contain the final recommendations of FERC staff, which adhere closely to the Settlement Agreement reached by AW and other Stakeholders in 2003. The next step in the relicensing of the dams will be approval by the FERC commissioners and issuance of new 40 year licenses for the operation of the dams. The new licenses can be expected late this year or early next year, construction of public access areas will begin promptly, and new flow regimes will begin by the spring of next year.
The FERC staff recommend several controversial measures that are strongly supported by American Whitewater, including recreational flows and access on the West Fork of the Tuck, the removal of Milltown Dam, and public access to the shores of Glenville Reservoir.
It is possible that these recommendations could be legally or otherwise challenged, however the success of any such attempts is highly unlikely given the strength of the analysis and massive record in support of the decisions made by FERC and by regional stakeholders.
Tuckasegee River Enhancements:
· Better, more predictable recreation flows on the nearly 30 miles of class I-II+ Main Tuckasegee that balance the needs of boaters, fishermen, and native species throughout the year.
· The removal of Dillsboro Dam, which will reconnect this biologically diverse river, and allow the many species that exist below the dam and not above it to once again populate the upper river.
· 7 annual releases in the 8-mile class III-IV West Fork Tuckasegee, and access provided to the run, beginning in 2007.
· 10 new River Access areas all along the river, many of which could act as nodes for a greenway. This includes new formal access to the Slab.
· Better flow information.
· Better minimum instream flows in some reaches.
· Conservation of a critical piece of land.
· Several Fishery Restoration Projects.
· Roughly $1,000,000 total to additional river conservation and water quality projects across both the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers!
Nantahala River Enhancements:
· Reliable scheduled releases in Nantahala River have been enhanced and will now provide 233 days annually of predictable flows.
· The minimum instream flow in the Upper and Lower Nantahala have been improved, as well as in several tributaries.
· 8 releases and the necessary access provisions are planned for the class III/III+ Upper Nantahala and the Class IV/IV+ Cascades of the Nantahala, in cooperation with anglers that use that reach extensively.
· A USGS gage has already been activated that provides realtime flow information in the Upper and Lower Nantahala.
· An improved commercial boating access put-in for the lower Nantahala.
· In addition, the mitigation of the Nantahala Project includes a portion of the roughly $1,000,000 for river conservation projects, as well as the Dillsboro Dam Removal.
Six years later…
American Whitewater has been actively working on these projects since 2000, and looks forward to participating in the long term stewardship of these amazing natural resources for years to come. We worked closely with state and federal agencies, canoe clubs (CCC and WCP), outfitters, Duke Power, and many other stakeholders to develop this comprehensive vision for the future of the Nantahala and Tuckasegee watersheds. These relationships will continue into the future to study, manage, implement, leverage, and improve upon all that we have already agreed on. Our long term involvement in incredible projects like this is made possible primarily by memberships, donations, and volunteerism. If you paddle the Nantahala or Tuckasegee River, please consider supporting American Whitewater.
We’ll Need Your Help.
The West Fork of the Tuck is a small creek that flows from Glenville Reservoir, over several huge waterfalls, and then through a beautiful class III and IV gorge for 5-6 miles. The West Fork will release 7 days each year. When scheduled with releases on the Tallulah, Cheoah, and Nantahala Cascades: we will have a new integrated schedule of 43 days of Class IV boating in the WNC area. Before flows can begin however, Duke Power must build a 1-mile trail from Glenville Reservoir to the West Fork, which allows paddlers to put in below the unrunnable High Falls. AW has promised significant volunteer assistance with the construction of this trail, which will be designed and built by trail building professionals – with paddler assistance. Later this fall, we will be calling on regional paddlers to volunteer some time on this project which will provide year round hiking access to High Falls and paddling access on release days. AW has spent inumerable hours researching and laying out this trail, and will be very proud to help make it a reality. The Charles Paul Horner Fund has been dedicated to this project, and we are certain that this beautiful trail leading to a very special whitewater creek run will be a fitting legacy.