Home > News > FORUM: Duke Recreational Use Needs Study or RUNS

The FOLKS Forum invited Duke Energy Staff and planning partners to present the current status of the RUN Study for Lakes Keowee & Jocassee.. This study is a requirement of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or FERC. The study is an analysis of current recreational lake use and desired improvements which will lead to a Recreational Management Plan or RMP. This plan will be developed by Duke Energy with input from government agencies and stakeholders such as FOLKS. This plan will be submitted to FERC by Jan 1, 2009 and, if approved, will operate during the remainder of Duke's current license until 2016

The RUN Study overview was provided by Scott Jolley of Duke Energy Lake Services. Bill Ambrose of Heron Cove Partners who worked with Duke, provided the RUN Study process which has completed the year long gathering of data on current recreational use. Jot Splenda of Louis Berger & Assoc. shared the results and explained the analysis of data. This data was gathered from 5 major areas. boat launch interviews, lakeside and backlot owners, regional residents, access counters and aerial photos of boating densities. Mr Splenda indicated that all these groups had a high level of satisfaction with the current lake recreational environment and access. There was a desire for some shoreline facilities such as toilets & courtesy docks. Both Shoreline owners and launch users expressed concern over further shoreline development according to Jot.

Between now and Jan 1, several things must happen:

• FERC will need to provide a period of public comment on the current RUN Study
• Duke will use the RUN Study to develope the RMP.
• Stakeholders will have additional input.
• Duke will submit the RMP for FERC for approval

A lengthy Q & A followed the presentations which allowed audience members to clarify the Study and express concerns. The county expressed a desire to possibly participate in access area operation. A number of audience members expressed an appreciation of the RUN Study in providing data, however, they also expressed concern that it did not project future increases in lake use as a result of regional population growth, more dock permits, etc, particularly in areas described as bottle necks or with current high boat densities.

To view RUNS Boat Density Maps click on following: (early pdf pages will open while downloading:
          Keowee  (3.5 meg)  Jocassee (1.3meg)

To view the RUN Study click on the following: 'Duke Recreation Use & Needs Study', which provides simple directions & link to the FERC website and the actual report. The major documents are large and most suitable for those with high speed internet (DSL or Cable). Dial-up users can view if machines are left unattended for a lengthy download. Call FOLKS (882-FOLK) for locally available copies.

 

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