LAKE
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORTS
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
9/17/2008
The committee meeting on Wednesday September 17, 2008 was
attended by Bill Bryant, Bruce Johnson, George Kimble, Jack Saunders, Jim
Smalfelt, Pete Deschenes, Ralph Domach and Wally Sako.
SEDIMENTATION & EROSION: George Kimble reported
that North Carolina DWQ was filing an injunction against Lake Gaston Motor
Cross to resolve outstanding sedimentation issues. The DWQ will also be making
another onsite visit in the near future.
WEEDS: Vernon Wilson- reported that the 2008
planned treatment was completed. Notes from home owners asking for advice
about further treatment in 2008 were answered with contacts for private
treatment company’s and advice that the hydrilla will be dying off for year
and they should probably save their money by not getting private treatment in
the remainder of 2008.
LEM’s: Bruce Johnson gave an update on what areas
he personally has completed weed surveys. He also discussed the USACOE plans
for introduction of new pens, cages and native plants. This has since been
reschedule spring 2009 due to Hurricane Ike delaying critical material
required to build the cages and pens that the new native plants were to be
started.
The Lake Gaston survey can be started at any time in
September / October. The additional hand held computers have been programmed
by Patrick Dempsey and given to Bruce. Bruce has purchased the additional
rakes and ropes.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT August 20, 2008
The committee
meeting on Wednesday August 20, 2008 was attended by Bill Lindenmuth, Bruce
Johnson, Jim Smalfelt, Patrick Dempsey, Ralph Domach, Ron George, Wally Sako
and Moira Underwood.
SEDIMENTATION &
EROSION: Bill
Lindenmuth and I attended the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee
on July 29, 2008. The majority of the meeting was spent listening to 3
presentations on issues with the Smith Mountain Lake (SML), relicensing permit
with AEP, the power company that owns SML. There are still issues with the
lake release rates and amounts from the current 650 CFS to a possible 375CFS
rule. SML would like to maintain their lake level within 1.5 feet of full
pool, for safety, financial and environmental reasons. At issue is the effect
on the Staunton River which is downstream of the lake. Lower release rates and
levels would drastically affect the use of the river as a viable resource for
recreation, scenic reasons (First River in state of VA to be named a Scenic
River), financial reasons and environmental reasons (fish habitat, spawning,
etc,). Since this has been an ongoing discussion and disagreement the
Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee has agreed to host/mediate
meeting to dialogue and resolve the issues over the next couple months in
Charlotte County.
A letter has been
written to the USCOE to stop any action on the Inter Basin Transfer of water
out of the Roanoke River Basin or allow the granting of any water allocation
from Kerr Lake to the Raleigh, Durham and Chaple Hill areas. This issue will
be discussed in the very near future in the Virginia General Assembly.
Bill joined the
weekly teleconference call with the USACOE, the drought is still of major
concern in North Carolina. Kerr Lake is currently at 293 feet, 6 feet below
normal guide curve. Lake Gaston has been at 199.5 for the last few weeks and
there is no change in sight for the near future. North Carolina will be
holding their first committee meeting to discuss North Carolina’s river
basins, the current drought and interbasin water transfer on August 27, 2008.
This is the sister committee as our Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory
Committee.
WEEDS:
I attended the LGWCC meeting on July 31, 2008. I asked what the 2008 contract
stated on posting notices on boat houses prior to treatment in coves and
creeks. The Contract states, in summary, that posting will be in accordance to
product labels. In some cases posting will only happen in the immediate areas
of treatments and not necessarily the entire cove or creek. Sea Pro, the
manufacture of the herbicide product stated that amount and used, dilution
rate, etc.; the treatments really do not pose a problem to home owners. The
only reason they feel the need to post notices is for residents utilizing the
lake for irrigation purposes, and only then for newly planted plants and
lawns. Established lawns and plants should not be affected.
One of the
presentations in the LGWCC meeting was in reference to the research on
Hydrilla Fly and how they could be used to treat Lake Gaston‘s hydrilla. Lake
Gaston is infested with the easiest variety of hydrilla to control, Monoeciuos
Hydrilla, meaning it dies back every year during the winter months, which
could affect the effectiveness of using the Hydrilla Fly at the lake for plant
control. We listened to a very interesting presentation on recent dye tests
conducted this summer by Michael D. Netherland, assisted by Dr. Rob
Richardson. They released dye into Hubquarter and Lyons Creek to measure the
speed at which the dye was distributed vertically and moved within the creeks
/ coves. These tests were conducted to better understand the effectiveness of
herbicide treatments on Lake Gaston. The test showed that in Lake Gaston, we
have a great deal of water movement, primarily due to power generation at both
Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston. In fact within 20 hours almost all the dye released
in these creeks were immeasurable. But, some good news is that due to thermal
gradients the vertical mixing was minimal and could be very effective for the
Floridon herbicide we are currently utilizing for our public funded treatment.
LEM’s:
LEM’s training took place on August 1, 2008. With 14 people attending the
training on aquatic weed identification and education on conducting the 2008
lake wide survey. We want to accomplish the weed survey on the entire lake in
2008, so any and all volunteers will be very much appreciated. Contact Bruce
Johnson, Jack Saunders or Vernon Wilson if you’re interested in taking part in
this very important and meaningful survey.
The Lake Gaston
survey can be started at any time in September. The additional hand held
computers have been programmed by Patrick Dempsey and given to Bruce. Bruce
has purchased the additional rakes and ropes.
The USACOE was to
start the introduction of new native plants in August; this has been postponed
until mid September.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT/AQUATIC WEED COMMITTEE REPORT:
July, 2008
The Committee meeting on Wednesday July 16, 2008 was attended by Ron George,
Wally Sayko, Ralph Domach, Pete Deschenes, Jack Saunders, George Kimble, Bill
Lindenmuth, Moira Underwood and John Cataldo
WEEDS: Wally has fielded several emails/calls
regarding weed treatment with public funds (LGWCC). He has passed them on the
weed council but has no guidance for responding to the inquiries. The next
LGWCC meeting is scheduled for July 31 at Kennon House.
LEMS: Jack Saunders reported that August 1,
2008 will be the date of the next LEMS training session. The training session
will be held at Eaton’s Ferry Grocery and Grill from 9:30am to 11:30am.
Bridget Lassiter’s paper “Assessing the Potential of Creating
Management-Quality Invasive Plant Maps of Lake Gaston” was awarded first place
among student papers at the 48th meeting of the Aquatic Plant
Management Society in Charleston, SC. She plans to expand this years study to
the entire lake
SEDIMENTATION & EROSION:
Bill Lindenmuth has collected data to pass on to the 2008 Secchi “Dip-in.” A
chart of water clarity (below) shows the expected result that our lake’s water
gets clearer as you travel down river. Leslie Sullivan, planning & zoning
director, Brunswick County will be guest speaker at the regular LGA meeting
8/6/08. Action: Bill & Vernon will
represent the LGA at the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee
Meeting on July 29, 2008 that will focus on the “Smith Mountain Project Draft
VWP Permit.”
LGAlert: Bill Lindenmuth determined that
Virginia counties 911 services do not include the “Code Red” automated
voice-mail that our North Carolina counties have initiated.
Action: an LGA alert drill is
scheduled the week August 7-14, 2008. Moira Underwood and John Cataldo are
working the details.
Bill Lindenmuth, Co-chair
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT June
18, 2008
The
Environment Committee meeting held on June 18, 2008 was attended by Bill
Bryant, Bill Lindenmuth, Ralph Domach, Bruce Johnson, George Kimble, John
Cataldo and Vernon Wilson.
Weeds: Vernon Wilson – Short discussion on
areas that have been treated and are in plan to be treated. North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Inland Fisheries is reviewing the
current grass carp bow rules and regulations. Bruce Johnson has agreed to
attend the meeting the Environment Committee.
John
Cataldo will send a letter to all the herbicide applicators on the lake and
Dominion Power to send us the areas of the being privately treated on Lake
Gaston. This data will assist us in understanding the hydrilla problem in a
more complete manner. The data collected and compiled will be made available
to both Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC) and the Technical Advisory
Group (TAG).
Sedimentation and Erosion:
George Kimble discussed the ongoing correspondence with John Holley of the NC
DWQ in reference to the continuing issue of Lake Gaston Motor Cross, which has
yet to implement the submitted cleanup plan.
The
state wide Secchi Dip-In will be conducted June 28 through July 20. Bill
Lindenmuth will be sending in Lake Gaston secchi dish reading for the last
year. Bill will collect the data at the next LGA meeting.
LEMS: Jack Saunders – nothing to report this
month.
LGAlert: Vernon Wilson – nothing to report this
month.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: May 21, 2008
The Environment Committee meeting held
on May 21, 2008 was attended by Johnna Fross, Ron George, Wally Sayko, Jim
Smalfeit, Bill Bryant, Patrick Dempsey, Bill Lindenmuth, Ralph Domach, Bruce
Johnson, George Kimble, Calvin DeShields, Moira Underwood and Vernon Wilson.
Weeds:
Vernon Wilson - Update form the May 8, LGWCC meeting. Summary, ’Skips Aquatic
Solutions, LLC' presented the tentative noxious weed treatment plan for 2008,
voted and approved. A discussion referencing reporting and tracking the
private treatment by individuals and HOA's was held, with the outcome that all
licensed applicators are supposed to be reporting their activity to Dominion.
This has been what was 'supposed' to happen all along, so no new news here. I
personally did not get the feeling or opinion of a sense of accountability or
responsibility to collect this information by Dominion. Bottom line is that
LOGIC has no real authority over private treatment or tracking private
treatment. TAG has no real interest or need to track private treatment and
wants to stay away from the politics of treatments in Lake Gaston, which does
makes sense. Doug Hughes, editor of the Lake Gaston Gazette has printed the
tentative treatment sites and asked all residents and HOA's to report private
treatment to the paper for collection. A very nice gesture by Doug and the
paper. The rest of the meeting was filled with budget discussions.
Bruce Johnson will create a letter
asking Dominion Power and the local herbicide applicators to voluntarily
submit GPS coordinates (start / stop) of privately treated areas to LGA for
tracking purposes. Patrick Dempsey agreed to create a file or data base to
house the information collected, if and when submitted.
Bruce Johnson updated the committee on
his correspondence with Remetrix in reference to their hydro acoustic data
collection methodology and the reported reduction of 3000 acres of hydrilla to
1235 acres in 2007. This will be ongoing discussion and topic as it directly
affects the stocking of grass carp in Lake Gaston. Remetrix estimates that of
the 1235 acres reported in the 2007 survey, 322 acres are main lake shore line
infested with hydrilla, therefore grass carp is the only viable means of
controlling main lake growth and infestation.
Sedimentation and Erosion:
George Kimble discussed the ongoing correspondence with John Holley of the NC
DWQ in reference to the continuing issue of Lake Gaston Motor Cross, which has
yet to implement the submitted cleanup plan.
Bill Lindenmuth attended one of the
public meetings held to discuss the Proposed Interim Deviation Plan for Kerr
Lake. Bottom line is that a decision needs to be made to: 1) drop the
proposal all together 2) do a minimum Environment Assessment 3) conduct a full
scale Environmental Assessment. The plan is still under review /
investigation. Currently all the lakes are following the 12000 CFS
release levels to support the Striper Bass Spawn runs up the Roanoke River.
Moira Underwood reviewed the required
website updates to reflect the combining of the Aquatic Weed Committee and the
Environment Committee. Moira will work with web site master to ensure updates
are made.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: April
16, 2008
The Environment Committee meeting on April 16, 2008 was attended by John
Cataldo, Moira Underwood, Johnna Fross, Jim Smalfeit, Bill Bryant, Patrick
Dempsey, Bill Lindenmuth, Ralph Domach, Bruce Johnson, George Kimble and
Vernon Wilson
Vernon Wilson was voted in as the new Environment Committee chairman.
Weeds:
Vernon Wilson – The next LGWCC meeting will be held May 8, 2008 at the Kennon
House. Bruce Johnson studied the 2007 PLM report to see if there were details
associated with the 600 acres treated privately in 2007. Currently only the
applicators are aware of the areas of the lake treated via contracts with
HOA’s. The issue is that during weed surveys, either by the LEMS, REMETRIX or
the contracted applicators will show the hydrilla under control in these areas
and possibly eliminated from receiving future treatment via public funding.
LGA members are always interested in when some areas of the lake will receive
treatment with public funds. While some areas will never receive public
funded treatment due to location and effectiveness of the herbicide treatment,
other areas might qualify. The 600 acres treated privately should be
documented with GPS coordinates (start and stop locations). Action-During the
May 8, LGWCC meeting Vernon Wilson will bring the topic up for discussion,
requesting that either the LGWCC or TAG track the privately treated acreage.
Bruce Johnson has asked Remetrix what percentage of the documented shore line
vegetation surveyed is untreatable due to water flow. Remetrix has yet to
respond to the request. Another note of discussion was that the Remetrix
survey was conducted in the October time frame. The survey could possibly be
more informative if conducted in the August or September time frame. Action-
Vernon Wilson will ask the LGWCC to consider this question / request.
LEMS:
Partrick Dempsey for Jack Saunders, presented and reviewed the Lake
Environment Monitors training agenda and refresher for aquatic weed
identification. The training session was held on April 26, 2008 with 15
LEMS present. More detail information will be discussed in the next monthly
LGA meeting and can be viewed online at the LGA website.
SEDIMENTATION & EROSION:
Bill Lindenmuth , Bill is still investigating which organization has the rules
and regulations with regards to the requirements associated with the possible
safety issues with the Wake Boarding School in Lizard Creek. We understand the
answers can be attained through the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries.
Bill also discussed the issue of the Motor Cross park on Rt. 903, North
Carolina DENR is supposed to be addressing the sedimentation and erosion
issue. But, once again the feeling is that nothing force full is being
accomplished.
A decision was made to start
collecting the Seechi disc reading again around the lake. Bill Lindenmuth will
do the collection during the next Environment Committee meeting.
Patrick Dempsey asked if the LGA
should purchase the necessary equipment to accomplish our own lake level
monitoring and post the data on the LGA web site real time. Action: Patrick
will investigate cost of the needed equipment and monthly cost of a Wi-Fi
connection for auto update. Bill has already asked Dominion Power if the data
was available real time and available. The following is the response from
Dominion:
"Bill, At this point we have made a policy decision not to do this. The
simple reason is we believe we would find ourselves in continual conflict
with adjacent property owners over (1) the accuracy of our measurement (2)
"my calibrated markings on my pier" do not agree Dominions levels and (3)
western lake fluctuates more than eastern lake. Last year we added Gaston
projected run times as an aid to fisherman safety both above and below the
dam. Generally we see adding lake levels as a piece of data that has real
potential to cause conflict. With the USACE taking our twice a
day reported levels and plotting it combined with our posting of Gaston run
times, we believe that gives a good picture of a general trend.
All that being said, I will bring it up at management level and we'll
discuss it again.
Jim Thornton
Technical Consultant
Dominion Virginia Power"
Johnna Foss will investigate an issue brought up at the last LGA meeting in
regards to a possible sedimentation issue at Goose Creek development. The
concern is that silt fences are not properly constructed or installed and have
failed previously.
Bill Lindenmuth received a question from one of our LGA members about the
rules associated with the use of Lake Gaston water as personal lawn
irrigation. Jim Thornton with Dominion responded that while it is legal to use
Lake Gaston water for irrigation, a request form needs to be filled out and
approved. The form can be attained from the Roanoke River office via Nancy Hux.
The use of the lake water for irrigation must be for personal homeowners use
only.
LGAlert:
Vernon Wilson needs to get with Jack Suanders and Bill Lindenmuth to put
together a test plan for 2008. Vernon will also contact Mike Wallace, USACE
Kerr Lake manager to see if there is a planned emergency test for 2008.
Bill Lindenmuth and Vernon Wilson attended the Virginia Roanoke River Basin
Advisory Committee meeting on April 15, 2008. We listened to a number of
excellent presentations:
Bill Brush, SMLA (Smith Mountain Lake Association) , “Applicalachian Power
Company’s Proposal for Water Management at the Smith Mt. Lake Project”
In summary, the association has major concerns with the amount of water
released and lake levels as they have a direct impact on the lake and
surrounding businesses. Issues are safety, fire protection (they have 6 fire
boats to answer fires around the lake), revenue associated with the residence
(16,000 around the lake and 7,353 shoreline residence) tourism, fish habitat
and fish spawning. These issues need to be addressed during the ongoing
relicensing process currently in progress.
Gene Addresso, RRBA, presented “Roanoke River Basin Association Update” the
presentation that was presented to the LGA. The new news is that the
Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Granville County have new requests for water, 50MGD
from Kerr Lake, although the vehicle of the request is not via the 216 study
currently ongoing.
Hank Maser, USACE, presented
“Presentation to the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee” In
summary, educated us on the 1958 Water Supply Act, a congressional act. As
many have said, Hank reiterated that ‘water’ is going to be the oil commodity
of the century, as evidenced by the water wars already taking place along the
Eastern United States. Considering the current water wars in Georgia,
Alabama and Florida the 1958 Water Supply Act could and probably will be
changed. COE only provides storage of the water supply; the
states control the actual water supply and water rights. From a Kerr
Lake perspective, there was 50,000 acre feet available, only 28,000 acre feet
are currently unspoken for currently. The USACE manages this water storage on
a first come first serve basis. There are many requirements that need to be
met to get the water (immediacy of need, alternative sources, environment
assessment studies, hydro power ‘vs. drinking water and price of each) the
immediacy of need is what will really drive a decision verses possible
potential future need. USACE – is currently very involved in studying
the current policies and laws as they are seeing multiple requests for water
all along the eastern seaboard. But, bottom line is that only Congress can
authorize the dollars, change the laws or instructions to USACE. An
interesting fact learned is that neither Lake Gaston nor Roanoke River Lake is
considered lakes as such, just part of the Roanoke River as we have no real
water storage capacity.
Phil Fragapane, NC DENR Water
Resources, presented “NC Law Regarding the Inter Basin Transfer of Water” Phil
is an Environmental Engineer with the Department of Energy Natural Resources.
In summary, every 5 years NC requires a water supply plan to be submitted.
There are 18 river basins in NC and NC is modeling there new committee based
on the Roanoke River Basin committee. NC requires an IBT (Inter Basin
Transfer) certificate for any amount of water transferred between basins
greater than2MGD or less if the water is not returned to the providing basin.
The laws all changed in August of 2007, as a result of a major battle
currently taking place in courts between NC and SC over the Yadkin and Catawba
IBT agreements signed.
Scott Kudlas, VA DEQ Office of Water Supply Planning, presented “Virginia‘s
Current Regulations and How ‘That Might Change’. I apologize, I’ve
misplaced on notes on this presentation.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT:
3/19/2008
The Environment Committee meeting on March 19, 2008 was attended by Ron
George, Ralph Domach, Pete Deschenes, Jack Saunders, George Kimble, Bill
Bryant, Bill Lindenmuth, Moira Underwood and Vernon Wilson
Guest speaker, Jim Thornton,
Technical Consultant Dominion Virginia Power
The schedule for the temporary Environment Committee chairman until a
permanent replacement is as follows:
April – Jack Saunders
May – Ralph Do mach
June – Pete Descends
Jim Thornton of Dominion Power was asked to assist us in understanding how to
address recent concerns voiced over the last few weeks in regards to Lake
Gaston lake levels. Jim educated many of us on Roanoke Rapids and Lake
Gaston Operations as it relates to water levels, water release requirements
and most importantly power generation contract requirements. Bottom line is
that the recent lake levels are within contracted and agreed upon levels and
Dominion is complying with all commitments and requirements. The draught we
have and continue to be experiencing are impacting the release rates by Kerr
Lake in preparation (holding water) for the spring Striper Bass run (spawning)
on the Roanoke River. The good news is that our lake levels will be
increasing in the April time period due to the increased water flow from Kerr
Lake to support the Striper Bass run that takes place in early April through
mid June.
Speaking for myself, the most important information and education acquired
form Jim Thornton’s visit is that this beautiful lake that we all get the
pleasure of enjoying is actually pure energy, Hydro Electric Energy. Thus the
operations associated with the lake are contractual energy generation
obligations. As property owners around this fantastic and beautiful slice of
paradise we are lucky and spoiled with a relative constant water level.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that an increase or decrease of only a few
inches of water level can mean a couple feet of shore line being exposed. Many
of us misinterpret this as the lake level being down by a foot or more, when
in reality it is only inches. I realize this doesn’t seem to be the case when
we are having difficulties with getting our boats off the lifts, etc.. Lake
Gaston lake levels are actually maintained extremely well for our benefit and
enjoyment.
Jim Thornton also discussed with the committee the ‘Proposed Interim
Operations Deviation Request’ for John H. Kerr Reservoir. A possible
temporary and interim adjustment in the operation of the Kerr Lake reservoir
during high water conditions on Kerr Lake as it relates to the amounts of
water and speed of release rates. LGA will study the document and submit
comments / concerns with possible effects to Lake Gaston. Vernon Wilson
will supply a list of concerns or issues to John Cataldo.
WEEDS:
Vernon Wilson - Lake Gaston Weed Control Council met on March 20, 2008. The
majority of discussion centered on the awarding of the 2008 herbicide
applicator contract. The contract was awarded to ‘Skip’s Aquatic Solutions,
LLC’. Remetrix presented a slide presentation on the noctiuos weeds
survey that they were contracted to conduct in 2007. Negoatiations with
Remetrix and LGWCC to continue surveying in 2008 will take place in the
near future. The good news is that based on historical survey data, there was
a 53% reduction in SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) overall and a 59%
reduction in Hydrilla specifically between 2006 and 2007. Rob Richardson, NCSU,
reviewed the TAG Management Recommendations for 2008. These recommendations
have been approved by the Lake Gaston Stake Holders in a meeting held February
28, 2008. More detailed information can be found on the Lake Gaston
Weed Control Council website.
LEMS:
Jack Saunders -reported that April 26, 2008 will be the date of the next LEMS
training session. The training session will be held at Eaton’s Ferry Grocery
and Grill on April 26, 2008 from 9:30am to 11:30am. Dr. Rob Richardson, NCSU,
will assist with the education. Formal notification of training will be forth
coming.
SEDIMENTATION & EROSION:
Bill Lindenmuth – reported that there was no new news in regard to the issue
of the wake boarding school in Lizard Creek. There have been no new reports
of erosion. A couple safety issues were discussed in regards to mile
marker buoys that need repositioned and lights repaired. In addition,
Brunswick County will be having a public hearing in the near future on ‘No
Wake’ buoys being proposed for Poplar Creek and Pea Hill Creek.
LGAlert:
Vernon Wilson – Bill Lindenmuth discussed a concern with a recent test with
email alerts. Bill sent out an email alert asking for response from the
addressees, only about 75% responded. Investigation found that many of the
emails were intercepted via the recipients email servers or email applications
as SPAM. Some found the specific email in their providers servers ‘Grey Mail’
or ‘Junk Mail’ and were not notified of the incoming email as being suspect.
In addition, it was decided that a LGA alert drill needs to be planned and
conducted in 2008. I will work with Jack Saunders, Moira Underwood and John
Cataldo to create a plan and date for the drill.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: March 2008
Roanoke Rapids and Gaston Annual
Operations Report (2007) for FERC.
LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT:
2/20/2008
The Environment Committee meeting on February
20, 2008 was attended by Ron George, Ralph Domach, Pete Deschenes, John
Slaton, John Catado, Jack Saunders, George Kimble, Bill Bryant and Vernon
Wilson.
The schedule for temporary Environment
Committee chairman until a permanent replacement is as follows:
March - Vernon Wilson
April - Jack Saunders
May - Ralph Domach
June - Pete Deschenes
Lake Gaston Weed Control Council met on
February 18, a great deal of discussion on the 2008 weed control applicator
contract took place as far as content, but no contract was has been agreed on
at this point in time.
The TAG held it's first meeting of 2008 on
February 13. The Agenda covered was:
-
Remetrix survey results
-
Review Lake Gaston related research from
2007 (grass carp telemetry study)
-
Review 2007 management and implication for
2008
-
Determine grass carp recommendations for
2008 ( there will be minimal grass crap stocked in 2008 due to the success
of the herbicide application, existing grass carp and minimal growth of
hydrilla in 2007)
-
Discuss response to LGA letter (management
plan)
The details and presentations are online for
viewing and will be discussed in full at the February 28 Stake Holders
meeting.
LEMS: Jack Saunders has been in contact with
Rob Richardson and Bridgett Lassiter of NCSU for
assistance in a possible training session in
the April / May time period. In addition to asking for additional aquatic weed
identification booklets for LEMS volunteers.
Sedimentation and Erosion: Bill Lindenmuth
presented a summary of the Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee meeting that
he and Vernon Wilson
attended in Richmond, Va. January 25, 2008. Bill also reported on a
conversation that he had with Joe Peterson of Dominion Power in reference to
concerns brought to LGA regarding the 'wake boarding school' and the
associated jumps, etc located in Lizard Creek. Dominion Power has no input on
structure in the lake itself, their concerns are more inline with shore line
management. Bill was advised to contact COE or Wildlife Resources to
understand what the requirements for structures in the water.
LGAlert: Vernon Wilson now has a pager
assigned and Bill Lindenmuth conducted a phone test that verified the pager's
proper operation.
An email advisory was sent as follows:
Lake Gaston was at 198.5 ft MSL at 8:00
am this morning (Thursday 2/28/08)! It has been below 199 ft several times in
the past week. We are used to seeing the level near 199.7 ft.
Some property owners can not float
their boats off of their lifts at 198.5 ft. More tree stumps
"rise" to damage props. The LGA contacted Dominion about our concern.
They have been operating Lake Gaston Dam in accordance with their license.
They will not try to raise the level at this time, but will continue to
generate power most efficiently/effectively. They do not consider low
water levels a major concern. So.......boaters beware.
Dominion responded:
I believe my explanation to Bill yesterday
was misunderstood or was misconstrued. I never said low water level was not a
concern of Dominion's. What I stated was Dominion operates within the
boundaries of its Hydropower license which allows some operation below 199.0.
As stated in the bulletin sent out a bit ago,
it would seem Dominion is unconcerned about its customers and friends
surrounding the lake. That is not the case. Dominion is fully committed to
supporting all signed agreements and license requirements.
I did tell Bill yesterday that we are in a drought and that might be a
good thing to communicate to persons with questions. What I did not state
yesterday is the flow into the Dominion Gaston / Roanoke Rapids system is less
than what is required by our license for minimum flows out of Roanoke Rapids.
Although the Corps currently does not consider the Roanoke River from Kerr
downstream to be in drought because the level is above 295' in Kerr, by the
standards of our FERC license, we are operating Dominion's dams in the drought
mode. In drought mode, water in from Kerr = water out at Roanoke Rapids. That
means any attempt to meet electrical demand by utilizing hydropower will
likely become more noticeable in the reservoirs. Even though more
noticeable, still within the constraints of the license.
The lake levels with which Dominion is complying were developed in
consultation with and approved by the Lake Gaston Board of
Directions. The license allows for the Gaston level to be between 198.0 and
199.0 for up to 360 hours per year, but no more than 48 hours in 7 consecutive
days. We also have an obligation to our customers, our stockholders, and the
Virginia and North Carolina Commissions to operate efficiently and cost
effectively. We proactively work to uphold all of these obligations.
If you would like for me to attend an LGA board meeting to review license
requirements to clarify Dominion's obligations, I will be glad to do so.
Thanks,
Jim Thornton
Technical Consultant
Dominion Virginia Power
