The new version of the plan will provide the guidelines that Duke will adhere to when deciding where to allow piers, marinas and dredging along roughly 1,600 miles of shore. The plan increases from 15% to 24% the total amount of shoreline Duke classifies as environmental or natural areas unsuited to development. It also specifies for future commercial or residential development another 22% of the shoreline that had been classified as undeveloped.
According to published reports, Duke claims its new plan is based on various consulting results, studies and public input. But those that oppose the plan argue that Duke has simply followed orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to assess development in terms of protecting the project's environmental resources.
The marine commissions of various lakes in the area say Duke should assign classifications that prohibit or restrict development on 50% of the total shoreline. Residential, commercial or business structures now stand on about 40% of the shoreline.
Pointing out the potential development of 80% of Lake Norman's shoreline, Lake Norman Keepers, a group affiliated with Catawba Riverkeeper, is urging Duke to strike a proper balance between commercial and residential development, according to published reports. The group also suggests that future uses of undeveloped shoreline should maximize the scenic, aesthetic, environmental and recreational values at the expense of development values, not the reverse.
Duke defends its revised plan, saying the company worked extensively with natural-resource agencies in assigning shoreline-use classifications, according to published reports. Duke says it also held two focus groups and solicited public comment before submitting the plan to Washington.
As the utility and its critics continue to disagree on the company's influence over shoreline development, Duke claims its license gives it authority over the water and submerged land to the high-water mark, according to published reports. The extent of residential and commercial projects that are allowed along the shoreline is up to local government, Duke says.
Duke's granting permission to build a boat dock can add thousands of dollars to the value of lakefront property, the company says in a published report. Despite company disclaimers that the utility and Crescent Resources, a major developer of lake shoreline, are separate businesses, both are units of Duke Energy.
Lake Norman Keepers acknowledge Duke is often the target for critics of development and agree the utility could help governments and citizens decide the future of the shoreline. The group points out that neither Duke nor anybody else has come up with a clear vision for what the lakes in the region should look like, according to published reports.
The updated shoreline management plan will be filed by May with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which licenses Duke's oversight of 11 reservoirs.
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