Relicensing

Resetting Priorities for Public Waters

 by Steve Bell- Lake Murray Columnist

 

SCE&G has applied for a new license to operate its generating facility on the Saluda River, and to manage the lake and other public resources. As part of the process, the utility is required to consult with State and Federal agencies, stakeholders and other interested parties. SCE&G must provide, in effect,   full disclosure of project operations and other information necessary for proper public review and scrutiny.

 

On May 20, SCE&G released a 285 page report, officially called the "Initial Consultation Document" (ICD).  This document is actually the first draft of a report that eventually will give stakeholders an opportunity to scrutinize SCE&G's past management of this public project. The document, along with other useful information can be found on SCE&G's  relicensing website- www.saludahydrorelicense.com. On June 16, the Company will hold two public workshops to review the re-licensing process and solicit comments on the disclosure documents. The workshop will be held at the Saluda Shoals Park with the first session at 10 am and second at 7 pm.

 

The public's interest in relicensing lies mostly with the project's recreational and environmental resources. The generating facility serves primarily as a back up system and represents less than 2% of SCE&G?s  total generating capacity. Lake Murray's waters are publicly owned, and lands that lie within the project are public resources.  Lake fluctuations, shoreline development, public recreation, water quality and fish and wildlife resources are all key issues that will be addressed in the process.

 

The issuance of project records could open up a can of worms as lake users begin probing into the company's past performance in managing this public waterway. And one question will be at the forefront. Has the utility made a reasonable and responsible effort to protect the environmental and recreational resources as required by federal regulations?  Or has management decisions been made primarily from a profit standpoint, with little or no consideration given to public concerns.  Past performance and attitude will certainly have an impact on public demands for changes in future operation and management. And lake users could ask Federal officials to deny a new license if SCE&G does not get serious about correcting any problems.

 

There are two specific areas in the ICD where information appears to be inadequate for public review and scrutiny; (1) Operations as it relates to draw downs and (2) land use classifications/shoreline development. Winter draw downs have always been a hot topic especially for homeowners who lose lake access when levels plummet during winter and fall. Lake users wonder why the Saluda Hydro is being used during times of low demand, when other resources are available. The ICD does not address those concerns nor does it include reports and other data which justifies SCE&G's yearly decision to "empty" the lake after the summer months. There has been a myriad of excuses in the past but no hard data to support the need for a draw down. The ICD should include generation and load reports and a discussion by the utility on necessity of routine winter draw downs.

 

The second area of the ICD that lacks information is the section on land use and shoreline management. For some reason, the document excludes important information on existing shoreline uses, shoreline classifications, and future land use designations. Shoreline development is an issue that has been on the forefront for over a decade. Resource agencies for years have been complaining about SCE&G's plan to sell off miles of pristine wildlife areas for private development. The ICD should be modified to include a map of existing and future shoreline uses and an explanation by the utility on its position to continue to sell off the lake's last remaining wildlife areas.

 

These are just two examples of the shortcomings of the ICD and illustrates the necessity for stakeholders to seriously review the information and attend the June 16 workshops in order to get the right information out for public review and scrutiny. In simple terms, this relicensing is no more than a request by SCE&G for permission to use public waters as a free energy source for the next 30 to 50 years. In return, the public deserves responsible management of the project's environmental and recreational resources. Having accurate records to evaluate SCE&G's past performance is not only critical in understanding the current "state of the lake", but is necessary in making intelligent decisions and recommendations as the re-licensing process moves forward.