Settlement Agreement is about more than Dillsboro Dam
While it was last week that Jackson County commissioners voted to move ahead with a park in Dillsboro, a river park there was first proposed in 2002 or 2003 by Duke Energy, and the Tuckaseigee River Cooperative Stakeholder Team Settlement Agreement provides for the land the county wants for the park to be turned over to Dillsboro once the Dillsboro Dam and powerhouse are removed.
Dillsboro officials surrendered their rights to that property in late 2007 when McMahan incorrectly told them that if they acquired the land from Duke the Settlement Agreement stipulated that it had to be used for recreation. The property the county voted to condemn will therefore become the property of the county at no cost once the dam and powerhouse is removed.
The 2003 Settlement Agreement has the approval of the towns of Sylva and Dillsboro, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, Swain County’s Economic Development Commission and Soil and Water Authority; N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation; N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. Division of Water Resources, the N. C. Wildlife Federation; Tuckasegee Gorge Association ; Nantahala Outdoor Center; American Whitewater and some 15 other area, state and national organizations, including all agencies with legal authority under the Federal Power Act – U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service and N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Water Quality Division.
Along with removing the Dillsboro Dam, the SA calls for designated stream flows, which will benefit boaters and fishermen on different days; expanded lake access areas with lighting, wildlife viewing platforms and rest room facilities; fishing trails; information signs and kiosks; providing for lake levels more consistent with a variety of uses; boat put-ins and take-outs, including new ones below Cedar Cliff Dam, at Cullowhee Dam, and in Barkers Creek and Whittier; purchase of a 175-acre tract adjoining the Blue Ridge Parkway that will be transferred to the U.S. Forest Service once Duke receives new licenses; $200,000 for soil and water conservation, spread among five counties; $40,000 for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife fish study; $40,000 toward a brook trout restoration project; recreational flows seven days per year for kayaking in the West Fork bypass region; $350,000 to Jackson County to be used for greenways or improvements at Andrews Park; and $50,00 and 200 hours of Duke staff time for the Dillsboro STEPS Initiative. Dillsboro has used this money to acquire the Monteith property for public use.
Jackson County did not sign the Settlement Agreement and retained Arlington, Va., attorney Paul Nolan to oppose the power company’s plans.
The complete Settlement Agreement is attached below.
Documents:
PDF: Tuckaseigee Settlement Agreement
Attached Files:
Tuckaseigee Settlement AgreementRelated posts:
- Duke could begin Dillsboro Dam demolition next week One week after the demolition of the Dillsboro powerhouse, Duke...
