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Martin Informational Meeting. Agenda. Purpose of Today’s Workshop. To respond to many of the questions and information requests we received during the Issues Identification Workshop, specifically focusing on Project Operations, Shoreline Management and the FERC Relicensing Process.
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Agenda Martin Informational Meeting
Purpose of Today’s Workshop To respond to many of the questions and information requests we received during the Issues Identification Workshop, specifically focusing on Project Operations, Shoreline Management and the FERC Relicensing Process. Martin Informational Meeting
Review of Workshop Summary • Great representation of variety of stakeholders • Numerous concerns, comments, and questions • January Workshop leads to further defining issues Martin Informational Meeting
The Issues “Funnel” Beginning of Process Broad-based concerns, comments, and information are identified Develop “Issues” related to Project Effects Develop specific studies to address project effects Filing Final Application with FERC Develop PM&E Measures to address project effects Martin Informational Meeting
Martin Issue Groups (MIGs) • 6 primary Issues • MIG 1 - Fish and Wildlife • MIG 2 - Water Quality and Quantity • MIG 3 - Project Operations • MIG 4 - Shoreline Management • MIG 5 - Recreation • MIG 6 – Cultural Resources • Use MIGs to develop existing info and identify data gaps Martin Informational Meeting
Project Operations Information Session Martin Informational Meeting
Shoreline Management Information Session Martin Informational Meeting
Mission • Alabama Power Company’s Shoreline Management Program serves as a tool for the management of hydro project shoreline lands • consistent with its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license requirements and project purposes. • The overarching goal of the program • ensure that shoreline development is consistent with the protection and enhancement of environmental, scenic, cultural and recreational values • while ensuring the continued reliable production of hydroelectric power at the project. Martin Informational Meeting
Reservoir Shoreline • 3,100 miles of shoreline • 700+ miles on Martin Reservoir • 190,000 acres of lake pool and flood storage area • 40,000 + acres on Martin Reservoir Martin Informational Meeting
History of Shoreline Permitting • 1991/92 - APC initiated a formal permitting program • over 25,000 lakeshore use permits issued • 6500 + permits on Martin Reservoir • 2,000 + permits issued per year • 800+/- on Martin Reservoir • 7 regional coordinators • Routine surveillance • Land, water, air • Satellite imagery in future (LIDAR) Martin Informational Meeting
Shoreline Construction • Construction subject to permitting program: • All new construction • Heavy maintenance to existing facilities • Major reconstruction of existing facilities • Light maintenance – voluntary permitting • Construction must be completed within 1 year • Unapproved construction is resolved through negotiation and/or litigation • Existing structures included, if acceptable Martin Informational Meeting
Individual Permit Process Martin Informational Meeting
General Guidelines • Lots with less than 100 linear feet of shoreline • Shoreline construction - set a minimum of 15 feet from property line • Piers – 420 square feet of surface area • Floating Docks – attached to stationary pier – should not exceed 12 feet beyond the stationary pier and no more than 290 square feet. • Boathouses/Wet Slips/Boat Slips – maximum 800 square feet Martin Informational Meeting
General Guidelines (Continued) • Boat ramps • maximum 20 feet in width • APC determines reasonable length into lake bed • Seawalls • constructed as close to existing shoreline as possible • rip rap at toe of wall • Dredging • must be approved by APC (possibly others) prior to removal of any material • Flotation • encapsulated and/or meet Corps of Engineers’ requirements. • All beaded foam is to be removed from reservoir by 01-01-2010 • APCo reserves the right to make exceptions and modifications Martin Informational Meeting
Initial Contact • Explanation of process and guidelines • Set appointment • Appointment needs Martin Informational Meeting
Site Visit • Guidelines presented and reviewed • Sketch review and shoreline inspection • Permit application prepared • Signature • Copy of deed and GPS coordinates • Permit fee collected if applicable • Application submitted to regional coordinator and decision made Martin Informational Meeting
When Permits Are Approved • Application is signed • File made and keyed into database • Fee processed through Accounting • Copy of permit returned to customer • Temporary construction tag is placed at site • Permit copy forwarded to the Corps of Engineers • Permit tag is installed when construction is completed • Site is monitored through routine surveillance Martin Informational Meeting
When Permits are Not Approved • Discussions between independent contactor and regional coordinator • Option for site visit and meeting with property owner • Adjustments considered Martin Informational Meeting
Commercial& Special UsePermit Process Martin Informational Meeting
Commercial and Special Use Permit Process • Handled by regional coordinator and other company reps • Hydro Licensing, Environmental Affairs and Law Firm • Explanation of process • Prepare Part 1 Standard Land Use (SLU) Form • APC determination of action • Applicable fees collected • Prepare Part 2 SLU Form Martin Informational Meeting
Commercial Permit Process (continued) • APC application to FERC • FERC review & approval • APC issues permit • Construction may NOT occur until after permit is issued Martin Informational Meeting
Other Services • Help adjoining property owners resolve disputes regarding shoreline property • Provide service to stakeholders wishing to: • Discuss property owners’ future plans • Express concerns • Need general information Martin Informational Meeting
Education • Word of mouth • Printed information • Presentations to local organizations • Annual Birmingham Sport and Boat Show • 1-800-Lakes 11 • Shorelines Newsletter • Relicensing website (www.alabamapower.com/hydro/home) Martin Informational Meeting
Permit Fees • Residential • July 1, 2005 and forward • $250 one time, not retroactive • Applies only to: • New construction • Major reconstruction • Heavy Maintenance • Fees used to enhance the Permitting Program • Administration • Increased monitoring/surveillance and permit enforcement • Training programs for contractors and realtors • Commercial and Special Use Permit Fees • Fee determined by the complexity of the application and impact to project lands and waters. Martin Informational Meeting
Proposed Process to Develop Shoreline Management Plan • Review existing land uses • Review proposed land use categories • Determine if lands need to be reclassified • Uses • TE&S species • Development • Work with stakeholders on this process Martin Informational Meeting
Current Land Use Categories Martin Informational Meeting
Questions & Answers Martin Informational Meeting
FERC Relicensing – Where Are we in this process? Martin Informational Meeting
The FERCRelicensing Process • Current license is baseline • APC is using Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) Martin Informational Meeting
Tasks for 2007 - 2008 • June - Distribute MIGs • September – Stakeholder meeting to discuss MIGs and data gathering • November – Distribute Draft Study Plans for review and comment • December 07/January 2008 - Stakeholder meeting to finalize study plans for PAD • April / June 08 – Distribute PAD and Notice of Intent • End of 2nd quarter ‘08 – FERC Scoping Meeting Martin Informational Meeting
The MartinProject Schedule • 2006-2007 – Stakeholder and Issue Identification • 2008 – ILP with FERC begins • 2009 – Study Implementation • 2010 – Preliminary Licensing Proposal • 2011 – File final application with FERC Martin Informational Meeting
Relicensing ProjectManager Jim Crew JFCREW@southernco.com 205-257-4265 Administrative Viki Jackson vjackson@southernco.com 205-257-2211 Contacts Martin Informational Meeting